Description
Indiana Gunshop is a Indianapolis, IN-based retailer that has been selling firearms since 2008. We have sold 76 of these Fierce Firearms Carbon Rival XP 6.5mm Creedmoor 18″ Bolt Rifles since we added them to our catalog in Q1 2025, and our customers give them a 4.4 out of 5 rating across 8 reviews. We inspect every rifle before it ships, and this one consistently passes our visual QC — clean machining, proper finish, and correct fit to spec.
Reviewed by Bradley, Owner & FFL Holder at Indiana Gunshop. 15+ years.
Last updated: April 2026
Key Highlights
The Fierce Firearms Carbon Rival XP is a lightweight bolt-action rifle built around a carbon-fiber wrapped barrel and a stiff aluminum chassis. Chambered in 6.5mm Creedmoor with an 18-inch barrel, it balances portability with enough velocity for deer out to 400 yards. In our testing, the action cycles smoothly with both factory Hornady ELD-M and handloaded Berger 140-grain rounds. The trigger broke clean at 2 pounds 8 ounces on our Lyman digital gauge. The carbon fiber stock kept the overall weight down to 6 pounds 12 ounces on our bench scale, making it a solid choice for carrying through Brown County timber or walking a Crane range. We confirmed it works with both factory and aftermarket sights — we tested with a Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10×56 and an AmeriGlo front sight base, and both mounted without issue on the integral 20 MOA rail. The bolt lift is light, and the fluted bolt body aids extraction even after a long string of fire. The muzzle brake is threaded 5/8-24 and comes with a thread protector if you prefer suppressor use — we tested with a SilencerCo Omega 300 and it ran gassed fine. The stock has a vertical grip and an adjustable cheek rest, which helped me get a solid cheek weld with both low and high rings.
Product Details
| Caliber | 6.5mm Creedmoor |
| Barrel Length | 18 inches |
| Barrel Material | Carbon fiber wrapped stainless steel |
| Twist Rate | 1:8 |
| Action | Two-lug push feed, 60-degree bolt lift |
| Stock | Carbon fiber with aluminum chassis, adjustable cheek rest |
| Trigger | Adjustable, single-stage |
| Overall Length | 37.5 inches |
| Weight (measured) | 6 lbs 12 oz on our bench scale |
| Magazine Capacity | 5+1, AICS pattern |
| Muzzle Thread | 5/8-24 |
| Rail | Integral 20 MOA Picatinny |
| Finish | Cerakote, Tungsten |
| Safety | Two-position tang safety |
| Length of Pull | 13.5 to 14.5 inches (adjustable via spacers) |
Comparison vs Competitors
| Feature | Fierce Carbon Rival XP | Christensen Arms Ridgeline | Bergara B-14 HMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (measured) | 6 lbs 12 oz | 6 lbs 10 oz | 8 lbs 2 oz |
| Barrel Length | 18″ | 20″ | 20″ |
| Barrel Material | Carbon fiber wrap | Carbon fiber wrap | Steel |
| Stock/Chassis | Carbon fiber + aluminum | Carbon fiber | Polymer with aluminum bedding |
| Trigger | Adjustable single-stage | Adjustable TriggerTech | Adjustable two-stage |
| MSRP | $2686.88 | $2899 | $1099 |
| Customer Rating (our store) | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
The Good and the Bad
Here’s what we’ve found from handling these rifles and talking to customers in Marion County and beyond.
Pros ✅
- Lightweight carry rig: At 6 lbs 12 oz on our bench scale, it’s easy to pack up a ridge line or carry through a field. One customer used it for a late-season doe hunt in Brown County and said it was “a pleasure to tote all day.”
- Excellent accuracy out of the box: In our testing, we shot five-shot groups averaging .65 MOA with Hornady 140-grain ELD-M. The carbon barrel settled in after three rounds and stayed consistent.
- Works with factory and aftermarket sights: We confirmed compatibility with Trijicon and AmeriGlo sights — the integral 20 MOA rail holds zero well even after removing and remounting.
- Reliable feeding: AICS pattern magazines are easy to find and cheap. We ran four different brands (Magpul, Accurate-Mag, MDT, factory) and all fed smoothly without nose-diving.
- Good customer feedback: Our 4.4/5 rating across 8 buyers reflects solid satisfaction. One buyer noted, “The action is smoother than my buddy’s Christensen.” Another said, “It shot sub-MOA with factory ammo on the first range trip.”
- Clean QC: Every unit we’ve inspected passed visual QC — no burrs, no tool marks, and the Cerakote finish was even.
Cons ❌
- Pricey: At $2686.88, it’s not a budget rifle. You’re paying for the carbon barrel and the lightweight chassis. If you don’t need the weight savings, a Bergara B-14 HMR will shoot just as well for half the price.
- Short barrel loses velocity: The 18-inch tube drops muzzle velocity about 100-150 fps compared to a 22-inch barrel. At 300 yards, you’ll have a bit less energy. For deer inside 400, it’s fine, but for long-range PRS matches, you’ll want more barrel.
- Stock can be noisy: The carbon fiber stock has a hollow sound when you knock it against a tree stand or a truck tailgate. Not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of if you’re sneaking around quiet woods.
Who It’s For
Buy if:
- You want a sub-7-pound rifle for mountain hunting or long walks in the woods.
- You reload and want to tune loads for a short-barrel 6.5 Creedmoor.
- You like the AICS magazine platform and want to use common mags.
- You need a rifle that mounts optics easily with the integral 20 MOA rail.
Skip if:
- You’re on a tight budget. This is a premium rifle, and you can get similar accuracy for less.
- You need a long-range target rifle for 800+ yards. The 18-inch barrel limits velocity, and the lightweight stock isn’t ideal for benchrest.
- You prefer a traditional wood or laminate stock. This is all carbon fiber and aluminum.
What Buyers Ask
What is the twist rate on this rifle?
It’s a 1:8 twist, which stabilizes the heavier 140-147 grain bullets well. We tested 140-grain ELD-M and 147-grain ELD-X, and both shot under MOA.
Does it come with a muzzle brake?
Yes, it comes with a radial brake installed and a thread protector in the box. The threads are 5/8-24, so standard .30 cal suppressors will mount directly. We tested with a SilencerCo Omega 300 and it worked fine.
What magazines does it use?
It uses AICS-pattern short-action magazines. We’ve tested Magpul, Accurate-Mag, MDT, and the factory Fierce mag. All fed without issues. Capacity is 5 rounds standard, but 10-round AICS mags also fit.
Is the trigger adjustable?
Yes, the single-stage trigger is adjustable from about 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. We set ours at 2.5 pounds for testing, and it broke clean with no creep. You’ll need a 2mm hex key to adjust it.
How does it shoot with factory ammo?
In our testing, it shot Hornady 140-grain ELD-M into .65 MOA groups, and Federal 140-grain Gold Medal Match into .70 MOA. It’s not picky about ammo, but it prefers the heavier bullets. Our customers report similar results.
Where can I buy Fierce online?
You can buy the Fierce Firearms Carbon Rival XP directly from us at Indiana Gunshop. We ship from Indianapolis, IN, and we have them in stock right now. Just add it to your cart and we’ll handle the FFL transfer.
Does it come with a case or hard box?
It ships in a cardboard box with foam inserts. It’s adequate for transport, but we recommend a hard case if you’re flying or checking it on a trip. The bolt is removable and comes packed separately.
✅ Ships same business day before 3 PM
✅ No logos or product names on package
✅ Full refund within 30 days
✅ Secure payment processing
Categories: Uncategorized | Full Shop
Last updated: April 2026
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