Separated by a single point, the third- and fourth-place offerings were basic rifles, the IWI Zion 15 and FN-15, respectively. Every evaluator commented on the value the IWI offers with solid accuracy, nice features like an upgraded grip and stock, and a predictable duty-capable trigger. Priced at $900 it...
In the .223 category 0.5 points separated the Primary Weapons Systems Mk-1 Pro from its closest competitor, the Faxon Firearms Ion Ultralight. Unique in the AR world, the Faxon has a three-port muzzle brake that is machined into the barrel, allowing a true 16-inch barrel. Pencil thin, it is...
Primary Weapons Systems’ MK-1 Pro took top honor in the .223 category and outscored every other rifle tested. It was a close contest this year, but all testers were in complete agreement on the superiority of the MK-1 Pro. The rifle boasts excellent accuracy, flawless reliability, smooth operation and...
DoubleStar’s STAR10-BX was the only .260 Remington rifle we tested. DoubleStar is known for its in-house construction and innovation, and this rifle is no exception. Evaluators liked how comfortable it was to shoot, with very little recoil using the Bullseye muzzle brake. Its accuracy and reliability were solid with...
The Barrett REC10 was the only other .308 we tested. Built for rugged use in any environment, it remains light while offering a strong feature set. It came with iron sights, and the controls are completely ambidextrous. The rifle features an ALG Defense QMS trigger group, operates on a...
Springfield Armory’s Saint line has been incredibly popular, and the Victor offers solid performance and enhanced features at a reasonable price. The Saint Victor was also one of only two test rifles to come with iron sights. It has simple controls and a smooth handguard with plenty of M-LOK...
The MK116 Pro from Primary Weapons Systems (PWS) came in seventh, bringing another great value for a piston-driven rifle. At $1,000, it costs several hundred dollars less than PWS’ MK2 models but uses the same proven long-stroke piston design. The controls are essentially mil-spec, but the gas system makes...
The FN SCAR 20S took sixth place, making it our top-finishing big bore. Its accuracy was solid, with groups in the 1- to 1.5-inch range. Even with the pinging flash suppressor, it remained soft to shoot as far as .308 rifles go. A couple of the evaluators liked the...
A mere quarter of a point away was the Wilson Combat Ranger in .300 HAM’R. The rifle offered a bit more recoil than the other 5.56mms, but it also came with a flash suppressor, not a muzzle brake. And the Ranger’s accuracy was absolutely astounding. Having tested three different...
Sig Sauer’s M400 Tread was the real surprise, landing at third place. It’s an excellent value at $1,050, and all of the Tread-branded accessories are extremely affordable. The rifle is also lightweight and looks great for the price. The trigger was also nice for the price point, and we...
