… and also the men who have picked up the reins of producing them again, after a hiatus of several years. The Ramblers were my brain child. You will find much discussion about them in the Kifaru.net Message Board archives as well as by Googling on the web. The rationale for their invention was, and still is, this: They are purpose-built for the long range backpacker who requires a powerful enough rifle for the terrain he’s operating in for doing whatever needs doing–living off the land, self defense, hunting, or just rambling the high and wide in complete self-sufficiency. As such, they were and still are the lightest serious caliber rifles ever built. When one is operating afoot weight efficiency is paramount. They were and are quite accurate as well. AND they are take-down switch-caliber rifles to top things off. They are therefore do-anything micro-light tools for serious on-foot riflemen. One rifle filling the requirements of several…and all with a single scope too. So the cost is spread widely over multiple functions, making for an attractive all-up cost benefit analysis, if one wishes to account for it.
Kifaru produced fifty of the original Rambling Rifles–built for me by various talented gunsmiths. I abandoned the project when I had finally had enough of “gunsmith time” on the part of contract gunsmiths. All other Kifaru products were under my direct control, so when I said I would deliver on time I did. Not so with the rifles; someone else was doing the actual building, but I was left holding the bag on timely delivery. All fifty rifles were serialized. The Gen II’s will commence with serial number fifty one. (I even know the man who will receive it; if I’m not mistaken he owns original rifle–and three barrels– number 39. Welcome back, sir!) Perhaps many of you know that the original fifty have become pretty sought after pieces.
The men behind the Re-Introduction of Kifaru Rambling Rifles are Ross Shelton, C.J. Conant, and Joshua Manhke. I have known Ross ever since his return from combat Marine service. His wife is the daughter of Kifaru’s own Ken Lentz. Ties run deep in other words. Ross and his friend C.J. approached me two years ago about bringing Ramblers back. I said fine as long as they are as good as the originals and if you fellows handle the sales and production. They agreed and I gave them my blessing. They have done just that. The Rambler they presented me for accuracy testing put three shots into 5/16 inch with these antique eyes behind the scope. The gun is less than five pounds with scope. Good enough…Ramblers are back.
Joshua is the man to talk to regarding technical matters and ordering. He is completely knowledgeable about ballistics, hand loading and calibers for hunting all manner of game. He and I have ongoing discussions about such things because I’m a nut about it too.
I am still involved in the new Company, Kifaru Arms, just not directly. I am available for consultation, and love talking about calibers and such. I’ve shot Ramblers a lot as you might imagine. Kifaru Arms deals in other firearms and parts as well, just for the record. They do a good job of it too. They are right here in the north end of the Kifaru Headquarters building; we talk all the time.
The Rambling Rifles are better than ever. The Kifaru Arms crew did not rest on original laurels. A Rambling Pistol is in the works (much to my delight). And much more. Check ‘em out. If you’re a remote kind of rifleman–a Rambling man–these very special firearms are built for you.
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- A Kifaru Rambler with the Gen I rifle.
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- A Kifaru Rambler with the Gen I rifle.
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- A Kifaru Rambler with the Gen I rifle.
Accuracy is and always has been one of the most important aspects of the Rambling Rifle. It has also been the biggest challenge in developing the Rambling Rifle given the competing demand that the Rambling Rifle be as lightweight as possible. However, after numerous prototypes and experimenting with different materials and development processes, we are proud to announce that the Gen II Rambling Rifle is one of the lightest and most accurate hunting rifles on the market. It is without a doubt the most accurate micro light, take-down, switch caliber hunting rifle on the planet. Patrick Smith himself has obtained 3 shot groups well under one inch from 100 yards. In benchrest testing, the Gen II Rambling Rifle has proven to be capable of shooting sub MOA groups including one cloverleaf 5/16” group that Patrick Smith shot from a hand tight, cold, fouled barrel using Hornady 178 grain BTHP Superformance Match factory ammo on 1-22-2013.
FEATHER WEIGHT (Under 5 lbs with scope in standard calibers)-
The Generation II Rambling Rifle is a microlight hunting system that in short action, non-magnum form weighs in under 5lbs with a Leupold 2-7 power scope, mounts and muzzle brake. Magnum calibers and long actions will weigh up to 8oz more due to barrel length/diameter and action length.
SWITCH CALIBERS & SWITCH MAG-
The original Rambling Rifle’s ability to switch caliber in the field within the same caliber family but with the Gen II we are now offering the option to switch from magnum to non-magnum calibers in long and short action form. The Gen II will come in a variety of calibers including the new and very popular .300 Ruger Compact Magnum.
TITANIUM ACTION-
The proprietary action for the Gen II has been designed specifically for the switch caliber/magnum and is machined of 6Al-4V or Grade 5 titanium to the tightest possible tolerances using a wire EDM. Each action is individually glass bedded with aluminum pillars in the Rambling Rifle’s proprietary micro-light stock made of carbon fiber, kevlar and fiberglass.
CARBON WRAPPED BARRELS (with optional muzzle break)-
The barrel for the Gen II is cryo-treated match grade 416 stainless or 4140 chromoly and turned to absolute minimum contour. It is then wrapped to bull barrel diameter with a high temp resin and carbon fiber resulting in a very strong barrel with minimal barrel whip while weighing in very light and creating a very well balanced rifle with a fully floated barrel. Options can include a titanium or aluminum microlight muzzle brake. (Stainless barrels will weigh a few ounces more than the chromoly, due to minimal wall thickness/hoop strength specifications for use in cold weather conditions.)
ORDER TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS-
The Gen II Rambling Rifle is available in right-hand or left-hand actions with customizable length of pull. It comes with one barrel but you can order as many as you would like to optimize the switch caliber feature. Also, you may order a different bolt to utilize the switch-mag feature giving you many options in your Rambling Rifle arsenal. All metal parts are cera-coated and each Rambling Rifle gen II comes with a Kifaru Soft carrying case capable of carrying 4 barrels, bolts, Rifle and optics.
While most custom rifle manufacturers are running nearly one year out, we are able to put a rifle in your hands in as short as 5 months if it is not currently in stock and depending on options and barrel requests.
INCLUDED OPTIONS:
-Custom microlight long or short Kifaru titanium action standard or magnum bolt
-Custom firing pin
-Timney lightweight trigger
-Microlight carbon wrapped barrel
-Talley Scope Mount/Ring- Low, Mid High Height
-Custom microlight stock aluminum pillar/glass bedded to individual action fitted with decelerator recoil pad
-Custom color options- olive green, grey, black or brown with option to add tan, black or tan & black webbing
-Kifaru soft carrying case and microlight sling
-CALIBER OPTIONS:
-Short Action Non Mag 20” .22-250
-Short Action Non Mag 20” .220 Swift
-Short Action Non Mag 20” .243 Win
-Short Action Non Mag 20” .260 Rem
-Short Action Non Mag 20” 6.5 Creedmore
-Short Action Non Mag 20” .284 Win
-Short Action Non Mag 20” .308 Win
-Short Action Mag 22” 7mm WSM
-Short Action Mag 22” 7mm RSAUM
-Short Action Mag 22” .300 WSM
-Short Action Mag 22” .300 RCM
-Short Action Mag 22” .338 RCM (coming soon!)
-Long Action Non Mag 22” .270 Win
-Long Action Non Mag 22” .280 Rem
-Long Action Non Mag 22” .30-06
-Long Action Mag 24”7mm Rem Mag
-Long Action Mag 24” .300 Win Mag
-Long Action Mag 24” .338 Win Mag
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:
-Extra Micro-Light Bolt- Standard or Magnum
-Minibrake Muzzlebrake- Titanium, Aluminum, Steel
-Additional Barrel(s) (see caliber list)
-Aluminum Locking Case
-Lightweight Four End Rail
-Angled fore-grip
