Benelli’s newest entry into the bolt-action rifle game is their Lupo. Characteristic of Italian gun engineers, the Lupo presents a singular look and feel. The rifle tested was chambered in .308 Winchester, a new offering this year. The Lupo is fitted with a black synthetic stock, and Benelli designers...
If you are looking for a super lightweight rifle, then the Ridgeline Titanium might be a contender. It features a carbon-fiber composite sporter stock in metallic gray with black webbing. A 416R stainless steel barrel is carbon-fiber wrapped, and the combination of weight trimming features put this rifle at...
New for 2021 is Winchester’s Extreme Weather Model 70 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rig braves the elements with a Bell and Carlson graphite stock with aluminum bedding block, and a matte stainless action and fluted barrel. The Extreme Weather rifle's free-floating fluted barrel features a recessed target crown to...
Browning’s new X-Bolt Max Long Range features a Max stock found on select Browning X-Bolt rifles, which is designed to help improve shooter fit. Its composite stock offers an adjustable comb to dial in eye-to-scope alignment and looks pretty cool with its black and gray textured stock finish. Barrel and action...
Savage Arms’ venture into the straight-pull bolt-action market has thus far proven to be a good move for the long-time gunmaker. We tested the .308 Hog Hunter version, and it performed well for an 18-inch-barreled rifle. Savage knows how to build accurate, dependable value-based rifles, and the Impulse is...
The Patriot Long Range Hunter is a no-nonsense rifle that offered a low MSRP at $766, which is pretty remarkable today for a 6.5 Creedmoor. It’s built like a Russian tank, but doesn’t weigh a ton. Rifle snobs beware: Don’t shoot one of these Mossbergs unless you’re ready to...
Characteristic of Weatherby rifles, this Vanguard High Country wears the same classic Monte Carlo stock profile. Shankle characterized the Vanguard High Country as “old school,” which is neither good nor bad. We put the 6.5 Creedmoor model through its paces. It comes “woods ready,” with a black and green...
Blaser’s R8 Ultimate was just that, standing at the peak price range of rifles tested. This rig has a hefty MSRP of $4,875, and its dedicated scope base will set you back another $487. Once you get past the sticker shock, the R8 will win you over with its...
Bergara has earned a reputation for building good rifle barrels, and the B-14 Wilderness benefits from this expertise. The test rifle was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It looked good, handled well and shot accurately. “A real pleasure to shoot,” Shankle said. Bolt throw was smooth, and it was easy...
The team of evaluators wasn’t shy about their praise for Ballistic’s Best Hunting Rifle for this year, the Tikka T3x Super Varmint in 6.5 PRC. “Great looking rifle,” Shankle said, adding other plaudits such as “Great two-stage trigger… smooth and perfect.” “Natural point of aim,” Modzelewski raved, adding, “It’s...
