Our 25th annual review of sporting rifles and ammunition that offer the ultimate in accuracy and dependability.
Howa HS Precision Rifle
The HS Precision Rifle is constructed to fulfill the demands of today’s most uncompromising hunters. The stocks are built one at a time, each with an aluminum bedding block that is machined specifically to the dimensions of the Howa Barreled Action. The bedding block is then placed in a mold, in which both sides are hand laminated with Kevlar, fiberglass and carbon fiber. Next, the mold is injected with a proprietary mixture of a dense polyurethane foam material. This gives the general shape and design of the hand-finished stock.
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Browning X-Bolt Pro Long Range
The X-Bolt Pro Long Range features a true carbon-fiber stock, making it extremely lightweight and rigid. A heavier profile barrel will provide increased accuracy at longer distances, and a Cerakote finish on the action, barrel and stock offers added protection. The barrel also features a new proprietary lapping process to provide consistent accuracy and easier bore-cleaning.
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Kimber Hunter
The Hunter blends the classic Kimber design and Model 84 performance features mounted in an all-weather synthetic stock with removable box magazine that facilitates quick and easy loading. With its lightweight stock, the Kimber Hunter weighs only 5 pounds, 7 ounces.
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Barrett Fieldcraft
Barrett has set its sights on sportsmen and hunters with the ultralight Fieldcraft line of rifles. Designed to be carried long distances in the most demanding terrain, Fieldcraft firearms guarantee proven Barrett accuracy and reliability when you’re ready to take the crucial shot. With more than 10 calibers and barrel lengths to choose from, Fieldcraft has your next hunt covered.
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Mossberg Patriot Cerakote
Mossberg continues to expand its line of classically styled hunting rifles with the introduction of the Patriot Cerakote bolt-action in 6.5mm Creedmoor, 243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., 308 Win., 270 Win. and 30-06 Sprg. The weather-resistant, synthetic stock, combined with a barrel and bolt finished with Cerakote Stainless coating, altogether provide enhanced protection from abrasions, chemicals and corrosion.
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Franchi
Franchi’s first bolt-action rifle, the Momentum debuted this year in six of the most popular hunting calibers. It’s available with a threaded barrel and as part of a rifle/optics combo. The most visually distinct feature of the Momentum is its revolutionary stock that combines raised curves and crisp checkering. The rifle has a cold-hammer-forged, chrome-molybdenum barrel, two- to four-pound adjustable trigger and a one-piece, spiral-fluted bolt.
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Mauser M18
The Mauser M18 brings hunting back to its fundamental form with pure, no-frills workmanship. Known as the “People’s Rifle,” German gunmaker Mauser has combined heritage, experience and state-of-the-art technology in the M18 to develop a rifle that inspires adventure and can withstand the harshest environments.
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SAUER S100
The new S100 Ceratech by German gunmaker Sauer provides the ultimate corrosion-, abrasion- and weather-resistant rifle for hunters. The barrel is coated with Ceracote to provide durability against the elements and, together with the ultra-rugged synthetic stock, the Ceratech is perfect for hard-core hunters.
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Sako 85 Finnlight II
Building on the famous Finnlight name, the Sako 85 Finnlight II is an icon reborn. The lightweight RTM fiberglass stock makes the rifle light to carry and the barrel has been treated with a weather-resistant Cerakote coating. The fully adjustable cheekpiece also makes the rifle perfectly customizable for your preferences. The composite stock is manufactured with aerospace grade RTM technology. All Finnlight II stocks have carbon fiber bedding to ensure maximum accuracy and stability in all temperatures.
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Blaser R8 Success
The new R8 Success from German gunmaker Blaser combines for the first time premium leather with a beautiful thumbhole walnut stock ergonomically designed to provide a relaxed wrist and arm bearing from any firing position. With the addition of the leather inlays on the cheekpiece and pistol grip, hunters are afforded optimal control and comfort.
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Uberti USA
Available in limited quantities for 2018 only, Uberti USA’s Winchester 1873 features a number of enhancements that take an otherwise basic platform to new heights of beauty and function. Featuring the easily recognizable “John Wayne Loop” and hand-chased engraving authentic to the era, the rifle is chambered in 45 Colt with a 20-inch octagonal barrel, case-hardened steel frame and an A-Grade walnut stock.
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Krieghoff
The first of its kind, the Krieghoff Semprio offers a revolutionary in-line repeating system that utilizes the kinetic forces of recoil, enabling hunters to rapidly place accurate second shots without the cumbersome mechanism of a bolt-action rifle. Krieghoff’s clever design combines unsurpassed accuracy with an instinctive, easy-to-use functionality. The rifle features a crisp trigger as well as a set-trigger capability and interchangeable barrels, enabling hunters to have one gun with multiple calibers.
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Montana Extreme X3
Weighing less than seven pounds, the Extreme X3 is a well-balanced, versatile package that is perfect for the toughest mountain hunts. The satin-finished, stainless steel Model 1999 barreled action is mated to the new MRC premium lightweight synthetic stock for a package that can withstand the worst conditions. Using a match-grade chamber, aluminum and glass bedding, and a free-floated, button rifle barrel, the X3 gives sub-MOA accuracy. Aircraft grade alloy bottom metal helps maintain rigidity.
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Weatherby Camilla
The Camilla subalpine provides the right quality and fit for female hunters. The specially designed stock geometry is made to fit a woman’s form, and the Flat Dark Earth Cerakote coordinates perfectly with Gore Optifade Subalpine. The Camilla is backed by Weatherby’s SUB-MOA accuracy guarantee.
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Cooper Rifles of Montana Open Country Long Range Lightweight
The Open Country Long Range Lightweight features the same ergonomic feel as the Open Country, but it’s manufactured using Cooper’s lightweight stock recipe and reinforced with carbon fiber and Kevlar. The bolt body uses the company’s Backcountry style design with aggressive fluting to reduce weight. Everything about the rifle has been designed to cut weight, including its new 26-inch Proof Research Sendaro Light barrel. Weighing about seven pounds, the rifle is chambered in most long-action cartridges.
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Tikka T1x
The Tikka T1x rimfire rifle is designed to handle a wide range of shooting tasks. Its unique barrel has a cross-over profile that offers you the benefits and stability of a heavier barrel without noticeably increasing overall weight. It’s a rimfire rifle of unparalleled quality and craftsmanship that performs perfectly at the range and in rough terrain.
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Gunwerks ClymR
The new ClymR long range rifle platform is Gunwerks’ ultralight offering for 2018. It features a handcrafted carbon-fiber stock, engineered and built by Gunwerks in Cody, Wyoming. Paired with Gunwerks’ signature GLR action (available in stainless steel or titanium) and a match-grade Proof Research barrel, the ClymR is built mountain-mission ready, providing thousand-yard capability right out of the box.
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Purdey Rifles
The new Purdey Bolt-Action Rifle brings a level of accuracy not previously found in ‘Best London Guns’ due to a titanium chassis running from the pistol grip through to the forend, which supports a free-floating barrel. The new rifle is made in London and finished with traditional Purdey excellence.
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Winchester Repeating Arms
The Model 70 Super Grade comes with highly polished, deeply blued steel, an ebony forearm tip and a finely checkered grade IV/V walnut stock that defines its timeless elegance and grace. New caliber introductions include the 6.5 Creedmoor and 264 Winchester Magnum.
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Famars Antares
Handmade and hand-engraved, the Antares single-shot rifle is designed for .270 Win. It features a Schnabel forend, side-opening lever, Turkish walnut quality 4 stock, rose and scroll engraving, a 24.5-inch octagonal barrel rounded at the muzzle and chamber, and a Contessa scope mount. Measurements include 145⁄8 inches LOP, 11⁄4-inch DAC for iron sights, and 21⁄4-inch DAH for iron sights.
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Henry Repeating Arms
There’s never been a better time to be a Henry fan and a hunter. Over the past two decades, Henry’s offerings have swelled to more than 150 different models, including shotguns and high-power rifles like the versatile Henry Long Ranger available in 223 Rem., 5.56 NATO, 243 Win. and 308 Win.
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