Straight Walls Galore
We’ve covered this topic in the past, yet it keeps returning to the top of the heap. Firearm and ammunition manufacturers introduce new cartridges every year; that’s a given. However, only in the past few years have companies gone so gaga for straight-walled casings.
The idea is nothing new. Think back to rounds like the .38-55 Winchester, .45-70 Government, or even handgun darlings like the .44 Magnum. The major allure for straight walls lies squarely with the handful of mostly Midwestern states that limit the use of centerfire rifles for hunting to only straight-walled casings, some with an overall length limit as well.
The most telling tale, however, is that even hunters in states without these restrictions are reaping the benefits of these young chamberings. Winchester’s incredibly light-recoiling .350 Legend joined existing thumpers like the .450 Bushmaster. Then, Remington and Federal joined forces to debut the 360 Buckhammer, optimized for lever actions. Winchester quickly doubled down with the most recently announced .400 Legend.
Related: 360 Buckhammer And The Straight Wall Hunting Craze
What’s next? We have a feeling there’s another on the way, but 2024 is yet to be revealed. In the meantime, one fact is certain. There’s a gun, and action type, built for straight-walled rounds to suit every shooter: rifles and handguns, single shots, semi-automatic modern sporting rifles, bolts, and of course, lever actions.
Lever Gun Resurgence
Speaking of those delightful cowboy actions, lever guns have not been so popular or readily available since the bygone days when Winchester’s 1873 tamed the wild West. These last few years have seen once-defunct powerhouse Marlin returned to its former glory by Ruger, with three models catalogued at the time of this writing and more sure to come in 2024 and beyond.
There’s no denying Henry Repeating Arms holds top billing as the most successful builder of American-made lever guns, at least as measured in sheer number of models and variants. Along with those two big names alongside ol' Winchester, there are plenty of other players in the lever gun space, including Browning, Bighorn Armory, Pedersoli, Chiappa, Rossi, Cimarron, and Uberti.
Most recently, Heritage – maker of budget-friendly rimfire revolvers – jumped into the lever gun space with three .22 LR Settler models, including a Mare’s Leg. That launch was overshadowed by unexpected news in 2023 that both POF and Bond Arms were joining the lever gun world with innovative, fresh designs. The 2024 world is your oyster, lever lovers.
Related Review: POF Tombstone 9mm Lever Gun – A High Capacity for Fun
Light as a Feather
Ultralight rifles make perfect sense for mountain hunters, who simply must count every ounce in those most grueling pursuits. The same principles apply for hunters covering miles on foot. Those two demographics are but a relatively small slice of the pie, yet the market for ultralight rifles has never been stronger.
It would be a far shorter list to name manufacturers who do not produce an ultralight or lightweight model than those that do. A few big names? Nosler, Kimber, Weatherby, Browning, Sako, Bergara, NULA, Christensen, and even Barrett. While custom, semi-custom, and premium builders dominate the space, even some unexpected production builders have joined the fray. Think Savage, Springfield, Howa, Tikka, and Ruger.
We recently had the pleasure – and an absolute joy it was – of hunting with Magnum Research’s latest iteration of the Mountain Eagle carbon-fiber rifle in .280 Ackley Improved. The weight savings paid off while slogging up and down the rolling, soggy Scottish highlands, while the accuracy was fire. Name your manufacturer of choice, and odds are good it’s already building a lightweight rifle.
There’s a definite trade-off in the measure of firearm weight versus felt recoil, but on many hunts, that’s a willing exchange. We’re seeing the use of weight-saving materials like carbon fiber, titanium, and advanced polymers becoming increasingly common in gun building, putting rifles in the sub-6, and even 5-pound, measurements. As options increase, prices decrease, though quality will always come at premium costs.
The Quiet Era
Never have suppressors been more popular and accessible than at this moment. Whether shopping online retailers like Silencer Central, which simplifies the process, or perusing in-store shelves, buyers will find they’re being catered to like never before. There are laundry lists of do-all cans alongside scads of specialized variants from rimfire to the biggest bores.
Need a can for your .338 Lapua or .45-70 Gov’t? No problem. Of course, we as shooters will continue working toward delisting cans, but as we move into 2024, hunters, plinkers, competitors, and home defenders have every option at their disposal. We won’t delve into the many benefits of suppressors, as we’ve covered that in the past, but shooters, range companions, neighbors, and wildlife all stand to benefit.
Related: Quiet Hunting – Four Quality Suppressors from Rimfire to Big Bore
What’s more, instead of threaded-barrel rifles and handguns being the exception, they’re now the norm. Hunters wanting to dip a toe into the suppressed pursuit can do so at more affordable price points than ever, from the suppressor-ready firearm to the can itself.
