Kiote Rifles Gunsmith John Stewart

TTAG is proud to have published head gunsmith John Stewart’s series on what to expect from a custom bolt action rifle. For 2018, the King of Ki`ote Rifle has released two standard models to start customers on their journey to the ultimate precision rifle . . .

Ron Grobman shoots the Kiote Overwatch (photo courtesy of JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com)

Ron Grobman and I both got to spend some time behind the trigger of Ki`ote’s Overwatch models chambered in .300 Norma Magnum and 260 Remington.

While the man mountain that is Marine John Stewart doesn’t have an ounce of hype in him, he’d be forgiven for claiming them to be amongst the world’s best. They are as smooth as silk-wrapped silk, and phenomenally accurate.

Shooting the .300 Norma Magnum, even Ron (yes Ron) had an easy time repeatedly hitting a silhouette target at 1,000 yards — with a harsh full value wind.

Each rifle of Ki`ote’s rifles are custom-built, but expect to pay around $5k for the long action Overwatch models, and a couple grand less than that for the LRP models.

The LRP’s include features:

– Atlas or Atlas Tactical actions
– Grayboe or McMillan stocks
– Proof Research carbon fiber or treated 416 stainless barrels.

The Overwatch steps that up a notch with the basics including:

– Atlas Tactical or TAC-300/408 actions.
– MDT’s ESS or J Allen Chassis
– Timney Calvin-elite trigger
– Proof Research carbon fiber or cyro treated 416 stainless barrels.
– Custom fluting patterns
– Threaded muzzle

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

15 COMMENTS

  1. With a name like LRP he should make a rifle called Ranger too. Overwatch is not a term I’m familiar with. Perhaps Overreach could be in honor of our government.

    • Overwatch seems to be a term used in a lot of TV shows where the designated sniper takes a high position to overwatch the team below him. My guess is that they want to imply the term Sniper without having to say it.

    • Because it’s markedly more powerful, and it’s the new hipster caliber? Since these are custom rifles, I’m sure they’ll make you up a WinMag, RemMag, or whatever you want.

    • Because the shoulder is pushed back, the neck lengthened a bit in the .300 Norma, which allows for the use of the highest Bc bullets in .30 caliber available and still have approximately the same OAL as the .300 WinMag.

      • They fixed the bitch about the win mag didnt they,damn there went one brag I had on them with this weartherby.

      • They fixed the bitch about the win mag didnt they,damn there went one brag I had on them with this weartherby.
        No

  3. Overwatch –

    In modern warfare, overwatch is a force protection tactic: the state of one small unit or military vehicle supporting another unit, while they are executing fire and movement tactics. An overwatching, or supporting unit has taken a position where it can observe the terrain ahead, especially likely enemy positions. This allows it to provide effective covering fire for advancing friendly units. The term “overwatch” was coined in U.S. military doctrine in the 1950s.[1]

    An ideal overwatch position provides cover for the unit, and unobstructed lines of fire. It may be on a height of ground or at the top of a ridge, where a vehicle may be able to adopt a hull-down position. If the overwatching unit is in a position to fire over advancing friendly units, great care must be taken not to let fire fall short. The friendly units should be within tracer burnout (the range at which tracer rounds are visible).

    Overwatch can be performed by platoons during company fire and movement, by individual armoured fighting vehicles (especially tanks) or infantry sections, in platoon fire and movement, or even by fireteams or individual soldiers, in the final stages of an assault.

    Overwatch tactics and firing at the short halt were especially important in armoured warfare before modern tank gun stabilizers were developed, since moving tanks were unlikely to hit any target. Even in modern tanks, however, it is much easier to spot enemies at a halt.

    • In my experience, if your gunsmith is smiling he’s lying to you. Professional indifference is what I’m looking for.

  5. Good luck finding any info on their website about any of those rifles. All they’ve got is some pretty pictures and a one-page pricelist with a bunch of cryptic acronyms. Doesn’t inspire confidence.

  7. I think every one here should look up John Stewart’s history and salt dog llc stolen valor. This guy has to change his company name every few years to hide from his lies in service. And all the crap stuff he has said about people online including vets. I can not believe any one would support any company this guy would owne.

Comments are closed.