Rifle hunter and his bounty.
September 21, 2024
By The Editors
As we begin the new year, manufacturers did not disappoint, with a smorgasbord of impressive new firearms announced for 2024. Many of the new guns build upon proven track records and incorporate some impressive new upgrades, while other manufacturers introduced entirely new platforms. Our ability to blame a miss in the field on our rifle dwindles with each passing year as firearm manufacturers continually produce and improve upon the best factory firearms we have ever seen. Below are some of our favorites for 2024.
CVA Cascade LRH (Photo courtesy of CVA) Long-range rifles are popular, and in most cases, pricey. CVA, long known for their accurate and affordable rifles, changes the game with their new Long-Range Hunter model. For a precision fit, the Cascade LRH features an adjustable comb to dial in the perfect eye-to-optic alignment. Built on the proven Cascade receiver, it features a suppressor-ready fluted barrel, available in 22-, 24- and 26-inch options, depending on the cartridge. Chamberings include: .308 Win, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem. Mag., 7mm PRC, .300 Win. Mag. and 300 PRC. $900 ; cva.com
Weatherby Mark 5 High Country(Photo courtesy of Weatherby) As the name suggests, Weatherby’s newest Mark V High Country rifle expounds on the Mark V legacy with a lightweight rifle specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of mountain hunting. The Mark V High Country starts at a mere 5.7 lbs. and features Peak 44’s Bastion carbon-fiber stock and a spiral-fluted barrel. Recoil in the lightweight rifle, even with magnum cartridges, is mitigated via Weatherby’s Accubrake muzzle brake and a 3DHEX recoil pad. The Mark V High Country comes in a wide variety of cartridges, and several models are available in left-handed models for southpaws like me. $2,700-$2,800 ; weatherby.com
Ruger American Generation II (Photo courtesy of Ruger) Ruger’s newly released American Rifle Generation II brings a host of new features to the proven platform. The first thing shooters will likely notice is a new, ergonomic stock that accommodates a removable comb riser and length-of-pull spacer. Another significant improvement includes a three-position tang safety, allowing shooters to safely load and unload their rifle with the safety engaged. Features include a threaded barrel with radial muzzle brake, Cerakoting throughout, adjustable trigger, and a factory installed one-piece Picatinny rail. $730 ; ruger.com
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Benelli Lupo HPR (Photo courtesy of Benelli) Benelli’s Lupo HPR (High Precision Rifle) rifle is the pinnacle of precision in the Lupo line with a guaranteed .75 MOA 5-shot group. The Lupo HPR features a customizable chassis-style stock allowing shooters to easily adjust comb height, length of pull, and trigger reach. Other notable features of the Lupo HPR include an integrated 30 MOA picatinny rail, Progressive Comfort recoil pad, and a variety of M-LOK connections on the stock and forend to accommodate your favorite slings and bipods. Available cartridges include .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor. $2,949 ; benelliusa.com
Savage 110 Ultralite Elite (Photo courtesy of Savage) Savage built upon tradition with the release of the Ultralite Elite, combining precision and performance into a sub 6-lbs. rifle. The 110 Ultralite Elite features the ever-popular MDT HNT26 chassis paired with a Proof Research carbon-fiber wrapped stainless-steel barrel. Other noteworthy features include Savage’s adjustable AccuTrigger, 20 MOA picatinny rail, fluted bolt, AICS detachable magazines, and an Omniport muzzle brake. Available cartridges include: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win., 7 PRC, .300 WSM, and .300 Win. Mag. $3,300 ; savagearms.com
Taurus Expedition (Photo courtesy of Taurus) Taurus long known for their handgun manufacturing, has just announced their first bolt-action rifle. The new Expedition line comes featured with a cold-hammer-forged stainless-steel barrel, corrosion-resistant coating on the barrel and action, and a 60-degree bolt throw. It’s built on a 700-series action to allow users to customize their trigger needs. The stock has a built in M-LOK plate and Spartan Precision mounts, while the magazine has an AICS pattern for easily finding aftermarket mags. Initially being offered in both .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor. $990 ; taurususa.com
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Winchester Ranger 22 (Photo courtesy of Winchester) Not all lever guns are big bores. Winchester, one of the oldest brands in the lever-action world, is introducing the new Ranger chambered in .22 LR. This lightweight little carbine uses a machined aluminum receiver, a tubular magazine and a two-piece walnut stock. The rear sight is adjustable. The best part is that the rifle quickly takes down into two sections, making it easy to stow under a seat or in a backpack. $419 ; winchesterguns.com
Sauer 505 (Photo courtesy of Sauer) J.P. Sauer and Sons has given switch-barrel versatility an upgrade with their new Sauer 505 rifle. Utilizing DNA from sibling gunmaker Blaser, the 505 features Sauer’s legendary cold-hammer-forged steel barrels and a proven saddle-mount optics design that makes switching between calibers easy, with repeatable accuracy. The adjustable trigger clicks through three pre-set weights for the perfect, crisp, clean pull. A detachable box magazine can be locked into place with the MagLock technology. Available with the hunter’s choice of four different stocks: walnut, synthetic, thumbhole and carbon fiber. $3,500+ ; jpsauer-usa.com
Browning A5 Hunter 20 Gauge (Photo courtesy of Browning) A tried-and-true waterfowl and upland wrecker, Browning offers its ultra-popular A5 in a 20-gauge model for 2024. Whether you’re chasing fast-flushing quail, teal on open water, or wanting to puff some clays, this sub-gauge shooter will meet your needs. Shim adjustment for length of pull, cast and drop allows for customization, and the humpback receiver is gloss black and anodized for rust prevention. The Inflex II Recoil Pad soaks up what little recoil this ribbed-barrel shooter produces. The A5 Hunter 20 gauge has three (F, M, IC) choke tubes, which provide excellent patterns and put more pellets on target, a fiber-optic front sight, and an ivory mid-bead.$1,980+ ; browning.com
Weatherby Orion SxS (Photo courtesy of Weatherby) A shotgun with a classic look is tough to beat, and Weatherby’s Orion side-by-side is as classic as they come. The Orion features a straight English stock, splinter forend, and an oversized trigger housing with two triggers. Available in 12, 20 gauge and .410 bore. A swamp rib and brass bead ensure a clear, clean-sight picture, and five extended choke tubes give the shooter plenty of options. Another winning feature of the shotgun is the extractors that ensure spent hulls end up in your shell bag, not on the ground. All Orion models measure 46 inches long, have barrel lengths of 28 inches, and are chambered for shotshells up to 3 inches in length. $1,099 ; weatherby.com
Mossberg Silver Reserve Waterfowl O/U (Photo courtesy of Mossberg) Balanced and beautiful, O/U shotguns make excellent waterfowl rigs, and Mossberg’s Silver Reserve Waterfowl takes performance to new levels with its 3.5-inch chambers, shell extractors, chrome-lined barrels, and bores. The synthetic stock and forend will withstand Mother Nature’s worst moods. The weather-resistant Cerakote-finished receiver, and barrels in Patriot Brown give the shotgun a stunning look while providing maximum protection. The stock features a 14-inch length of pull, and the 28-inch ribbed barrel and choke choices of Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified and Full mean this 7.25-pound shotgun is ready for any waterfowling adventure. $956 ; mossberg.com
