January 17, 2023
By Darren Choate
Pinpoint accuracy at distance should be the goal of every hunter and rifles that help make that shot are more accessible than ever. Gunmakers have embraced the trend and introduced a host of new long-range rifles at this year’s SHOT Show. Here are six of our favorites.
The X-Bolt Target Lite Max was developed with long-range competition in mind, a boon for all shooters. At its core is a rigid, heavy, full-diameter receiver with machined alignment flat to perfect scope alignment and leveling. The receiver is fitted with a 20 MOA Picatinny optics rail held securely with four oversized 8-40 machine screws and locked in place via a steel pin system. The 60-degree lift bolt features an extended-length handle to assist in smooth operation.
The rifle’s composite stock includes a vertical grip and is fully adjustable to ensure a perfect comb height to match any shooter’s preference. Its trigger, the patent-pending Browning Target DLX Trigger, is a three-lever design that is adjustable from 2-3.3 pounds with zero creep, take-up, and overtravel. Browning selected a free-floating, fluted stainless-steel, heavy sporter barrel to optimize accuracy at long range. The barrel is fitted with a Recoil Hawg muzzle brake and is suppressor ready. An Xtra Capacity Magazine System is AICS-compatible, and one MDT 10-round polymer magazine is included. The X-Bolt Target Lite Max is available in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Winchester chamberings.
$1,800; browning.com
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The Savage Impulse Elite Precision’s platform is an MDT one-piece aluminum ACC chassis that includes popular features for long-distance shooting, front to back. First and foremost, the stock features length-of-pull and comb height adjustability to match the shooter’s preferred settings and features an AccuTrigger that is user-adjustable from 1.5-4 pounds.
A matte black aluminum receiver includes a 20 MOA optics-ready rail. Its bolt handle is multi-positional and ambidextrous, as is the AICS-style magazine release. The forend of the chassis features an ARCA rail with M-LOK mounting slots. The barrel is stainless steel with a modified Palma contour and is precision button rifled. It features a 5/8-24 UNEF threaded muzzle. Caliber choices range from 6mm Creedmoor to .338.
$2,649-$2,849; savagearms.com
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The Modern Hunting Rifle is built on an aluminum billet chassis with carbon-fiber forend and cheek riser featuring V-block bedding. The FFT stock is highly customizable to fit any shooter’s ergonomic preferences and includes M-LOK, QD, and Picatinny mounts to attach accessories. The unique combination is a hunting rifle that is as accurate as it is modular.
The bolt-action rifle features Christensen’s custom-machined receiver with a black nitride finish. The bolt handle is skeletonized, one of its many features to keep it lightweight at just 7.4 pounds. A Remington 700-style 20 MOA optics rail is fitted to the action assembly. The rifle also features a TriggerTech trigger. The barrel is crafted from 416R stainless steel in a carbon-fiber-wrapped sporter profile with a threaded muzzle (5/8-24) and includes a removable side baffle muzzle brake. The rifle comes with a sub-MOA guarantee and is available in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .308 Winchester chamberings.
$3,500; christensenarms.com
Weatherby Mark V Hunter BronzeBacked by a multi-lug bolt system designed to be the world’s strongest action, the Mark V Hunter has a fresh new stock design similar to the Backcountry 2.0 line. The polymer stock features a flat-bottomed forend, ambidextrous palm swells, aluminum pillar construction, and a burnt bronze finish – giving the rifle its name. In addition, the barrel, receiver, and trigger guard are Cerakoted in burnt bronze.
The Mark V Hunter features the industry’s shortest, fastest bolt throw, coming in at just 54 degrees. The short throw allows shooters to extract spent cases and chamber live rounds speedily for follow-up shots and creates more-than-ample scope clearance. The TriggerTech trigger is user-adjustable, has an extremely short over-travel, and is crisp. Its precision-cut stainless-steel components make it safe and reliable in the field. Moreover, it adds to Weatherby’s sub-MOA accuracy guarantee, promising a 3-shot group of .99 inches or less at 100 yards from a cold barrel when used with Weatherby factory or premium ammunition. The Mark V Hunter series, including the Hunter Bronze model, is available in a wide range of standard and Weatherby-exclusive chamberings.
$1,499; weatherby.com
Mossberg’s newest Patriot offerings were designed to help shooters extend their distance while maintaining accuracy. The LR Tactical model features an MDT stock with V-Block bedding and is adjustable to match any shooter’s preferred length-of-pull and comb height perfectly. The stock’s forend is equipped with M-LOK attachment slots for accessory mounting.
The Patriot LT Tactical’s action assembly features a fluted bolt with an oversized handle to maximize its operation. A Picatinny optics rail and MDT AICS-compatible magazine are standard features. The patented LBA trigger is user-adjustable from 2-7 pounds, and the trigger guard assembly is oversized to allow gloved hands to operate the trigger efficiently. The matte blue barrel features an 11-degree match crown and is threaded 5/8-24 to be easily fitted with a muzzle brake or suppressor. Chamberings include 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .308 Winchester.
$1085; mossberg.com
Bergara’s HMR rifle has increased in popularity due to its superb ergonomics and repeatable accuracy. In 2023, the HMR rifle will be available with a carbon-fiber barrel. Now, backcountry hunters and shooters can enjoy the lighter weight and increased accuracy of the HMR Carbon Wilderness. The Bergara molded stock with mini-chassis includes an adjustable cheekpiece. This combination allows shooters to create a perfect comb height and Bergara to claim guaranteed sub-MOA groups across its cartridge offerings, which includes 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Winchester, and .300 Winchester Magnum. Additionally, the HMR Carbon Wilderness weighs a mere 7.5 pounds and has several prominent features.
The B-14 action assembly includes a spring-loaded ejector, side-mounted bolt stop, and a fluted 4140 Chromoly one-piece-bolt body with a 90-degree throw. Finished in Sniper Grey Cerakote, the B-14 action is ready for use in any harsh environment. Cartridges are stored and fed via an AICS-compatible magazine. The two-position trigger assembly provides safe and reliable use in the field. The No. 6 carbon fiber barrel with 410 stainless steel includes a threaded 5/8-24 Omni muzzle brake.
$1,850; bergarausa.com
