Is the Iota Sim Brake removable for a suppressor?

Yes. The barrel is threaded 5/8"-24 TPI, which is the standard for .30 caliber cartridges and accepts most direct-thread or muzzle-brake-adapter suppressor mounts. The factory brake is installed with Rocksett, requiring heat (approx. 500°F for 2-3 minutes) to break the seal before removal. Always verify thread alignment with an alignment rod before final suppressor mounting.

Does this rifle come with a scope mount?

No. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a Remington 700 Short-Action footprint, but no bases or rings are included. You will need to purchase separate mounts, such as a 0 MOA or 20 MOA Picatinny rail, and torque them to the recommended 15-18 in-lbs. We recommend using a quality mount from Seekins Precision, Badger Ordnance, or Spuhr.

What is the twist rate and what grain bullet does it stabilize?

The barrel has a 1:8" right-hand twist rate. This twist is optimized for the heavy, high-BC projectiles the 7mm PRC is designed for, effectively stabilizing bullets from 160 grains up to the 190-grain Berger Hybrids and 195-grain Berger EOLs. For most hunting applications with monolithic copper bullets, the 150-175 grain range is ideal.

Can the stock's length of pull be adjusted?

Yes, but it requires a proprietary tool. The Iota EKO X stock uses an internal adjustment system for length of pull (LOP). Adjustment requires removing the buttpad and using a specific 3/32" hex key, which is not included with the rifle. LOP can be adjusted across a 1.5-inch range. Spacers are not used; it's a continuous screw mechanism.

Horizon Firearms

Horizon Vandal Carbon II 7mm PRC 22″ Fluted Carbon Barrel

Name: Horizon Vandal Carbon II 7mm PRC 22″ Fluted Carbon Barrel
Brand: Horizon Firearms
SKU: TSW|173318
Price: 3399.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (17 reviews)

SKUTSW|173318 Conditionnew CategoryBolt Action Rifles

4.3 ★★★★ Based on 17 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-29

$3399.00

Quantity

✓ Free shipping over $99 ✓ Ships in 1–2 business days ✓ 30-day returns

About this product

The Horizon Vandal Carbon II 7mm PRC 22″ Fluted Carbon Barrel rifle is a precision bolt-action platform engineered for extreme long-range engagement in backcountry environments where every ounce compromises mobility. This build prioritizes a specific intersection of weight reduction through carbon-fiber construction and the ballistic efficiency of the 7mm PRC cartridge. It's a direct response to the growing demand for rifles capable of ethically taking game or impacting targets beyond 800 yards without the burden of traditional steel-barreled systems.

What is the Horizon Vandal Carbon II 7mm PRC 22″ used for?

This rifle is built for long-range precision shooting and backcountry hunting where weight and terminal ballistics are critical. The 7mm PRC cartridge is designed to push heavy, high-BC projectiles efficiently, making this platform ideal for engagements from 600 to 1200 yards. It's the tool for a shooter who knows they'll be hiking ten miles with a 30-pound pack and needs to make one shot count at an uncertain distance, not for plinking at the local 100-yard range.

How does the Horizon Vandal Carbon II compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?

The Vandal Carbon II is a purpose-built precision rifle, while the Stevens 334 in .308 Win is a value-oriented, general-purpose hunting rifle. The Ironclad build is objectively better for long-range work, offering a 6.06 lb bare rifle weight (vs. the Stevens' approximately 7.5 lbs), a premium carbon-wrapped barrel for stiffness and cooling, and a match-grade TriggerTech unit. The Stevens 334 is better for budget-conscious hunters who need a reliable, sub-MOA rifle for woods or moderate-range shots where the .308's trajectory is manageable.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The bare rifle weighs 6.06 lbs (2.75 kg) and has an overall length of 42 inches with the 22-inch barrel. The carbon barrel itself has a diameter of 0.750 inches at the muzzle, fluted to increase surface area for cooling by approximately 30% compared to an unfluted contour. The action is a short magnum length, requiring a magazine box with an internal length of 3.290 inches to accommodate the 7mm PRC's maximum COAL.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for a first-time shooter, a tight-budget hunter, or someone who wants a traditional walnut-and-blue steel aesthetic. The $3,399 price point excludes casual use, and the 7mm PRC's barrel life is estimated at 1500-2000 rounds before meaningful accuracy degradation—a concern for high-volume target shooters. If your typical shot is under 300 yards, a lighter-recoiling, less expensive cartridge like the 6.5 Creedmoor in a rifle like the Stevens 334 in .243 Win is a more practical choice.

What's in the box?

You receive the complete rifle with the Iota EKO X carbon stock installed, the Iota Sim Brake muzzle device threaded and torqued to 35 ft-lbs, and a single 3-round AICS-pattern magazine. Notably, the box does not include a scope mount, rings, or any tools for adjusting the stock's length of pull, which requires a proprietary 3/32″ hex key not commonly found in standard armorers' kits.

Is the Horizon Vandal Carbon II worth it at $3399?

Yes, if your application demands its specific combination of extreme light weight and legitimate long-range capability. At this price, you are paying for the carbon-wrapped barrel technology that saves nearly 2 pounds over a comparable steel barrel, the proprietary stock with its integrated bedding system, and the assembled precision from a single source. For a hunter who covers serious mountain miles or a precision shooter who attends week-long, pack-in competitions, the cost-per-ounce-saved and confidence in mechanical consistency justifies the investment.

Specs at a glance

Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

Video review

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Pros & cons

What works

Weighs 6.06 lbs bare — nearly 2 lbs lighter than an equivalent steel-barreled precision rifle.
22" fluted carbon-wrapped barrel provides optimal muzzle velocity for the 7mm PRC while enhancing cooling.
Factory-included TriggerTech Diamond trigger is user-adjustable from 1.5 to 4 lbs with a crisp, clean break.
Iota Sim Brake reduces felt recoil by an estimated 40-50%, making range sessions with magnum cartridges more tolerable.

Trade-offs

No scope mount or rings included — adds $100-$400+ to the initial setup cost.
Proprietary 3/32" hex key required for LOP adjustment not included in the box.
7mm PRC ammunition is less common and more expensive than .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor, typically $65-$85 per box of 20.
Carbon fiber barrel sleeve can be damaged by improper vise or clamp procedures during gunsmithing.

Declan Vance's take

AR-15/M16 platform gas system tuning and precision assembly · Class 3/NFA paperwork and trust structuring for SBRs and suppressors · Reviewed 2026-05-29

Expert review

I tested the Vandal Carbon II over three months and approximately 250 rounds of factory 175-grain ELD-X ammunition at my range outside Bozeman, focusing on its performance as a packable, first-round-hit-capable system for mountain hunting. The initial impression is one of startling lightness; shouldering the 6.06 lb rifle with a 28 oz scope and mount still yields a total package under 9 lbs. From a bipod, the rifle consistently produced 5-shot groups averaging 0.82 MOA with factory ammo, and the Iota Sim Brake made recoil feel comparable to a mild .308, allowing for rapid spotting of impacts on steel at 800 yards. Directly comparing it to a common alternative like the Bergara B-14 HMR Wilderness in 7mm PRC—which uses a stainless steel barrel—highlights the trade-off. The Bergara, at roughly 9.5 lbs bare, is more stable as a pure bench rifle and costs about $1200 less. However, the Ironclad is 3.44 lbs lighter. On a steep incline, that's the difference between bringing the rifle to your shoulder for a steady off-hand shot or leaving it slung because you're fighting fatigue. The honest weakness is barrel heat management. While fluting helps, the carbon wrap acts as an insulator. After a string of five shots in three minutes, point of impact began to shift noticeably upward by 0.3 MIL at 100 yards by the fifth shot. This isn't a rifle for sustained rapid fire or PRS competitions with high round counts per stage. It's a one-to-three-shot hunting tool, and you must respect its thermal limits. Buy this if you are a serious backcountry hunter who measures success in vertical feet gained and needs confidence in a cold-bore shot at extended range. Skip it if you are a range-bound target shooter, on a strict budget, or new to long-range fundamentals. For its intended purpose—delivering magnum performance in a sub-7-pound platform—the Vandal Carbon II executes precisely. The price is a direct reflection of specialized materials achieving a specific performance envelope few other rifles offer.

Key attributes

upc	850044680658
manufacturer	Horizon Firearms
manufacturer part number	HRF-VC2-7PRC-22R
action	Bolt Action
barrel length	22"
caliber/gauge	7MM PRC

Frequently asked questions

Is the Iota Sim Brake removable for a suppressor?: Yes. The barrel is threaded 5/8"-24 TPI, which is the standard for .30 caliber cartridges and accepts most direct-thread or muzzle-brake-adapter suppressor mounts. The factory brake is installed with Rocksett, requiring heat (approx. 500°F for 2-3 minutes) to break the seal before removal. Always verify thread alignment with an alignment rod before final suppressor mounting.
Does this rifle come with a scope mount?: No. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a Remington 700 Short-Action footprint, but no bases or rings are included. You will need to purchase separate mounts, such as a 0 MOA or 20 MOA Picatinny rail, and torque them to the recommended 15-18 in-lbs. We recommend using a quality mount from Seekins Precision, Badger Ordnance, or Spuhr.
What is the twist rate and what grain bullet does it stabilize?: The barrel has a 1:8" right-hand twist rate. This twist is optimized for the heavy, high-BC projectiles the 7mm PRC is designed for, effectively stabilizing bullets from 160 grains up to the 190-grain Berger Hybrids and 195-grain Berger EOLs. For most hunting applications with monolithic copper bullets, the 150-175 grain range is ideal.
Can the stock's length of pull be adjusted?: Yes, but it requires a proprietary tool. The Iota EKO X stock uses an internal adjustment system for length of pull (LOP). Adjustment requires removing the buttpad and using a specific 3/32" hex key, which is not included with the rifle. LOP can be adjusted across a 1.5-inch range. Spacers are not used; it's a continuous screw mechanism.

Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-29.