January 23, 2018, signaled the beginning of the largest gun show in the world—the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show. Unfortunately, admission requires a Federal Firearms License (FFL), media, manufacturer status or something similar, so it is not open to the general public. Fortunately, we have a front row ticket to deliver the hottest new rifles for 2018!
For what seems like a long time now, new rifle introductions at the SHOT Show have been dominated by variations on the AR15/AR10 platform. However, times are changing, to paraphrase one of Bob Dylan’s most famous lines. For 2018, we continue to see line extensions to accommodate the 6.5 Creedmoor, but we’re also seeing the emergence of a new trend—dedicated long-range precision sport and hunting rifles. Yes, there are still a few new MSRs that will draw intense interest, but for the first time in a decade, the new rifles at SHOT are a balanced lot.
Auto-Ordnance
History was made in 1915 when John T. Thompson introduced the first portable handheld automatic weapon—commonly referred to as the Tommy Gun. Kahr is proud to introduce the Deluxe model Thompson in 9mm. It comes with one 20-round stick magazine and a 16.5-inch barrel. SRP: $1,364
Bergara
The HMR Pro builds on the legacy of the 2017 HMR. It provides a multitude of upgrades to include a Cerakote stainless-steel action and barrel with a threaded muzzle and a TriggerTech primary trigger. The HMR Pro is also shipped with an accuracy-qualified sub-MOA target. Weights range from 9.2 to 10.10 pounds, and it is available in .223 Remington with a 1:8 twist, .22/250 Remington with a 1:9 twist, 6mm and 6.5mm Creedmoor with a 1:8 twist, and .308 Winchester with a 1:10 twist.
Browning
The new X-Bolt Pro and X-Bolt Pro Long Range models feature an exclusive Generation 2 carbon-fiber stock with a palm swell. Barrels and receivers are stainless steel-coated in Cerakote burnt bronze, and the bolt body and handle have spiral fluting. Rifles are hand-chambered and come standard with a target crown and threaded muzzle. The rifles can be had with either a 22- or 26-inch barrel (the outlier is the .300 WSM, which comes with a 23-inch barrel) in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, .300 WSM, 26 Nosler, .270 Winchester, .30/06 Springfield, 7mm Remington Magnum, 28 Nosler, and .300 Winchester Magnum. SRP: $2,069.99-$2,129.99, X-Bolt Pro; $2,099.99-$2,179.99, X-Bolt Pro Long Range.
The X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed Long Range McMillan rifle features a McMillan Game Scout stock with aluminum pillars, vertical pistol grip, and medium-width forend. It has a Cerakote burnt bronze finish and a 26-inch, fluted, free-floating, hand-chambered barrel with a muzzle brake. The stock sports an A-TACS AU Camo, Dura-Touch Armor Coat finish. A 20-MOA Picatinny rail is standard. Available in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 WSM, 26 Nosler, 7mm Remington Magnum, 28 Nosler, and .300 Winchester Magnum. SRP: $2,129.99 – $2,199.99
The X-Bolt Micro Composite will give smaller-stature shooters the option of a rifle with a shorter length of pull. It features a receiver and barrel in matte blue and is available in .243 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, and .308 Winchester. SRP: $939.99
Bushmaster
The new 450 Bushmaster SD Rifle has a 20-inch barrel, R25-styled stock with a Hogue grip, ALG Defense trigger, AAS Square Drop Handguard, and muzzle brake. It comes with a 5-round magazine and is chambered for the 450 Bushmaster, a cartridge seeing renewed interest in 2018. SRP: $1,299
The ACR SBR, chambered for the 5.56 NATO, comes with a 10.5-inch, 4150 FNC-treated, 1:7 twist barrel. Other features include an AAC Blackout flash-hider, collapsible folding stock, and tri-rail handguard. SRP: $2,249
The Bushmaster Minimalist SD Carbine will be offered in 5.56 NATO and 300 AAC Blackout. It has mil-spec upper and lower receivers, an AAC Square Drop Handguard, lightweight FNC 1:8 twist barrel, mil-spec mission-first minimalist stock and grip, and an ALG Defense fire control group. SRP: $1,169
Now, how about something really big? The BA50 is chambered for the .50 BMG and has a Lothar-Walther 30-inch barrel. The bolt is on the left side of the action, and cartridges eject from the right, after feeding from a 10-round box magazine. It’s fitted with a Magpul PRS stock and an AAC Cyclops brake. It’s not cheap—big guns never are. SRP: $5,657
CMMG
CMMG’s MkW Anvil is a midsize AR rifle platform uniquely engineered to easily handle cartridges with large case diameters and high bolt thrust. Each new MkW Anvil ships with one 10-round magazine, and barrels have a 1:8 twist. CMMG also is offering 6.5 Grendel upper receiver groups for Anvils in .458 SOCOM. SRP: $1,049.95, uppers; $1,999.95, rifles.
The MkG45 Guard is an MSR chambered for the .45 Auto. It’s offered in five configurations, with either 8- or 16-inch barrels. All operate on CMMG’s patent-pending Radial Delayed Blowback system and feed from Glock magazines. SRP: $1,299.95-$1,399.95
CVA
With the new Optima V2 LR, CVA brings long-range performance to a more affordable price point. The gun employs the same long-range-oriented concepts as the top-selling Accura V2LR, combining a velocity-enhancing longer barrel with the superior stability of a thumbhole stock. It features a 28-inch barrel, and like all CVA muzzleloaders, it has the exclusive Quick Release Breech Plug. The thumbhole stock is also 100 percent ambidextrous. The V2 LR is 43 inches long and weighs 7.65 pounds.
CZ-USA
For 2018, CZ is introducing a left-hand 557. It will be available in .30/06 Springfield (standard action) and .308 Winchester (short action). The .30/06 version has a hinged floorplate, and the .308 feeds from a detachable box magazine. Both have 24-inch, cold-hammer-forged and lapped barrels. SRP: $865
DPMS
DPMS now has the GII Hunter in .243 Winchester and .260 Remington. Both feature 20-inch Teflon-coated barrels, threaded muzzles, carbon-fiber free-floating handguards, two-stage triggers, Magpul MOE stocks, Hogue grips, and an enhanced shell deflector.
The GII Compact Hunter is chambered for the .243 Winchester. This minimalized semi-auto rifle features a 16-inch Teflon-coated barrel, threaded muzzle, carbon-fiber, free-floating handguard, two-stage trigger, B5 Sopmod Stock, Hogue grip, and an enhanced shell deflector.
Another addition to the GII line is the AP4 OR (Optics Ready). This GII has an improved upper receiver optimized for left-hand shooters, and a standard, plain-steel single-rail gas block. SRP: $1,249
DPMS did not forget it makes AR15s. The new MOE SL Carbine is available with black or flat dark earth Magpul MOE SL furniture. It’s chambered in 5.56 NATO and comes with a 16-inch chrome-lined barrel with a 1:7 twist. Backup sights and an AAC Blackout flash-hider are standard. SRP: $1,099
E.R. Shaw
America’s largest independent manufacturer of gun barrels is now offering the new Mark X bolt-action rifle. Consumers can order online and choose between barrel lengths from 16.25 to 26 inches. They can also select one of 90 chamberings in calibers from .17 through .458. The highly acclaimed AccuTrigger is standard, but a Timney is an option. This is a custom, made-to-order rifle. SRP: $1,399
The company now also offers a smaller, lighter, and more affordable AR-10. The ERS-10’s upper and lower receivers are machined from 7075-T6 aluminum forgings. It comes standard with a Shaw muzzle brake, a 15-inch floating handguard, and a nickel-boron-coated bolt. It weighs 9.5 pounds. SRP: $995.95
Mossberg
With what seems like an unbridled effort to take over the rifle world, Mossberg has introduced another variation of the MVP. The MVP Precision is a tactical rifle sporting an all-new chassis and a LUTH-AR MBA-3 adjustable stock. Every rifle comes with an LBA trigger, and 24- or 20-inch threaded and free-floated medium bull barrels are standard. A Picatinny rail, an oversize bolt handle, and a Magpul MOE grip are included. Vortex combo packages will include the Viper HS-T riflescope, and available chamberings include the 6.5 Creedmoor and 7.62 NATO.
The Patriot line continues to expand. For 2018, you’ll see it in 6.5 Creedmoor in the top-of-the-line model—the Revere. This rifle features a 2.0 Grade European walnut stock and a rosewood forend tip and grip cap. SRP: $823
The Patriot Cerakote is also new. Cerakote is a polymer-ceramic coating that protects metal surfaces, and this Cerakoted Patriot will be offered with a synthetic black stock in six popular chamberings, including .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, .308 Winchester, and .30/06 Springfield.
To keep things on the cool side, Mossberg is offering three new rifles specifically intended to visually please; all are finished in Muddy Girl Serenity camo. This new camo has a dynamic combination of colors and natural elements for a sharp look that will likely appeal to anyone wanting some additional, eye-catching flair from their rifle. The list includes a Patriot Super Bantam in .243 Winchester, a Blaze autoloading rifle in .22 LR, and an International 715T semi-auto rifle in .22 LR.
Proof Research
The new Switch is easily user-modified to accommodate many cartridges. It comes standard with a free-floating, cut-rifled Proof Research carbon-fiber barrel in either .223 Remington, 6mm and 6.5mm Creedmoor, .260 Remington, or .308 Winchester. It incorporates a Savage-style barrel to allow for user-conversion to virtually any short-action caliber. SRP: $3,995
Remington
The new 700 MTD Tactical Chassis rifle is available with a 24- or 26-inch barrel and is chambered for the .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, or .338 Lapua Magnum. It has a stainless-steel-barreled action, Magpul PRS II adjustable stock, oversize bolt handle, AAC muzzle brake, and ships in a hard case. SRP: $3,500
The SS 5R Black Cerakote is built on an HS Precision stock. It has a stainless-steel barrel and action, and the 5R-rifled barrel has the distinctive LTR-style fluting with a black Cerakote finish. A threaded muzzle and X Mark Pro adjustable trigger are standard. Available in .308 Winchester with a 20- or 24-inch barrel, .300 Winchester Magnum with a 24-inch barrel, and 6.5 Creedmoor with a 24-inch barrel. SRP: $1,250
There is also a non-Cerakote version in .223 Remington. SRP: $1,150
Savage
Since its introduction in 1958, the Savage Model 110 has served hunters and shooters well as an economical, hard-hitting, accurate rifle. Now it’s even better with the new Model 110 Big Game and Specialty series. These revamped rifles have received a fresh look and a full complement of new and improved features. Customized performance is the hallmark of the redesign, and these new rifles solve the three main issues shooters usually pay a gunsmith to address: fit, trigger pull, and bedding.
The all-new user-adjustable AccuFit system/stock is the key. It allows shooters to customize length of pull and comb height. Inserts included with the rifle can be installed in seconds with a Phillips screwdriver.
The new AccuStock also has a rigid chassis embedded in the stock. Combine these custom-like features with the standard adjustable AccuTrigger, and the 110s become affordable custom rifles, right out of the box. To help bring all this wonderfulness to the consumer, Savage has a full line of revamped 110s to choose from, covering everything from general-purpose to niche offerings.
The Savage 110 Storm features a detachable-box magazine, stainless-steel barrel, and gray synthetic stock. It is available in a plethora of cartridges, from .223 Remington to .338 Winchester Magnum. SRP: $849
The 110 Engage Hunter comes out of the box with a mounted and bore-sighted Bushnell Engage riflescope—SRP: $629. The 110 Predator is a Realtree Max 1 camo version chambered for six coyote-killing cartridges. All feature 24-inch barrels and a four-round detachable magazine. SRP: $799
For long-range 110 Savage excitement, there’s the Long Range Hunter. It comes with a 26-inch barrel and is chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, .308 Winchester, .300 WSM, .338 Federal, 6.5×284 Norma, 7mm Remington Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, and the .338 Lapua Magnum. SRP: $1,099; $1,298, Lapua
If you want the ideal general-purpose 110, there’s the 110 Scout. Configured to emulate Jeff Cooper’s concept, this 110 has a 16.5-inch barrel, a 10-shot detachable magazine, open sights, and an extended eye-relief scope rail. Chambered for the .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, .338 Federal, or 450 Bushmaster. SRP: $815. Other specific-purpose new 110s include the 23-inch- barreled 110 Bear Hunter ($999), the 26-inch-barreled 110 Varmint ($638), the 20-inch-barreled 110 Hog Hunter ($594), and the wicked 110 Wolverine in 450 Bushmaster ($899).
The 10/110 Stealth Evolution chassis rifle is chambered for six distance-delivering cartridges, including the 6mm Creedmoor. The rifle blends pinpoint precision with torture-tested toughness, and pairs a heavy fluted barrel, blueprinted 10/110 action, 5R rifling, and an AccuTrigger, with a monolithic aluminum chassis finished in rugged bronze Cerakote. SRP: $1,799-$2,149
Steyr
The Zephyr II is Steyr’s new smallbore rifle. It features a classic European walnut stock with a Bavarian cheekpiece and fish-scale-pattern checkering, and the Steyr Mannlicher bolt handle and tang safety. Available in .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR, the Zephyr II has a cold-hammer-forged 19.7-inch barrel, with an overall length of 35.2 inches. The rifle weighs 5.8 pounds. SRP: $995
The Pro THB (Tactical Heavy Barrel) offers extreme accuracy at an extremely affordable price, and it’s a complement to Steyr’s traditional platforms. It has a durable synthetic stock with removable spacers in the buttstock to adjust length of pull. It also has a cold-hammer-forged, 16-, 20-, or 26-inch threaded heavy barrel, finished with Steyr’s durable Mannox coating. Chambered for the .308 Winchester, the magazine is the standard two-position 5-round detachable box, with a 10-round conversion kit available. SRP: $1,265
Weatherby
The Mark V line includes five new rifles. The Camilla Deluxe has been designed for female hunters with input from the Women of Weatherby team. It weighs 6.5 pounds and has an AA-grade Claro walnut stock. A slim forearm, a narrow-radius pistol grip, and a high comb contribute to the fit a woman wants. Five chamberings are available: .240 Weatherby Magnum, .270 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, and .30/06 Springfield.
The Mark V KCR features a 26-inch, No. 3 contour custom masterpiece barrel from Krieger. It is available in .257, 6.5-300, .300, and .30-378 Weatherby Magnum cartridges, and includes an Accubrake to reduce felt recoil by up to 50 percent. The LXX trigger, oversize bolt knob, composite Monte Carlo stock, and flat dark earth and graphite black Cerakote finish round out the features.
The Altitude weighs 5.75 pounds with the six-lug action, 6.75 pounds with the nine-lug magnum version. It features a lightweight Monte Carlo stock with an aluminum bedded block, a fluted stainless-steel barrel, Kryptek Altitude camo, and a Tungsten Cerakote finish. The Altitude is available in .240, .257, .270, 7mm, and .300 Weatherby Magnums, as well as 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and .30/06 Springfield.
The new Outfitter Mark V rifles have a flat dark earth Cerakote finish and boast a carbon fiber Monte Carlo stock. The FDE RC model is Range Certified, and Adam Weatherby signs each range certificate. It is available in .240, .257, 6.5-300, .270, 7mm, and .300 Weatherby Magnums and in 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and .30/06 Springfield.
Winchester
The new XPC is a chassis rifle with a quick-cycling 60-degree bolt with plenty of clearance for large scopes. The XPC comes with an optic rail, a button-rifled free-floating chrome-moly barrel, a target crown, a threaded muzzle, and a nickel-Teflon and Perma-Cote black finish. It has a Magpul buttstock and grip, and is available in .243 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor with a 24-inch barrel, and in .308 Winchester with a 20-inch barrel. SRP: $1,599.99
The new XPR Sporter features a Grade I walnut stock and an Inflex Technology recoil pad. Other features include the MOA trigger, Perma-Cote matte black metal surfaces, a detachable-box magazine, a steel recoil lug, and a two-position thumb safety. It’s available in a variety of cartridges, from .243 Winchester to .338 Winchester Magnum, with barrel lengths from 22 to 26 inches. SRP: $599.99
A new 1873 Carbine model will feature a classic carbine-style forearm with a blued barrel band, a blued carbine strap buttplate, and a blued saddle ring. The stock and forearm are satin-finished walnut, and this lever gun comes standard with a ladder-style rear sight. It’s available in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44/40 Winchester, and .45 Colt, with a 20-inch barrel. SRP: $1,299.99
The Model 1892 Carbine has the same features as the old 1873 Carbine, but with a semi-buckhorn rear sight and Marble Arms gold-bead front sight. Available in .357 Magnum, .44 Rem. Magnum, .44/40 Win., and .45 Colt, with a 20-inch barrel. SRP: $1,069.99
Rise Armament
The 1121XR rifle in .308 Winchester was designed for shooters seeking more out of a heavy-caliber, gas-driven gun. It features the RA-535 trigger, guaranteed sub-MOA precision, a 20-inch 416R stainless-steel barrel, precision-machined 7075 aluminum billet receivers, a Magpul PRS stock, and a smooth Cerakote finish. It weighs 9.5 pounds and ships in a hard case with two magazines. SRP: $2,449
What new rifles for 2018 are you excited about? Share your answers in the comment section.
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