Colt jumped on the bandwagon of modern bolt-action rifles with light alloy chassis with considerable delay (and only after the acquisition by CZ), showcasing the CBX at the SHOT Show, in January 2023. Almost one year later, and describing it as “a hybrid rifle, offering the precision, ergonomics, and reliability of a competition rifle within a lightweight, field-ready platform,” Colt offers a new variant called CBX Tac Hunter. The CBX Tac Hunter features a nitride steel threaded barrel, a black nitride carbon steel receiver and a gray synthetic adjustable stock with pistol grip.
Just like the original CBX, this version too is available in the popular .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor calibers. Barrel length is 20"/508 mm (.308 Win) or 22”/559 mm (6.5 Creedmoor), with sporter-profile barrels to balance ballistic performance and carrying convenience: the .308 variant weighs 3,130 g 6.5, while the Creedmoor variant with its longer barrel adds an extra 136 g, totaling a weight of 3,266 g.
A CZ action for the Colt CBX Tac Hunter
The CBX rifles use the CZ 600 bolt with six locking lugs in two rows and a short extractor that locks into the barrel. It's a smooth action with a 60° bolt throw for faster cycling and quick follow-up shots. Colt claims that the rifle is designed to deliver tight groupings and reliable performance, including a sub-MOA guarantee, in order to instill “hunters with the confidence needed to take down targets at all distances”. Besides accuracy, price is the other selling point of the CBX Tac Hunter, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price just under the $1,000 mark, at $999.
The black nitride treatment protects the carbon steel, button-rifled barrel. The muzzle is 9/16”-24 UNEF threaded, equipped with a thread protector for attaching aftermarket accessories.
Trigger is user-adjustable between 1,134 g and 2,268 g to match the shooter’s preference. There are no sights: the receiver is designed to accept Rem700 pattern scope mounts and bases with #8-40 threads, accompanied by Colt blue thread protectors. The CBX Tac Hunter bolt-action rifle also incorporates a 2-position tang safety.
Speaking of the synthetic stock, the more vertical pistol grip enhances ergonomics and trigger control, featuring stippling on the main contact areas. The Length of Pull (LOP) can be changed from 324 mm to 362 mm using spacers (3 of which are included). The CBX Tac Hunter also includes an ambidextrous mag release and a 5-round AICS magazine.
Colt CBX Tac Hunter specs and price
| Calibers: | .308 Win,
6.5 Creedmoor |
| Finish: | Black
Nitride |
| Stock: | Synthetic,
with pistol grip |
| Barrel
Length: | 20”/505
mm (.308 Win) or 22”/559 mm (6.5 Creedmoor) |
| Overall
Length: | 100.9 cm
(with 20” barrel) |
| Magazine: | 5 round
Magpul AICS |
| Sights: | None |
| Barrel
Thread: | 9/16×24 |
| Price
(MSRP in the U.S.): | $999 |
