Gunwerks Nexus

[carter33]

Gunwerks introduced their newest rifle the Nexus that has an innovative switch barrel design. Interested what others think of this. I do not and never have owned a Gunwerks rifle but I do have several custom rifles that really aren't too far from the price point of Gunwerks. I have several concerns that I'll list below but if this rifle stand up to the tests it could be a great buy once cry once setup that allows the owner to shoot multiple calibers from one platform. They did get a lot of things right though from the full length arca to the integrated 20 MOA rail.

Concerns:
-How will it handle pressure (aluminum action body and barrel attachment system)
-Will it retain zero each time you take the same barrel off and put it back on
-They chose to put leather on the grip and buttstock - how will that wear over time
-How robust/reliable are all the components with this being so innovative and new from the adjustable trigger to barrel attachment components
-Will Gunwerks be able to keep components in stock and again going back to reliability/durability will someone need to have spares on hand

Nexus Rifle System

Featuring Gunwerks' NXT action and interchangeable barrel system, the Nexus is the future of long range hunting.

www.gunwerks.com

 

[sram9102]

Their attachment system looks like a more substantial integrated upside down version of the WTO switchlug. It looks like the barrel attachment doubles as the recoil lug? If my switchlug has a POI difference when taking a barrel on and off it is less of a difference than I can shoot. The leather is weird to me. Good looking rifle none the less.

 

[hereinaz]

They are all becoming variations and iterations. It has been done before.

The Sig Cross and the Q are similar. It isn’t ground breaking.

AR rifles are aluminum with steel barrel extensions.

The ability to switch a barrel is already super simple. There are multuple systems that can switch with a torque wrench. And, POI shift is minimal with good gear for barrels or scopes.

I would hunt to 400-500 yards with no concern switching barrels and not confirming zero. I get maybe .5 moa movement at the most. And, my barrels are .25 to .5 moa shooters already. I just use a barrel vice and action wrench. But, will put wrench flats on my new barrels to just use a wrench for barrels instead of the vice.

I help guys set up 1 moa guns all the time and killing out to 500 is straightforward on 10 inch vitals.

It is kinda cool and probably will become more common. But, the simplicity of screwing in a barrel still wins. HS precision and others have switch barrel systems. It’s a niche market and sorta gimmicky. Guys I know who start with a switch barrel usually just buy another rifle…

 

[carter33]

Another thing I assumed is that it is a long action, maybe they will offer short or medium nexus actions in the future. Going with the long action is of course necessary if you want to switch between a 6.5PRC and the 300PRC but then you have some unnecessary weight added to the 6.5 vs going the traditional non switch barrel setup. Overall the rifle isn't exactly super lightweight even with a 20" barrel at 7.2lbs but it is very feature rich.

 

[madcalfe]

ill still stick to my custom rifle....that comes in 2lbs lighter... in all reality a barrel vise and torque wrench isn't much more complicated then 2 hex screws to quickly swap barrels. most barrel companies make prefits for the top action manufactures anyways. the adjustable trigger is a neat idea though. and id imagine a aluminum action would wear over time and not hold up like a stainless or titanium.

 

[king402]

I shot the Nexus a few weeks ago and it was great. Felt really good. Lots of things to like about it. I have one on order now. Should be a great system!

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I'm definitely not buying into it.
This gun screams gimicky for sure, as said above it's super common and easy to swap shouldered prefits already.
I've been doing it for years and honestly it's more of a hassle to swap barrels around then rezero scopes for different chamberings than it is to set up another rifle and leave it be.

Also you're marrying yourself to their overpriced proprietary barrels vs getting a high quality timed action that'll accept anyone's prefits.
Yeah and no thanks on the aluminum action, Ti is bad enough.

 

[wind gypsy]

I would want someone else prove out the AL action but I like what they did with it otherwise. Other than the leather which I’m not sure about, that stock is the shit and they continue to leave other stock makers in the dust.

The concept of their own length actions, double stack flush fit mags, sleek integrated arca/pic rails, and adjustable trigger shoe, is just more thought out and tailored to actually breaking good shots than the competition IMO.

If they just had a steel action lightened ala anti rather than that quick change aluminum deal I’d want one now

 

[Ryan Avery]

We are going to see a lot more aluminum actions.

Tanya and I got a sneak peek a few weeks ago. Long story short this is the easiest rifle to spot your own hits with period. When you're wife is spotting hits with a suppressed sub ten pound 300 PRC at 500 yards you know Gunwerks is doing something a little different and it begins and ends with the best stock design on the market.

 

[wind gypsy]

Another thing I assumed is that it is a long action, maybe they will offer short or medium nexus actions in the future. Going with the long action is of course necessary if you want to switch between a 6.5PRC and the 300PRC but then you have some unnecessary weight added to the 6.5 vs going the traditional non switch barrel setup. Overall the rifle isn't exactly super lightweight even with a 20" barrel at 7.2lbs but it is very feature rich.

Their website makes it seem like they are not on a m700 footprint and actions/mags are made to the length they want them.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Another thing I assumed is that it is a long action, maybe they will offer short or medium nexus actions in the future. Going with the long action is of course necessary if you want to switch between a 6.5PRC and the 300PRC but then you have some unnecessary weight added to the 6.5 vs going the traditional non switch barrel setup. Overall the rifle isn't exactly super lightweight even with a 20" barrel at 7.2lbs but it is very feature rich.

The weight comes from the mini chassis and that full-length arca/pic rail. I asked Aaron and Landon about making them without the mini chassis and they both said not in the near future.

The weight of the Nexus strikes a great balance between packability and shoot-ability.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

We are going to see a lot more aluminum actions.

Tanya and I got a sneak peek a few weeks ago. Long story short this is the easiest rifle to spot your own hits with period. When you're wife is spotting hits with a suppressed sub ten pound 300 PRC at 500 yards you know Gunwerks is doing something a little different and it begins and ends with the best stock design on the market.

My wife can do the same shooting 220s from my suppressed 6.7 lb 30 Nos, built on an AnTi with an Alterra carbon hunter stock.
It was a $2700 full custom build, props to GW for being innovative but the value just isn't there..
Here's wifey ringing a 12" plate with said rifle at 800 yards.

 

[carter33]

My wife can do the same shooting 220s from my suppressed 6.7 lb 30 Nos, built on an AnTi with an Alterra carbon hunter stock.
It was a $2700 full custom build, props to GW for being innovative but the value just isn't there..
Here's wifey ringing a 12" plate with said rifle at 800 yards.
View attachment 416113

$2700 for a full custom with premium parts is pretty impressive. With the action alone being roughly $1400 I’d be interested to know how you achieved that without going cheap in some department.

 

[Theringworm]

To me, the stock at least, screams "wanna be Blaser". I have owned two Gunwerks rifles and a Blaser so I feel like I have some grounds to make that statement. My R8 is simply an amazing rifle. Their straight pull action and ease of interchangeable bolt faces, barrels etc is impressive.

I have a lot of respect for Gunwerks. Aaron and crew have taken innovation to the next level. Sometimes however they take it too far. I.e., the magnus stock with its clunky changeable butt stock. Just unnecessary weight. Took them a while to realize many, most would never use it nor want it so they finally offered it without it. The Nexus, I like the idea but have zero use for the arca rail. I understand the more variations offered the more expensive it gets for product development and on hand stock. Aluminum doesn't bother me one bit. How many high-end race car engines have all aluminum blocks? It's tough enough. Kudos on the innovation however.

 

[alpine_troop]

There is a full length podcast on Gunwerks’ Long Range Pursuit show where they break down all the engineering and design details. Worth a listen for anyone interested in what they are seeing here and curious as to the ‘why’ behind the Nexus.

Personally, if I was in the market for high-end custom $4-6K rifles, I’d look hard at buying one of these before I built up anything else. I am also curious to see what comes next and what direction they take this concept for different uses.

 

[carter33]

To me, the stock at least, screams "wanna be Blaser". I have owned two Gunwerks rifles and a Blaser so I feel like I have some grounds to make that statement. My R8 is simply an amazing rifle. Their straight pull action and ease of interchangeable bolt faces, barrels etc is impressive.

I have a lot of respect for Gunwerks. Aaron and crew have taken innovation to the next level. Sometimes however they take it too far. I.e., the magnus stock with its clunky changeable butt stock. Just unnecessary weight. Took them a while to realize many, most would never use it nor want it so they finally offered it without it. The Nexus, I like the idea but have zero use for the arca rail. I understand the more variations offered the more expensive it gets for product development and on hand stock. Aluminum doesn't bother me one bit. How many high-end race car engines have all aluminum blocks? It's tough enough. Kudos on the innovation however.

My mind went to the same place in regards to the leather resembling Blaser offerings. With so many rifle makers out there though just about everything has been offered in some fashion though so I won’t hold it against them. Definitely understand how those who don’t shoot off a tripod clamp would be put off by the full arca rail though.

It seems like people like to give gunwerks a hard time, similar to people who call all BMW or Mercedes drivers assholes. I haven’t owned a gunwerks rifle and regardless of wether I wind up buying a nexus down the road I appreciate them trying to advance hunting firearms and their willingness to explore something different.

 

[Ryan Avery]

My wife can do the same shooting 220s from my suppressed 6.7 lb 30 Nos, built on an AnTi with an Alterra carbon hunter stock.
It was a $2700 full custom build, props to GW for being innovative but the value just isn't there..
Here's wifey ringing a 12" plate with said rifle at 800 yards.
View attachment 416113

I never said anything about value?

6.7 all up? For $2700??

Allterra's stock is a great design very similar to the GW Clymr, negative combs are awesome.

Prone at 800 isn't the same as 500 on a bench.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[WRM]

Aluminum doesn't bother me one bit. How many high-end race car engines have all aluminum blocks?

My 25 year old daily driver SUV has an aluminum block. Glad to know it won't be a problem.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

$2700 for a full custom with premium parts is pretty impressive. With the action alone being roughly $1400 I’d be interested to know how you achieved that without going cheap in some department.

$1050 for the AnTi
$200 triggertech primary
$300 obendorf Hawkins bottom metal and magazine kit
$550 Alterra stock (on sale)
$600 Rock Creek #5 fluted and chambered by Kampfeld Customs.
Assembled and bedded for free by little old me

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I never said anything about value?

6.7 all up? For $2700??

Allterra's stock is a great design very similar to the GW Clymr, negative combs are awesome.

Prone at 800 isn't the same as 500 on a bench.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yeah that's fair I don't bench shoot so didn't consider that angle.
With the AnTi and so many quality lightweight components available it's very easy to build a lightweight magnum in the $3k range.
Of course my March FX 4.5-28 was nearly the same cost..