A casual glance at the Gunwerks Skuhl and a rifleman might conclude that it is another Model 700-­footprint action in a carbon-fiber stock, chambered in cartridges designed to pursue dangerous game. Technically, that’s correct. However, a list of details for this rifle is found nowhere else.

Gunwerks makes its own stocks, and the methods used are entirely exclusive. Most carbon-fiber stocks use a mold and a bladder, for example. The mold determines the shape while a bladder is inserted inside the mold and then filled with air. The bladder squeezes the carbon-fiber shell into place so each stock is the same when it’s cured. The bladder is then removed and the manufacturer injects expanding foam into the shell.

As long as the foam stays bonded to the carbon-fiber shell, the stock performs fine. The foam serves a vital role in most synthetic-material stocks; it’s what supports the action and keeps it from moving when the rifle fires because the action doesn’t contact the shell. If there is an aluminum bedding block, the foam is what the block attaches to. The worst that can happen to the foam in a synthetic stock is it can’t handle the loads placed on it — such as when stocks are made really light — or when it separates from the outer shell. The release agent for the bladder used in making the shell inhibits the foam from sticking to it, so manufacturers invest time cleaning the release agent out before injecting foam. The option is to make cheap stocks and hope everything sticks together.

Gunwerks makes its stock differently. A Gunwerks stock is formed, shaped and cured in one operation. When asked how one makes the lightest and most rigid stock possible, Gunwerk’s President Aaron Davidson said, “The secret is you can’t add the foam later.” Gunwerks takes the carbon-fiber shell and places two semi-­cured syntactic foam stiffener plates along the sides and bottom edge. The plates are about a quarter-­inch thick and run from the tip of the forend through the grip. These plates replace the traditional foam used in synthetic stock making. Once the stock and stiffener plates are put under heat and pressure, the assembly co-­molds into a single monolithic unit where the plates cannot separate from the shell. The structure is so stiff and efficient that Gunwerks’ stocks are stronger and weigh at least 8 ounces less than previous models.

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The stock seen on the Skuhl is the Clymer model, which was designed to be a compact hunting stock. It has all of the features that made Gunwerks stocks popular with discerning sportsmen willing to pay a premium for a solution, not just a rifle. The negative comb, i.e., a comb that is higher at the shoulder than at the grip, decreases the pressure put on the shooter’s cheek when the rifle fires. The toe is flat on the bottom and carries a slight angle that allows the shooter to make slight elevation adjustments by moving the rear bag fore and aft. 

Sling-swivel flush cups sit on each side of the buttstock. They are machined into an aluminum plate that sits between the buttpad and stock, so there is zero chance of the flush cups pulling out of the carbon-fiber shell.

The stock’s grip has flats for the thumb and for the thumb’s portion of the palm. Many shooters like to rest the thumb on the side of the grip. This model allows either left-­ or right-­handed shooters to do so effortlessly with lots of support. The grip is angled and leaves enough space between the firing hand and the triggerguard that the guard does not make contact with the fingers under recoil, even when shooting the .375 H&H Magnum.

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The forend is equally well-engineered. There is a flat on the bottom with slightly angled edges. This allows the forend to ride supports and rest well while still being comfortable in the hand. There is a section of rail and a flush cup recessed into the forend tip so that it is also flush with the bottom of the forend. This is the most copied stock feature appearing on synthetic stocks today; Gunwerks created it. It allows the forend to be completely smooth and flat, while still allowing for the quick attachment of bipods, tripods and slings.

There is an aluminum bedding block that exists inside the stock. It contains the best-­kept secret in how to build a bedding block, yielding excellent accuracy. Gunwerks uses a wedge system that pinches the recoil lug to immobilize the barreled action under recoil. Just about everyone knows that aluminum bedding blocks don’t need bedding compound; drop in a barreled action and head to the range. Watch a rifle with a regular bedding block fire under a high-­frame rate camera and it’s obvious the barreled action moves around. The wedge system Gunwerks uses almost completely eliminates this movement; it’s a reason why this rifle doesn’t throw the occasional “flyer.”

The action also has significant improvements versus the usual M700 clone. A glance at the bolt face reveals two plunger-style ejectors and a 1911-­type extractor. This is evidence of thoughtful design. The dual ejectors push cases out of the receiver quickly and reliably. The extractor is located just inside the outboard bolt lug, so cases are thrown as far away from the scope as possible. It’s a great combination for the long .375 H&H Magnum to guarantee reliable extraction and ejection.

At The Range

Shooting the Gunwerks Skuhl was less punishing than Guns & Ammo’s staff expected. The stock and buttpad absorbs a lot of recoil. The steel barrel has a heavy profile, and the weight’s location further helps this rifle remain shootable. As well, the small muzzlebrake is effective but doesn’t direct the blast back toward the shooter; it does a great job of reducing the rifle’s rearward movement.

There are several features built into the Gunwerks Skuhl that are not usually found on rifles chambered in .375 H&H. The Skuhl brings all of the modernity, convenience and reliability that design and manufacturing allow for one of world’s most proven and effective dangerous game cartridges. For $100 less, the Skuhl is also available in .338 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM), .375 Ruger, and .416 Ruger. A left-hand action is also an option.

Gunwerks Skuhl 

• Type: Bolt ­action
• Cartridge: .375 H&H Mag. (tested)
• Capacity: 3+1 rds.
• Barrel: 21 in.; 1:11.5-­in. twist
• Overall Length: 43.5 in.
• Weight: 7 lbs., 6 oz.
• Stock: Carbon fiber
• Length of Pull: 13.5 in.
• Finish: Cerakote, Graphite
• Trigger: TriggerTech, 2 lbs., 8 oz.
• Sights: None
• MSRP: $7,085 (tested)
• Manufacturer: Gunwerks, 877-­393-­1639, gunwerks.com