The rather long name of this model of the well-known bolt-action Franchi It actually embodies the natural ability to combine hunting experience with success. A distinctive trait, moreover, shared by the entire Horizon family.
The carbine Franchi Horizon Special Hunt Elite Vibe, along with the Elite Shade, are the new rifled rifles in the company's 2026 catalog. Both rifles are packed with features, but their striking splash paint color scheme is decidedly eye-catching and has a very clear purpose: to provide these weapons with remarkable concealment capabilities, keeping them under the watchful eye of game. We had the opportunity to test them personally, and for the Franchi Rifle Media Experience I chose the Vibe, attracted above all by the livery and by a technical element that hunters rarely consider, the muzzle brake: however, it takes on a significant importance if you have to precede the single shot fired at the ungulate, with a continuous session at the range to gain familiarity with the weapon.
The now traditional event of the Urbino company, includes the testing of the weapons by operators of the specialized press, and it is a moment where they have the opportunity to compare their feelings on the product and go into more detail with the staff of Franchi The technical aspects that emerged. This is followed by the most realistic test, which places the weapons in their natural habitat: hunting in two splendid reserves in the Siena area (ATV Frosini and AFV Querceto).
I would like to point out that the Horizon Special Hunt Elite Vibe I chose was in .308 Win cal, with a 56 cm barrel and muzzle brake, with a Steiner 3-18×56 scope installed which provided excellent support in low light conditions both at the range and at dusk and the following dawn.
At the excellent shooting range in Colle di Val d'Elsa, we began bench testing at the 100-meter range, using a rifle previously calibrated in-house by Daniele Mazzi. The work was carried out with great precision, so much so that, in my case, the only adjustment required was adjusting the scope's focus.
Initial field tests fully confirmed our expectations. The promise of a sub-MOA grouping at 100 meters was delivered without hesitation: two perfectly on-target shots and a third just outside the center of the target represent an outstanding result, especially considering they were the first shots fired with a gun just out of the hand. A concrete demonstration of the intrinsic precision of the gun-barrel system.
The next goal was to test the rifle's performance at a range of 200 meters. This test would have been particularly important for the subsequent hunting trip, planned in an area characterized by high stands overlooking large clearings, where shots well beyond 150 meters are not uncommon. Unfortunately, a violent storm prevented the session from taking place. This cancellation, however, was not a major concern, given the excellent feedback the Vibe provided during the initial tests.
During the shooting range session, some of the rifle's most interesting qualities clearly emerged. Among these, the extremely low recoil stands out, a result that derives not so much from the weapon's weight, less than 3,2 kilograms and therefore ideal for long stalking actions, but rather from the effectiveness of the technical solutions developed by FranchiThe first element is represented by the TSA polyurethane butt plate, capable of effectively absorbing the energy developed by the .308 caliber Winchester, notoriously not exactly docile. Added to this is the excellent work done by the muzzle brake with M14x1 thread, which further helps reduce muzzle climb and perceived recoil. The combination of these two devices gives the shooter a pleasant feeling of stability when firing, almost as if holding a significantly heavier rifle in their hands. The Allround Interlacement checkering also proved very convincing, ensuring a firm and secure grip on the pistol grip, increasing control of the weapon both during aiming and when firing and contributing to the overall sensation of recoil control.
Finally, the Relia Trigger deserves a mention, adjustable between 0,8 and 1,9 kilograms. During the test, I found the intermediate setting ideal, offering the best balance between safety and sensitivity. The trigger progression is linear and predictable, naturally accompanying the finger until the release, allowing the shooter to focus on the fundamentals of shooting: better relaxed posture, breathing control, and immobility of the weapon at the decisive moment of firing.
The barrel, with a diameter of 16,5 mm, has a semi-heavy profile and features longitudinal grooves that offer three significant advantages:
- Superior maneuverability – achieved by reducing overall weight without sacrificing structural rigidity. The result is a more balanced weapon that's easy to swing and quick to aim;
- Advanced thermal management – The fluting increases the barrel's surface area in contact with the air, which increases heat dissipation. This protects the barrel and reduces the "thermal mirage" effect during shooting sessions, maintaining a clear sight picture.
- optimised dynamic behaviour as the subtraction of material for the creation of the grooves improves the harmonic vibrations when fired, guaranteeing precision and stability even with numerous shooting sessions.
The barrel is finished with Cerakote Sniper Grey H-234, a ceramic-polymer coating known for its high resistance to abrasion and weathering. The rifling twist rate is 1:11, a typical choice for the caliber under test. Field results confirm this, as it effectively stabilizes the bullets—in this case, the Federal ammunition used during the test.
The action is housed in a chassis with an integrated fixed Picatinny rail, a solution always appreciated by hunters for its solid interface with the optics. The fluted bolt is easily removable for inspection and cleaning via the release button located on the left side of the action. The finish is polished nickel-plated, and the bolt head is equipped with three locking lugs arranged at 120°, a configuration that allows for a handle opening angle of only 60°. This prevents any interference with the optics and makes reloading quick and natural.
The cocking knob also deserves a mention: well-shaped, simple in form, and very ergonomic, it offers a secure grip. The entire cocking cycle is remarkable for its remarkable fluidity and, above all, its silence, a feature that is far from secondary in selective hunting. I saw concrete proof of this during my hunting test: having reached the high seat before dawn, I loaded the rifle in complete darkness. With the first light of day, I noticed that, about a hundred meters away, there were two roe deer that evidently hadn't noticed any noise produced by the action. This is practical confirmation of the system's excellent silence.
The polymer magazine, in the version chambered in .308 Winchester The tested pistol has a three-round capacity. Feeding is precise and reliable, with optimal presentation of the round to the bolt and a smooth, jam-free insertion into the chamber. The release button, located inside the front of the trigger guard, is also intuitive to operate and well protected from accidental activation.
The Horizon Special Hunt Elite Vibe also features M-Lok interfaces on the lower portion of the forend. We didn't need to use them during our test, but they do offer an interesting option for installing accessories. The first of these is the bipod, an increasingly popular option on modern hunting rifles thanks to the stability it provides in various shooting positions. The reduction in overall weight of modern guns makes them easier to transport, even with these types of accessories installed. In this respect, the Horizon fully confirms its place in the easily transportable category.
The entire receiver is made of technopolymer with a hand-applied camo finish. The pistol grip ensures an excellent grip, while the forend offers a firm hold for the non-shooting hand, despite being less stressed when shooting from a hide. The stock's shape is particularly well-designed, with a polyurethane cheek piece integrated into the upper section. During the test, it proved to be one of the most appreciated elements of the gun, providing a stable and consistent feel, essential for precision shooting. The lower portion of the stock also features well-designed shaping and checkering, very useful for those, like myself, who prefer to move their non-shooting hand back from the forend to the butt of the stock when aiming, achieving a more stable and natural shooting position.
The hunting experience
The locations chosen for the hunting sessions, both the evening one and the one at dawn, were simply magnificent: ideal environments for testing a rifle designed specifically for selective hunting.
The evening hide, however, offered no shooting opportunities. As I approached the high seat, a herd of wild boars sensed my presence and scampered away noisily, alarming two roe deer nearby. It's one of those incidents that are part of the hunting experience and a reminder of how crucial discretion is when moving around.
The morning outing, however, had a very different outcome. About a hundred meters from the high seat, two roe deer were grazing, an M1-class male and a female. The high seat, to be honest, could be improved in terms of the support points available to the shooter, but this very situation highlighted one of the strengths of the Horizon Special Hunt Elite Vibe.
The technopolymer carriage eliminates any concerns related to the fragility of a wooden stock. Without hesitation, I was able to use a rough plank from the structure of the shelter as a support, still finding a stable and secure position, thanks in part to the optimal grip of my non-firing hand on the lower part of the stock. On the hunting ground, this represents a concrete advantage: you can focus exclusively on shooting, without the fear of damaging the gun and constantly adjusting your position, which then risks being heard by the game.
The Horizon's behavior simply confirmed what I had already observed the previous day at the range. And, as often happens, a bit of luck meant that the M1 male stopped at practically the same distance—about 100 meters—at which we had calibrated the scope. It was therefore not necessary to adjust the turrets for any bullet drop compensation.
When the game was perfectly positioned, the shot came naturally and landed precisely on the intended target, just behind the shoulder. A clean and ethical kill, made possible by the rifle's accuracy, despite the shooter's less-than-ideal support conditions.
Finally, an often overlooked aspect—what simpletons call fashion—deserves consideration, but which is always a matter of study and never secondary: the rifle's color scheme. After retrieving the animal, I remained on the viewing platform for some time, and as the minutes passed, more roe deer and a few fallow deer appeared in the clearing. I was able to observe them for a long time through the rifle's scope without them noticing my presence. Under these conditions, it was also easy to appreciate the effectiveness of the weapon's aesthetic treatment. The Splash finish applied to the technopolymer, which combines a black base with gray and rust-brown highlights, creates a highly effective camouflage pattern, capable of breaking up the rifle's silhouette and eliminating much of the glare caused by the light filtering through the branches of the oak tree above. In addition to being a distinctive aesthetic element of the Horizon Special Hunt Elite Vibe, this finish also offers a concrete practical advantage in terms of camouflage.
The overall experience was decidedly positive and confirms the work done by Franchi in the development of the Horizon Special Hunt Elite Vibe. Behind every product, after all, there are always people who contribute to its creation and enhancement. For this reason, I would like to extend special thanks to Chiara Spinella for her invaluable organizational support and for the information provided on the models tested, and to Daniele Mazzi, whose technical contribution, especially during the shooting range session, proved fundamental.
The carbine Franchi In addition to the .308 Win caliber we used in the test, the Horizon Special Hunt Elite Vibe is available in .223 Rem, .30-06 Sprg and .300 Win Mag.
It's been almost ten years since the Horizon platform debuted, a project that has won hunters' favor from the start, as demonstrated by its commercial success. What continues to distinguish it Franchi It is, however, the ability to constantly evolve the product, introducing tangible improvements that are never an end in themselves. In this case, the introduction of the fluted barrel leads to improvements in mechanical efficiency and comfort. The Horizon Special Hunt Elite Vibe is a gun that retains the qualities that have made it successful, but continues to offer hunters something new to appreciate on the hunting ground and at the shooting range.
For information and technical data, visit the website www.franchi.com
Richard Ceccarelli
