SHOT Show 2018: Top New Guns, Ammo and Optics

SHOT Show 2018 opened today in Las Vegas, and as usual all of the industry players were present to unveil their new products. Here's a look at a few of the top guns, ammo and optics straight from the show floor.

Browning Citori White Lightning

The White Lightning is back with a new look and feel. Not to be confused with the previous version of the Citori White Lightning which was discontinued, Browning has thrown it back with a SHOT show special on this classic over/under. Available in 12-gauge only, the high-polished barrel comes in your choice of 26- or 28-inches and is fitted with a ventilated top rib. The O/U features an intricately engraved steel receiver featuring elegant Neo-Classical styling and finished with a Silver Nitride. Grade III/IV walnut makes up the lightning style stock that is now fitted with Browning's signature Inflex recoil pad.

Mossberg Patriot Cerakote

Looking for a rifle you aren't afraid of getting dirty? Building on to the success of their Patriot line of bolt-actions, Mossberg is now making the rifles available in a Cerakote Stainless metal finish. The black synthetic stock of this bolt-action is weather-resistant, and paired with the Patriots barrel and bolt that are also finished in Cerakote Stainless, your rifle is protected from bumps and scratches. The bolt-action features a 22-inch button-rifled barrel, and Mossberg's twin-lug, push-feed machined-steel action. Available in six popular calibers: 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win., .270 Win., and .30-06 Sprg.

Savage MSR 15 Valkyrie

Reach out and touch something with the new MSR 15 Valkyrie from Savage. Built to accommodate Federal Premium's new 224 Valkyrie cartridge, the MSR features an 18-inch barrel with 5R rifling, a FDE Cerakote finish, and a two-stage trigger. An adjustable mid-length gas system, tunable muzzle brake, Hogue pistol grip, and Magpul UBR Gen 2 buttstock round out the rifle. And for reference: the new 224 Valkrie cartridge shoots with extremely flat trajectories and supersonic velocities that reach out to as far as 1,300 yards.

Winchester Super Suppressed Ammunition

Winchester, of course, has a ton of new offerings for 2018, but their new line of Super Suppressed ammunition turned our heads. With the growing popularity of suppressors, Winchester answered the call and developed a line of ammo made to shoot reliably through suppressed firearms (and non-suppressed as well). Velocities are below the speed of sound to produce lower decibel levels, and shoot clean, and accurately. Size calibers are available: 300 Blackout, .308 Win., 9mm Luger, .45 Auto, .22LR, and .22 Magnum.

Browning BXS Solid Expansion Lead Free Centerfire

With states like California allowing only lead-free ammunition, more options are always better, and Browning is answering the call with its new BXS Solid Expansion Lead Free Centerfire Rifle cartridges. The copper bullet topped with a polymer tip is made to hit hard and penetrate deeply. Nickel plated shellcases make up the cartridge that is being offered in seven big game calibers: 30-06 Springfield, .270 Win., .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag., 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 WSM, and 7mm Rem. Mag.

Hornady 6.5 PRC

Calling it the "big brother to the 6.5 Creedmoor," Hornady released this hot new cartridge in October, but it's getting a lot of buzz on the show floor. The 6.5 PRC is made to fit in short or medium actions, and features moderate powder charges for repeatable accuracy and low recoil. Made for both range time and hunting, the 6.5 PRC has a flat trajectory and high velocities that reach out well beyond 1,000 yards. Available in either Hornady Precision Hunter 143-gr. ELD-X or Hornady Match 147-gr. ELD Match.

Leupold VX-Freedom Series of Riflescopes

High-quality optics are pricey — we all know that. To change the game, Leupold created the VX-Freedom series to pair quality optics at an affordable price point. The VX-Freedom scopes are made with a Military-spec lens coating to protect from harsh elements and a low-profile power selector ring to keep from snagging when hiking through the backcountry. Leupold's Twilight Management System is coated on the lens to enhance low-light visibility, and the scopes feature second focal plane reticles as well as 1-inch maintubes. The VX-Freedom series will be available in 10 popular magnifications with more to be released later in 2018.

SIG-Electro Optics ZULU9 15x56mm

Building on to their ZULU9 mid-to-long range binocular line, SIG Electro Optics has added a 15x56mm model. The ZULU9 binoc will combine the premium Abbe-Koenig prism system with SIG's HDX optical design that offers up to 95% light transmission. To stand up to harsh elements and bumps and bruises, the 56mm binoc uses a magnesium housing to surround the prism system and a durable rubber coating with non-slip STEALTH ID grip design.

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