Over the past five years, Nighthawk Custom of Berryville, Arkansas, has established an impeccable reputation for producing premier-quality individually built Model 1911 semiauto pistols. Now it has moved into the rifle market with the introduction of two original series of bolt-action rifles: the Nighthawk Hunter series and the Nighthawk Tactical rifles.

Each Nighthawk Custom rifle is produced with the same individual attention to detail as has made Nighthawk's Model 1911 pistols such an overwhelming market success. Two things in particular stand out about these new products in comparison to nearly all other custom rifles presently on the market.

First, they are not merely tuned, modified, or accessorized versions of existing brand-name bolt-action-rifle model platforms but are instead built, fitted, and assembled from the ground up using core elements that are designed and fabricated by Nighthawk in its own facility, supplemented by individually chosen accessory and feature components drawn from some of the most highly regarded specialty product manufacturers in the firearms world. That is to say, the Nighthawk rifles are true custom-built rifles not customized versions of existing rifles.

Nighthawk Custom Tactical:
Model:	Tactical
Purpose:	Tactical, long-range competition
Manufacturer:	Nighthawk Custom 1306 W. Trimble Berryville, AR 72616 877.268.4867
Action type:	Bolt-action
Operation:	Turn-bolt
Magazine type/ capacity:	Detachable box/ five rounds
Receiver material:	Steel
Caliber:	.308 Winchester (as tested), .300 Win. Mag., 7 Rem. Mag.
Barrel length:	22 inches, #7.2 contour (as tested)
Rifling:	Five grooves, 1:12 RH twist
Sights:	None, Picatinny rail (as tested)
Metal Finish:	Nighthawk Perma Kote
Safety:	Jewell Triggers
Trigger type:	Fully adjustable Jewell triggers
Pull weight:	11 oz. (as tested)
Stock material:	Manners Composite MCS-T4A
Stock finish:	Manners polyurethane enamel
Drop at heel:	1.5 in.
Drop at comb:	1.25 in.
Length of pull:	13.75 in.
Checkering:	None
Pistol grip cap:	None
Recoil pad:	Black Pachmayr Decelerator
Sling studs/swivels:	Three
Weight, empty:	11.5 lbs
Overall length:	41.75 in.
MSRP:	$4,250 (bolt-on-rail base model) $4,500 (integral-rail base model)

Second, the two Nighthawk rifle series are not merely different-featured versions of the same basic design. Instead, they are two entirely different products--from the basic receiver design out--with different design intent, purpose, and intended application. In our experience, they are both unsurpassed in performance and accuracy by any other comparable products in the field.

The Hunter Series
The Nighthawk Hunter series was designed for the serious hunter who is looking for maximum accuracy for precision shot placement at any range and who wants a rifle that will last a lifetime and can be passed on to future generations of hunters in his family.

The Hunter begins with a receiver action that will fit into a Remington Model 700 footprint, offering the user a wide range of stock options and additional accessory capabilities. The material used in the Hunter actions is 4140 chrome-moly steel, which is well known for its use in applications requiring strength and durability. Stainless 416R steel actions will be introduced in the near future.

All machining is performed in the heat-treated state, which reduces material movement from stress and enables adherence to closer tolerances. Receiver and action components are machined using CNC turning centers, including wire EDM cuts for the raceways to ensure accuracy and consistency. The last operation is to machine the opening helix on the bolt handle, providing a cam action that works to ease the operation of opening and closing the bolt.

The bolt is helical fluted for reduced friction and debris channeling, and it is cut with a flat-end mill. The Hunter series receiver has an external, left-side-mounted bolt release on right-handed models. Left-handed models are available with the bolt release on the right side. The fire control has been engineered to give reduced bolt lift while ensuring good impact and locktime to the primer. For the trigger mechanism, Nighthawk uses only fully adjustable Jewell match-grade triggers and safeties on all its rifles. Tested in extreme temperatures of as much as 40 degrees below Fahrenheit, they do not fail. And they also allow you to set your preference for trigger pull.

The recoil lug is pinned and machined from ground stock with a 3-degree taper to ease removal from bedding. The action and chamber are fully supported. The action is pillar bedded and full-length glass bedded. Bedding extends approximately 1½ inches in front of the recoil lug.

The internal box magazine holds four rounds, and the magazine floorplate operates in familiar Remington M700 fashion. The floorplate and trigger mechanism inletting in the stock is also precision bedded.

Nighthawk Custom Hunter:
Model:	Hunter
Purpose:	Hunting
Manufacturer:	Nighthawk Custom 1306 W. Trimble Berryville, AR 72616 877.268.4867
Action type:	Bolt-action
Operation:	Turn-bolt
Magazine type/ capacity:	Internal box/ four rounds
Receiver material:	Steel
Caliber:	.308 Winchester (other calibers by request)
Barrel length:	25 inches, #4 contour (other lengths and contours by request)
Rifling:	Five grooves, 1:12 RH twist
Sights:	None, receiver drilled and tappes for scope bases.
Metal Finish:	Nighthawk Perma Kote
Safety:	Jewell Triggers
Trigger type:	Fully adjustable Jewell triggers
Pull weight:	14 oz. (as tested)
Stock material:	Manners Composite MCS-T3
Stock finish:	Manners polyurethane enamel
Drop at heel:	1.5 in.
Drop at comb:	1.25 in.
Length of pull:	13.5 in.
Checkering:	None
Pistol grip cap:	None
Recoil pad:	Black Pachmayr Decelerator
Sling studs/swivels:	Three
Weight, empty:	7.5 lbs
Overall length:	44.5 in.
MSRP:	$3,895 (base model)