THE HEART OF A RIFLE: LONE PEAK FUZION RIFLE BUILD

The pursuit of accuracy is a fundamental trait among rifle shooters. It’s a desire that’s hard to explain to casual observers. Clarifying it is difficult because accuracy is subjective and varies by scenario or task. Practical accuracy in combat might mean hitting a torso-sized target out to 600 meters. But for those striving for the highest standards, one MOA (or 1 inch at 100 yards) isn’t even acceptable; instead, half that or better is the norm. Precision isn’t easy to achieve. It requires thoroughness, extreme attention to detail, and years of experience. It also involves extensive research—researching actions, barrel contours, cartridges, chassis, optics, gunsmiths, and more. It can be quite daunting but equally exhilarating. All that said, the journey to building a custom rifle is one of the most exciting ventures in all the shooting sports. Let me show you mine.

THE BUILDER

When commissioning a custom rifle for precision shooting events like PRS and Benchrest, these factors listed above must be carefully considered when selecting a builder. That’s where Keith Baker of ICE Rifles comes in.

Keith is a renowned shooter whose skill comes from his ability to build rifles to the highest standards. From the start, he spent hours crafting his own competition rifles, fine-tuning his processes to achieve the perfect balance of accuracy. Those hours in the machine shop, combined with countless hours of practice, led to match victories. People notice. And when they looked at his rifles, they wondered whose hands had crafted them. He admitted that he did it himself.

His fellow competitors reached out to him, asking him to build their rifles, which eventually led to the founding of ICE Rifles. ICE stands for Innovative Competition Engineering, and on his webpage, Keith emphasizes his obsession with detail. So, choosing Keith to build my rifle was an easy decision. To be honest, a shooter can pick the best barrel, action, trigger, and stock available, but if they are assembled poorly, accuracy will suffer. It's crucial to find a rifle builder you trust.

THE ACTION

In 2026, there are more options than ever when selecting rifle components. Many of the manufacturers available today didn’t exist ten years ago. This truly is the golden age of precision rifles (which I’ve discussed extensively on this blog). With so many options, the decision-making process can be overwhelming. That’s why having a builder like Keith to assist is a big advantage.

Following Keith’s advice, I selected a Lone Peak Arms FUZION action. The FUZION is a precision-built rifle action designed to deliver uncompromising accuracy for hunting, long-range competition, and tactical use. It is machined from pre-hardened 416R stainless steel and wire EDM-cut for precise tolerances. It is available in long-, medium-, and short-action configurations based on the Remington 700 footprint, either as a repeater or as a single-shot. The action’s magazine is cut for either an AW (short-action) or BDL (long-action). A 20 MOA picatinny rail sits on top, and the action has a nitride finish. The bolt is a one-piece, fluted 4340 steel piece with a Mini M-16 extractor, plunger ejector, and a lightweight .060" firing pin. The FUZION balances speed, strength, and versatility in both right- and left-handed models.

The version I chose is a short-action model with AW cut and an integrated 20 MOA rail. Oh, and I nearly forgot: the action also features an integrated recoil lug.

STOCK AND BARREL

The next step is to cut and chamber the barrel. While there are many options available, I once again followed Keith's recommendation—a Hawk Hill barrel in Keith’s preferred contour (similar to an MTU). Caliber was another consideration. After extensive research and further discussion with Keith, I chose the classic 6mm BR. Why? Reloading components are easy to find, it’s a simple round to shoot, and with caliber-specific magazines from MDT, it feeds reliably. I also appreciate that Lapua offers good factory match ammo. Sometimes, life gets busy, and I prefer having an off-the-shelf option.

Attached to the end of the barrel is an MDT Comp Brake. This brake allows you to fine-tune the impulse and really customize the recoil “arc.” Next up was the trigger. Keith typically uses Bix’n Andy triggers, but since I already had a TriggerTech Diamond on hand, I went with that one. Keith installed it and adjusted the trigger pull to just under 1 pound.

The next step is choosing a stock or chassis. All rifle components are important; some may debate their relative significance, but I consider the chassis to be near the top. It’s the part your body interacts with. It must be comfortable and adjustable. It needs to be rigid yet flexible enough to adapt to different shooting matches and stages. I personally prefer the look of stocks over chassis, but I also see the need for versatility. So, why not select something that combines both? That’s where the MDT XRS chassis comes into play. At first glance, it resembles a traditional “tactical” stock design. It features a deep pistol grip and high comb height while maintaining clean lines. It has a polymer exoskeleton with an internal aluminum “mini chassis”.

The stock is adjustable, and the gun comes with two different pistol grips. The 12” forend with M-Lok slots works well, but I chose to upgrade to the enclosed forend. This option is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and includes ARCA compatibility. Adding ARCA capability increases the rifle’s versatility. To finish the build, an XRS forend weight is included.

THE FINAL PRODUCT

The final pieces include the Vortex Razor Gen III in the EBR-7D reticle and the MDT Single-Pull CKYE POD. Both pieces are widely respected and popular in competition circles. I’ve long been a fan and user of Vortex Optics. And, they are great people. If ever you have a question or an issue, they are more than willing to help. Which is a big deal when you are dropping serious coin on an optic. With Vortex, you know that the people stand by it.

Overall, this rifle is a precise masterpiece. It’s one of my absolute favorites and a pleasure to shoot. Although I don’t compete often anymore, I still bring it out to introduce new shooters to the sport or to impress my friends (and make them envious, of course).

ZOOMING OUT

In the end, this rifle is more than the sum of its parts. Every component—from the Lone Peak FUZION action to the Hawk Hill barrel and MDT XRS chassis—was chosen intentionally and assembled carefully. Nothing would matter without proper execution, and that’s where a builder like Keith makes all the difference. Precision at this level isn’t accidental; it results from planning, patience, and trust in proven equipment. The finished rifle reflects that mindset. It shoots as well as it looks, and every time I settle in behind it, I’m reminded why the pursuit of accuracy never truly ends.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I've been working in the firearms industry for over 11 years, turning what began as a part-time job during my undergraduate studies into a full-fledged career. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding people and companies while also earning a Master of Arts in History from Cleveland State University. Outside of shooting, reloading, and working on firearms, I enjoy reading, writing, and tinkering with Legos.