July 01, 2020
By Steve Gash
As always, the consumer rules when it comes to successful new products. As tastes wax and wane, new rifles for 2020 include something for just about every shooting purpose and budget. Here’s a brief rundown on many of the most interesting new rifles for 2020.
Benelli Lupo Benelli is well known for its great semiautomatic, pump, and over-under shotguns, but this year the company has an exciting new bolt-action rifle called the Lupo. “Lupo” is Italian for “wolf,” and Benelli bills the new rifle as an “apex predator.” The Lupo’s separate buttstock, receiver, and fore-end allow the shooter to customize the gun to fit with a set of 12 shims for drop and cast and spacers for adjusting the length of pull.
MSRP: $1,699; benelliusa.com
Browning X-Bolt Max Varmint/Target One of several new Browning rifles this year is the X-Bolt Max Varmint/Target that includes just about every “long range” feature one could want. The composite stock has a black finish, an adjustable comb, spacers for adjusting length, a vertical pistol grip, and sling swivel studs. There is even a short Picatinny rail on the bottom of the fore-end tip for bipod attachment. The 26-inch, stainless-steel, bull barrel is threaded, and the bolt has an extended handle. The 6.5 Creedmoor-chambered version has a 1:7-inch twist, while the 28 Nosler and .300 Winchester Magnum chambered guns have 1:8-inch twists.
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MSRP: $1,339.99 to $1,399.99; browning.com
Christensen Arms Ranger One new feature-packed .22 rimfire rifle that generated a lot of buzz at the SHOT Show is the bolt-action Ranger from Christensen Arms. It’s designed for small-game hunters and competitive shooters, and the rifle’s features include an aluminum receiver, a carbon-fiber barrel, a carbon-fiber composite stock, sling swivel studs, a Picatinny rail, and a TriggerTech match-grade trigger. MOA accuracy is guaranteed at 50 yards.
MSRP: $795; christensenarms.com
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Cimarron Model 1886 Deluxe Rifle Some shooters snort at the mention of most old lever actions—but not at the iconic Model 1886. Many replica versions have been made, and new this year from Cimarron is the Model 1886 Deluxe Rifle chambered for the .45-70 Government. This rifle is true to the original. Barrel length is 26 inches and is a classic octagon. The tubular magazine below the barrel holds eight rounds. The receiver is case-hardened, and the barrel has the standard blue finish. The stock and fore-end are nicely checkered, and the buttstock has a pistol grip. Weight is a substantial 9 pounds. Cimarron notes that its Model 1886 costs about one-tenth of an original—if you can find one.
MSRP: $1,986.25; cimarron-firearms.com
CZ-USA Model 457 Royal CZ-USA’s extensive line of .22 rimfires now includes three new versions of the popular Model 457 bolt action. All have hammer-forged nitride-finished barrels threaded to the European standard 1/2-20. A thread cap is included. The Royal (shown here) has a premium walnut stock with an especially long fore-end and a high, flat American-style comb designed for use with a scope. The detachable box magazine holds five rounds. Two barrel lengths are offered: 16.5 and 20.5 inches.
MSRP: $739; cz-usa.com
FN SCAR 20S The FN SCAR 20S is updated for 2020 to include the 6.5 Creedmoor chambering. FN says this cartridge/rifle combo allows the shooter to engage targets to 1,000 yards and that the SCAR’s chrome-lined barrel offers “improved barrel life.” The gun comes with a SureFire ProComp muzzle brake that helps manage recoil and maintain target acquisition for follow-up shots. The action is a gas piston design. The match-grade, two-stage trigger breaks at 3.5 to 4.0 pounds. A full-length Picatinny rail resides on top. The buttstock is adjustable for length of pull and cheekpiece height.
MSRP: $4,499; fnamerica.com
Franchi Momentum Elite Franchi’s new Momentum Elite is an upgraded version that incorporates a host of aesthetic and ergonomic features for enhanced performance. The stock is synthetic, and it is both functional and attractive. Finishes include “hunting-centric” Hunter Gray, Realtree Escape, and True Timber Strata, with a complementary Cerakote finish on the barrel and receiver. The barrel is threaded 1/2-28 or 5/9-24, and the detachable magazine holds three or four rounds depending on the caliber. The receiver wears a one-piece Picatinny rail. Available chamberings include .223 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Winchester. My Momentum is in .308 Winchester, and on my first hunt with it, I took nine animals with nine shots. I like it.
MSRP: $848 to $899; franchiusa.com
Heritage Rough Rider Rancher Rimfire Revolver Carbine History repeats itself with the Heritage Rough Rider Rancher Rimfire Revolver Carbine. The carbine resembles the vintage Colt Model 1855 that was made in .36, .44, and .56 calibers and used in the Civil War until about 1863. The new .22 LR Heritage carbine features a 16.13-inch barrel; a six-round cylinder; and a straight-grip, checkered buttstock. The sights are rifle-like, with the rear adjustable for elevation and a dovetailed bead front. Sling swivel studs are on the buttstock and a barrel band. The trigger guard has an extension to help keep fingers away from the barrel-cylinder gap. It’s a cute and inexpensive little plinker.
MSRP: $297.39; heritagemfg.com
Howa GamePro II Legacy Sports International imports the extensive Howa line of rifles, and new this year is the centerfire GamePro II Package. It uses the classic blued Howa 1500 bolt action and is offered in 11 calibers, from .223 Remington to .300 Winchester Magnum; in short, medium, or long actions; and with 20-, 22-, and 24-inch barrels appropriate to the cartridge. The GamePro II has a classic-styled Hogue OverMolded pebbled synthetic stock with recoil pad and comes with a Nikko Stirling 3.5-10X 44mm scope.
MSRP: $699; legacysports.com
Kimber Open Range Pro Carbon The Open Range Pro Carbon is based on Kimber’s stainless-steel, controlled-feed Model 84M action and features a 24-inch Proof Research carbon-fiber barrel. The internal magazine holds four 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Winchester rounds. It has a muzzle brake, a thread protector, and a carbon-fiber stock. The trigger is user adjustable. The rifle weighs 6 pounds without a scope, and it carries a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee.
MSRP: $3,099; kimberamerica.com
Marlin Model 60 150th Anniversary Another new rimfire rifle this year is an anniversary edition of the famous Marlin Model 60 semiauto. (I’ve had one since 1963.) This special rifle celebrates the company’s 150 years of business and has a 150th-anniversary medallion inlaid in the fancy walnut stock. The metal is stainless steel, and the tubular magazine holds 14 rounds of .22 LR ammo.
MSRP: $399; marlinfirearms.com
Mossberg Patriot Predator The purpose-built Predator model is suppressor-ready and optics-ready and is chambered for the 6.5 PRC. The 24-inch barrel is threaded 5/8-24 and comes with a thread protector, and the LBA trigger is user-adjustable from 2 to 7 pounds. The stock is available in either Flat Dark Earth or True Timber Strata camo finishes, has an internal bedding block, and has a functional recoil pad. The barrel finish can be matte blue or brown Cerakote. Weight is 7 pounds.
MSRP: $455 to $540; mossberg.com
Nosler Model 48 Long Range Carbon Nosler has two new versions of its bolt-action Model 48. The Long Range Carbon has a 26-inch Proof Research barrel, and it’s chambered for the new 27 Nosler cartridge, which launches a 150-grain bullet 400 fps faster than the .270 Winchester. The 27 Nosler has a steep 1:8.5-inch twist to utilize Nosler’s new 165-grain AccuBond Long Range bullet.
MSRP: $3,190; nosler.com
Remington Model Seven Threaded MO Bottomland Among new rifles from Remington is the petite Model Seven Threaded with Mossy Oak Bottomland camo finish chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor. Other chamberings include .300 AAC Blackout and .308 Winchester. Barrel length is 16.5 inches, and weight is 5.5 pounds. The metal is finished in matte black, the muzzle is threaded, and the receiver is topped with a 20-MOA Picatinny rail.
MSRP: $829; remington.com
Rock River Arms RBG Rock River Arms announced a new bolt-action chassis gun at the 2019 SHOT Show. At this year’s show, two prototypes were on hand. Production is anticipated this year. The gun is to be built on a KRG chassis proprietary short action with a Wilson Arms fluted bull barrel in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor. The .30-caliber rifle has a 1:10-inch twist, and the 6.5 Creedmoor has an 1:8-inch twist. The trigger is from TriggerTech, and the receiver has a 20-MOA Picatinny base for optics. Magazines are Magpul-compatible AICS detachable, and accuracy is predicted to be “sub-MOA.”
MSRP: $4,150; rockriverarms.com
Rossi Gallery The Rossi line of affordable .22 rimfire rifles expands with the addition of the pump-action Gallery. Styled like the .22s in the shooting galleries of the 19th and 20th centuries, the new rifle has a German beechwood straight-grip stock and a traditional “corncob” forearm. The 18-inch barrel and receiver are brightly polished and blued, and the tubular magazine holds 15 rounds of .22 LR. The open rear sight is a classic buckhorn that is adjustable for windage and elevation. The little pump gun has sling swivel studs and a generous open trigger guard for easy access by a gloved finger.
MSRP: $346.97; rossiusa.com
Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter One of Ruger’s new rifles is the Hawkeye Long Range Hunter (LRH). The LRH is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC and features a 22-inch, stainless-steel barrel with 5R rifling and a 1:8-inch twist, Ruger ‘s LC6 trigger, and a laminate stock with a black/brown-speckled pattern. The detachable Al-style box magazine holds three rounds of 6.5 PRC or five rounds of 6.5 Creedmoor. The rifle’s buttpad has spacers for adjusting the length of pull. The receiver has a 20-MOA Picatinny rail, and it also has dovetails for Ruger rings.
MSRP: $1,279; ruger.com
Savage Model 110 Ultralite The new Model 110 Ultralite is as close to “custom” as you can get off the line. It weighs 6 pounds and has a Proof Research carbon-fiber barrel. The action is blueprinted, the lightweight stainless-steel receiver has a Melonite finish, and the AccuTrigger is adjustable from 1.5 to 4.0 pounds. The barrel is 22 or 24 inches long depending on the chambering. Eight chamberings are offered, including 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .280 Ackley. The AccuFit stock is adjustable for comb height and length of pull.
MSRP: $1,499; savagearms.com
Springfield Armory M1A Tanker The defiant-looking M1A Tanker from Springfield Armory has a 16.25-inch barrel, a walnut stock, an XS post front sight with tritium insert, and a ghost ring aperture-type fully adjustable rear sight. It’s chambered for 7.62 NATO and has a 1:11-inch twist. It is 37.25 inches long, weighs 8.75 pounds, and comes with one 10-round Parkerized magazine. All in all, it’s a rough-and-ready battle carbine.
MSRP: $1,987; springfield-armory.com
Thompson/Center Performance Center TCR22 T/C continues the trend toward high-end .22s with the TCR22 semiauto from the S&W Performance Center. The 18.38-inch stainless-steel barrel has a heavy contour, is carbon fiber wrapped, and has a slightly faster 1:15-inch twist for optimal accuracy. The muzzle is threaded 1/2-28 and comes with a Performance Center compensator installed. The large bolt handle provides easy cycling. Stock choices include a black Hogue OverMolded or an Altamont laminated thumbhole style that has a handfilling fore-end with checkered pads. The laminated stock can be had in several bright color patterns. And, wonder of wonders, the rifle can use Ruger 10/22 rotary magazines.
MSRP: $523 (Hogue stock ), $642 (Altamont stock); tcarms.com
Uberti 1885 Courteney Stalking Rifle Uberti is well known for bringing back high-quality, authentic firearms from the past. New for 2020 is the 1885 Courteney Stalking rifle, and it is historic retro in spades. The Stalking rifle is named after F. Courteney Selous, the legendary African big-game hunter. It is a falling-block single shot chambered for the equally iconic .303 British cartridge. The rifle features an AA-grade stock that has a Prince of Wales pistol grip, a satin finish, and a classic red rubber buttpad. The fore-end is tipped with African hardwood. The action is the strong Model 1885 falling-block action that was invented by John M. Browning. The 24-inch barrel carries a quarter-rib base with an adjustable V rear sight, and the front sight is hooded.
MSRP: $1,729; uberti-usa.com
Winchester Renegade Long Range SR The Winchester Renegade Long Range SR is based on the popular XPR bolt action and is loaded with specialized features for long-range performance. “SR” stands for “suppressor ready,” so the Renegade’s 22-inch barrel is threaded 5/8-24. It’s chambered for .243 Winchester and has a 1:10-inch twist. The Grayboe stock has a trim, upright pistol grip with a wide flattened fore-end and an undercut buttstock that make a stable shooting platform. The bolt has Nickel Teflon coating and straight fluting, an enlarged knob, and a bolt-unlock button. Rock chucks, prairie dogs, and antelope beware!
MSRP: $ 1,069.99; winchesterguns.com
