Ruger American Generation II
Some things just keep getting better, and that certainly seems to be the case with the second generation of Ruger’s American centerfire bolt guns. An already capable platform received serious upgrades for 2024, launching in two distinct variants: Standard and Ranch.
Improvements include a three-position tang safety, spiral fluted and threaded barrel, integral bedding block system with free-floated barrel, Marksman adjustable trigger, customizable Gen II American stock with LOP and comb adjustments, Cerakote metalwork, and splatter finish furniture.
The standard American Gen II can be had in 6.5 Creed, .308 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, .243 Win, .450 Bushmaster, .204 Ruger, .223 Rem; and coming soon are 350 Legend, 400 Legend, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm Creed, and 6mm ARC, .30-06, .270 Win, .300 WM, 6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, and .22 ARC. MSRP is $729.
The Gen II Ranch wears a shorter 16-inch barrel with a FDE stock. It not only retails for the same price, but shares several of the same chamberings and adds a few intriguing options: 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK, 7.62x39, and .450 Bush. Coming soon are 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creed, 6mm ARC, .22 ARC, 350 Legend, and 400 Legend.
Winchester XPR Left-Hand
There’s nothing new about Winchester’s budget line of XPR bolt-action hunting rifles, unless of course you’re a southpaw. At long last, the XPR goes leftie. Two variants are shipping simultaneously: the basic black synthetic along with a Hunter True Timber Strata camo version with FDE Perma-Cote metalwork and a threaded muzzle.
Related Review: Winchester XPR – The Original 350 Legend Bolt Action
Most of the features found on the company’s successful right-handed rifles are also here: free-floated barrel, Inflex recoil pad, MOA trigger system, oversized bolt handle, and dropbox magazine. This is a true southpaw action with the left-side ejection port.
The new XPR Left-Hand will be available in .308 Win, 6.5 Creed, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win Mag, 400 Legend, and .450 Bushmaster; with the Hunter adding 350 Legend and 6.8 Western to the mix. MSRP is set at $699.99 and $869.99, respectively.
SIG Sauer Cross Trax
SIG touts the young Cross Trax as “the next generation of lightweight, compact hunting rifles,” and it achieves that with trimmed-down numbers and folding furniture. The Cross Minimalist folding stocks adds to the compact nature of the piece, along with an ultra-light skeletonized 11.5-inch handguard. The 16-inch barrel is stainless steel is threaded at 5/8x24. An M-LOK rail comes standard. The trigger is built for serious accuracy, with a two-stage adjustable match job.
Weight is only 6.1 pounds with a folded length of 26 inches overall. As of SHOT Show 2024, only the .308 Win was on display, but that outfit is ready for business with a five-round AICS pattern polymer magazine. Retail price is set at $1,399.99.
The Trax joins the existing Cross family of Magnum, STX, PRS and standard Cross rifles, with the new Trax marking the most lightweight and maneuverable hunting end of the team.
Beretta BRX1
The long-awaited hunting rifle entry from Beretta is finally here, and it’s generating quite the buzz. At the core of the BRX1 is a linear straight-pull action with a reversible, ambidextrous rotating bolt. Barrels are interchangeable for simple chambering swaps. There’s a threaded barrel, adjustable trigger with three pre-set selections, and a three-position safety. The polymer stock, which is now available in ether drab green or black, will likely see other options added soon.
The BRX-1 feeds from a detachable magazine that is instantly recognizable with its blaze orange coloration. The BRX1 is built for speed, accuracy, and precision, but it’s the tool-less changeability and modularity that really has it turning heads. At the time of its American launch, the chambering list includes 6.5 Creed, .308 Win,. 30-06 Sprg, and .300 Win Mag. Initial models are steel, though rumor has it carbon fiber is close behind. Retail pricing is lower than we expected from a Beretta rifle packed with features, starting at $1,599.99.
Savage 110 Ultralite Elite
While Savage Arms debuts a roster of firearms each year, it’s the lightweights that steal the show, and the 110 Ultralite Elite is noteworthy. Built around the company’s proven 110 bolt-action family, this fresh rig is defined by its MDT folding carbon-fiber stock and Proof Research carbon-fiber-wrapped stainless-steel barrel. The chassis rig weighs in at a feathery 5.8 pounds.
The threaded barrel is dressed with an Omniport muzzle brake, while an adjustable AccuTrigger and customizable stock fit add to creature comforts. There’s also a diamond-fluted bolt, threaded bolt handle with carbon fiber bolt knob, and 20-MOA Picatinny rail. The rifle is fed by a low-profile AICS-style magazine.
There’s even an integrated ARCA rail on the carbon-fiber forend. The current list of chamberings includes 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win, 7mm PRC, .300 WSM, and 300 Win Mag. Retail price is set at $3,299.
Savage KLYM Editions
While we’re on the topic of lightweight Savage rifles, it’s impossible to overlook the KLYM duo. Savage’s recently announced pair of KLYM rifles – the 110 bolt and Impulse straight pull – share many features with the Ultralite Elite above. At the heart of each is the Proof Research carbon-fiber-wrapped stainless-steel barrel, but this time around paired with a more traditional looking FBT (Fine Ballistic Tools) carbon-fiber stock.
Related: Savage Arms Filling Hunters’ Wish Lists in 2024
The KLYM is built around a factory blueprinted action with a three-position tang safety, stainless-steel receiver, diamond-fluted bolt, threaded bolt handle with carbon-fiber knob, and 20-MOA Pic rail. Both KLYM models are easily customized, with an AccuTrigger and stock with quick comb height adjustments.
The current list of chamberings is the same as the Ultralite Elite, including 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win, 7mm PRC, .300 WSM, and 300 Win Mag. Weight on the 110 KLYM starts at 6.2 pounds, with the Impulse KLYM from 6.7 pounds. Retail price on the 110 KLYM starts at $2,699, while the Impulse KLYM lists at $3,309.
Browning X-Bolt 2
This seems to the be the year for second generations, because it’s big news that Browning has revamped its already strong X-Bolt line of hunting rifles. The X-Bolt 2 addresses shooter comfort and fit, using a Vari-Tech adjustable stock that stock with adjustability similar to a chassis, yet with a more traditional hunting lines. There’s also a thicker Inflex recoil pad, adjustable DLX trigger, top tang safety, bolt unlock button, and even a carbon-fiber barrel option. The rifles are ARCA/Swiss rail ready.
Related: Browning Shakes Up Bolt Action Market, Adds Sweet 20-gauge A5
A re-designed rotary Plus Magazine System increases capacity, while the reconfigured receiver touts smoother bolt operations that eliminate binding. Many previously popular features remain, including muzzle brake options, free-floated precision barrels, and the company’s sturdy X-Lock scope mounting system.
The X-Bolt 2 enters 2024 with a laundry list of model variants including Speed, Hells Canyon, Competition, McMillan, and Mountain Pro, most in various camo coverages, with largely the same list of chamberings from years past. Retail prices run the gamut from $1,469.99 up to a whopping $4,069.99.
CVA Cascade SR-80
Though CVA builds a single-shot break-action rifle called the Scout, the new SR-80 marks the company’s first actual entry into the true scout rifle market. The compact SR-80 bolt gun is built on the Cascade action but tailored for short-range, fast-acquisition hunting with an 18-inch threaded barrel. It comes dressed in a Flat Dark Earth synthetic stock with black web against Graphite Black metalwork.
Related: CVA Shows Off Trio of New Rifles, Including Scout
There’s a forward-mounted Picatinny rail ideal for both red dot optics and extended eye-relief scopes. A Williams rear peep and elevation-adjustable front post come standard. There’s a 70-degree bolt throw, radial muzzle brake, high-capacity magazine, and spacer-adjustable length of pull. For 2024, two chamberings will be offered: .308 Winchester and 350 Legend. Retail price is set at $925.
CVA Cascade LRH & VH
CVA looks to have been busy prepping for the 2024 SHOT Show with not only the SR-80 above but also a pair of premium bolt action hunters with the Long Range Hunter (LRH) and Varmint Hunter (VH).
The LRH uses a medium-heavy barrel set in an adjustable stock with a widened forend. Chamberings include 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, 7 PRC, .300 Win Mag, and 300 PRC. Barrel lengths vary depending on caliber, with 22-, 24-, and 26-inchers, each threaded at 5/8x24. The LRH can be had in either a black synthetic stock with bronze web or Realtree Hillside camouflage, both finished in Smoked Bronze Cerakote metalwork. MSRP starts at $925.
Likewise, the VH is a more purpose-built rig targeting varminters but still with features similar to the LRH. The same medium-heavy barrel and flat, wide forend remain, in addition to adjustable LOP and comb height. The VH, though, gets a higher-capacity dropbox magazine along with a downsized chambering list ideal for the pursuit of furbearers. The VH can be had in .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, .22-250 Rem, and .243 Win.
Barrels are either 20 or 22 inches, each threaded at 5/8x24. The synthetic stock is finished with Realtree Hillside camo, set against the Smoked Bronze Cerakote metalwork and carrying a retail price of $900.
Christensen Arms Evoke
The new Evoke bolt action rifle family, which marks Christensen’s entry into a feature-rich hunting lineup at a sub-grand price point, is actually comprised of four distinct models. The base is a proprietary Christensen action with a three-lug bolt, 60-degree throw, detachable magazine, adjustable TriggerTech trigger, integrated Picatinny rail, and hybrid grip angle.
Barrels are 416R stainless steel suppressor-ready with an RFR-style style brake. Stocks use an adjustable cheek riser. Evoke rifles are backed by the company’s sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. Variants include the standard Evoke, Mossy Oak, Hunter, and Precision. The Hunter adds an optics mount, while the Precision adds both that and an ARCA Swiss lower rail.
Related: Christensen Arms Brings Plenty of Premium Hunting Rifles to SHOT 2024
The rifles start at 7.7 pounds, but it’s the price that created the most buzz. With retail cost starting at $898.88, the Evoke marks one of the most cost-accessible Christensen offerings. Though several Evoke variants are slated to ship shortly, the Precision won’t debut until later in 2024.
The Evoke joins fellow Christensen newbies Modern Carbon Rifle (MCR) and Modern Precision Rifle-Rimfire (MPR-R).
Sako S90
A sleeper story from SHOT '24 is the news that the Sako S90 line is headed into America from Finland. Models will include the backcountry-friendly Sako 90 Quest Ultra complete with a carbon fiber-wrapped stainless steel barrel, the Carbon Wolf-stocked Sako 90 Quest, the ultra-light (5.75 pound) Sako 90 Peak, the all-weather Sako 90 Adventure, and the walnut stocked Sako 90 Hunter. Expect to read more on these, shortly.
Taurus Expedition
Though overshadowed by so many powerhouse rifle launches this year, it’s surely noteworthy to see Taurus making its first entry into the bolt-action hunting rifle game. The Expedition is built around a Remington 700 action and comes backed with a sub-MOA guarantee. As of SHOT Show 24, the only offering comes in .308 Win.
There’s an 18-inch hammer forged stainless barrel that is threaded. It feeds from AICS pattern mags, with a five-rounder standard. The synthetic stock shows a scalloped cutout butt, as well as both M-LOK and Spartan Precision attachment points. The fledgling Expedition weighs in just over 7 pounds.
Retail price feels steep for a first timer at $984.99, but time will tell, and we’ve yet to pull the trigger on the Expedition. We plan to get this and many of the aforementioned rifles on the range and in the field soon, so we can bring you in-depth looks.
