One of the most proven bolt-action hunting rifles of all time gets a single addition for 2022. The Model 70 gains a variant called the Extreme Hunter Strata MB. Breaking that down, the “Extreme” moniker refers to a steel receiver with a FDE Cerakote finish and tungsten Cerakote free-floating barrel. A Bell & Carlson synthetic stock adds to the weatherproofing. The rifle is built around the desirable pre-64 controlled round feed, three-position safety, and MOA trigger system.
Camouflage coverage comes courtesy of True Timber’s booming Strata pattern. Lastly, the MB designation refers to the addition of a muzzle brake. The newbie can be had in the following chamberings: .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem, .308 Win, 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western, .270 WSM, .300 WSM, .25-06 Rem, .270 Win, .30-06 Spfld, .264 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, and .300 Win Mag. Retail pricing starts at $1,679.99.
SX4 Autoloaders Get Lefty Friendly…and More
Winchester’s proven line of gas-driven autoloading shotguns just made lots of left-handed shooters happy. Left-handed model variants have been added to both the 12- and 20-gauge families. The SX4’s Active Valve Gas System, proven on the SX3, cycles a wide array of loads without adjustment. The drive, along with Quadra Vent ports for cleaner operation, all add up to less felt recoil on a reliable platform. The left-handed options can be had in many configurations, including wood, synthetic, and camouflage furniture.
Speaking of camo, the southpaw variants are not all that’s new on the SX4 line. Hunting fans will appreciate the latest camoed repeater. The Universal Hunter wears full Mossy Oak DNA camouflage. That model intends to be a do-all shotgun for hunters wanting to chase doves, upland birds, turkeys, waterfowl, and more with a single arm.
Winchester Xpert 22 LR
Perhaps the biggest innovative news is Winchester’s smallest rifle. The Xpert 22 is essentially a bolt-action brother to the company’s svelte, polymer autoloading rimfire Wildcat rifle introduced last year. Like the Wildcat, the new Xpert uses a lightweight, skeletonized polymer stock. Rotary magazines that are interchangeable with the Ruger 10/22 platform feed the rimfire. Magazine releases are ambidextrous.
The rest of the features are geared toward next-level accuracy and performance. There’s a precision adjustable MOA trigger similar to those found on centerfire Model 70s, a precision barrel with a recessed target crown, and a semi-match Bentz chamber. The 18-inch barreled .22 LR, which weighs only 4.5 pounds, retails for $319.99.
Winchester Wildcat Goes Camo
Speaking of the Wildcat, the lightweight rimfire repeater gets covered in True Timber Strata camouflage for 2022. The diminutive rimfire repeater uses a striker-fired, blowback action and is fed by a 10/22-style rotary magazine. The skeletonized black polymer stock is simple and contributes to the ultra-light, 4-pound weight. With the addition of a Wildcat SR – that’s suppressor ready – variant, rimfire plinkers and hunters are bound to be pleased.
Winchester XPR Extreme Hunter Midnight MB
Winchester’s XPR series of bolt-action rifles has proven itself over the last few years as an upper-end budget rifle. That family continues to expand with a trio of new offerings for 2022. There’s the Hunter Strata MB, XPR Hunter in Mossy Oak DNA, and what we consider the most interesting, the Extreme Hunter Midnight MB. Let’s break that down.
The MB denotes the factory muzzle brake and is now found on many of the company’s hunting centerfires. There’s tungsten Cerakote on both the barrel and receiver, while the synthetic stock wears unique True Timber Midnight camouflage. Barrels are button rifled, free-floated, and machined to a recessed target crown. An MOA trigger system, Inflex recoil pad, and sling studs come standard. The caliber list is lengthy, from .223 Rem through .300 Win Mag, with 14 in total. Of note are options like .350 Legend, 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western, and several WSMs. MSRP is set at only $769, making real-world prices quite friendly for an upgraded model.
Winchester Historical Gun Lineup Gets Beefier
Lever-action Winchester rifles are one of America’s defining firearm platforms. While there is simply no replacement for the American-made originals, the company continues to build and update a host of historical model variants. The gun that won the West, Model 1873 sees the addition of both a Deluxe Sporting and High Grade Competition Carbine.
A Model 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine is added to the throwback family. It can be had in either .45-70 Government or the real old-timer of the lot – .45-90 Winchester. Takedown fans will gravitate to the Model 1892 Deluxe Octagon Takedown variant. Some of the most beautiful for the year, though, are the Grade I and High Grade takes on the Model 1895, magazine-fed classics chambered in .30-06 Springfield, .30-40 Krag, and .405 Winchester. Even with all the new long-range, muzzle-braked, flat-shooting centerfires covered in camo, folks were lined up to see the historical models with their old-school steel and walnut.
Winchester Copper Impact Ammunition
The lead-free revolution continues with a revamped line of ammo from Winchester. Copper Impact sees new packaging, chamberings, and options for hunters seeking a lead-free projectile. The vertically-branded boxes are clean dressing for the medium and big game loads. Solid copper projectiles are advertised to provide greater weight retention over standard jacketed lead-core bullets. The Copper Extreme Point is designed to expand immediately upon contact. For 2022, Winchester is showing 16 selections, from .243 Win through .300 WSM, with choices like .350 Legend, 6.8 Western, 6.5 PRC, and even a pair of 12- and 20-gauge shotgun sabot slugs.
Winchester Bismuth
Specialty shots for hunters, along with premium options, are trending high in 2022. Winchester’s Bismuth shotgun offering joins the fray of lead-free, non-toxic shot for waterfowlers seeking something other than steel. The new Bismuth loads are filled with tin-plated, premium bismuth shot, which the company advertises as the “smoothest and roundest in the industry.” A buffered payload should put more pellets on target, even at distances around 60 yards. Built for waterfowlers, the hulls are water-resistant with a lacquered primer and double-seal wad to keep water out. Bismuth will be available in 25-round boxes in both 12- and 20-gauge 3-inch loads with #4 shot.
6.8 Western Ammo Addition
The long-range, big-game round that stole hunters’ hearts last year gets another proven ammunition offering for 2022. Winchester’s Power-Point line of centerfire rifle rounds now stocks 6.8 Western in a 170-grain projectile. The Power-Point bullet has proven itself on both deer and elk-sized game. The Western round ships in 20-round boxes with a muzzle velocity of 2,920 fps and 3,218 foot-pounds of energy. Launched in conjunction with sister company Browning last year, the 6.8 Western continues to gain both new rifle platforms and rounds to feed them.
