Sunday GunDay: Kelbly’s Nanook MG — 7.9-Lb LR Hunting Rifle
When a hunter treks deep into the backcountry, he wants a tough yet light-weight rifle that’s easy to carry. But if the hunter is pursing very big game, such as a mature bull elk, he needs a rifle capable of shooting a large-caliber bullet at serious velocities. That’s what Kelbly’s offers with the impressive Nanook MG rifle. Built on a magnesium chassis, with a 26″ carbon-wrapped barrel and folding stock, the 7.9-lb Nanook MG is a long-range hunting rifle that’s easy to carry, yet can effectively shoot big-caliber cartridges capable of taking very large game.
The Kelbly’s Nanook MG offers the benefits of a chassis rifle with lighter weight through the use of carbon fiber components. Take a look — you’ll see carbon pistol grip, carbon cheek riser, and even a carbon buttstock beam. And the buttstock folds 180-degrees behind the chassis. This allows convenient carry when strapped to a backpack. With its folding stock, the Nanook MG is quite “packable” even with a 26″ barrel that allows high velocities from .300 PRC, .300 Norma Magnum, or .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges.
Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). CLICK HERE to DONATE to RMEF.
Nanook MG — Modern Chassis Rifle for the Long Range Hunter
The Nanook MG is a modern, light-weight chassis rifle optimized for medium- and long-range game hunting. Key Nanook MG components are low mass, allowing an overall weight of just 7 lbs. 14 ounces (before scope) even with a 26″ barrel. The heart of the rifle is Kelbly’s new light-weight Nanook action that weighs just 26.5 ounces. The barreled action rides in a magnesium XLR Element 4.0 MG chassis fitted with a carbon fiber hand grip and cheek riser to save those precious ounces. To ease packing the rifle, the chassis is fitted with a folding buttstock. This allows the rifle to have a proper 26″-long barrel to deliver high velocity with big cartridges.
The carbon-wrapped Heavy Palma Contour barrel is crafted by Preferred Carbon and fitted with self-timing Klaw Muzzle Brake. Kelbly’s states these barrels give excellent 3-shot accuracy, enough shots for any hunting situation. That accuracy is aided by a premium Bix’N Andy Dakota trigger set at a crisp 2.5 pounds.
Q & A with Ian Kelbly about the Features of the Nanook MG Rifle
Q: What were Kelbly’s design goals in making the Nanook MG rifle?
Kelbly: Our design goal was to create an optimized long range hunting rifle. We wanted something easy to pack (i.e. light-weight with a folding stock), that still had a fairly long 26″ barrel. This barrel length allows the hunter to take full advantage of the .300 PRC, .300 Norma Magnum, or .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges. We also wanted to showcase our new Nanook action, fitted to a modern chassis rifle that was light enough for mountain hunting.
Q: What are the best features of the Nanook MG Rifle?
Kelbly: There are many important features in this turn-key hunting rifle. The magnesium XLR Element chassis boasts high strength and ruggedness, with no more weight than a synthetic stock. The carbon-wrapped barrel from Preferred Barrels offers ample length for high velocities, but significantly reduced weight compared to a normal stainless barrel. The Bix’N Andy Dakota single-stage trigger provides a super-crisp break with the adjustability of a high end competition trigger.
Q: What factors favor a Chassis Rifle for long-range hunting?
Kelbly: The XLR Element 4.0 MG chassis offers the modularity of a modern precision rifle, including a full-length ARCA Rail for bipod/tripod attachment, but with the weight of a synthetic stock. The chassis also features M-Lok slots for for attaching any accessories that the hunter would want. Another key feature is that this chassis design allows you to fold the buttstock for scabbard packs and easy carrying.
Q: How do the carbon-wrap barrel and folding stock benefit the hunter in the field?
Kelbly: The carbon barrel allows us to remove significant weight from the rifle. We also specify the rifle with a carbon buttstock and hand grip to allow for more weight savings. The folding stock makes transport and packing much easier by reducing the overall length. Carbon barrels are well-suited for hunting, as they have proven to be very repeatable on cold bore and follow-up shots. The only thing a carbon barrel can’t do well is sustained rapid fire for many shots, but that is not needed for big game hunting applications.
Q. What are good chambering options for the Nanook MG Rifle?
Kelbly: We offer the Nanook MG in .300 PRC, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. All chamberings include a self-timing Klaw Muzzle Brake.
Kelbly’s Nanook Steel Action — Strong Yet Light-Weight
The two-lug Nanook action, at just 26.5 ounces, is extremely light for a steel action. The action body is made of 416R steel while the bolt is 4140 steel. This action features built-in Picatinny rail, while the bolt boasts an aluminum handle plus teardrop bolt knob.
How to Make Your Elk Hunt a Success
A North American elk hunt represents the adventure of a lifetime for many. Before heading out on an elk hunt, you want to maximize your chances of success by having the right equipment, and by doing your homework before the hunt. This National Shooting Sport Foundation (NSSF) video offers good advice on planning your first elk hunt.
Success! Elk hunt photo from West Canyon Ranch, a private hunting ranch in Utah.
In response to a Bulletin article about 
Eye Protection — Lesson Learned
Editor’s Comment: Among competitive pistol shooters, the use of safety eyewear is universal. You’ll never see Rob Leatham, Julie Golob, or Jerry Miculek competing without eye protection — for good reason. The handgun sports’ governing bodies effectively enforce mandatory eye protection policies. We wish the same could be said for competitive rifle shooting. We often see benchrest, High Power, and F-Class competitors shooting without eye protection. We’ve heard all the excuses, yet none of them trump the safety considerations involved.
