The Must-Have Hunting Guns for Fall ’24

Some say we like to keep it old school when it comes to hunting guns around here. Amid a roar of new firearm launches in early 2024, we found a handful of modern classics that look good, shoot even better, and remind us that the past is not forgotten.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854

If you had Smith & Wesson down for launching a lever gun this year, you’re one up on us. The Model 1854 cowboy-meets-tactical lever action seems to have taken the industry largely by surprise. S&W fans will revel in the accuracy, aesthetic, and star power. Not since the Volcanic days of Horace Smith & Daniel B. Wesson have we seen the S&W name on anything resembling a lever drive.

The introductory Model 1854, likely part of a burgeoning series, is chambered in .44 Magnum. The stainless-steel receiver and 19.25-inch round barrel stand in contrast to black synthetic furniture. With a threaded muzzle, XS ghost rings sights, straight-bladed trigger, M-LOK slots, and an oversized loop, the young 1854 bridges the gap between classic and tactical, with a clear eye on targeting the latter’s growing contemporary audience.

The 1854 measures 36 inches overall and weighs 6.8 pounds unloaded and un-scoped. There’s a side loading gate for charging the nine-round tubular magazine. The gun simply knows how to put rounds on target, as we found impressive accuracy on the range. S&W initially launched a limited edition of 1,854 units with spectacular walnut furniture as well, while a more accessible version recently hit shelves.

Ruger Super Redhawk .22 Hornet

What’s not to like about stainless steel, a 95-year-old varmint round, and Ruger quality? The Super Redhawk’s debut in the .22 Hornet chambering is smoking hot. Like the company’s other Super Redhawk wheelguns, the Hornet variant is a DA/SA wheelgun built of stainless steel with a Western flair.

There’s a 9.5-inch cold hammer forged barrel, HiViz front sight, and the company’s integral scope mounts, with stainless rings included. The sleek, unfluted cylinder holds eight rounds. The gun’s overall length is 15 inches, with an unloaded and un-scoped weight of 66 ounces (4.125 pounds). Hogue Tamer Monogrips dress the revolver, though recoil is already minimal.

Don’t mistake that near century-old centerfire round for a slouch, though. In fact, it’s an easy-shooting, accurate cartridge capable of dominating small game and varmints while maintaining that timeless air. The Super Redhawk Hornet feeds, fires, and shoots like a dream. Though it may fill a niche market, many hunters and shooters are lining up to give it a welcome home for good reason.

Montana Rifle Co Junction

This one flies far under the radar of most shooters, but hardcore hunters will remember the Montana Rifle name from 1999. Fast-forward to today, though, and the once dominant, then defunct company is reborn under new ownership: Grace Engineering in Michigan, to be exact. Its pair of new rifles, the hardwood Junction and synthetic Highline, make serious improvements aimed at hunter satisfaction.

Not only have the receivers been updated, but they’re machined in house from a solid billet of stainless with integral scope bases. What the company calls Adaptive Controlled Round Feed combines the best of both worlds, with the reliability of controlled round feed and the ability to single-feed rounds a la push feed. There’s also an aluminum lower rail inset into the stock for accessory attachment.

Traditionalists like me will appreciate the attractive walnut of the Junction rifles, though the weight savings and svelte aesthetic of the carbon-fiber dressed Highline is difficult to ignore. Both models use an adjustable trigger, three position Mauser-style safety, and muzzle brake. These babies are backed by a 0.5-MOA guarantee. The list of available chamberings continues to expand, from .308 to 375 H&H, with several PRCs, a Nosler, and an Ackley in the fray.

Browning X-Bolt 2

My, how quickly 2024 became the year of second-generation rifles. Both Ruger and Browning showed off major upgrades to already-popular bolt-action product lines. Ruger’s American bolt gun went Gen II, while Browning shifted into X-Bolt 2.

Browning’s X-Bolt 2 is marketed as the “evolution of accuracy,” with all components working in unison to improve downrange performance. With 14 variants launching simultaneously in as many chamberings, Browning covers everything from long-range varmint hunting to target shooters, the deer crowd, mountain hunters, African plains game, and even competition work.

There’s a Vari-Tech stock system allowing full user customization including LOP, comb, and grip angle. The receiver is reconfigured for smoother bolt operations. There’s a DLX adjustable trigger, plus magazine system touting greater capacity, tang safety, bolt unlock button, free-floated barrels, X-Lock scope mounting system, and removable muzzle brakes. The carbon-fiber stock and barrel selections are expanded. Precision shooters will appreciate the Target variants with a full-diameter receiver, target DLX trigger, Xtra capacity Mag System, 20-MOA Picatinny rail, and ARCA/Swiss readiness.

Ruger American Gen II

Like Browning with the X-Bolt, Ruger somehow made a whole host of improvements without adding much to the bottom-line dollar of its affordable American series. The American Gen II rifles have a splatter-finished synthetic stock with a solid feel, Cerakote metalwork, muzzle brake, and oversized bolt handle with threaded knob. The three-position tang safety is a welcome upgrade, as is the innovative customizable stock.

Loosening the rear sling stud allows users tweak the LOP using spacers, as well as switching comb inserts for ideal eye/sight alignment. Those deep spiral flutes on the barrel look like fire, while working the buttery bolt and putting rounds right on target makes believers. Ruger’s American Generation II is already available in three distinct variants: Standard, Ranch, and Predator, each with a unique color combination, barrel length, and expansive list of chamberings.

Weatherby Orion SxS

Who said side-by-side shotguns are a thing of the past? Not this writer. And not Weatherby. The Orion series was previously completely comprised of over-under scatterguns, but now we have a sweet SxS double. New for 2024 is the Orion SxS, a classically styled sporting and hunting double.

Chamberings include 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and the baby .410 bore, each with 28-inch barrels and 3-inch chambers. There’s a mechanical double trigger, tang safety, and long-tang trigger guard. Stocks are of the English straight style with a splinter forend, done in lovely oil-rubbed walnut reminiscent of bygone days.

Like most of the company’s shotguns, the latest SxS comes out of Turkey, complete with a set of five Yildiz extended choke tubes. The young Orion is a classically styled double you don’t have to baby or be afraid to take afield after upland birds.