Partner companies Browning and Winchester did not shy away from SHOT Show 2022 as many other players did. In fact, they debuted a serious number of new firearms and ammunition lines that hunters will want to take note. While the numerous finish, camouflage, and options on the X-Bolt centerfire hunting rifle lines often take center stage, there was plenty more to love from the BuckMark brand at SHOT. Check it out.
BROWING GOES NEW AND OLD WITH CAMO
While it’s difficult to keep up with the myriad recent model additions to Browning’s X-Bolt rifle along with variants on the shotgun lines of A5, Maxus, and Cynergy, the blend of old-school and modern finish trends stands out. Building on the growing interest in throwback patterns, Browning is offering ample coverage in Vintage Tan, a purely retro camo. Hunters will find it on 2022 shotguns including: Maxus II Camo, Silver Field, A5, A5 Wicked Wing, and Cynergy Wicked Wing.
For those who eschew the olden days and ways for something more modern-meets-stealthy, Browning is showing off a new-school pattern: OVIX. The abstract, disruptive design is intended to overlap and break-up outlines using a wide color range from grays and tans to earthy greens. OVIX will be found on X-Bolts like the Western Hunters, Hells Canyons, Speeds, Max Long Ranges, as well as the BAR Mk3.
BROWNING SWEET SIXTEENS
The original Sweet Sixteen Auto-5 from Browning was one of my first shotguns, and it’s still one of my all-time favorites. Now that the “new” A5 design has been out for a number of years, it seems overdue that the company bring favor back upon the darling. This year sees a trio of new Sweet Sixteen models: A5 Lightning Sweet 16, A5 Sweet 16 Upland, and A5 Sweet 16 Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat. These revamped Kinematic Drive humpbacks continue to succeed.
The Lightning wears high-gloss Turkish walnut stocks with a gloss-black anodized receiver. It weighs 5.75 pounds and retails for $1,819.99. The Upland variants weighs the same and offers the same 26- or 28-inch barrels but shows off a brushed-nickel receiver, oil-finished Turkish walnut stocks, and lists for $2029.99. Hunters seeking full camo coverage will gravitate to the Mossy Oak version. There are the same 26- and 28-inch barrels, but this time it has a fiber-optic front sight and a $1,999.99 retail price.
BROWNING MAXUS II ULTIMATE
Fine autoloading shotguns from the Buckmark brand just got finer. The Maxus II Ultimate aims to be both a high-end looker and shooter. Built for field and sporting clays, the autoloader features a Grade III walnut stock with an oil finish. The nickel-plated receiver wears a satin finish and is dressed with scroll engraving and a jeweled bolt.
The proven Power Drive gas system is, according to company advertising, “perfectly tuned.” Browning includes their Lightning Trigger and ramped trigger guard. Internals are coated with nickel Teflon for added protection and lubricity. The Maxus II Ultimate is launching as a 12 gauge with a choice of either a 26- or 28-inch barrel. Retail price on the newbie is set at $2,059.99, and that includes an ABS hard case and three Invector Plus choke tubes.
BUCKMARK RIMFIRES WITH PIZZAZZ
Browning’s Buck Mark lineup gets a pair of fresh, suppressor-ready pistols for 2022. The Buck Mark Plus Vision variant is being built with two new looks: Americana and Black/Gold. Both are autoloading .22 LR pistols fitted with the lightweight Vision barrel, which features a tensioned outer aluminum sleeve surrounding a thinner steel inner barrel. There’s also a Picatinny optics rail, suppressor-ready threaded barrel, muzzle brake, UFX overmolded grips, and fiber-optic front sight.
The Americana theme partners red, white, and blue with stars and stripes on the outer pattern of the barrel. The Black/Gold variant is the same, save for the use of Gold Cerakote on the inner barrel set off by the remainder in black. While we were antsy to see the Americana in person, it was absent from SHOT. The Black/Gold variant, though, is a sweet-looking rimfire that feels great – and incredibly lightweight – in the hand. Retail price is set at $799.99 and $749.99 respectively.
6.8 WESTERN GETS SERIOUS LONG-RANGE AMMO
Browning’s high-end Long Range Pro Hunter line of ammunition is one of the top choices in the industry for hardcore out-west hunters, so it’s only fitting that the 6.8 Western chambering has found its way home. Those who followed the launch last year will remember the 6.8 Western as using heavier bullet weights than rounds like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .270 WSM, with more energy than the 7mm Rem Mag but less recoil than the .300s (WSM, Win Mag, and PRC). The new Long Range Pro Hunter is dressed with a 175-grain Sierra Tipped GameKing bullet that moves at 2,835 fps and packs 3,123 foot-pounds of energy.
.22 LR AMMO GETS AN UPGRADE
It’s not all big game, long-range, and premium shot at Browning. Their upgrade to rimfire ammunition takes a nice step forward with Pro 22. The 100-round value packs are new for 2022. Loaded with a 40-grain lead round-nose bullet, they maintain subsonic velocity to “prevent accuracy degradation caused by transonic bullet destabilization.” The rounds are loaded with a precise target crimp for consistent alignment into barrel throats. The rounds are ideal for target shooters and plinkers alike.
IT'S NOT ALL HUNTING - DEFENSIVE AMMO IS ON POINT
Browning’s new X-Point Defense ammunition stands out in a sea of hunting announcements. The X-Point technology has a tip design that guards the hollow point for consistent expansion and penetration. The formed metallic hollow point is built for consistency, toughness, and reliability. Energy is intended to be rapidly transferred to the target. X-Point Defense will be launching in six options, covering the major players in the semi-automatic handgun market: .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, .45 Auto, and 10mm Auto. The rounds will ship in 20-round boxes, though retail price is not yet known.
