SHOT Show 2024 Day 2 — Rifles

Looking to add a new caliber to the arsenal? Maybe you want a new pew-pew to guard the homestead. Who doesn’t need a new rifle for hunting season? Whatever your reason, however you sell it to your significant other, here are some of the hottest new long guns at SHOT Show for 2024.

American Tactical

Fans of American Tactical are rejoicing at the addition of a bolt-action rifle to its lineup. The TRX Bronco is a chassis-built rifle with a folding stock and 16.5-inch barrel. The Bronco is chambered in .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor and fed by AR10-compatible box magazines. Tipping the scales at 6.9 pounds, the TRX Broncho has a one-inch MOA accuracy guarantee! Available in black or tan.

Benelli

If you believe rifles should be accurate, Benelli’s Lupo HPR should be at the top of your list. The Lupo HPR was designed to deliver sub-MOA (.75 inch, five-shot groups) for long-range shooting and hunting. Based on the Benelli Lupo Chassis system, the HPR is chambered for the most popular long-range calibers, including 6.5mm PRC, 6.5 CRD, .338 Lapua Mag, .300 PRC, .300 Win. Mag., or .308 Win.

Benelli’s Lupo HPR matches a custom-fit stock system with a heavy-contour straight-fluted CRIO barrel to deliver a long-range rifle that incorporates the function of a chassis rifle with the ergonomics and accuracy of a custom bolt-action.

Bergara

The Bergara B-14 Crest series of rifles are available in two versions. The Crest Carbon rifles feature a carbon-fiber barrel with the Omni muzzle brake and a fluted bolt to reduce weight and add style. The B-14 Crest rifle are chambered in .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .22-250, 6.5 PRC, .300 Win. Mag., or 7mm PRC.

Bergara offers the B-14 Stoke Compact rifles in nine variations. The rifles are cambered in .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Win., .22-250, 7mm-08, or 6.5 PRC. Notable features include synthetic stocks, 20-inch barrels, hinged floor-plate magazine, and Bergara’s Performance Trigger.

Looking for something a bit smaller? Stoke Compact rifles with the SP designation (special purpose, short barrel) feature 12.5-inch barrels, synthetic stocks, and AICS detachable magazines. Of course, Bergara also outfits the Stoke Compact with its Performance Trigger.

Length of pull matters when accuracy is on the line. Understanding this, Bergara includes .25-inch spacers to allow the stock to be customized to the individual shooter.

Bilson Arms

Probably the coolest gun at SHOT Show 2024, Bilson Arms has thrown its hat in the ring with the introduction of the BA-9FC. While this version is semi-automatic, rumor has it that Bilson is working out the kinks on a pump-action version for those of you living in “less semi-automatic gun friendly states.”

The beauty of the BA-9FC is the lack of a rear charging handle. Instead, the gun is charged using the slide rail on the forend (think pump-action shotgun). If there is a faster to action, faster to clear a malfunction AR on the market, I have not seen it. The BA-9FC allows the shooter to keep the rifle shouldered and charge the first round or clear a malfunction with the sights on target. Best of all, the upper will fit any MIL-SPEC AR lower.

If this is not the future of AR technology, I don’t know what is…

Browning

The heart of Browning’s X-Bolt 2 Speed Ovix is a reconfigured receiver that provides smoother bolt operation and the DLX trigger. The DLX trigger features a multiple-lever design to optimize sear weight and trigger movement. The design provides increased trigger pull consistency and a crisp trigger break. If a light trigger pull is your thing, the DLX trigger may be tuned as low as three pounds.

Chiappa Firearms

Yeah, I get it. This isn’t a contestant for a beauty contest… The Big Badger is Chiappa’s latest addition to its popular Badger series. The Big Badger is a folding, single-shot firearm that’s offered in 350 Legend, .30-30 Win., or .410 bore. The rifled versions feature a 20-inch threaded barrel. The shotgun configuration features a 20-inch barrel with a fixed fiber-optic front sight and three (interchangeable) Beretta/Benelli Mobil chokes.

All configurations feature M-Lok along the side and Picatinny rails top and bottom to mount your favorite accessories and optics. While the stock is for the minimalist, Chiappa includes everything you need for accuracy, including an adjustable comb and spacers for the recoil pad. When folded, the Big Badger tapes out at about 19.25 by 6 inches.

CVA

Long known for its inline muzzle loaders, CVA is no slouch when it comes to bolt-actions. The Cascade Long Range Hunter series feature threaded and fluted heavy-contour 4140 chrome-moly steel sporter 22- or 24-inch barrels with a radial muzzle brake. Other notable features include an adjustable cheek riser, adjustable length of pull, 20 MOA Picatinny-compatible rails, and camo Cerakote finish. Loading, unloading, and reloading is your 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag., 6.5mm PRC, 7mm Mag., 300 PRC, or 7mm PRC is quick and easy thanks to the detachable flush-fit magazines.

For wanting to ‘go long, CVA offers its Cascade Long Range Hunter varmint rifle. Most features are the same, but the Long Rang Hunter adds standard-capacity (high) detachable magazines and a threaded muzzle. The Cascade Long Range Hunter models are chambered in .243 Win., .22-250, .204 Ruger, or .223 Rem.

FN 

Who doesn’t love a SCAR? Building on the popular SCAR platform, FN has upped the ante with the addition of the limited-production SCAR 17S Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor. This version includes premium upgrades from the SCAR 20S precision line, such as the two-stage Geissele Super SCAR trigger and precision buttstock assembly that offers an adjustable cheek height and length of pull.

Notable features include a cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined, 16.25-inch barrel, and monolithic aluminum receiver. Perhaps best of all, the SCAR 17S uses ambi non-reciprocating charging handles for its short-stroke gas piston operating system. At 9.5 pounds, the SCAR 17S stretches 36.8 inches long.

For those who cannot swallow the SCAR 17S DMR’s $4,000 price tag, FN offers the FN 15 Guardian. Chambered in .223/5.56 NATO, the 6.6-pound FN 15 Guardian is made for easy handling with rounded corners and no forward assist to resist snagging. Besides, when was the last time you used the forward assist on an AR?

Notable features include a 15-inch free-floating aluminum M-Lok handguard and 16-inch MIL-B-11595 CMV barrel. The barrel’s rifling is a 1:7 twist and features a standard A2 flash hider.

Because only accurate rifles are interesting, FN guarantees your Guardian will deliver sub-MOA accuracy. Are you up to the challenge?

Mossberg

Mossberg’s Patriot rifles are chock full of premium features — LBA-adjustable triggers, threaded barrels, spiral-fluted bolts, checkered bolt handles, four-round box magazines — need I go on? Check out the price and you’ll find the best feature of all!

Mossberg threw us a beautiful curve this year with two Patriot rifles (synthetic stock or walnut stock) chambered for the 400 Legend straight-wall cartridge. For those unfamiliar with the 400 Legend, it’s a flat-shooting cartridge that will deliver a 215-grain bullet at 2,250 fps out to about 250 yards. Anyone else think whitetails in hardwoods, bear, or wild boar? Give me a call, I’m in!

Rock River Arms

If going long is your thing, you are no stranger to the advantages of chassis rifles. With the XM24, Rock River Armory is certainly a contender for the title. Chambered in .308/.338 Lapua, the XM24 sports a 26-inch stainless-steel nitride-cryo-treated barrel, oversized bolt handle, and a non-folding MDT ESS chassis.

Rossi

Looking for a small caliber solution to small game or simply to scratch that plinking itch? Rossi’s RB 22 Compact bolt-action .22 LR is the ticket, without the price. Featuring a 16-inch barrel, 10-round magazine, and “short” polymer stock, the RB 22 is the right choice for your young shooter. At a mere 3.7 pounds, the RB 22 is field ready — even for the youngest shooter in camp.

Savage Arms

110 Ultralite Elite… Hmm, Ultralite? Worry about the ounces and the pounds will take care of themselves. As I recall, Sir Edmund Hillary said that. At six pounds or less (depending on caliber), Savage’s 110 Ultralite Elite is a back-country hunter’s dream. Lightweight is good, but does the 110 Ultralite Elite have what it takes? How about an 18- or 20-inch carbon-fiber Proof barrel and skeletonized carbon-fiber stock? I’m not sure what the final street price will be, but I’m sure you’re looking at something around $3,000.

While the 110 Ultralite Elite will be not be on everyone’s short list, the budget friendly Trail Hunter should be. Available in your choice of 15 chamberings, the Trail Hunter will fit nicely in your lineup of calibers. Savage added plenty of features too including a textured, forest-green Hogue stock, threaded barrel, tungsten-colored Cerakote action, sling studs, and Weaver-style bases. 

Smith and Wesson

Smith and Wesson was a late comer to the pistol caliber carbine (PCC) market, but it jumped in with both feet and has produced some great guns. The Response PCC wears Magpul furniture while sporting a 16-inch barrel. Lest we say the Response PCC is just ‘me too’ gun. No, no, no! The S&W Response PCC’s receiver makes all the difference.

The magwell is interchangeable, so you can run your M&P double-stack mags or the included 23-round Response PCC mag (included). Not your thing? OK, swap it out for a FLEXMAG mag well, and load up your Glock magazines!

Springfield Armory 

Springfield Armory is listening to its consumers cries and released two new options for the Hellion bullpup — increased ballistic performance with 5.56 ammo. The new Hellion offerings have either an 18- or 20-inch barrel.

Staying true to the inspiration behind the semi-auto Hellion, the Croatian VHS-2 full auto, the 20-inch barrel Hellion adopted features of the VHS-D2 (designated marksman version of the VHS-2). The Hellion runs cooler due to a ribbed forward area of the barrel for those days when your ammo is about to go bad and simply must use it up. Yeah, my wife didn’t buy it either, but it was worth a shot…

For 2024, Springfield Armory has launched is new line — Model 2020 Redline hunting rifles. Chambered in 5.56 NATO or .308 Winchester, the Redline rifles will look very familiar to fans of the classic scout rifle design. The guns are short, handy, maneuverable — would surely impress Jeff Cooper — and feature forward-set scope/optic Picatinny rail, just as the Colonel prescribed.

Two things inherent to modern versions of the scout rifle are ruggedness and weight reduction. Springfield has provided covered this in spades thanks to its use of carbon fiber.

Redline rifle barrels are carbon fiber, floated, threaded, and capped with a recoil-buffering brake. The length of pull is adjustable from 13.25– 14.25 inches using the included spacers. Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy… the Redline series brings a guaranteed .75 MOA accuracy.

Uberti

Who doesn’t love a lever action? No one! That’s why Uberti is among the top of any serious list of lever guns. For 2024, Uberti has launched a new line, the 1873 Hunter series. “Wait!” was probably screaming through your head as you read that. The series is based on the classically-styled Uberti 1873 series but designed to meet the needs of modern-day hunters. The new guns are chambered one of two classic calibers — .45 LC of .44 Magnum — and decked with Picatinny rails to mount your favorite scope or red dot.

Winchester

The media went nuts and spent much time making the range line long thanks to the Winchester Ranger lever-action rifle. The Ranger features a 20-inch, precision button-rifled, chrome-moly steel barrel, and a target-style crown. The walnut stock felt great in the hand due to the satin finish and straight grip. The forearm is a classic carbine-style, complete with barrel band, hooded front sight and adjustable rear sight.

Rounding out the features is a precision-machined billet aluminum receiver. The 3/8-inch grooved receiver is ready for your favorite optics mount.

Winchester engineers wisely included an over-travel adjustment screw to ensure a clean, crisp feeling trigger. Other noteworthy features include the easy-to-load tubular magazine and single-screw takedown for field maintenance and cleaning.

What has been your favorite rifle at SHOT Show? Share your thoughts in the Comment section.