The Franchi Momentum Elite is gaining … Momentum.
To establish the review of the Franchi Momentum, here is a little history of the brand. With a long history — over 150 years — of gun-making, Franchi is well-known for its premium semi-auto and over-under shotguns. Recently, Franchi added a bolt-action rifle to its lineup of stellar guns, the Momentum. In 2020, Franchi introduced its premium model of the Momentum, the Elite. In 2022, Franchi added two cartridge offerings, .350 Legend and 6.5 PRC, to its lineup to hit a broader market.
A Premium Rifle
Franchi researched the most common shooting positions for its Elite model to create an exceptionally ergonomic stock. Available in various colors and camo patterns, the newly designed stock features streamlined curves and textured checkering in all the right spots to make it comfortable, grip-able, and usable in any weather conditions. A TSA recoil pad that reduces felt recoil by up to 50 percent adds to the comfort of the stock.
From there, Franchi added Cerakoting to the receiver and barrel and included a 60-degree spiral-fluted bolt. The action includes a one-piece Picatinny rail for optimal optics mounting, and the barrel includes a muzzle brake as a standard feature. Its standard Relia trigger is adjustable between 2-4 lbs. Ammo rounds for the rifle are stored in a box-style removable magazine.
The combination of premium features makes the Franchi Momentum Elite efficient and highly accurate right out of the box. All Franchi rifles are test fired at its facility to ensure a minimum of 1 MOA accuracy at 100 yards with factory ammo. Its retail price of $899 makes it economical for almost any budget. Perhaps the best part is that Franchi includes a 7-year warranty for the original purchaser.
Franchi Momentum Elite Standard Features
FLUTED CHROME 3-LUG BOLT
Ultra smooth, efficient, and reliable operation with a short 60° bolt throw in the moments that matter most.
FREE-FLOATED LIGHT CONTOUR BARREL
A cold-hammer-forged, chrome-molybdenum barrel is entirely free-floating for maximum accuracy.
ADJUSTABLE TRIGGER
An adjustable single-stage trigger ensures a crisp and clean break to make every shot count. (Adjustable from 2 to 4 lbs.).
THREADED MUZZLE WITH KNURLED THREAD PROTECTOR
The barrel’s muzzle is threaded and protected by a knurled cover, making it easy to attach various muzzle accessories. (5/8 X 24 thread).
TSA RECOIL PAD
Reduces up to 50% of felt recoil for quicker follow-up shots and increased shooting comfort. The proven design will not snag on your clothes as you shoulder the gun.
INTEGRATED SWIVEL SLING MOUNTS
Molded swivel attachment points are recessed into the stock to ensure stud protrusions don’t snag on clothes or hit your hand during recoil.
MUZZLE BRAKE
Muzzle brake that reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise.
REMOVABLE BOX-TYPE MAGAZINE
The Momentum Elite comes with a detachable box-type magazine that holds three or four cartridges (depending on the caliber) for fast, safe, and easy loading and unloading.
ONE-PIECE PICATINNY RAIL
Quick and easy optics mounting.
For more information about Franchi Firearms and the Franchi Momentum Elite, visit www.franchiusa.com.
A Real-World Review of the Franchi Momentum
To review and use on an upcoming Coues whitetail hunt in New Mexico, I received a Franchi Momentum Elite rifle set in the Optifade Elevated II patterned stock and chambered in the new 6.5 PRC cartridge. I shot an earlier model Momentum on a whitetail and hog hunt in Oklahoma a few years previously, so this was not my first exposure to the Momentum series. The Momentum rifle impressed me, and the Momentum Elite was just as impressive at first glance.
As expected, the lightweight rifle (7.5 lbs.) became slightly heavier once topped with a long-range precision optic. Besides packability, a heavier rifle is always better for handling recoil and ensuring accuracy. Still, the rifle handles well in hand; it’s compact and highly maneuverable. Overall, the Momentum Elite looks appealing, is comfortable, and balances well in shooting positions.
Set-up and Testing of the Rifle
To begin, I installed the spiral-fluted bolt in the Elite’s action and worked it a few times. If you haven’t cycled a 60-degree bolt, it does take a little getting accustomed to the slightly different motion. Once comfortable, I found the bolt to cycle smoothly. Upon inspection of the rifle, its fit and finish were perfect. I confirmed the cartridge stamp on the barrel to ensure the correct ammo was used. One remarkable feature I like is the large knurled safety lever. Because of its size and location, it easily switches from the safe to the fire position. After ensuring no ammo was in the rifle’s magazine or chamber or present in the immediate area, I dry-fired the rifle several times. The trigger operated crisply and cleanly and felt to be near 2-3 lbs, from the factory.
Before shooting in the field, I topped the rifle with a Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24×56 riflescope using Zeiss premium rings. The scope and reticle were leveled to the rifle using a Wheeler Engineering Pro Leveling kit. All mounting screws were torqued to specified settings with a Wheeler Engineering The Fat Wrench torque wrench.
For the review of the Franchi Momentum, I chose the Federal Fusion 140-grain bonded soft point factory ammo for a projectile. The bullet has a muzzle velocity of ~2,925 fps and over 1,150 ft. lbs. of energy at 500 yards, which is plenty for deer-sized game at any distance that I am capable of shooting at and hitting — 800 yards or less, preferably under 500 yards.
On the range, sight-in at 25 yards took three shots. The target was moved to 100 yards, where just three more shots were needed to zero the scope and rifle. Once sighted, the ballistic stop of the scope was returned to its zero setting. To finalize the first round of testing, I fired several 3-shot groups at 100 yards. All of the groups measured well within the suggested 1 MOA specification set by Franchi.
Test Rifle Specs
- Cartridge: 6.5 PRC
- Action: DEPENDA Bolt
- Capacity: 3 round, removable box magazine
- Barrel Type: Cold-hammer-forged, free-float
- Barrel Length: 24 inches
- Rate of Twist: 1:7.5 RH
- Barrel Finish: Cerakote, Cobalt
- Muzzle: Muzzle brake, 5/8 x 24 thread
- Trigger: RELIA Trigger, single-stage, adjustable (2-4 pounds)
- Optic Mount: 1-piece Picatinny rail
- Stock: Synthetic, Optifade Elevated II
- Overall Length: 46.25 inches
- Weight: 7.5 lbs.
- MSRP: $899
Final Thoughts
First off, I am excited to put the Momentum Elite and Conquest V4 through further testing. Before hunting with the rifle and optic combo, I will practice shooting at long range to develop and fine-tune a dope chart for any hunt(s).
Second, as I mentioned, I was impressed at first sight with the Franchi Momentum Elite. The rifle’s design is appealing, its fit is comfortable, and it is efficient to shoulder and shoot in any position. Overall, it’s easy to tell that the rifle is finely crafted. After initial testing, I am confident that the rifle and optic will perform well.
Features I Really Like
- Size and handling of the rifle
- Synthetic camo stock with textured grips
- Safety lever
- One-piece Picatinny rail
- Light, crisp trigger pull
- 60-degree bolt cycle
- Accuracy out of the box
(The only feature I don’t care for is the front sling attachment. Its hidden feature keeps it from snagging on clothing and gear; however, it makes it more difficult to attach a bipod. I believe that there is a secondary attachment point for an optional sling swivel (and bipod) mount but cannot confirm it at this point.)