Gunner Quinn
Texas-based Watchtower Firearms is an up-and-coming manufacturer focused on building high-quality firearms for the military and law-enforcement communities, as well as for civilian self-defense. The company launched with a 2011-style pistol and AR-15-type rifle. This year, Watchtower seeks to bring hunters into its fold, with the new-for-2025 Bridger bolt-action rifle.
A bit of Watchtower’s intention with its new rifle is evident in the company’s choice of name. Paying homage to the legendary scout and explorer Jim Bridger, Watchtower claims its new rife is “built for the next great Frontiersman.” A dedicated “backcountry” rifle, the Bridger’s long-action length receiver is made by Defiance Machine and is cut from 416R stainless steel. This is paired with a Timney Elite Hunter trigger and Hawkins Precision Hunter DBM bottom metal and detachable magazine system. The bolt is given a Graphite PVD finish, and the receiver and barrel are finished in a Coyote Tan Cerakote.
The Bridger rifle, without optics, weighs in at 7.1 lbs. This weight savings comes in part from the rifle’s 22” LRA Precision Ti-Strike titanium hybrid barrel. This barrel uses a stainless-steel core, whose outside surface is machined in a unique pattern inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence, placed within a titanium sheath that is chemically welded to the core. According to Watchtower, the weight of the hybrid barrel is just under a carbon-fiber barrel of the same dimensions, but the titanium hybrid barrel disperses heat better. The barrel’s bore has 5R rifling with a 1:8 RH twist and its muzzle is threaded 5/8×24 TPI, and it comes with a titanium muzzle brake installed.
The barreled action is placed in a carbon fiber McMillan Mountain Tracker stock, that features a shelved 3” Arca Swiss rail and a low-profile 3.5” 1913 Picatinny rail in the fore-end, as well as QD swivel spigots.The first 1,000 rifles made will feature a map of Bridger’s explorations integrated into its camo pattern on the buttstock.
The Watchtower Firearms Bridger is currently being offered in one chambering — 7 mm PRC and comes with a sub-m.o.a. accuracy guarantee. It has an MSRP of $6,499. For more information, see the company’s website.
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