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Elwood Shelton

.30-06 Ammo: Turn The Warhorse Into A Thoroughbred (2023)

Updated 05/04/2023
3006-feat
Photo: Massaro Media Group

Find out the .30-06 ammo that gets the more than century-old cartridge shooting with the best of them.

What Is The Top .30-06 Ammo:

Hunting

M1 Garand M2 Ball Clones

M1 Safe Match

Match

More than 100-years and still going strong, the .30-06 Springfield is doing something right. The legendary cartridge has gone from warhorse to match champion to big-game hunting standard, leaving a trail of success little other rifle fodder can match. Maybe the 7mm Mauser—maybe.

An untarnished crown, riflemen will keep the .30-caliber on its throne for the foreseeable future. Especially given the ammunition advancements of recent decades. At no time in the history of metallic cartridges have shooters enjoyed better propellent, projectiles and primers—not to mention damn uniform cases. Even the cheap stuff is leaps and bounds better than premium options of a generation ago, making for a golden age of shooting.

Have no doubt, long-in the tooth as it is, .30-06 ammo has benefited from these technological surges every bit as much as the ever so trendy metrics.

While the Springfield is at once one of the most versatile, forgiving and rewarding cartridges to handload, there’s also a slew of good factory-loaded ammunition available if you don’t happen to have a reloading bench. And .30-06 ammo runs the gamut, from bone-crushing big-game medicine to hair-splitting match competitor. All you need do is find the option to make your rifle sing.

Making A List

A word on that final thought—it’s easier said than done.

Even with ammunition more reliable, accurate and consistent than ever before, not every load plays nice with every rifle or shooter. Some might produce too much recoil for a marksman to perform to his pinnacle, others might not have the optimal velocity for a rifle’s barrel length, and still others might simply not match up to a rifle’s idiosyncrasies. It takes time to find the right fodder to get your rifle running like a thoroughbred.

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Photo: Massaro Media Group

This leads to one main point—plan on testing a wide spectrum of .30-06 ammo in various bullet weights. Yes, we’re giving you suggestions in our buyer’s guide below, but just because we’ve had success with a certain type of ammo doesn’t mean you will. Give yourself and your .30-06 the best opportunity to succeed and take the time to seriously put your ammunition under the microscope. Come your next match or hunting season you’ll be glad you did.

Best .30-06 Ammo

Hunting Ammo

Nosler Trophy Grade Partition
Nosler

Story goes, John Nosler kept plugging a moose, but the old cup-and-core bullets just wouldn’t penetrate to the vitals. Frustrating, but the genesis of one of the modern era’s projectile breakthroughs—Nosler Partition bullets.

Adding a copper partition two-thirds of the way through the core ensured the soft-point bullet would still expand at low velocities, but wouldn’t fragment at high velocity. Great idea.

Nosler’s .30-06 ammo loaded with these gems punch well above their weight, integrity enough to smash an elk’s scapula—or a moose’s for that matter—and keep trucking to the lung or heart tissue. Real peace of mind. Three factory-loaded options are available for Springfield: 150-grain (3,000 fps MV, .387 BC), 165-grain (2,800 fps MV, .410 BC) and 180-grain (2,750 fps MV, .474 BC)—each more than capable of holding its own in a hunt. nosler.com

Barnes VOR-TX
Barnes

In corners of the country, lead ammunition is verboten. Thank goodness, monumental projectiles have come into their own, not to mention gotten a bit more affordable.

A leader in this corner of the market, Barnes offers a top-shelf hunting option for the .30-06 Springfield topped with its TTSX bullet. Essentially, it’s a polymer-tipped, boattail rendition of its standby TSX bullet, delivering excellent ballistics—both in flight and terminally. In the case of Barnes’ .30-06 ammo, it’s a 150-grain load (3,000 fps MV, .440 BC) that’s a legitimate mighty mite. Don’t let the bullet’s weight fool you. Thanks to its solid structure and hot velocity it holds its own against the 180 class. Additionally, the load is a bit more polite in the recoil department. barnesbullets.com

Federal Berger Hybrid Hunter
Federal

Study the .30-06 Springfield for any amount of time, you come to realize it can go the distance. That is, the cartridge is a downrange performer that some contend outdoes other .30-calibers, such as the .308. Regardless, the old standby is more than capable of those long cross-canyon shots on once-in-a-lifetime bulls when loaded right.

Few other .30-06 ammo options better fit this bill than Federal’s Berger Hybrid Hunter. Living up to its name, the bullet delivers match-level accuracy thanks to its cutting-edge hybrid tangent-secant ogive. Yet, boasting a thinner jacket than Berger’s competition stock ensures it expands once at its terminal destination.

Federal goes the whole hog with the fine-tuned 168-grain load (2,800 fps MV, .489 BC), using smooth-feeding nickel-plated brass cases and Gold Metal primers. federalpremium.com

Hornady Custom International InterLock
hornady c11

Pioneers of polymer-tipped bullets, the company has excellent choices in this corner of the market. But for hunting everything in North America short of coastal brown bear it’s difficult to beat ‘Big Red’s’ Custom International ammunition loaded with InterLock bullets. True enough this is a bit of a teaser, given these are only available on the international market outside the US—Hornady used to offer them in its Custom line. That said, it makes them no less effective and worth mentioning.

Season in and out these babies perform. Sure, you give up a few points in ballistic coefficient, marginal at most hunting ranges. But in return, you get among the toughest non-bonded-core, non-partition bullets on the market. The 180-grain SP load (2,614 fps MV, .452 BC) is a do-all, fit for almost any large game. For tougher fare—short of dangerous game—the 220-grain RN (2,365 fps MV, .220 BC) offers incredible energy transfer and devastating expansion. hornady.com

Federal Terminal Ascent
3006

Hunters know that reliable expansion can get iffy at long ranges, and hesitance over whether your ammo will perform once it reaches its target can lead to missing a crucial shot. That's why federal designed the Terminal Ascent line from the ground up to deliver reliable expansion at any range.

The 175-grain bonded projectile has a very high ballistic coefficient (.520 BC) and an advertised muzzle velocity of 2,730 fps, which combined with the patented AccuChannel groove makes for one very accurate and stable projectile. It's also tipped with a Slipstream ballistic polymer tip, specially engineered to start expanding at 200 fps slower than similar designs. The copper shank and bonded lead core also help ensure good penetration and weight retention too. At ranges where similar loads may fall flat in terms of effect on target, Terminal Ascent can help ensure that your game goes down clean. federalpremium.com


Learn More About The .30-Caliber:


Match/M1 Garand Ammo

A brief note on .30-06 ammo meant for competition, most of it is milder than you’d expect. This is a function of the M1 Garand maintaining its place in matches, even gaining in popularity in recent years. Stout as the rifle is, it wasn’t constructed to handle the pressure spikes of modern ammunition.

In many shooters' opinions, you’re putting your operating rod in peril running hot loads through the old warhorse. To be fair, there is debate over this issue. Corey Graff has an excellent essay on M1 Garand ammo if you’d like to get a better idea of the situation.

No matter what, especially with M2 Ball (150-grain, 2,700 fps MV, .405 BC appx.) ammo surplus dwindling, study new factory ammo before running it through your Garand. Most will explicitly say it’s loaded for the rifle. And if you’re looking for .30-06 match ammo for your bolt action, don’t be scared away by some of these choices’ somewhat pedestrian velocities—they’ll hit the mark.

M2 Ball Clones

Winchester Service Grade Ammunition
Winchester

Winchester pushes the velocity a touch with this .30-06 ammo, but the 150-grain option (2,740 fps MV, .420 BC) nonetheless performs. Best of all, the FMJ ammo is generally priced for the volume shooter. winchester.com

Federal American Eagle M1 Garand
AM EG m1

A stand-by label shooters trust, American Eagle has a specific load for the M1 Garand—you’ll know it by the picture of the rifle on the box. Again, the 150-grain ammo (2,740 fps MV, .410 BC) is loaded to protect your rifle, but a very concentric FMJ bullet ensures top performance. Watch out, American Eagle has another 150-grain .30-06 ammo option loaded decidedly hotter (see below). federalpremium.com

Sellier & Bellot M1 Garand
Sellier and Bellot

A very well-balanced load that attempts to replicate M2 Ball down to the smallest detail. No surprises, that means a 150-grain FMJ bullet (2,700 fps MV, .498 BC), but one with better ballistic properties than surplus. The ammo is widely considered among the best option for those who play cautious with their M1. sellierbellot.us

M1 Garand Safe Match Ammo

Sig Sauer Elite Match
30-06 Ammo Sig

There’s no need to be a slave to tradition if gold is on the line. Which makes Sig’s 175-grain Elite Match (2,700 fps MV, .496 BC) such intriguing .30-06 ammo. Among the heaviest match options available, the OTM bullets offer an excellent BC in explicitly M1-compatible, factory-loaded ammo. sigsauer.com

Hornady Vintage Match
30-06 Ammo Hornady Vintage Match

If they only had Extremely Low Drag bullets back in the war… Hornady’s M1 Garand ammo boasts one of the most advanced bullets of any factory stuff for the rifle—the ammo maker's ballistic-tip ELD. The 168-grain load (2,710 fps MV, .523 BC) offers best-in-class performance and is just as good out of a bolt-action. hornady.com

Match Ammo

Black Hills Gold
30-06 Ammo Black Hills

Topped with Hornady’s ELD-M bullets, Black Hills .30-06 match ammo is loaded for top performance. Translate that to hot. The 150-grain load (2,900 fps MV, .461 BC) is constructed of top-shelf components and rigorously tested to ensure consistent accuracy. black-hills.com

American Eagle
30-06 Ammo AM Eg

The perfect option for kicking your .30-06 bolt gun up a notch without breaking the bank. Typically, the 150-grain FMJ BT (2,910 fps MV, .408 BC) load is very affordable, so you’ll have plenty of fodder for reaching out. Watch out if you’re cautious with your M1 Garand—this was the stuff we warned about you earlier—it might not be the ammo you want to run through it. federalpremium.com

Remington UMC
30-06 Ammo UMC CFR

Union Metallic Cartridge Company has produced .30-06 ammo perhaps longer than any other company. In short, it knows what it’s doing. There’s debate over if this 150-grain load (2,910 fps MV, .314 BC) is safe for the M1 Garand, given it’s plenty hotter than those touted for the rifle. For the safety of your rifle, the FMJ ammo is being classified as match here. remington.com

Best Affordable .308 Rifle Options For The Hunt (2023)

Updated 4/3/2023

The Tikka T3 Hunter chambered in .308 Winchester is a gorgeous rifle, perfect for hunting all over North America.

Well made and reasonably priced, these .308 rifle options will keep you on the hunt for years to come.

What Are The Best .308 Hunting Rifles:

When it comes to North American game, is there any cartridge with more flexibility than the .308 Winchester? OK, it’s kissing-cousin the .30-06 Springfield is right up there, but we’re splitting hairs. From predators to bull moose and everything in between, the tried-and-true .30-caliber gets the job done accurately and reliably. Which is why there is no shortage of .308 rifles tailored for taking game on the market.

From top-shelf to bargain basement, nearly every manufacturer has an option chambered for the cartridge. Which, if you happen to have a yen for a .308 hunting iron, is a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because if you aren’t choosey you can simply saunter down to your local gun retailer and buy one that fits your budget. Even the ultra-cheap blue-light specials aren’t bad, by and large. However, it’s a curse, because if you’re a bit more selective—especially if you have tight purse strings—it takes research to find the exact .308 rifle to fill your heart’s desires.

We’re catering to the second type of rifleman in this .308 rifle buyer’s guide. The bloke who doesn’t have a king’s ransom to drop on a gun, but wants a hunting rifle that will last a lifetime (maybe more), shoots lights out and has—dare we say it—a touch of class. Tough, yes. Impossible, no.

Searching out these some what rare rifles, we set out the following parameters:

  • Well made—as we said, it should last a lifetime.
  • Accurate—it’s got to be an MOA shooter or dang close.
  • Production—it’s currently made.
  • Less than $1,250—unfortunately, as prices rise across the board, what is considered “affordable” does as well. That said, plenty of these rifles can still be bought for less than $1,000, even if their MSRPs are listed as higher.

Not the easiest categories to fill out, but we believe we’ve rounded up some prime candidates.

Best .308 Rifle Options For Hunting

Ruger Hawkeye Compact
308 Ruger

The first of two rifles with Mauser-style extractors—rare in this tier of firearms. Yes, push-feeds have more than proven themselves hunters, but in rugged terrain, with a trophy on the line, we don’t blame those who desire the insurance of controlled feed. Amazingly, given its walnut stock, the Hawkeye Compact is among the lightest .308 rifles in the guide, tipping the scales at mountain rifle 5.7 pounds. Certainly, its 16.50-inch barrel is to thank for this. And while the abbreviated bore trims down the .30-caliber’s ballistic potential somewhat, the rifle still delivers at ethical hunting ranges. Other notables, cold hammer-forged barrel, 4-round internal box magazine and excellent Ruger L6 trigger, which breaks around 3.5 pounds.

MSRP: $1,249, ruger.com

Savage 110 Hunter
Savage 110 Hunter

Long ago, Savage Arms proved a tack-driving rifle is within reach of every shooter. It still does today with the superbly executed Model 10 Trophy Hunter. The .308 rifle (among other short-action cartridges) boasts a rock-solid action and barrel, both machined from forged bar stock. The material not only allows extremely tight tolerances, but also outfits hunters with a gun as rugged as the terrain they hunt. The Model 10 boasts a few extras most find attractive, chief among them Savage’s fully-adjustable AccuTrigger and detachable box magazine. Also, a nice stick of walnut with very positive checkering adds to the gun's functionality and aesthetics. For the price, the Model 10 over-delivers.

MSRP: $849, savagearms.com

Remington 700 SPS
308 Rem

So, we did say we were shooting for a touch of class. Admittedly, the SPS misses this mark wider than any other 700. However, it’s still a beauty where it counts. The Model 700 action set the standard for strong and reliable push-feed actions, becoming foundation of a majority of precision shooting rigs today. The shortcoming of this .308 rifle is mainly its looks, wearing a none-to-attractive synthetic stock with rubberized grips. And while it might not provide a platform for hair-splitting accuracy, the stock is solid enough to keep you on target in the field. In .308, the rifle is outfitted with a 24-inch barrel and weighs in at a very manageable 7.5 pounds.

MSRP: $850, remington.com

Browning X-Bolt Hunter
308 Browning

Browning offers a more affordable line, the A-Bolt. But with X-Bolt options such as the Hunter more than economically priced, it’s difficult to see why you’d compromise. Browning takes no chances with the rifle’s accuracy potential, with all X-Bolt barrels button-rifled, air gauged, hand chambered and lapped in the company’s proprietary process. Add in the barreled action is expertly epoxy bedded into a Grade I walnut stock, well, you have a top-shelf .308 rifle. It’s a fast shooter too, with a terse 60-degree bolt throw that doesn’t interfere with the scope. A few of the 22-inch barreled rifle’s other assets include a 4-round center-fed rotary magazine and Browning’s three-lever Feather Trigger.

MSRP: $1,099.99, browning.com

Tikka T3x Hunter
308 Rifle Tikka

Tikka remains an underappreciated commodity in the U.S. market, but its stock has risen in the past decades. Mainly thanks to precision shooters who want to save a buck. But hunters would do well to get the Finnish gunmaker on their radar. Out of the box, few rifles match the T3x Hunter’s performance—from well thought out ergonomics to perhaps one of the best production triggers on the market. Accuracy, however, is what steals the show. The T3x action is to thank, with plenty of material to stiffen it up and a two-lug bolt to ensure a strong lockup. Did we mention a Sako-style extractor—not quite as robust as a Mauser, nonetheless reliable. Space precludes detailing too much more on this .308 rifle, but safe to say few are disappointed taking a Tikka on the hunt.

MSRP: Not published, but average street price is $949, tikka.fi/en-us


Learn More About The .30-Caliber:


Zastava LK M70
308 Zastava

Disclosure, I’m biased for Zastava. I hunt a vintage Interarms import made by the Serbian company (the Mark X) and still marvel at what it offers. The M70 is pretty much the same rifle, which is essentially a Mauser ‘98. Perhaps the most affordable controlled-feed rifle on the market, hunters aren’t compromising with Zastava. Certainly, it’s a little rougher around the edges than one from Mauser proper. But it still proves a class act. One of the more interesting aspects of this .308 rifle is its trigger options. There’s three: single-stage, single double-set, and two trigger double-set. The latter two offer nearly a hair-trigger break, helping improve the rifle’s accuracy potential.

MSRP: $799, zastavaarmsusa.com

Howa 1500 Hogue
Howa Hogue

Howa’s one of those companies that’s been around for a spell that everyone just discovered. The Japanese barreled-action maker’s stock has risen, in particular, thanks to the precision shooting world. Though, the irons are dang good hunters too. The Hogue model is among the most affordable .308 rifles from the company. In addition to the precision Howa 1500 action and cold hammer-forged barrel, the iron comes outfitted in Hogue’s comfortable and rugged Overmolded stock. A real enhancement for an hunting gun, thanks to its grippy rubber coating. It’s an accuracy enhancer too, pillar bedded and free-floating the barrel. Tack on Howa’s two-stage HACT trigger and you certainly have a rifle that can put meat on the table.

MSRP: Starts At $579, howausa.com

Bergara B-14 Timber
308 Bergara

Despite flirting with the buyer’s guide’s ceiling, it’s difficult not to consider the Bergara B-14 a value in every sense of the word. Even a bargain, considering what the Spanish-American company brings to the table. And that is perhaps one of the best barrels on the market. Extremely uniform and held to minuscule tolerances, the 20-inch button-rifled fire tube is engineered to print cloverleaves. Matched with the B-14 action, pillar bedded and epoxied in the inlet, the .308 rifle might be a hunter, but it has a precision rig’s heart. It’s a looker too, with a nice piece of walnut for the stock—Monte Carlo, by the way. Interestingly, the standard Timber comes with an internal 4-round box magazine, but this can be upgraded to a removable box magazine if you so desire.

MSRP: $1,149, bergara.online/us/

CZ 600 Lux
CZ-600-Lux-feature

In 2021, CZ-USA announced that the famed CZ 527 and 557 series of bolt-action rifles would be discontinued and replaced by the company's new CZ 600 series. The most traditional and affordable model of which is the CZ 600 Lux.

To give it a classic hunting rifle look, the 600 Lux features an oil-finished and checkered Bavarian-style walnut stock, but several modern innovations have been implemented to provide more modern functionality as well. This includes a 60-degree bolt throw for fast and smooth cycling, an oversized wooden bolt knob and a 2-position safety that is incredibly quiet. It also features a fiber optic front sight, is ready to accept Remington 700-pattern scope bases and in .308 Winchester, it feeds from a 5-round detachable box mag. If that isn't enough to impress you, then also consider that each rifle also comes with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee and a threaded muzzle that's ready to accept suppressors. The CZ 600 Lux is the complete package.

MSRP: $999, cz-usa.com

S&W MP10 Sport
308 SW

OK, we’re bending a few rules on this last rifle. It costs a bit more than our limit and doesn’t reek of the traditional definition of class. So what? The MP10 Sport is about as affordable, well made and reliable AR-10 hunter as you can find. Boasting a 16-inch barrel (with 5R rifling), the Sport excels as a nimble brush gun, but it’s no slouch at reaching out with the medium contour offering excellent harmonics. Ambidextrous controls makes it lefty-friendly, not always the case with hunters or all ARs. And a mid-length gas system does its part in taming down some of the 8-pound .308 rifle’s recoil. Fairly barebones from there—A2 flash hider, 6-position stock, polymer handguard, Picatinny optics rail—the AR is nonetheless a performer.

MSRP: $1,129, smith-wesson.com

Mauser M18

Mauser M18 308 Rifle

Wait! A Mauser on an affordable .308 rifle list? Sounds crazy, given even the vintage war-weathered irons run a pretty penny nowadays. But with the introduction of the M18 a few years back, the iconic German manufacturer put out among one of the best budget hunters on the market today. Don’t walk into the M18 expecting a stripped-down version of the company’s M98; despite being a Mauser creation the rifle is sans the definitive oversized claw extractor. Instead, it’s the popular and cost-effective detachable-magazine feed, three-lug fat bolt. It’s smooth and reliable, and mates up airtight with the M18’s semi-open action. Married to the hammer-forged 20-inch barrel, the system is arguably one of the most accurate hunting irons out there—much more than is needed to put meat on the table. The stock is what you’d expect, synthetic, but not the type of plastic that looks like it was fished from the recycling bin. And overall it's stiff, making for a solid platform for repeatable accuracy. Though little things, such as the plastic trigger guard, leave something to desire, overall you get more than your money’s worth with the M18.

MSRP: Not published, but average street price is $949, mauser.com

Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyer’s Guide (2023)

Updated 3/23/2023

No need to break the bank, these are the best AR-15 options that will get you on target and leave money for ammo.

What Are The Best Budget AR-15 Options:

White-hot as a plasma cutter, that’s how it was around a decade ago. When everyone was certain politics would quash ownership, demand for AR-15 rifles got so out of control the most basic models moved for an insane price. A grand, sometimes more. Hard to believe, but true.

Budget AR-15 Lead

Outside of recent events of pandemic proportions—Covid 19 and the election of politicians hostile to gun rights—Americans’ appetite for the handy rifle has been somewhat slaked. Certainly, shooters still love to build and buy Eugene Stoner’s masterpiece. But they aren’t donning their high school baseball spikes to trample over the rest of the market to nab one. In a word—again outside recent events—the market has normalized.

The performance of the AR-15 has not. In fact, given the wealth of top-rate ammunition, excellent upgrades and plenty of quality pre-built options, the rifle is better than ever. Spend the money and you can almost guarantee something tailored exactly to your needs. It’ll shoot like a laser beam and be built to hand down to a son or daughter. The other end of the price spectrum isn’t shabby either.

Entry-level models, though not tuned to the level of perfection of the top-shelf stuff, are still worthy investments—especially if you’re new to the AR-15 game. Yeah, you’ll most likely have a gritty mil-spec trigger out of the box and the handguard will be more Honda Civic than Corvette. But the rifle itself will hold its own well enough for home defense, target practice or even to fill a survival-gun role.

That said, we’ve collected 8 of the best budget AR-15 options that more than fit the bill for these applications and any others you might cook up. Our ceiling for this article is $1,050, which nets you a pretty good rifle, believe it or not. But before we get to the litany of rifles, it might be worth boning up on some basics of what to look for in an AR-15 in the first place.

However, if you know all this stuff and want to get to our entry-level AR-15 recommendations, you can skip ahead.

AR-15 Buyer's Guide Contents

AR-15: A Short History

Eugene Stoner designed the AR-15 in 1956 while working at Armalite, a smaller-caliber derivative of his earlier AR-10 design. A short aside for those who don’t know, the AR designation stands for “Armalite Rifle” and nothing else. In operation the rifles are identical, just the chamberings are different. The AR-10 was chambered for 7.62x51mm (or .308 Winchester), the AR-15 5.56x45mm NATO, an evolved version of the .223 Remington based off the .222 Remington varmint cartridge. Why go small? Essentially so a soldier could carry more ammunition into battle. As far as its effectiveness, there’s no doubt the 5.56 is deadly, but it remains a hot-button debate up to this day if it's optimal.

eugene stoner

Anyhow, Armalite eventually sold the AR-10 and AR-15 rights to the company now most associated with the designs Colt. Under the guidance of the company, the rifle came under its first military contract by 1961 and was adopted by all United States Armed Forces in 1964.

This was a slightly redesigned model that was eventually designated the M16. Incidentally, today what is known as an AR-15—no matter what the chattering class tells you—is a much different animal to the original AR-15. What was produced in the ‘50s and ’60s was a select-fire rifle, whereas the modern AR-15 is semi-automatic. Blame the confusion on Colt marketing folks, who designated the semi-auto civilian sporter model AR-15 to capitalize off its cousin’s military cred.

Over time, the rifle evolved to meet the military’s changing needs, until the M4 Carbine design was adopted in the 1990s. Barrel and gas system length are the changes here, with a 14.5-inch barrel and a carbine-length gas system. Overall, this is the most popular pattern found in AR-15s today, though the rifle comes in every shape and size. By The Way, AR-15 technically only applies to Colt rifles—they own the rights—hence the reason you find other manufacturers calling the gun all sorts of different names, such as Palmetto State’s PA-15.

AR-15’s Desirability

There is little arguing the AR-15 is the most popular rifle of the late 20th and early 21st Century. In fact, it is the most owned rifle in America, which raises the question Why? Multiple reasons.

History: Yeah, it’s not the original military rifle, but is close enough to scratch most folks' vintage itch.
Shootability: The platform is very accurate at intermediate ranges and dang pleasurable to shoot. Most of the cartridges the rifle is chambered for are mild with little recoil.
Modularity: Next to its down-range performance this is the AR-15’s biggest selling point—you can tailor the rifle to exactly your preferences. Handguard, trigger, sights, grip, mag release, you name it and there’s an aftermarket upgrade. Bonus, most don’t require armors certification to add to a rifle.

Breakdown Of The AR-15

Getting to the rifle proper, there are numerous factors to consider when investing in an AR-15. Let’s skim over the major parts of the gun and hash out the importance of each and some specifics to look for when shopping.

Receivers

The AR-15 rifle has two receivers, the upper and lower. However, the lower carries special significance, given it is the part the Federal government technically considers the firearm. Hence the reason it is serialized. If you were to build a rifle from scratch, a very satisfying endeavor, you would require an FFL and background check to purchase even a stripped lower receiver. The upper, even a complete one—which includes all the internals, barrel and handguard—could be shipped directly to you without the need of a licensed intermediary.

AR-15 Deal PSA Stripped lower

The great majority of receivers are constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, usually 6061 and 7075. The numbers simply designate the type of alloy being used and sometimes include a sub-grade designation, such as “-T4” or “-T6”. These specify the temper placed on the aluminum, that is, how the alloy was heat treated.

There are two types of lower receivers billet and forged. Billet receivers are produced from a single block of aluminum that is machined into the profile of a lower. It’s a more time-consuming process, however, it yields more unique designed and integrated features. Forged receivers are made by hammering two roughly shaped halves of aluminum, then machining the profile later. This is the more affordable of the two methods, given machining is kept to a minimum.

Which is better? That’s a can of worms, given billet and forged receivers each have the advocates. Overall, forgings tend to be more durable, given the alloy’s grain structure remains intact. But billet receivers achieve tighter tolerances.

AR-15 Barrel

Simple as a fire tube seems, there the AR-15 barrel is a multi-faceted topic. Let’s delve into what you’ll find when you shop for a rifle.

AR-15 Chamberings

Quite simply, the chambering is what type of cartridge the rifle shoots. And the AR-15 shoots quite a few cartridges. Richard Mann has an excellent piece on AR-15 calibers if you want to survey what’s out there. However, by far the most popular AR-15 chambering is 5.56x45mm NATO and accounts for nearly every option on our list below.

green-tip

If this is your first endeavor into AR-style rifles, the common caliber is a solid choice. Outside of buying panics (hello 2020 and 2021), it is widely available and generally affordable. It’s also lights out at intermediate ranges, is an absolute Thor’s hammer versus varmints and is legal in many states to take deer. Also, it’ll do a number on a home invader.

While the 5.56 NATO is essentially a .223 Remington, the two are not interchangeable. Patrick Sweeney gives the nitty-gritty on the .223 vs 5.56 if you're interested in specifics. For our purposes this is what matters:

  • A 5.56 NATO barrel will shoot both 5.56 and .223 Remington.
  • A .223 Remington barrel will only shoot .223 Remington.
  • A .223 Wylde will shoot both 5.56 and .223 Remington.

Barrel Length

While you won’t find them on a production rifle, there are 26-inch AR-15 barrels in this world. At the other end of the spectrum 4-inch options. Also everything in between. On the surface, it’s a bit of a muddle on what to choose, but law and performance help thin the field fairly quickly.

By Federal law, a rifle must have a 16-inch barrel, which can include a permanently affixed muzzle device (i.e. suppressor, muzzle brake). Go any shorter and the gun is considered a Short Barrel Rifle (SBR) and requires a tax stamp and registering it. For most, these are a hurdle not worth crossing, in turn, 16-inches is the basement. The ceiling, unless you get into custom rifles, is 20-inches on most production offerings.

Armalite-M-15-3-Gun-Rifle-Review-3

As for performance between the top and bottom, it’s marginal. In general, a 20-inch rifle produces more velocity, given it has more bore, thus ensuring a more complete powder burn. But it will only beat out a 16-inch AR by roughly 150 to 200 fps at the muzzle. In many shooter’s books, it’s a marginal difference, which tends to give the shorter barrel the advantage. With the same contour, the 16-inch barrel is stiffer, thus suffers less barrel whip and is much more nimble.

However, if you aim to milk as much range from an AR-15 as possible, the 20-inch flavor might be your cup of tea. It’ll produce greater velocity, thus get the bullet where it’s going faster and narrow the window in which wind and gravity work upon it.

Barrel Material

AR-15 barrels are either made of carbon steel or stainless steel. Here are the most common of each.

Carbon Steel
4140: The most affordable steel, the alloy contains .80 to 1.10 percent chromium, .15 to .25 percent molybdenum and .40 percent carbon. The materials increase the strength and hardness above standard carbon steel.

4150: Also containing chromium and molybdenum, this steel has .50 percent carbon. The steel has higher tensile strength, however, requires a stress-relieving treatment, thus is more expensive.

Chrome-Moly Vanadium (CMV): Developed by Colt, the steel is the official mil-spec material used in the military’s M16 and M4 rifles and carbines. Essentially, it's 4150 steel with the addition of Vanadium, which significantly increases strength, hardness and stability in high temperatures.

4150 CMV, 41V50 Steel or 4150 V: Same as CMV, but the name’s been dolled up for marketing purposes.

MIL B-11595: It’s not steel, but a specifying document of the materials used in a mil-spec barrel. Some companies slang it up and use this designation for CMV barrel just to sound cool and confuse the entire world.

15TBN-BARREL

Stainless Steel
410: A stainless steel that includes molybdenum and is known for its durability (perhaps the best of the lot). However, it is not recommended for cold-weather duty. Below freezing, the risk of cracking is increased.

416: A highly machinable stainless steel, thus allowing for better rifling and performance. However, it is less corrosion resistant than 410. Not the top choice of the lot.

416R: A proprietary alloy from Crucible Industries, it's normal 416 stainless with molybdenum added. It machines like 416, however, has superior low-temperature performance and corrosion resistance.

17-4 PH: Known for its high strength, corrosion resistance, good mechanical properties and toughness. Precision shooters love barrels made from 17-4 PH, given the extreme uniformity and smoothness of the rifling—that and a barrel will last 3 times as long. However, the process in which its made—precipitation-hardening (PH)—makes it expensive.

Barrel Lining

Yup, there’s something in the AR-15’s bore (in many cases) besides rifling. Barrel linings are found in carbon steel barrels and improve their corrosion resistance and improve their longevity. Note, some manufacturers do not line their barrels, which isn’t a sin against God. If you’re in the market for a causal target rifle you’ll take out occasionally and care for properly, a non-lined barrel will get the job done. Harder use on the horizon, consider a barrel with this lining.

Chrome: The longest and perhaps most-used lining, Chrome reduces the effects of friction and heat on the barrel proper. Additionally, it makes cleaning much easier. This all adds life to the barrel. However, the process is known to reduce a rifle’s accuracy, though not to the extent that renders it useless. Most casual shooters won’t know the difference.

Ferritic Nitrocarburizing (FNC): Most likely you see FNC lining called something different, usually Melonite or Nitride. It’s essentially a case-hardening process that diffuses nitrogen and carbon into the steel. Thus treated a barrel can withstand direct exposure to water, heat, salt and corrosive elements better than any other process. Additionally, since it does not add material, it maintains the barrel’s accuracy.

Barrel Rifling

Manufacturers use different methods to apply the rifling to the barrel’s bore. Some methods are better for certain applications, here’s a look.

The leade is the distance forward of the case neck before the start of the rifling. The longer it is, the less the peak pressure.

Cut Rifling: The oldest method of rifling a barrel, the process removes metal from the bore using a single-blade, hook-type cutter. Each groove is cut individually and with multiple passes, making it time-consuming and expensive. However, it introduces no additional stress to the barrel and tolerances can be kept tight.

Broach Rifling: Very similar to cut rifling, except a multi-bladed broach (metal bar) is used to cut successively deeper grooves. All the rifling is cut at once and in a single pass. This is a more affordable method with little stress placed on the barrel that has very consistent results through the entire bore. Broach rifling a barrel, relative to other methods, is still expensive.

Button Rifling: Essentially, a button of tungsten carbide with a reverse of the rifling is drawn through the bore displacing metal to lay down the pattern. It is a fairly economical system that turns out excellent results. The lands and grooves are very uniform and have a smooth finish. However, this method puts stress on the barrel that typically must be relieved afterward.

Cold Hammer Forged (CHF): A tungsten-carbide mandril is run into a roughly shaped barrel blank and the rifling is hammered into the bore. Overall, a majority of AR-15 barrels are made in this fashion and they are extremely popular with shooters. Tough as nails, these barrels withstand a lot of abuse. However, the barrels must be stress-relieved after the process and CHF doesn’t produce the uniformity of the other processes. Though, most shooters won’t notice.

Types of Rifling

This used to be cut and dry, but with the advent of 5R rifling has become a factor. What is 5R rifling, simply put the leads are opposite of the grooves and tapered. The idea behind this is to create less bullet deformation, thus maintaining ballistic integrity. Additionally, it’s supposed to be easier to clean. Traditional rifling still dominates the AR-15 market—lands opposing lands, with no taper. The jury is still out on if one outperforms the other.

Barrel Contours

Barrel contours, or barrel profiles, are simply the shape of the barrel. On the surface, a fire tube’s form might not seem like much, but it has an effect on performance and the AR-15 manageability. Thick and heavy bull barrels tend to take longer to heat up, suffer less barrel whip and maintain their harmonics better. The trade-off, their heavy and not something most folks want to hump around. Conversely, thin pencil barrels are light and make for a fairly nimble rifle, but heat up quickly and become “whippy”.

Fluting can provide an acceptable middle ground, removing material lengthwise along the barrel. This helps maintain rigidity, creates more surface area to dissipate heat and lightens an AR-15’s burden. Still not as much as other styles. Here’s a brief overview of common AR-15 barrel contours.

A1: The original pencil barrels found on the M16A1 rifle.
A2: Heavier profile forward of the gas port, found on the M16A2 rifle.
M4: Thin near the chamber, heavy just before and after the gas port, found on the M4 carbine.
Government: Same as the M4, but lacks the grenade launcher cut.
Heavy: Like it sounds, a thick bull barrel.

AR-15 Gas System

The gas system power behind how an AR-15 cycles. The gas from the conflagrated powder behind the bullet is bled off and either moves the bolt-carrier group (BCG) or a piston. Here’s a brief overview of each.

Direct Impingement (DI): This is the system that directs gas back to the receiver to move the BCG. It is extremely light and does nothing to infringe on an AR-15’s accuracy. However, it injects a good deal of carbon and fouling into the receiver, meaning the shooter must stay up on cleaning detail.

Piston: Gas forces a piston rearward which moves the BCG. While this keeps the receiver clean and is a somewhat more robust system, it does have its flaws. Pistons-driven guns are known for being less accurate, heavier and more expensive.

Gas System Lengths

The length of a gas system is determined by the distance to the gas port (where gas is bled). There are four lengths.

Pistol: 4 inches
Carbine: 7 inches
Mid-Length: 19 inches
Rifle: 12 inches

Gas Bocks

On a DI AR-15, the gas block is what diverts the gas from the barrel into the gas tube, thus back into the BCG. Most entry-level guns utilize a front sight base style gas block, in which the block is integral with the front sight. However, low-profile gas blocks, which reside under the handguard, are becoming more common.

Gas Tube and Block

Bolt Carrier Group

The AR-15 bolt carrier group is where a lot of the action happens in the rifle’s operation. The component loads the fresh round, fires it and ejects the spent case. Essentially it’s made up of four main components.

The extractor sits at the 10 o’clock position on the bolt (shown here removed). It has a lug on the outside, and a round claw on the inside that completes the circular bolt face.

Bolt: The rotating bolt locks the chamber for firing, as well as strips a fresh round off the magazine. It also has an extractor, whose job is to pull the spent case out and eject it from the receiver. Bolts are typically made of one of three kinds of steel, Carpenter No. 158, 860 or 9310.

Carrier: The heart of the BCG, it houses all the other components and does all the heavy lifting. It deals with a ton of force and thus must be well made from tough material, the same kinds of steel as the bolt.

Gas Key: The small cupped device at the top of the BCG. It catches the diverted gas to thrust the BCG rearward, thus cycling the rifle.

Gas Rings: Traps the expanding gas, allowing it to operate the bolt.

Cam Pin: Stops the bolt from over-rotating when unlocking and keeps the cam pin, bolt, and firing pin rotating and moving as one unit.

Firing Pin: Strikes the primer to initiate the firing process.

Barrel And Bolt Testing

Most manufacturers give a damn about the quality of their products, thus test them for imperfections. There are two main tests Magnetic Particle (MP) and High Pressure (HP). Each is designed to detect any cracks or flaws in barrels and bolts, each component should be stamped with the acronyms if they’ve gone through the procedures.

Handguards

More the preventing you from singing your hand, many handguards serve as an accessory attachment point. Two of the most popular systems to this end are M-Lok and Keymod—the former more prevalent. As to the types of handguards, there are two main varieties: free-floated and non-free-floated. As the name suggests, it is all determined by if the handguard makes physical contact with the barrel. Free-floated handguards a preferred as they enhance the accuracy potential of a rifle. But non-free-floated will get the job done without knocking a gun too far off-kilter.

3-Gun Handguard

Buffer Tube

This is the protrusion on the rear of an AR-15, where the buttstock attaches. It housed the buffer spring and weight, whose jobs are to slow the rearward path of the BCG and return it forward.

AR-15 Triggers

Next to the AR-15’s performance, modularity is perhaps the gun’s greatest attraction. From buttstock to front sight post, there isn’t a facet of the rifle that can’t be fiddled to perfection. Needless to say, your options are legion and far too vast to cover here. Instead, we’ll zero in on one feature of the gun you should consider at the top of your AR-15 upgrade list—its trigger.

AR-15 Trigger 3
Trigger design will be based on application. On the left is ALG’s ACT (Advanced Combat Trigger), which is the standard military design but coated with nickel boron for a smooth, crisp release. On the right is a two-stage trigger by Geissele, the G2S, which has a 2.5-pound first stage with a 2-pound release.

Get On Target With The AR:


By and large, what is known as a mil-spec trigger is a nasty beast. It’ll get your gun to go BANG!, but it won’t do much to enhance its performance. As you progress as a shooter, you’ll find those crunchy, gritty, squishy triggers detract from your accuracy potential. Thankfully, putting a better bang switch into your rifle is among the simplest upgrades and for the money one of the best values. With that in mind, it’s wise to factor an extra $100 to $200 into the base price for an upgraded AR-15 trigger. Yeah, it ups your investment, but you won’t find it a waste of money by any stretch.

The fine print behind us let's jump into the meat of the matter.

Best Budget AR-15 Options

Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport II

Smith And Wesson

While not as storied a history with the rifle as some, Smith & Wesson has proved more than adept at producing the platform since 2006. Its M&P 15 Sport II is a bare-bones budget AR-15, but one that performs superbly. It’s an excellent choice to familiarize yourself with the platform or fill the role as a no-frills fighter for home defense.

The base model has a 16-inch barrel, Armornite finished including the bore and comes outfitted with an A2 front sight and folding Magpul MBUS rear. Standard, the direct-impingement gun boasts a 30-round magazine, though Smith & Wesson sells state-compliant models for both capacity and configuration.

Smith & Wesson keeps the rifle simple, which includes chambering—5.56. But the lack of variety in calibers gives the company time to concentrate on the M&P 15’s top-notch performance. MSRP: $812, smith-wesson.com

Ruger AR-556

Ruger 556

A latecomer to the AR game, Ruger has made up plenty of ground. Its AR-556 has fast become a favorite among newbies and old hands alike, offering clockwork performance at a fair price. Especially the standard model.

As its name implies its strictly a 5.56 chambering, though if you wander up the pricing tiers Ruger does offer some other calibers. The rifle has a medium contour 16.10-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel, with a 1:8 twist rate and is topped with a proprietary flash suppressor. The muzzle is cut with a ½-28 thread, so the AR-556 is more than ready for you to slap on a suppressor.

The budget AR-15 is outfitted with an A2 front sight and the company’s rapid-deploy rear that folds away, but is ready at a moment’s notice. The AR-556 has attachment points including a QD socket and bayonet lug, for a sling, as well as accessory mounting options. Though, its glass-filled polymer handguard does leave a bit to be desired. Still, it’s functional and gets the job done. MSRP: $1,019, ruger.com

Core LO-PRO Scout

Core Scout_Rifle

Core Rifles Systems has a solid line-up of AR-15s, include its entry-level Scout. A basic M4-pattern, there isn’t a ton of surprises to the carbine, but in this case, boring is good. Well-made and familiar, the Scout is tediously reliable and right on the money downrange. What else do you need?

Core, however, does allow you to upgrade the 5.56 rifle before it gets in your hot little hands, none of the extra’s putting the gun over this article’s price threshold. Perhaps the most weighty, the option for a nickel-boron bolt-carrier group (BCG). The high-tech alloy is more wear-resistant, as well as self-lubricating, ensuring smoother performance over the long haul. MSRP: $850, core15rifles.com

Del-Ton Sierra 316L

Del Ton

If you’re a penny pincher, Del-Ton is a good brand to fall in love with. The better part of its catalog comes in at less than $800, yet the company doesn’t skimp with its builds.

We gravitate to the Sierra 316L ourselves, given the flattop has a better handguard than you’ll find on most guns in its class. A free-floated unit, it keeps the barrel’s harmonics pristine improving the rifle’s overall accuracy potential. Furthermore, M-Lok slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions give plenty of room for accessory attachment. Plus it has a load of high-end features: chrome-moly-vanadium barrel (1:7 twist), DTI low-profile gas block, phosphate steel carrier assembly and chrome-lined carrier interior, among other things.

The hitch for some on the 16-inch barreled carbine, it’s a flattop. In turn, you’ll have to invest in an optic or iron sights, if you don’t have either. Still, if you’re willing to take the extra leap at an aiming solution, the Sierra 316L provides you a superior platform for an entry-level price. MSRP: $675, del-ton.com

Palmetto State Armory (PSA) PA-15 M4

PSA_M4

Long a purveyor of excellently priced and made ARs, few top Palmetto State AR Armory when it comes to value. Again, it’s one of those companies where budget AR-15 options are the norm, but its base model PA-15 is tough to beat when you're getting your legs with the platform. First and foremost, because the carbine ticks like a clock, leaving you free to master the platform, not addressing stoppages (though, you should work on that too).

The M4-pattern carbine boasts a 16-inch M4 profile chrome-moly-vanadium barrel (1:7 twist), mid-length gas system and aircraft-grade aluminum receivers. It has an A2 front sight, as well as a stainless-steel carrier and Carpenter 158 steel bolt head, which is tough as nails. In the rear, the 5.56 has a 6-position M4 buttstock, upfront a plain-Jane M4 handguard, which isn't much to write home about, but gets the job done. MSRP: $849, palmettostatearmory.com

Anderson AM-15 A4 Carbine

Anderson Manufacturing A4 Carbine Rifle

For those who want a simple, no-frills AR-15 carbine that can get the job done out of the box for not a lot of money, Anderson Manufacturing's AM-15 line is worth a look. The company has quite a few variants available with different barrel lengths and furniture sets, but the A4 Carbine is a solid choice.

Unlike some of Anderson's “optic ready” variants that come with a low-profile gas block, the A4 Carbine comes with a classic A-frame front sight instead. Paired with the included Magpul MBUS rear sights, it's ready to rock right away. Of course, the upper receiver still features Picatinny rail for an optic if you choose to add one later. Otherwise, the AM-15 A4 Carbine is pretty standard. It has a 16-inch 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium M4-profile barrel with a 1:8 twist, a carbine-length gas system, and standard AR carbine furniture. MSRP: $599, andersonmanufacturing.com

Springfield Armory SAINT

SAINT

Honestly, for the money they ask, Springfield has cooked up among the best entry-level AR-15 options in the SAINT. While it does boast several spartan features, it has many assets generally not found in this class of rifles. Top-end component for one.

Whatever Springfield didn’t make themselves, they picked top-shelf manufacturers to fill the role. These include Bravo Company furniture, including an M-Lok compatible handguard and a Gunfighter trigger. The switch is especially nice, not a bit of creep and a reset no bigger than a minute—just the thing to get the SAINT humming. The company’s in-house assets are no slouches either: self-lubricating nickel-boron coated BCG, Melonite treated CMV 16-inch barrel and a mid-length gas system. It also boasts Springfield’s Accu-Tite system, which tensions the receivers so there’s no play.

The gun has a rugged fighter’s feel to it, something that won’t leave you high and dry when you need a carbine that will always go bang. Though, for a more discerning pleasure shooter, it certainly won’t disappoint. MSRP: $1,023; springfield-armory.com

Sig Sauer M400 Tread

SIG Tread web

There were some dubious voices when Sig announced its first sub-$1,000 AR-15 a few years back. Once the M400 Tread was released, those voices were soon silenced. In many folks’ opinion, the 5.56 carbine is the best of the budget class of carbine and for one simple reason. Sig didn’t compromise.

Top to bottom the M400 Tread delivers a tightly built AR that goes bang every time you pull the trigger and hits the mark. What more could you want? And Sig went the extra mile, arming the 16-inch, stainless-steel barreled carbine with such assets as ambidextrous controls, crisp single-stage trigger, M-Lok compatible, free-floated aluminum handguard and 3-chamber compensator. The stainless-steel barrel catches our eye, upping the gun's accuracy potential and helping it blow off heat during long strings.

Overall, and perhaps more than any other AR on this list, the Tread feel, looks and performs like it was built for hard use. Truth be told, you might drop coin because it’s entry-level price, but come to find it’s all the gun you require. MSRP: $950; sigsauer.com

Bushmaster QRC II

Bushmaster QRC

Bushmaster was shuttered by Remington, but now is back. With it comes the Bushmaster QRC II. While not as affordable as the original model, the carbine carries on the nearly 40-year tradition of the company. The Quick Response Carbine (QRC) model is the way to go if you're in search of a solid, though stripped-down iron.

You'll have to supply your own aiming solution with the QRC, as it's a flattop without any iron sights. However, Bushmaster throws in an aluminum magazine with the deal that, at least in the looks department, gives the gun some retro appeal.

The carbine comes with a nitride-finished 16-inch pencil barrel (1:7 twist) and a carbine-length gas system. It's outfitted with a run-of-the-mill A2-style flash hider, M4 carbine buttstock and mil-spec trigger, as well as a 14-inch Bushmaster Free Float rail for mounting accessories. All pretty standard, but more than enough to get a shooter going. MSRP: $781.80, www.bushmaster.com

Top 15 Affordable Precision Rifles — Bolt-Action Edition (2023)

Updated 3/14/2023

Precision rifles can cost you an arm and a leg, but there are top-notch and highly accurate options that will still leave you with money for ammunition.

What are some affordable precision rifles that won't put you in the poorhouse?

Truth be told, with a little time, effort and modest investment, a shooter can transform most appropriately chambered modern rifles into precision rifles. But not everyone has an overabundance of those factors.

Luckily, the surging interest in placing a projectile dead on target a country mile away has washed the market with a host of precision rifles. Of course, a gander at some of these fine-tuned instruments can give some shooters second thoughts about their desires for going long. Given the high tolerances the guns require and special material typically called into action, these precision rifles can cost a small fortune.

But take heart; there are precision rifle options for the shooter willing to search that won’t break the bank. And that’s what we’re looking at with the 16 affordable precision rifles listed below, at least when it comes to bolt-actions.

Read Also: Savage Arms' Accuracy-Enhancing AccuFit System

Of course, this talk of affordability is relative. These rifles are about $1,650 or less, which is expensive when compared to the average entry-level model. But when measured against the overall precision rifle market, they’re downright steals in some cases. For the marksman dying to really reach out while still putting dinner on the table, these rifles more than fit the bill.
Editor's Note: Some models on this list appear to have been discontinued by their manufacturers, but at the time of writing are still available from distributors and on the secondhand market.

Affordable Precision Rifle Updates

Savage AXIS II Precision

Savage Axis II Precision rifle

MSRP: $999

Envisioned as a starting-point for burgeoning hunters, the AXIS II now shoots for the same in the long-range game. Savage’s tried-and-true entry-level rifle has finally been decked out in a precision rifle configuration, none too soon for many shooters. For years now, budget marksmen have turned to the barreled action as the foundation of D.I.Y entry-level long-range builds.

Surprising no one, Savage turned to Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) for Axis II Precision’s chassis. The Canadian company’s catalog runs the full gamut, but in recent years has cooked up several budget stocks for partnership with gunmakers. In the case of the AXIS II, MDT customized the chassis specifically for the action, ensuring excellent metal-to-metal bedding for a rock-solid mate-up. Willowy at the fore-end, the chassis proper is beefy thanks to a polymer skin. Additionally, the buttstock is fully adjustable—length of pull (LOP) and cheek rise—the former, however, not on the fly. Spacers are the name of the game for LOP, so you’ll have to tailor that at home.

Customization in-house is also off the table. To keep the AXIS II Precision’s price down Savage kept barrel length a uniform 22-inches no matter the caliber. For the most part, this shouldn’t prove an issue, given available chamberings—.243 Winchester, .223 Remington, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor—all perform respectfully out of this length bore. Other notables on the rifle include adjustable AccuTrigger, M-Lok compatibility, ACIS magazine compatibility, threaded muzzle and 20 MOA rail. For shooters cutting their teeth on precision shooting, Savage has made a deal difficult to refuse.

Winchester Renegade Long Range

Winchester Renegade

MSRP: $1,239.99

Focused unshakingly set on hunting rifles, you’d be forgiven to believe Winchester was happy to let the precision rifle crazy sweep past. This proved an ill-founded assumption, it seemed the historic gunmaker was only waiting on the right partnership. And this has come with one of the big names in the stock game—Greyboe.

Spawned from the iconic McMillan family of stock, Greyboe is a mid-tier brand with top-shelf performance. The particular model mated with Winchester’s XPR barreled action is the Renegade and closely mirrors one of its parent company’s most legendary models—the A5. In addition to lightweight fiberglass construction, the Renegade also boasts a wide beavertail forearm, a svelte pistol grip and a generous butthook. About the only thing missing is a fully-adjustable buttstock.
Spacers give some play in length of pull, but the comb is set.

As to the barreled action, Winchester has more than done their part. Button rifled barrel attached to the action via a barrel nut, the XPR has built a reputation as an accurate field gun. The only knock on the precision build is the gunmaker has kept a sporter profile, which potentially means more barrel whip, especially in long strings. However, it does make it a bit more wieldy, if you're in the market for a precision hunting rifle. Additionally, the company has included its MOA adjustable trigger and has threaded the muzzle, a bonus if you shoot suppressed. A nice feature, Winchester is offering eight chamberings in the rifle, including .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, .308 Winchester, .270 WSM, .300 WSM and 6.5 PRC.

Tikka T3x Ultimate Precision Rifle (UPR)

Tikka T3x UPR

MSRP: $1,500

Tikka has the uncanny ability to knock it out of the park each time it steps up to the plate. So again is the case, as the talented Finnish company deals out another home run with the T3x Ultimate Precision Rifle (UPR).

Rethinking the lightweight precision stock, Tikka improved the bedding to create a seamless mate up, thus a platform solid as concrete footings. In particular, there is an extra layer of carbon fiber-fiberglass composite, improving the rigidity of this key interface, thus improving the rifle’s accuracy potential. In short, the action isn’t moving a tittle. The stock is also long several other desirable features, including a rough and grippy finish, fully-adjustable buttstock and an excellently designed pistol grip. It’s the perfect platform for the T3x action and Tikka’s top-notch barrels, which in and of themselves always seem to over-deliver.

Some of the UPR’s finer points include a threaded muzzle (5/8×24 thread), choice between a single-stage and set trigger, removable box magazine-fed, 20 MOA or 0 MOA rail option and QD sling attachment points. Caliber choice includes long-range favorites .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester and you have the alternative between 20- and 24-inch barrels for each chambering. The T3x UPR runs on the spendier side of affordable precision rifles, but there’s no arguing it’s worth every penny.

Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range

Browning XBolt MLR

MSRP: Starting at $1,429.99

Technically, we’re behind the curve on Browning’s tact driver. The X-Bolt Max Long Range (MLR) hit the scene in 2019, the gunmaker’s attempt at a truly dedicated precision rifle. Wildly succeeding, Browning went the whole hog in 2020, pumping up the line with every conceivable caliber you might wish to pitch a country mile.

In all, the MLR comes in 11 calibers, including long-range stalwarts 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester. As well as a host of belted and short magnums. In either case, Browning delivers a proven platform to launch them from.

The solid action with three-lug fat bolt is mated—in all calibers—with a 26-inch fluted heavy sporter barrel topped with proprietary muzzle brake. This is then bedded in Winchester Composite Max stock that, while light, provides the stiffness required for repeatable accuracy. Fully adjustable for length of pull (through spacers) and cheek rise, the rifle is also customizable to individual shooter’s frames.

The chops to go the distance, it feels like Browning's aim was a precision hunting rifle with the MLR. At a hair over 8 pounds, the rifle is less burdensome in the field and might be perfect for long shots during big-country hunts. At the same tick, lacking a bull barrel and some of the recoil-eating heft of a dedicated long-range rifle, it might not be the first choice when it comes to a match gun.

Performance Center T/C LRR

Precision Rifle Thompson Center LRR
MSRP: $1,211

Tack drivers … Thompson/Center is more than familiar with them. Some of the dandiest and deadliest single-shot rifles proudly boast the T/C roll mark and prove more than a match for weary elk, deer and caribou.

In recent years, the gunmaker has expanded its prowess to bolt actions and with a little help from its parent company — Smith & Wesson — has whipped up a precision rifle paragon — the Performance Center T/C LRR. The renowned Performance Center produces the aluminum chassis, which is — truthfully — a bit spartan, but has it where it counts. It’s stout as oak and has the adjustments you need to tailor it to your frame.

Zero In On Long-Range Rifles And Shooting

To that end, both the cheek rise and length of pull dial in via thumbwheels and each feature dual guide rods for added stability. In addition to this, S&W contributes a tuned up trigger — adjustable from 2.5 to 3.5 pounds — a single-stage outfit that’s clean and consistent. Admittedly, the blade safety seems a bit out of place on a rifle … but not enough to turn your nose up at it.

Action wise, the LRR’s is nearly identical to what you find on the T/C Compass — a three-lug fat bolt. Easy to manufacture, this is where the gunmaker keeps production costs down. But you aren’t settling by any stretch of the imagination. The design is strong and quick, with an extremely terse bolt throw. The Performance Center LRR comes in .243 Win., .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Target

Precision Rifle Ruger Hawkeye
MSRP: $1,619

Granted, it has Mack Truck looks and heft, the Hawkeye Long-Range Target nevertheless is a hair-splitter. Of course, all that weight – 11-pounds of it line – is there for a reason.

Originally chambered in .300 Win. Mag (now also available in 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC), the rifle was designed to soak up the brute cartridge’s ample recoil. That, and it provides a shooting foundation second only to a concrete anchor lock.

The core of the system is a highly functional competition-style stock, which adds weight and control to the rifle. In addition to comb-height and length-of-pull adjustments, the laminate component also provides the rigidity required to produce tight groups consistently. It’s also decked out with a flush-fit M-LOK lower rail and QD points, so adding your choice of bi-pod and sling system is easy as pie.

As to the action, it’s Ruger’s tried-and-true Mauser-style controlled feed, reducing the worry of double feeding when you’re glued to your scope. Ruger then mates this with a 26-inch heavy contour barrel, providing superior harmonics and heat dispersion. Topping it off, the company’s Hybrid Muzzle Brake. A bonus, Ruger outfits the precision rifle with a 20 MOA Picatinny rail, with increased elevation capabilities over the integral mounts machined directly into the receiver.

Savage 110 Precision

Savage 110 Precision
MSRP: $1,649

Built around the legendary Savage 110 action, the 110 Precision features an MDT LSS XL chassis, an AccuTrigger and a threaded heavy barrel. The barrels are either 20 or 24 inches in length depending on caliber, and the rifle is available in .308 Winchester, .300 Win. Mag., 300 PRC, .338 Lapua and 6.5 Creedmoor.

The aluminum frame helps keep this rifle very rigid, allowing it to fend off creep even when firing the more brutish calibers. It’s also very adjustable right out of the box, allowing a shooter to tailor it to their exact preferences. The comb heigh, length of pull and trigger can all be adjusted, and the 5/8×24 threaded muzzle allows for the attachment of a suppressor or brake as well. It ships with a BA muzzle brake and one AICS-pattern magazine (either 5- or 10-round depending on caliber).

At 10 to 11 pounds, it’s not the lightest rifle out there, even with the skeletonized stock and fluted barrel. Of course, this also means that the 110 Precision should have no problem eating recoil, and for a bench rifle that’s not a bad thing. Once you add a scope to this setup, you should have everything you need to shoot a country mile.

Howa Oryx

HOWA
MSRP: $1,099

Never one to pass up providing more affordable accuracy, Howa has partnered with MDT for one of the most economical chassis rifle presently available.

The Oryx takes its name from the Canadian chassis maker's contribution to the rig, a somewhat plain-Jane yet effective affair. The chassis provides the stiffness a long-range system requires and maintains the customizability shooters have come to expect — LOP and comb height adjustment.

Furthermore, it has the extras — wide fore-end and barricade stop — to make it a versatile shooter. It keeps costs down by omitting some of the common features found on many chassis options, such as accessory mounting points (outside flush-fit M-Lok slots under the fore-end) and convenient adjustment controls. But for the money, you get a rifle that performs.

Howa makes sure of this with what has become one of the more renowned barreled actions out there — the 1500. And the gunmaker offers it in several precision shooting favorites, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win., .223 Rem and 6.5 Grendel. Additionally, they offer the rifle in some calibers not generally consider long-range, including .300 Blk and 7.62x39mm.

Savage Model 10 GRS

Savage's new precision rifle the Model 10 GRSMSRP: $1,639

Savage rifles have built a reputation for being tack drivers and affordable at the same time. But the company has gone above and beyond with its newest creation — the 10 GRS. Marrying Savage’s proven Model 10 short action with the Norwegian GRS stock has created a precision rifle ready to tackle the greatest distances.

Read More: The Savage Model 10 GRS Full Review

As solid as the company’s actions and button-rifled barrels are, the stock is the bell of this ball. The fiberglass-reinforced nylon GRS stock provides the rigidity required for precision work and is intuitive to handle. Additionally, the stock’s pillar-bedding blocks, constructed of 65-percent fiberglass, ensures there's no play in the Model 10's free-floating barrel. On top of this, the stock features a fully adjustable cheek riser and length of pull, operated by simple push-button controls. 

The rifle is available in calibers perfect for nearly any long-range application, short of hard-target interdiction — .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor. And the 20-, 24- or 26-inch heavy-fluted barrels on the 10 GRS — depending on caliber — provide superior heat dispersion and plenty of stiffness.

Other top features include 5/8-24 threading for attaching muzzle devices and flush cup sling loops and sling mount for bipod use. While the MSRP is a hair over the $1,600 ceiling, it can be found for a much lower street price.

Tikka T3x Tactical Compact Rifle

Finnish precision rifle, the Takka T3x Tactical CompactMSRP: $1,150

Featuring Tikka’s rock-solid, single-piece T3 action, this little Finnish gem is accurate and adaptable.

Broached, instead of drilled from bar stock, the action is silky smooth, particularly with the aid of its oversized bolt handle. And it's stiff as overstretched sheets, thanks to the enclosed action design. Conveniently, Tikka has widened the ejection port on the T3 action, now making it possible to feed one round at a time — a difficulty on older models.

See Also: Tikka T3X Tactical A1 Review

A hammer-forged semi-heavy contour 20-inch barrel provides superior harmonics for its three chamberings — .260 Rem., .308 Win., and 6.5 Creedmoor. And it's hefty enough to shake off the heat from long shot strings.

Tikka’s TCR has a more traditional stock pattern and doesn’t boast the adjustments found on many precision rifles. But it does have some unique features. Chief among them is the fiberglass-reinforced synthetic stock's interchangeable grips that make it possible to modify the angle. And it comes with a foam insert that lowers stock-generated noise, keeping shooters stealthy as ever.

The precision rifle has a single-stage adjustable trigger, tunable between 2 and 4 pounds. And to top it all off, the T3x Tactical Compact rifle has an improved rail attachment system with extra screw placements on top of the receiver for a Picatinny rail.


Howa Carbon Elevate

Howa Carbon ElevateMSRP: $1,639

If you want your precision bolt-action rifle to be as light as possible, the Howa Carbon Elevate is a top contender. Starting at only 4 pounds, 10 ounces, this model is packed to the brim with carbon fiber components.

It features a Stocky’s super lightweight carbon fiber stock with a Limbsaver buttpad and ACCUBLOCK lug bed, as well as a 24-inch heavy carbon fiber threaded barrel. The ability to mount a brake or compensator is extra appreciated for a rifle that’s this lightweight.

Howa’s tagline for the rifle, “Carbon on Carbon,” couldn’t be more appropriate. The generous use of carbon fiber isn’t cheap, but it still isn’t the most expensive rifle on this list. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of a chassis rifle, if weight savings are what you’re after, the Carbon Elevate has it in spades. Howa offers the Carbon Elevate chambered for .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC and 6.5 Grendel.

Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical

Mossberg-Patriot-LR-Tactical-review-feature
MSRP: $1,085

There's no doubt that the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical is the company's most capable chassis rifle to date, offering a suite of features at a price point that enables many new shooters to get their feet wet in the long-range shooting game.

Sporting a 22-inch (.308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor) or 24-inch (6.5 PRC) medium threaded (5/8”-24 TPI) bull barrel with a target crown, it’s ready to accept a suppressor or compensator right out of the box. An adjustable LBA trigger, with no creep and a very crisp break, helps you extract the most accuracy out of the Patriot as you can.

The setup is finished off with an MDT chassis system, featuring aluminum V-block bedding, M-LOK slots, sling swivels and compatibility with AICS-style magazines. The chassis is a bit heavy at 8 pounds, so it may not be the best mountain rifle, but the extra weight will help absorb recoil when shooting at the range.

Bergara B-14 HMR

Spanish precision rifle B-14 HMR - precision rifles

MSRP: $999

Precision rifles can get pretty specialized pretty quickly, pigeonholing their application. For those shooting for a something that can equally knock the stuffing out of the 10-ring and a whitetail, look no further than Bergara. The Spanish company’s B-14 HMR (Hunting & Match Rifle) is about as tightly built a precision rifle as one could expect, without going custom.

See Also: Bergara B-14 BMP Chassis Rifle Review

While Bergara’s actions and barrels are well-respected, it’s the rifle’s stock that steals the show. At first blush, it appears to be just another synthetic job, with a modified benchrest buttstock, vertical grip and the usual length of pull and comb adjustments. But strip away the polymers, and there’s something unique going on underneath this Bergara B-14 HMR. Molded into the stock is an aluminum skeleton running from the grip all the way to the forend. In addition to free-floating the barrel, what Bergara calls its mini-chassis gives the B-14 the stiffness for precision.

The company has embraced the concept of crossover appeal with the rifle, making it sturdy enough to shoot a match, but practical enough to carry into the woods. It sports a No. 5 contour barrel — 22 inches on 6.5 Creedmoor, 20 inches on .308 Winchester — giving it enough material to avoid walking when it heats up, but making it less of a bear on a trudge to a deer stand.

The B-14 action is quick and smooth to work, especially with its oversized bolt handle, and feeds cleanly off an AICS detachable magazine. Some other nice features include Bergara’s trigger that breaks at 3 pounds, threaded muzzle and integrated QD flush cup mounts.

Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD

Model 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD precision riflesMSRP: $980

The Model 700 has been a top choice of professional snipers for more than half a century — just ask Army and Marine sharpshooters. So it’s no surprise it ends up on a list of precision rifles. The Tactical AAC-SD, in particular, has all the bells and whistles to make it a dandy tack driver, while leaving plenty of money for ammunition.

Read More: Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD Full Review

The renowned 700 action — what you’ll find on a lot of custom builds — is bedded in Hogue’s Overmolded Ghillie Green stock. The fiberglass-reinforced polymer gives the platform overall rigidity, while a pillar bedding system free-floats the barrel, ensuring it does not interfere with harmonics.

The AAC-SD is outfitted with a 20- or 22-inch heavy barrel (depending on caliber), injecting another element of stiffness into the platform and preventing barrel whip when it heats up. An interesting point is the twist rate of the .308 Win. — it’s 1:10. This is faster than most, in turn more compatible with heavier bullets.

Remington has topped the rifle off with a threaded muzzle able to accept AAC and other 5/8-24 pattern muzzle devices.

The rifle features Remington’s X-Mark Pro trigger, an adjustable outfit tunable between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds. Other notable aspects of the AAC-SD include sling mounts on the forend and buttstock and a very manageable weight at around 7 pounds. The AAC-SD is not long on capacity, however, with a four-round internal magazine.

Savage Model 10 BA Stealth

Savage Model 10 BA Stealth chassis rifle - Precision RiflesMSRP: $1,099

It wasn’t all that long ago that a chassis rifle setup would have run a shooter well over $2,000. And that’s talking entry level. Those days are quickly vanishing as the Savage 10 BA Stealth proves. The on-target rifle comes with all the accoutrements one would expect on similar precision rifles, except the price tag.

Built around Savage's short Model 10 action, the precision rifle comes chambered for .223 Rem., .308 Win., and 6.5 Creedmoor. If a shooter is willing to get closer to or break the $1,500 mark (and not by much), they can gun up to a long-action Model 110 BA Stealth and pitch .300 Win. Mag., or .338 Lapua Mag.

Drake Associates supplies the chassis for the rifle — its Hunter/Stalker model — which is machined from a single piece of aluminum. The chassis is much slimmer than most and exposes an ample amount of the rifle's 16-, 20- and 24-inch (depending on caliber) fluted barrel. This is good in terms of heat dispersion, giving air the chance to do its job. But given the barrel’s heavy contour, shots won’t walk much when it gets hot.

FAB Defense supplies the buttstock, its GL-Shock model that comes with a fully adjustable cheek riser and adjusts for length of pull. Like all Savages, the rifle features the company’s outstanding AccuTrigger, adjustable from 1.5 to 6 pounds. A nice touch, the BA Stealth also is outfitted with a muzzle break, which is typically an aftermarket option on most rifles.

 


More Precision Shooting

Top 25 Sharp-Shooting 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles (2023)

Updated 3/10/2023

Choices abound when it comes to top 6.5 Creedmoor rifles. Here are some of the best to get the red-hot round dead on target.

Some of the best rifles to get the Creedmoor to go the distance:

The 6.5 Creedmoor, heard of it? If you haven’t, then perhaps you’re new to firearms or maybe you’ve been cloistered in some cave outside Moab for the past decade living off prickly pears and raw fish. At this point, those are about the only acceptable excuses why you haven’t caught wind of the hottest cartridge to hit shooting since .30 met aught six.

The cartridge has gained notoriety for its ability to clip a gnat’s ass at 1,000 yards without the shooter enduring rented-mule levels of punishment. However, the cartridge is really only one half of the story; the other is the marvelous array of precision shooters to deliver the long-range wunderkind where it needs to be.

Precision Shooting: Savage's Accuracy Enhancing AccuFit System

With this in mind, here are some of the top 6.5 Creedmoor rifles on the market today. These babies will deliver, no matter the round,  all you have to do is provide a steady hand.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle Options

Springfield Armory 2020 Waypoint

Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint 2

To some extent, the 2020 Waypoint shows how far the long-range craze has gone at this point. Strip away the camo and featherlight build and Springfield Armory’s bolt-action hunter would fit right into a precision match, no questions asked.

At the heart of the 6.5 rifle, a tough-as-nails Model 2020 action. Springfield didn’t reinvent the wheel here, basing it off the time-tested Remington 700. But with exceedingly tight tolerances for smooth-as-glass operation, it takes the omnipresent action to a different level. The same goes for the fire tube. With the choice of a fluted stainless steel barrel or ultralight Proof Research carbon-fiber wrapped barrel, shooters are rewarded with an extremely rigid system that eliminates a majority of flex for repeatable accuracy.

Light years away from a traditional hunter set up, Springfield mates the barreled action to a carbon-fiber stock with a hybrid match profile. A wide fore-end offers more area to rest the rifle. A pistol grip enhances control. And a high comb (there’s an adjustable model too) ensures consistent cheek weld. Tack on a smooth trigger and ultra-fast lock time, you can’t miss with the Waypoint. MSRP: $2,173; springfield-armory.com

Savage Arms Impulse Big Game

Savage Arms 6.5

Typically, to pick up the pace with the 6.5 Creedmoor shooters shopped AR-10. Savage Arms opens up the game with a rarity this side of the Atlantic Ocean in the Impulse Big Game. A straight-pull, the 6.5 Creedmoor rifle runs just a tick under a semi-auto, while offering up the advantages of a bolt-action. In this department, expect a system as unyielding to flex thanks to its stoutly-built action and thick-enough, medium-contour barrel.

Of course, it’s difficult to focus on the fundamentals of accuracy with the engineering Savage has poured into the Impulse. Utilizing six ball bearings instead of lugs, the straight-pull has an airtight lockup that runs as fast as you can operate the bolt. To aid the process, Savage includes an oversized handle and a relatively short linear throw. Additionally, the Impulse has a few extras shooters have come to expect on precision irons, such as threaded muzzle (5/8-24), fully-adjustable stock (AccuFit), fully-adjustable trigger (AccuTrigger) and rigid hybrid chassis (AccuStock).

Sure, Savage aims the straight-pull at hunters. But anyone who appreciates speed and accuracy is sure to love the Impulse. MSRP: $1,449; savagearms.com

Sako S20

Sako S20 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle

In the past, shooters had essentially two choices when it came to a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle—one tailored to hunting or one tailored to match shooting. Sako took a look at this line and dashed it to pieces with the S20. What might be the first true hybrid hunter/match rifle on the market, the Finnish company marries the two sometimes contrary disciplines with a truly elegant system.

The secret is in the stock, or more exactly stocks. Boasting an interchangeable chassis system, the bolt-action rifle jumps between tactical and hunting configurations in a blink of an eye. Out for coyotes, slap on the thumbhole stock. Looking to drill bullseyes at range, go with the fully-adjustable tactical model. Did we mention, you won’t have to zero after making a switch? Pretty sweet.

As expected from Sako, the S20’s over-engineering extends past its interchangeable V-bedding chassis system. Such features as a rock-solid three-lug bolt, cold-hammer forged stainless steel barrel, adjustable trigger and integrally machined optics rail are all on target. The only question that remains, what’s best configuration for your objectives? MSRP: $1,598; sako.fi

Roam R-10 Great Plains

Roam_Great-Plains-

When you’re hale from Grand Forks, ND, you’re painfully aware of the magnitude of the American West. Perhaps this is why Roam puts a premium on portability in its gun designs, particularly its AR-style 6.5 Creedmoor rifle. The Peace Garden State gunmaker understand you have to put miles under your boots to put meat on the table.

The R-10 Great Plains is optimized for this very job, among the lightest 6.5mm AR-10 (DPMS variant) options out there at an extremely manageable 7.28 pounds. Roam achieves this by turning to lightweight magnesium alloys for the receiver and handguard. The material matches the strength of aluminum while dropping a third of the weight. This weight savings allows for a longer 22-inch fluted heavy barrel, arguably better suited for the 6.5 CM, without upping the heft.

Enhancing the R-10, the choice of the excellent ATC Hybrid AR Gold or JMT Saber Single Stage triggers, upping its accuracy potential. It also has a load of other assets, such as a Radian ambidextrous charging handle, Hogue pistol grip, and Magpul stock with Limbsaver recoil pad. Arguably, it’s the cream of the AR hunter crop. MSRP: $3,245, roamrifles.com

Rock River Arms RBG

RRA

Safe to say, Rock River Arms (RRA) pulled out all the stops catching the precision-shooting wave. Newly minted, the RBG 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is a top-end build that demands a top-end price. Nobody ever said accuracy comes on the cheap.

At the heart of the system is RRA’s stainless steel short action, mated to a 20-inch fluted Wilson barrel, complete with threaded muzzle (5/8-24) and protector. Air gauged and cryo-treated, the barrel is manufactured to exacting standards to deliver consistent sub-MOA accuracy.

Kinetic Research Group provides the chassis, its Whiskey-3, which is a gem—fully adjustable buttstock, precise aluminum bedding, tool-less adjustment, ample attachment points—the whole shebang. If that not enough, RRA also includes a Triggertech Trigger, oversized knurled bolt handle and built-in bubble canting device standard. It might run a pretty penny, but the RBG still is a great value. MSRP: $4,450, rockriverarms.com

Henry Long Ranger

Long Ranger

Henry Repeating Arms in a precision rifle list? Sounds crazy, but the purveyor of quality lever-action rifles more than deserves its place with the Long Ranger. The 6.5 Creedmoor rifle delivers accuracy akin to a bolt-action, but with the speed of a repeater.

It pulls off this feat through some ingenious engineering, a bolt that essentially mirrors a bolt-action’s lock-up. The 6-lug rotary head adds an element of consistency, which is easily seen downrange. Not to mention, breathes new life into the lever-action, particularly for long-range hunting.

Find Out More: Henry Long Ranger

Aiding the Long Ranger is Henry incorporating a 4-round magazine, making it safe to chamber the rifle 6.5 CM. American walnut stock and richly blued 22-inch barrel and receiver, the rifle might be the most beautiful on the list. MSRP: $1,243, henryusa.com

MPA BA PMR “Pro” Competition Rifle

MPA BA PMR “Pro” Competition Rifle

If you compete in or even mildly follow the Precision Rifle Series, you’re cognizant MasterPiece Arms commands respect—and top dollar. While the Georgia gunmaker isn’t jettisoning its premium label, it is making its gold-medal rifles a bit more accessible. Designed to meet the revised standards for the PRS Production Class—less than $2,500—the MPA BA PMR “Pro” Competition Rifle chips down on price, but not quality.

The 6.5 Creedmoor rifle’s heart is MPA’s BA Competition Chassis, a legend in its own right, which boasts unique V-bedding that allow clearance for glass bedding for both the action and straight section of the barrel. From there, MPA mates the chassis with Curtis Custom’s 3-lug short action and a X-Caliber stainless steel barrel (M24 contour). Finally, you get the choice of a Trigger Tech Special (set to 1-3lbs) or Timney HIT (set to 6oz – 2 lbs range) trigger.

All this and about a ton of other features, too numerous to list, make MPA’s Production Class rifle one of the best values to hit the market this year. MSRP: $2,200, masterpiecearms.com

Sig Sauer CROSS Rifle

Sig Sauer Cross Rifle 1

Up to this point, when you wanted a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle for hunting you had two options. A pure sporter, not quite tuned to get the most out of the cartridge or precision rifle, and drag a boat anchor around the backcountry. Sig Sauer saw an opportunity in this divide and produced what might be the perfect compromise between the two. A hybrid, the CROSS Rifle delivers all the accuracy enhancements of a match iron, with the lightness of a true mountain rifle. That’s a deadly combination.

Ultra-lightweight, the CROSS Rifle tips the scales at a mere 6.5 pounds—around 40-percent less than anything else in its class. It boasts a fully-adjustable, folding buttstock—LOP and comb height—skeletonized to keep it svelte. Sig outfits it with a free-floating match barrel (18-inch in 6.5 CM) topped with the taper-lock that works with any of the company’s suppressors.The barrel also is swappable without the aid of a gunsmith, giving you a host of other chambering options.

Other notables include a two-stage adjustable match trigger, M-Lok handguard, ACIS magazine compatibility and interchangeable Picatinny rail. There’s more, but as is, it’s safe to say Sig has rethought the hunting rifle for the better. MSRP: $1,779, sigsauer.com

Daniel Defense DELTA 5

Daniel Defense Delta 5
Taking the modularity of the AR-15 and applying it to a bolt action, Daniel Defense’s DELTA 5 is among the most versatile 6.5 Creedmoor rifles to hit the market. That’s because the turn bolt is more than simply the county-mile wunderkind. It’s also a .308. Crazy, huh? A switch-barrel, the rifle jumps seamlessly between the two long-range standbys, giving you perhaps everything you need in a single precision boomstick. And Daniel Defense makes certain, no matter the caliber, you’ll connect.

Indeed, the gunmaker has pulled out all the stops, decking out the rifle with a 24-inch stainless-steel Palma-profile barrel, mechanically bedded stainless-steel action, over-sized bolt knob, three-lug bolt and cutting-edge stock. The stock is particularly eye-catching, an advanced carbon-fiber reinforced polymer system that’s fully adjustable for length-of-pull and comb height. The DELTA 5 also comes with a total of 14 M-Lok slots and three QD points, making it a breeze to add accessories and a sling. MSRP: $1,871, danieldefense.com

Badrock South Fork

Badrock South Fork 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle
Not exactly cheap, but an incredible value, the South Fork 6.5 Creedmoor rifle teeters on custom-made performance. Makes sense, given Badrock is a division of Defiance Machine, well known for their tailor-made competition-grade actions. The company applies this expertise to piece together the dead-nuts chassis, yet keep the price sane. A steep task, known to turn a gunmaker’s hair gray early.

At the heart of the South Fork is a rock-solid modified Remington Model 700 action, upgraded with a coned bolt-nose, fixed ejector and modified controlled-round feed. The gunmaker mates the action with a 26-inch match-grade stainless-steel barrel, then fits them into a Modular Driven Technology LSS-XL Gen2 chassis (fully adjustable, of course). Meant to meet production rifle standards for competition, the system does make some sacrifices to achieve its price point. The scope base and muzzle device are extras. But for what you get on the South Fork as is, that’s not much to complain about. MSRP: $2,995, badrockrifles.com

Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target

Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target
Since Ruger released the Long Range Target a few years ago, shooters have been champing at the bit for a 6.5 Creedmoor option. That wait is over. And the results, nothing short of magnificent.

Originally released as a .300 Win. Mag., the Hawkeye is a cruiserweight precision rig, offering among the sturdiest platforms to launch the 6.5. Thanks to a target stock made of laminated wood, the hefty 11-pound rifle soaks up recoil and anchors like a tick. Furthermore, its two-way adjustable comb and adjustable LOP ensures a perfect fit. QD attachment points and flush-fit M-Lok rail below the forearm gives you a way sling it up and accessorize it. And the 6.5 Creedmoor rifle features a heavy contour stainless-steel barrel paired with Ruger’s famous M77 action, which boasts a one-piece bolt. Yup, it’s controlled feed. Topping it off is a responsive two-stage adjustable target trigger and Ruger’s Precision Rifle Hybrid Muzzle Brake. More than capable of achieving ½ MOA accuracy, the Hawkeye is a gem in 6.5. MSRP: $1,619, ruger.com

Howa Oryx Chassis Rifle

Howa Oryx 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle
As previously shown on this list, Howa has carved a niche as a purveyor of affordable tack drivers. And the company doesn’t show any sign of letting up. Its latest 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is a collaboration with Modular Driven Technologies, a partnership that – for the moment – has created among the most penny-wise chassis options on the market.

The M1500 Oryx features MDT’s Spartan, yet effective monolithic aluminum Oryx chassis. While it doesn’t boast the bells and whistles of some other options, it has what counts – spacer-adjustable length of pull, set-screw adjustable cheek riser, M-Lok mounting points below the forend and an overmolded grip. Howa’s 1500 barreled-action is no slouch itself, featuring a two-lug push-feed bolt, which has built a reputation for tight groups on the cheap. A hair over $1,000, there are few other chassis that come close to what the M1500 Oryx offers. MSRP: $1,059, www.howausa.com

Seekins Precision Havak Bravo

Seekins Precision Havak Bravo
The Havak Action is something special. One of the more innovative to hit precision rifles in a spell, the custom job isn’t simply built like a tank, but also is among the easiest to operate. It’s also the heart of Seekins Precision’s production-class rifle – the Havak Bravo. Given the action alone runs around $1,200, it’s difficult to fathom how the gunmaker pulls off the rifle. Regardless, shooters benefit.

What makes the Havok Action unique is it's smooth as warm butter to work. A benefit if fast shooting and shot-to-shot accuracy are your goals. Part of this is thanks to a unique helical extraction cam, which sends the bolt back immediately when it’s thrown. The other half of the equation is the 50/50 cocking mechanism, which splits the operation between the bolt’s up and down strokes.

Seeking Precision marries the action with a 24-inch stainless-steel match-grade barrel and mounts them in a KRG Bravo chassis. As expected, the stock is completely adjustable. The 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is finished off with a Timney 510 trigger, which ups the fire tube and your potential accuracy. MSRP: $1,950, seekinsprecision.com

Smith & Wesson M&P 10

Smith & Wesson M&P 10 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle
As far as 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 rifles are concerned, there are few that come close to what Smith & Wesson offers for the price. In its second generation, the M&P 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle is a jack-of-all-trades – as adept on a hunt as it is in a match. Best of all, the Performance Center creation doesn’t skimp. You have everything you need to milk the most out of the Creedmoor.

Foremost, S&W has opted for a longer 20-inch barrel, ensuring optimal performance with a cartridge that prefers more bore. This is 5R rifled, which, in theory, should help retain the ballistic integrity of the bullet once it’s left the barrel. Keeping recoil in check, the company moved the gas block forward – maintaining shot-to-shot accuracy. To this end, its 9.5-pound weight is a nice middle ground, once again eating up some of the kick, but not making the rifle unwieldy. Furthermore, the Smith & Wesson boasts a Troy Industries 15-inch free floated handguard and a respectable two-stage match trigger. Only the stock leaves a little to desire, given it’s fixed – a Magpul MOE. But given the rest of the rifle’s pros, that’s easy to overlook. MSRP: $2,095, smith-wesson.com

Barrett Fieldcraft

Barrett Fieldcraft
A backcountry rifle worth its weight in backstraps must be two things: accurate and light. Not always conducive goals. But it’s something Barrett has accomplished in spades with its phenomenal Fieldcraft bolt-action.

Light as a daydream, the 6.5 Creedmoor rifle tips the scales at 5.2 pounds. You heard that right – 5.2. The secret behind the weight savings is Barrett drawing inspiration from NULA’s custom action. There’s simply no excess material left to weigh you down, given the action is built around the cartridge for a glove fit. Paired with a thin No. 1 contour barrel, then seated in a hand-laid carbon-fiber stock, you’ve got a rifle you can lug around all day, then some. Not that it doesn’t come with drawbacks. Its litheness increases the generally mild-mannered 6.5’s recoil, but not too unbearable lengths. Certainly not enough to knock you off a follow-up shot on that trophy bull across the canyon. MSRP: $1,879, barrett.net

Standby 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles

Ruger Precision Rifle

Ruger Precision Rifle a top choice among 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles

Arguably the gun that kicked off the long-range shooting craze, the Ruger Precision Rifle remains among the top in 6.5 Creedmoor rifles. Built around the American Rifle action, Ruger fitted a 24-inch cold hammer-forged medium contour barrel, complete with 5R rifling to protect the integrity of the 6.5’s bullets. Mated to a pre-hardened 4140 chrome-moly steel upper, the platform provides rigidity and a true free-floating barrel.

Read More: Ruger Precision Rifle

Additionally, its inline recoil system, which directs kick straight backwards, makes the rifle more accurate shot to shot. A mainstay now, the Precision Rifle (also chambered .308 Win. and 6mm Creedmoor) was among the first economy long-range shooter to offer a fully adjustable stock. The Precision Rifle’s competition has grown, but it more than has the yarbels to hold its own among other 6.5 Creedmoor rifles and otherwise. MSRP: $1,929, ruger.com

Bergara B-14 HMR

Bergara B-14 HMR a more traditional choices among

Suited to tackle any shooting situation you get a 6.5 Creedmoor tangled up in — from match to field — Bergara’s B-14 HMR (Hunting & Match Rifle) is as flexible as they come. Not as tactically aggressive as some long-range rifles, the B-14 HMR (also available in .308 Win. and .450 Bushmaster) nonetheless is as advanced, with an aluminum skeleton (mini-chassis) molded into the polymer stock to provide indispensable rigidity any precision platform requires. Furthermore, fully adjustable length of pull and cheek riser fits the stock perfectly to any shooter.

Read Also: Bergara's B-14 BMP (Match Precision) Rifle

Renowned for their actions and barrels, Bergara does not disappoint with its tack-driver, outfitting it with a 22-inch bull barrel and rock-solid B-14 action, known for its silky-smooth operation. A 3-pound trigger, threaded muzzle, AICS detachable box magazine and integrated QD flush cup mounts round out the system. If you can’t truly decide your ultimate aim in the world of 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, Bergara’s economical Jack-of-all-trades is your ticket. MSRP: $999, bergara.online/us

RISE Armament 1121XR

RISE Armament 1121XR, when it comes to 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles it's among the fastest shooters

Designed for those who expect more out of their firearms, the 1121XR delivers in the form of a light and capable AR-10 chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor. The gas-operated semi-auto (also chambered .308 Win.) dispenses bolt-action sub-MOA accuracy with lightning speed aided by RISE Armament’s exceptional RA-535 Advanced-Performance Trigger with a 3.5-pound pull, terse release and micro reset.

Read More: Rise Armament 1121XR Full Review

Furthermore, the 22-inch barreled rifle has all the accouterments to make life easy off the bench or in the field: streamlined billet aluminum M-LOK compatible handguard, Picatinny upper rail and an overall weight just a tick north of 10 pounds. Additionally, the whole shebang gets a durable Cerakote finish available in three color choices — black, foliage green and flat dark earth. If that’s not enough, RISE Armaments throws in two 10-round magazines and a hard case to safely transport the tactical gem. Of all 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, the 1121XR is most certainly the fastest to get you on target again and again. MSRP: $2,575, risearmament.com

Savage Model 10 GRS

Savage Model 10 GRS, perhaps one of the most user-friendly stock in precision 6.5 Creedmoor rifles

A no-compromise precision rifle with a relatively decent price point, Savage’s 10 GRS comes outfitted with a stock certain to help you deliver a 6.5 round where it needs to go. Constructed of 65-percent fiberglass and featuring pillar-bedding blocks, the Norwegian made stock is the sturdy and stiff platform long-range shooters aim for in their rifles. Moreover, slip-nut controls make length of pull and the cheek rest adjustment push-button matters and an ergonomic full grip gives you the ability to provide the needed rear pressure for solid shouldering.

Read More: Savage Model 10 GRS Full Review

Time-tested, Savage’s Model 10 short action is a near perfect heart for the rifle and gets matted with a 24-inch fluted barrel, which provides great harmonics, while keeping the overall platform at a reasonable weight — a hair under 9 pounds. The GRS also comes chambered in .308 Win., and 6mm Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor rifle feds off AICS magazines, boasts Savage’s popular adjustable AccuTrigger and comes outfitted with optics rail and sling swivels. MSRP: $1,449, savagearms.com

Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon SPEED

Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon SPEED, perfect for those looking for a hunting option in 6.5 Creedmoor rifles
Built for long-range backcountry hunting, Browning’s X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon SPEED is wickedly effective at everything it’s designed to do, particularly not bog you down. At 6 pounds 5 ounces, the rifle (available in 13 calibers) is among the lightest 6.5 Creedmoor rifles on the market, hastened by its featherweight composite stock and just enough barrel (a 22-inch sporter) to ensure optimal ballistic performance.

See Also: Browning X-Bolt Long Range Hunter Full Review

Solid as a concrete slab, the X-Bolt remains a top choice among precision hunters with its fast-operating 60-degree bolt lift, dependable detachable rotary magazine and three-lever Feather Trigger. Drilled and tapped, the receiver comes ready for scope mounts and the free-floating barrel is hand chambered to ensure the tightest tolerances. MSRP: $1,349.99, browning.com

Kimber Advanced Tactical SOC II

Kimber Advanced Tactical SOC II, the professional choice in 6.5 Creedmoor rifles
Engineered to meet the exacting needs of military, law enforcement and serious precision shooters, the Kimber Advanced Tactical SOC II (Special Operations Capable) comes with a sub-0.5-MOA guarantee, which it delivers. The fastidiously designed and executed instrument is hand built, outfitted with an adjustable aluminum folding stock, 22-inch stainless-steel barrel and threaded muzzle with protector.

Read Also: 7 Top Pieces for a Tactical Advantage

Moreover, Kimber hits the right notes with traditionalists in the SOC II (also chambered .308 Win.) with a Mauser Action, complete with an oversized claw extractor for controlled feed. Rounding out the rifle, a whisper-break trigger factory set to 2.5 pounds, a match-grade chamber and M-LOK compatible accessory rail. The SOC II runs at the upper end of 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, but is worth every penny. MSRP: $2,661, kimberamerica.com

Howa Carbon Elevate

Howa Carbon Elevate

If you want your 6.5 Creedmoor rifle to be as light as possible, the Howa Carbon Elevate is a top contender. Starting at only 4 pounds, 10 ounces, this model is packed to the brim with carbon fiber components.

It features a Stocky’s super lightweight carbon fiber stock with a Limbsaver buttpad and ACCUBLOCK lug bed, as well as a 24-inch heavy carbon fiber threaded barrel. The ability to mount a brake or compensator is extra appreciated for a rifle that’s this lightweight.

Howa’s tagline for the rifle, “Carbon on Carbon,” couldn’t be more appropriate. The generous use of carbon fiber isn’t cheap, but it still isn’t the most expensive rifle on this list. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of a chassis rifle, if weight savings are what you’re after, the Carbon Elevate has it in spades.
MSRP: $1,639, howausa.com

Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical

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Getting started in long-range precision shooting can be expensive, so affordable options are always appreciated as act as a gateway for new shooters to extend their range. Of the affordable 6.5 Creedmoor bolt-action rifles, few are as feature-rich as the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical.

Sporting a 22-inch medium threaded (5/8”-24 TPI) bull barrel with a target crown, it’s ready to accept a suppressor or compensator right out of the box. An adjustable LBA trigger, with no creep and a very crisp break, helps you extract the most accuracy out of the Patriot as you can.

The setup is finished off with an MDT chassis system, featuring aluminum V-block bedding, M-LOK slots, sling swivels and compatibility with AICS-style magazines. The chassis is a bit heavy at 8 pounds, so it may not be the best mountain rifle, but the extra weight will help absorb recoil when shooting at the range.
MSRP: $1,085, mossberg.com

Tikka T3x Tactical Compact Rifle

Tikka T3x Tactical Compact, a nimble choice of the 6.5 Creedmoor rifles
6.5 Creedmoor rifles generally tend toward long barrels, but Tikka gives shooters a more petite option with this neat little tactical gem. Available with a 20- or 24-inch semi-heavy contour barrel, the T3x Tactical Compact Rifle can fill the role of traditional long-range shooter or nimble sniper rifle.

Built around Tikka’s broached action, the Finnish rifle (also available in .260 Rem., and .308 Win.) is stiff as starched sheets and features an enlarged ejection port making it possible to feed a round directly into the action. More traditional, the lightweight rifle’s fiberglass-reinforced stock nevertheless provides desired rigidity to the firearm and an oversized bolt handle makes the bolt-action lightening fast in operation. An interesting touch, the buttstock comes with a foam insert to keep the rifle whisper quiet when stealth is at a premium. MSRP: $1,275, tikka.fi/en-us

Springfield M1A Loaded Precision

Springfield M1A Loaded, when it comes to 6.5 Creedmoor rifles this is a modern classic

A staple in match shoots for decades, Springfield took the M1A’s accuracy a step further with the introduction of a 6.5 Creedmoor model. The semi-automatic version of the M14 platform (also available in .308 Win.) has everything you need to shoot a country mile in a New York minute: air-gauged National Match barrel, 4.5-pound two-stage trigger, front blade and rear aperture sights.

Read More:  Springfield M1A 6.5 Creedmoor Review

However, this M1A goes a step further than its siblings boasting a stock fully adjustable for length of pull and comb height. The rifle is a beast, tipping the scales at 11.4 pounds and measuring 45-46.25 inches, but the extra material should make the M1A among the softest shooting 6.5 Creedmoor rifles at the range or anywhere else. MSRP: $2,149, springfield-armory.com

Do you have a favorite you think should figure into this list? Think we’ve included a stinker? Tell us about it in the comments.


More 6.5 Creedmoor

Smith & Wesson EQUALIZER Review: Crafted For Carry

In this Smith & Wesson EQUALIZER review, the author takes a closer look at the company’s newest micro-9 carry pistol.

I was a bit shocked when I saw the announcement of the Equalizer pistol from Smith & Wesson. This is partly because Smith & Wesson already has a diverse collection of respected self-defense handguns. It’s also partly because just last year they launched a brand-new self-defense handgun called the CSX. But at the same time, this new pistol is just a perfect example of American gunmaking at its best. Smith & Wesson’s new Equalizer pistol epitomizes the refinement of design to best interface with customers.

Smith-Wesson-Equalizer-review
With its multiple magazine options, optional thumb safety, compact size and easy rack technology, the Smith & Wesson Equalizer is a carry gun that’ll fit nearly everyone.

Notable Features

The Equalizer is a poly-framed, micro-compact, 9mm pistol. It resembles the M&P Shield EZ, but the Equalizer uses double as opposed to single-stack magazines. In fact, it uses S&W Shield Plus magazines. But unlike the Shield Plus, the Equalizer—like the Shield EZ—is a single-action as opposed to striker-fired pistol. Another difference is that the Equalizer is only available chambered for the 9mm Luger, where the Shield EZ can be had in .380 Auto, 9mm Luger and .30 Super Carry.

You’re probably wondering where—since this is a single-action—the hammer is. Well, this is technically a contained single-action; the hammer is hidden under the slide. At the bottom rear of the slide there’s a hollowed-out section that allows the hammer to rotate from the cocked to the fired position. Because of this, you don’t have the option of lowering the hammer manually, such as you would on a 1911. However, the firing mechanism is the same; when the gun is fired, the slide recoils to the rear and cocks the hammer. The hammer just stays cocked until you pull the trigger.

Smith-Wesson-internal-hammer
When the Equalizer is fired, the single-action hammer moves to this position to strike the firing pin, which is contained inside the slide.

Smith & Wesson chose to include a grip safety on the Equalizer, and while I know some balk at the idea, and I’ll admit it does nothing to make this pistol attractive, it works to perfection. When shooting the Equalizer I gave it no notice at all. If you establish a good shooting grip on the gun, the grip safety deactivates. I tried to make it fail to deactivate by altering my grip and wasn’t successful unless I established a grip more than an inch below the pistol’s tang. The grip safety might make the Equalizer a bit ugly, but it’s a good design.

An ambidextrous thumb safety is available as an option. The test pistol didn’t have this feature. If it did, I might’ve written Smith & Wesson a check. I know, some folks don’t like thumb safeties, but they’re one of the best features available to make a handgun safer. Many self-inflicted gunshot wounds occur because shooters holster their handgun with their finger on the trigger. When doing so, the finger contacts the holster and presses the trigger, and a bullet ends up in the shooter’s ass cheek or leg. If a pistol is fitted with a manual thumb safety and if it is used as it is supposed to be this won’t happen.

Smith-Wesson-Equalizer-profile
Smith & Wesson Equalizer with the manual thumb safety.

Safeties aside, the trigger on this pistol was very nice, much nicer than any factory—out of the box—striker-action pistol I’ve fired. It broke crisp and clean at 4.75 pounds. The trigger reset was audible but couldn’t be felt. Some might consider this a negative, but I fired more than 300 rounds out of this pistol running various, fast-action, multi-shot defensive drills and never did I short stroke the trigger with it failing to reach the reset. This trigger is good, way better than the trigger on the Smith & Wesson CSX pistols I’ve fired.

The slide on the Equalizer has a cutout and cover plate that makes it optics ready. The cutout is a bit large to interface with a wider range of reflex sights. I installed a Shield RMSc-4 MOA reflex sight, and the base on that unit was thin enough that I could still use the factory sights that come on the handgun. Smith & Wesson seems proud of the fact that these sights are steel, and they should be. They also seemed proud that they are of the three-dot variety. Though I know it has become the industry standard, I’m not a fan of three-dot sights. The good news is that finding aftermarket sights to fit this pistol shouldn’t be a problem.

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Unloaded and with the Shield reflex sight, the Equalizer weighs only 20.8 ounces. Fully loaded magazines will up the weight to as much as 30 ounces.

The slide on this pistol also incorporates the Smith & Wesson next-gen EZ technology, making it easier to cycle. My wife and daughters all managed it with ease. Smith & Wesson also claims the Equalizer has a low recoil impulse. Recoil is a very subjective thing, but I’ll say I found the impulse to be less than some similar pistols like the Kimber Mako and the Taurus GX4. Others I suspect will have a differing opinion.

The slide also has very deep and aggressive cuts at the rear and front to help your fingers establish a purchase to manually cycle the slide. I don’t see much use for forward slide serrations; I like to keep my body parts away from a handgun’s muzzle. However, these deep cuts do help your fingers maintain hold of the slide when you need to rack it. Maybe more importantly, at the rear of the slide there’s sort of a ledge on each side to further help with manual cycling. This I found more advantageous than the deep serrations.

SW-Equalizer-field-stripped
Easily field stripped, when disassembled the Smith & Wesson Equalizer is in only five parts.

Weights And Measures

When it comes to carrying a pistol concealed, weight matters. The heavier the gun, the less comfortable it is to carry. This pistol, without a red-dot sight, weighs only 20.3 ounces. With the half-ounce Shield RMSc installed, total weight jumps to only 20.8 ounces. But, of course, no one carries a pistol unloaded. True carry weights must include a magazine and ammunition. With the 10-round magazine fully loaded, the pistol weighs 27.28 ounces. With the 13-round magazine, it weighs 28.95 ounces, and it weighs 30.01 ounces with the 15-round mag. All these weights were calculated with the half-ounce reflex sight installed and 115-grain ammunition.

SW-Equalizer-in-hand
You can see how compact the Equalizer is; with a reflex sight, it’s only 5 inches tall and less than 7 inches long.

Of course, it’s not just about weight, size matters too. The Equalizer is only 6.9 inches long and just 4.5 inches tall. If you add a reflex sight, the height will extend to about 5.2 inches. Either way, that’s not much more than hand size. The flush-fit magazine adds nothing to the height, the 13-rounder about a half-inch and the 15-rounder about three-quarters of an inch. Though the slide-lock lever and the manual safety will add a bit to the overall width, this pistol is only an inch wide.

SW-takedown-lever
Here you can see the takedown lever rotated into the takedown position. You can also see that the external slide lock control doesn’t engage the slot in the slide; the notch is engaged by a part of the slide lock on the inside of the handgun.

Shots Fired

From the bench at 10 yards, the Equalizer averaged right at an inch for five, five-shot groups with three different loads. This is better than average, especially from a less than 4-inch barrel. I also fired a single 15-shot group from the standing off-hand position at 10 yards using five rounds of the three test loads. That group measured right at 2 inches. Additionally, firing 10 shots at a half-size torso silhouette at 100 feet, I got all 10 hits in 11.74 seconds using the reflex sight. With the factory open sights, my time was 13.02 seconds, but I had one miss. Those 10-shot drills were timed and fired with a draw from concealment. If you cannot hit what you shoot at with this pistol, it won’t be the gun’s fault.

SW-Eq-review-target
This 15-shot group was fired off-hand at 10 yards with the three different test loads, using five rounds of each load. It measured 2.15 inches.

I also pushed 50 rounds through the Equalizer running my standard defensive handgun test drill—the Forty-Five Drill—with the goal of putting five shots inside a 5-inch circle, at 5 yards, in 5 seconds, from a concealed draw. My average time for 10 runs was 3.71 seconds. On two of the 10 runs I had one shot land outside the 5-inch circle. That’s similar to my normal performance with micro-9mm handguns. I will say that, as usual, I was on average about a third of a second slower when I used the reflex sight. For me to see a speed advantage with a reflex sight on a defensive handgun, I must stretch the distance to the target beyond 10 yards.

SW-Equalizer-review-table
NOTES: Average muzzle velocity (MV), maximum velocity deviation (MD), standard velocity deviation (SD) and muzzle energy (ME) were established by firing 10 shots over a Caldwell G2 chronograph with the screens positioned 10 feet from the muzzle. The accuracy/precision (Precision) was established by firing five, five-shot groups from a sandbag rest at 10 yards. Temperature: 28 degrees, Humidity: 52 percent, Pressure: 30.10 and Elevation: 2,200 feet.

The Equalizer was very comfortable to shoot, and there were only two functionality issues. The seventh round out of the pistol failed to fully go into battery. It was a cartridge out of the 115-grain Nosler ASP box. I slapped the back of the slide, and the gun popped into battery and ran like a top after that. The other instance was an odd ammo issue with a single round of Federal 124-grain Hydra-Shok ammo. During the chronograph testing, it registered a muzzle velocity of only 447 fps. Yeah, I too would’ve thought the chronograph was on the fritz, but the recoil was noticeably less, and the empty case failed to eject. This cartridge must’ve been under charged from the factory, which is something I’ve never seen with Federal handgun ammo.

SW-Equalizer-mags
A Maglula UpLula speedloader comes with every Smith & Wesson Equalizer pistol. That’s a $35 accessory many shooters will appreciate.

Final Thoughts

The fact this pistol comes with three magazines of varying capacities is appreciated, and they all worked to perfection. But I did experience a peculiarity. With the 15-round magazine, the pistol came up with the sights on the target from the draw. With the 13-round magazine, the sights were a tad high, and with the 10-round magazine, they were even higher. This was due to how my grip varied with the various magazines that extend the grip, and the extra pressure exerted on the grip by the pinky finger. You may not have this issue, but it’s something to be aware of. I’ve experienced it before with other micro-compact pistols with long and short magazines.

Equalizer-EDC
Smith & Wesson’s new Equalizer pistol is well configured for concealed carry and should interface well with a broad range of shooters.

I like the Equalizer and believe I’d really like the version with the manual thumb safety. It’s compact, light, reliable, accurate, comfortable to shoot and easy to manipulate. I like it better than the S&W Shield, and way better than the CSX, which even costs a little more. What I’d really like to see is the Equalizer chambered for the .30 Super Carry. This should up capacity and make the gun even more comfortable to shoot.

Smith-Wesson-Equalizer-review-specs

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2023 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


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Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical Review: Stretching Your Dollar Long

Priced to fit any marksman’s budget, and on the mark accuracy-wise, the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical proves the ideal gateway to long-range shooting.

The saying goes: Want to know what it’s like to own a boat? Tear up hundred-dollar bills under a cold shower. Something might hold analogous for long-range shooting. Maybe, rip up fifties while a buddy hits you in the shoulder.

Luckily for boat and precision-shooting freaks, the payoffs of endorphins and bragging rights are well worth the physical and fiduciary discomfort. And for the latter category, when it comes to decimating legal tender, marksmen are more likely to get away disembodying Jacksons as opposed to Grants nowadays.

Still white-hot popular, the laws of supply and demand have bent long-range shooting’s price curve mercifully in the shooter’s favor. Case in point, the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical.

Designed as an everyman’s precision iron—with an MSRP of $1,085—the rifle looks to set more sights at a country mile. And from my short time with the chassis system—chambered for 6.5 PRC—at Arizona’s Gunsite this past fall, it seems the New Haven concern’s engineers have about hit this mark as dead center as possible.

Whether that’s good or bad is for your bank account to decide.

Mossberg-Patriot-LR-Tactical-review-feature
Priced right and smartly configured, the LR Tactical gives entry-level long-range shooters and pennywise marksman a solid option to go a country mile.

Heart Of A Patriot

Shooters familiar with Mossberg’s catalog will instantly recognize the heart of the system: the Patriot action. Released a little more than half a decade ago, the tubular action forms the foundation of the company’s highly affordable hunting rifle line and has acquitted itself well in the role. Apparently, it has the chops for long-range work as well.

On the LR Tactical the basics of the system are fairly simple. It’s a push-feed affair, with a robust two-lug bolt boasting an oversized tactical-style handle. The bolt is outfitted with a traditional plunger ejector and Sako-style extractor, both of which functioned superbly on the 6.5 PRC iteration I shot. It flung spent brass like nobody’s business, but not so obliquely as to bang the Crimson Trace Hardline 4-16x42mm MR1-MOA SFP scope mounted with Wheeler aluminum rings on its 0 MOA Picatinny rail.

Crimson-Trace-Hardline-Scope
Crimson Trace Hardline 4-16x42mm MR1-MOA.

A quick note on the rail part: Mossberg spoke about replacing the low-rider with a 20 MOA version on the market model.

On the aesthetic side, Mossberg spiral flutes the bolt, which is a nice touch. However, the bolt itself is not monolithic, but three pieces—bolt head, body and handle. This facet puts some overall play into the operation, perhaps more than some might desire in a precision rig, but not enough to make it a functional issue. Thankfully, the system is rock-steady where it counts, with the head traveling smoothly and quickly down the raceway for lockup.

Patriot-LR-Tactical-bolt-up
In addition to a snappy LBA trigger, the LR Tactical feeds off AICS-style magazines. Additionally, the paddle
release makes reload lightning quick.

To this, Mossberg mates a 24-inch medium bull barrel in the 6.5 PRC model. The other two chamberings—6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester—the contour is the same, but the fire tube is abbreviated to 22 inches. No matter caliber, all the rifles come with a threaded (5/8”-24 TPI) muzzle with a target crown, so it’s ready for a brake, comp or suppressor. If none appeal, Mossberg includes a knurled cap to protect the threads.

The belle of the ball on the Patriot LR Tactical is its LBA trigger. Adjustable triggers are common as field corn, but Mossberg’s deserves note, given it greatly enhanced the rifle’s performance.

At Gunsite, the company had it tuned to roughly a 2.5-pound break when measured with a Lyman Digital Trigger Pull Gauge. You can pick your analogy—glass, thin ice, what have you—the trigger broke like it. Better yet, it didn’t show an iota of creep. Additionally, the switch’s skeletonized trigger blade is a solid addition, creating a tactile reference point for finger position.

A nit to pick at this point of the rifle: I wasn’t a fan of the polymer trigger guard. But if that’s where Mossberg had to save money, it’s a minor concession.

Mossberg-Patriot-LR-rear
Built around Mossberg’s proven Patriot action—the staple of its hunting line—the LR Tactical rests on a solid foundation. It also has some nice tweaks, such as the oversized tactical bolt handled and slick fluted bolt.

MDT In The Mix

To have a chassis rifle you’ve got to have, well … a chassis. Mossberg turned to a well-known player to provide the precision stick to house the Patriot system—MDT. It seems presently the company dresses every other new long-range rifle on the market today, but for good reason—they know what they’re doing.

The chassis on the LR Tactical is a custom job as specified by Mossberg, but it does seem to have some inspiration drawn from MDT’s XRS system. There’s good and “meh” about the platform, but for what’s arguably an entry-level precision rifle the chassis has plenty going for it.

Patriot-LR-Tactical-firing-line
The LR Tactical’s 24-inch medium bull barrel, free floated in the MDT stock, performed under the Arizona sun. Not the muzzle cap—a brake would’ve been appreciated in this 6.5 PRC variation of the rifle.

Chief among these is a solid bedding system. Beneath the polymer exterior, the LR Tactical’s chassis sports aluminum V-block bedding, creating a solid mating surface along the entirety of the Patriot action. This sort of design is a must in long-range systems, erasing action shift—thus barrel shift—due to recoil. After all, moves of a fraction of an inch in the rifle can lead to misses at and past 1,000 yards.

The chassis’ layout is somewhat tradition, yet its ergonomics are right. The grip is generous, which includes a nice palm swell that fills the hand while not compromising purchase. The buttstock fits the shoulder pocket well and is fully adjustable. Its length of pull is modified via spacers adding 0.75 inch a pop. And the cheek rest includes 2 inches of play, and for me sat rock solid—impressive given it attaches to the stock via a single post.

Mossberg-Patriot-LR-Tactical-cheek-riser
MDT’s fully adjustable buttstock offers ¾-inch adjustment in LOP and plenty of rise on the cheek rest.

Other accouterments include a paddle mag release in front of the trigger guard for AICS-style magazines, M-Lok slots at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions and sling swivels. Pretty nice package, but still it does have a few faults.

The biggest point to turn off some is weight, which at 8 pounds is light for a precision system—particularly when chambered in 6.5 PRC. Not a “thumper” by any stretch of the imagination, the recoil was still enough; it was impossible to track the bullet to the target. Weighting systems abound, so this is easily solved, but shooters should realize it requires aftermarket investment. Not a deal breaker, mind you, but something to be conscious of and perhaps logical with what Mossberg cooked up—more on that in a bit.

On The Firing Line With The LR Tactical

Mossberg-Firing-Line-2

Right off the bat, I was impressed with the accuracy of the LR Tactical.

We pitched Hornady Match Ammunition, which is topped with 147-grain, polymer-tipped Match bullets (G1 BC .697). After taking the initial three shots to see where it was printing when zeroing in, it essentially stayed MOA from there on. I failed to make the mythical three-leafed clover at 100 yards, always off on my third shot after linking two. But I’ll put that squarely on operator error, not the rifle.

After dialing the rifles in the Crimson Trace scope, we took to Gunsite’s long range to test the rifle’s legs. Shooting from prone, utilizing Magpul MOE Bipods, we stretched out from 400 to 600 yards on steel targets.

Upon gaining some familiarity with the LR Tactical, I progressed through a series of 15 or so shots at the ranges—with an intermittent north-to-south wind—hitting each one on my spotter’s call. The last trigger squeeze of the session might have been the sweetest—at least to Mossberg folks hovering over the cadre of gun hacks. Waterfalling down the line, each writer took a 600-yard shot and each connected—nearly all dead center.

Quite a finish. The only disappointment was not having the time to push the rifle further.

Mossberg-P-LR-Target
After dialing in, the author enjoyed MOA to sub-MOA performance from the LR Tactical. He missed a mythical cloverleaf on his first shots at the bull’s-eye at 100 yards, but walked away more than pleased with the grouping on the ¼-MOA grid.

Where Does The Patriot LR Tactical Shine?

The question remains: What exactly is the LR Tactical aimed at in particular? It’s certainly not an out-of-the-box and entry-level PRS rifle—though it definitely could fill this role for the pennywise. And while it has some trappings of a precision hunter, the rifle isn’t exactly that either. Perhaps this androgyny is the genius in what Mossberg has created.

With some thought, the rifle potentially fills nearly any niche requiring the delivery of jacked lead precisely at long distances. It’s a jack of all trades—which is ideal for those dipping their toes in the long-range end of the pool. A tweak here or there and the LR Tactical is apt to excel anywhere, from benchrest to prairie hunt.

In the age of specialized systems, where every critter and style of shooting has its own dedicated iron, the protean LR Tactical is a breath of fresh air—not to mention the key to freedom for newbie long rangers.

Mossberg-P-LR-firing-line-profile

Slap some recoil-eating weights on it and load up top-shelf match ammo, it certainly seems to have the ability to handle a rifle-club precision match. Strip the weight, add a sling and you definitely have an option that can place on the vitals of a deer or elk at a load’s (and shooter’s) ethical range.

In all likelihood, the guns will go for sub-$1,000 in your local gun store or outdoors mega mart. That’s practically a steal relative to most other precision systems and gives a wide gate of entry for new long-range shooters to test the waters—no matter what they fancy. Not to mention, it also leaves plenty for what’s sure to become a heavy ammo tab.

There’s no escaping that facet—burning dough—in long-range shooting. But the LR Tactical goes a long way in lessening the thump on your wallet.

Mossberg-Patriot-LR-Tactical-specs

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2023 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


More Bolt-Action Rifles:

5 Best AR-10 Options You Can Actually Afford (2023)

Updated 2/17/2023

The AR-10 is many things, cheap isn't usually one of them. But we dig up the best AR-10 choices that won't put you in the poorhouse.

What Are The Top Affordable AR-10 Options:

Nothing beats the AR-15. Well, almost nothing beats what’s become America’s favorite rifle. Talking long distance and large cartridges, the vastly popular rifle pales, not quite living up to its reputation for utmost versatility.

Sure enough, there are exceptions—there always are. The 6.5 Grendel reaches out and cartridges don’t get much larger than the .450 Bushmaster. Despite these allowances, there’s a more stalwart choice when it comes to hard-hitting, reach-out-and-get-them heavy metal.

In this arena, few long guns hold a candle to the AR-10.

The older and truly bigger brother to the AR-15 in many respects defines semi-automatic rifle power, precision and versatility. Found in some of the most renowned medium-bore cartridges—.308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Rem., and many more—the rifle is much more adept at precision and long-range applications. In nearly every chambering, the AR-10 is a legitimate 1,000-yard rifle, if quality built and manned by a shooter of steady nerves.

AR-10-Hist-7
The AR-10 harkens back to the earliest days of the rifle system. Left side view of “Hollywood” AR-10 prototype. Note the gas tube situated on the left of the barrel. Photo: Imgur

Furthermore, the rifle can engage much more substantial targets. Whitetails are the ceiling for the AR-15, while the AR-10 more than happily tangles with the likes of elk and moose.

Range and muscle aside, the best part of the AR-10 is its made a roaring comeback in recent decades. Once an afterthought, the market now bristles with these brute, tailored for every application under the sun. From hunting to home defense and target shooting, there’s a rifle for you.

Helping you weed your way through the suddenly saturated market, we’ve gathered up what we consider five of the best AR-10 options you can actually afford.

Brief Note About Price

Forewarning is merited concerning the affordability of these rifles. It’s relative. AR-10s are much more expensive platforms than AR-15. Less in demand and more proprietary than its little brother, the beasts command top dollar in comparison.

That said, there are opportunities to get into a well-built AR-10.

The ceiling we’re setting for this buyer’s guide is $1,500, which opens the doors to a great many shooters and arms them with a quality rifle. Just keep in mind, power and range come at a premium.

Money to burn? Lucky you. We’ll delve into top-shelf AR-10 options in an upcoming post.

Know Thy AR-10

Despite both emanating from Eugene Stoner’s brain, in their present iterations, the AR-15 and AR-10 share few similarities. Many already know and understand this, but for those that don’t, it’s worth the effort to educate yourself on the particulars of the rifle.

Patterns matter with AR-10s. An upper made for the top receiver won't work with the lower. Neither will many other components. You need to understand what works with what.
Patterns matter with AR-10s. An upper made for the top lower receiver won't work with the bottom lower. Neither will many other components. You need to understand what's compatible with what.

We won’t bog you down here with the minutia, instead point you to several articles we have dealing with just these topics:

AR-10 Upper
AR-10 Lower
AR-10 vs AR-15
Building An AR-10
History of the AR-10

The AR-10 is not a mil-spec platform, which means it’s not as simple to modify as the AR-15. Heck, depending on its pattern, it doesn’t play nice with other AR-10s.

Even though we’re dealing with complete rifles here, you might look to upgrade someday or even replace a simple component. Building a knowledge base now saves you headaches later.

Best AR-10 Options For The Buck

Sig 716i Tread

Best AR-10 3

Top to bottom, Sig’s Tread line hits an incredibly difficult target—the intersection of quality and affordability. This goes for its heavy hitter, the newish 716i. Yeah, the .308 Winchester is plain as a Kansas road trip, but it has it where it counts. There’s no wiggle room between the receivers, the barrel is heavy enough to shrug off heat and all its key components are magnetic practical tested.

One of the interesting twists, the rifle’s 16-inch carbon-steel barrel. Purists might scoff at such a short shooter, but it makes the 716i quite nimble even with a behemoth .30-caliber suppressor dangling off the muzzle. Furthermore, Sig incorporates a solid system for attaching the free-floated handguard around the barrel. Employing a clamping system at the rear, the unit has the extra backbone to remain rigid no matter how dolled up with accessories.

Unlike Sig’s previous forays into the AR-10 sphere, the 716i is direct impingement—expected at this price point. But this plays well into the gun’s compact configuration, keeping it a fighting trim 8.5 pounds.

MSRP: Currently Retailing For $1,499.99; sigsauer.com

Palmetto State Armory Gen 3 PA-10

Best AR-10 5

Price alone makes the PA10 one of the best AR-10 choices on the market today. Yet, Palmetto State Armory doesn’t leave shooters out in the cold when it comes to a quality build. Long considered one of the best values in ARs, the gunmaker offers a litany of features plum rare for the price point. Forged receiver, stainless steel heavy barrel, and adjustable gas block (on certain models) are all standard fare on these economical shooters. So is choice.

Beyond simple trigger and handguard upgrades, the PA10 catalog serves up an impressive selection of specialized models. In addition to the stock .308 Winchester PA10, Palmetto State also fields the 6.5 Creedmoor PA65 and lightweight PX10. Up the scale, the rifles run a bit more, but not so much as to prove exclusionary.

Standard across all models is the choice of 18- or 20-inch barrel length and 6-position adjustable buttstock—both PSA and Magpul. Outside of the base PA10 mode, with a polymer handguard, the rifles come with either Keymod or M-Lok compatible free-floated handguards.

MSRP: Starts At $839; palmettostatearmory.com

Diamondback DB10

Best AR-10 4

Much like Palmetto State, Diamondback earns big marks not only for quality but also options. At the time of writing, the Florida gunmaker has 15 AR-10 rifles and four pistols in its catalog. This includes a choice of .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor chamberings, favoring the latter in selection. And like PSA, across the board the guns come in at a price nearly any shooter can afford.

Even with a wealth of choice, it’s difficult to go wrong with the company’s entry-level DB10CCMLB. A Spartan, if not tidy build, the gun runs reliably and proves agile in practical use. Much of this is thanks to the gun’s 16-inch chrome-moly barrel, a point that might turn off dedicated long-range shooters.

Lightening the .308 Winchester’s load considerably, hunters and others who require a fast-handling hard hitter will find it a boon. The one knock that keeps it from ‘best AR-10’ status, is the mil-spec trigger, which is exactly as it sounds—gritty and creepy.

Never fear, going up the ladder at Diamondback is a painless process and generally worth the extra money. Stainless steel barrels and CMC single-stage triggers are the reward for opening your wallet further.

MSRP: Starts At $1,146; diamondbackfirearms.com

Smith & Wesson M&P10 Sport

Best AR-10 1

Savvy gun buyers have been wise to the M&P15 Sport for some time. The M&P10 Sport, not so much or at least it seems that way. Gun shows aren’t exactly bristling with them nor are the review sections of gun magazines. A loss on both counts.

Smith & Wesson knows AR-style rifles, and it shows in arguably one of the best AR-10 options on the market regardless of price. You heard that right. Built like a tank and capable of pin-point accuracy, the .308 Winchester has chops enough to hang with many of the big boys. Well, not the furniture or trigger—but you were going to upgrade those anyway, right?

At once the rifle is unassuming and impressive, more the latter once you see it print. A steady MOA-producing machine, the 16-inch barreled M&P10 is likely all most shooters would ever need out of the brutish end of ARs. If they did, S&W has them covered with a Performance Center 6.5 Creedmoor rendition. Suffice to say, the iteration drifts away from affordable. But for those who put a premium on long-range accuracy still proves a value.

MSRP: Starts At $1,129; smith-wesson.com

Springfield Armory SAINT Victor

Saint Victor 308 1

Springfield Armory offers shooters a top-notch selection of AR-style rifles, but its SAINT Victor AR-10 really shines through.

Lightweight, great fit and finish and everything else that goes into making a quality rifle certainly places it among the best in this class of firearms. If there is any nit to pick over the rifle, it’s the price tag. It’s at the upper end of entry-level.

Available exclusively in .308 Winchester, the AR-10 does give shooters plenty of reasons to spend the extra money.

Boasting a 16-inch barrel, the carbine is highly maneuverable if you’re looking for a convenient hunter or a hard-hitting defensive option.

Springfield doesn’t skimp on the furniture, a M-Lok compatible handguard adds appeal. Not only does it free-float the barrel, but also gives you real estate for all your doodads.

However, the trigger is what turns heads. A nickel-boron-coated switch bests most out-of-the-box triggers in other guns. This, generally speaking, is worth the price of admission alone.

MSRP: $1,497; springfield-armory.com

Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm Review: Modern Hunting Glass

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Offering up the tools to make nearly any reasonable shot come in, the Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm upgrades the modern hunter's game.

Hunters—particularly those from the wide-open Western lands—have gone through an evolution over the past decade or so. Optics and rifles, as affordable as they are accurate, are to thank for some pretty amazing things happening at the fringes of game-getting. The margins, where hunters once reluctantly dared to go, are now commonplace and ethical.

One of the players who has quietly made a name for itself in the rarefied air of precision hunting is Maven Outdoors. Hitting the scene nearly a decade ago, the Lander, Wyo., optics firm has punched a strong and lasting toehold in the specialized niche. Once in your hands and on a rifle, there’s little wonder why. For low- to mid-priced hunting glass, Maven is on target.

Profile Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm on rifle
Applied to an economical, yet accurate Interarms MarkX the Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm proved a capable hunting optic.

At least that’s how I walked away from my first hunt with Maven this past fall. On the range and in the sage of Western Colorado, the RS.1 2.5-15X44mm SHR-W scope proved an absolute ace on an old deer iron.

Maven Difference

For those unfamiliar with Maven, a slight introduction might be due.

The company is the purveyor of fairly over-engineered optics with a hunting bent. It’s solid glass at a good price—not cheap at the top end, but not out of reach for most hunters.

The company took a different tack to achieve the latter point. Instead of relying on big box stores to peddle their goods, Maven took consumer sales into its own hands with a relatively savvy media blitz and direct sales through its website. With the middlemen cut out, savings ensued.

Stand alone Maven FFP Scope.
Built in Japan with Japanese components, including glass, the RS.1 2.5-15X44mm is a high-end option at a relatively affordable price.

For the most part, the company’s wares range from $470 for its fairly new second-focal plane CRS line, up to $1,800 for its premium RS lines of scopes. This hits the mark for a wide swath of shooters and hunters and is sweetened by the ability to customize your scope.

Admittedly, most of the customization features are superficial—adjustment ring color, turret color, etc. But for someone who wants a scope to feel like their own atop an absolute favorite rifle, it’s a nice touch—in many cases free. Along with this, the company offers a wider range of reticles (in your preferred angular measurement) than are typically found.

RS.1 Glass

At the heart of any scope worth its weight in venison is top-end glass. The Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm’s Japanese-manufactured glass does not disappoint in this end.

A large concern in any hunting scope is its light-gathering ability, given most shots are taken in the dim hours of dawn and dusk. A critter made to blend in with its environment becomes a dicey shot without something to ensure a sharp image in a scope. With a 44mm objective and a very generous 43.6mm eyepiece, the scope had the physical dimensions to make images pop when light was scarce. Furthermore, its extra-low dispersion (ED) glass—fully coated—further enhanced the overall quality of the image delivered.

Maven scope objective lens.
At 44mm, the Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm's objective is at once large enough to present a wide field of vision and gather plenty of light, but not prove burdensome on a hunting rifle.

We could parse the nitty-gritty of chromatic aberration and how ED glass defeats the distortion common to low-quality lenses. Instead, we’ll just point out that to 500 yards—tested at the range—the RS.1 2.5-15X44mm served up an image as crisp and clear as if the target was at 50 yards. This, to boot, in the flat light of a cloudy day.

SHR-W Reticle

Not that duplex reticles have gone the way of the dodo, but hunters have wised-up to the advantage of more elaborate crosshairs. Technology what it is today, why play the holdover guessing game?

In the case of the RS.1 2.5-15X44mm, it comes with two MOA reticle options—the MOA-2 and SHR-W, both etched on the first focal plane. I chose the latter. In addition to 1-MOA hashes for wind adjustment, the reticle also features bullet-drop compensation hashes at 5-, 10- and 20-MOA increments.

SHR-W reticle
Offering the best of both worlds, the SHR-W offers an MOA BDC and windage hashes, but at the same click is very uncluttered.

Overall, this matched up well with the hand-loaded 165-grain Hornady Interlock bullets I shoot out of an old .30-06 Springfield Interarms Mark X, on which I mounted the scope. The load has a muzzle velocity of 2,600 fps, which gave me near-dead-nuts holds at 300, 450 and 700 yards with the BDC.

There are two additional points worth mentioning about the reticle. First, it’s clean as a whistle, presenting an unencumbered view most hunters appreciate. Second, being an FFP reticle, its measurements were functional no matter the magnification. Both made the scope fast and intuitive to use—assets hunters should look for in any equipment.

Turrets

On the pro side of things, the RS.1’s turrets are extremely responsive and control a very precise erector system. Once zeroed, I tested and retested the turret’s tracking out to 500 yards and back again. The scope was right on in adjusting elevation to match the range, which was proof enough it could be dialed in for what I would consider my limit.

The 1/4-MOA per click adjustments were also very tactile and audible, making dialing—at least from the comfort of a benchrest—a piece of cake. In the field, that’s a bit of a different story.

RS. 1 Turrets
The turrets control an excellent erector set with dead-nuts tracking. However, capped–like most hunting scopes–and a bit on the small side, it's a stretch to employ them in more harried hunting circumstances

Presenting an issue—one common to all hunting scopes—are the turret caps.

I’ll dial all day long, given the opportunity, but getting to the turrets in a practical fashion when there is a limited window for a shot is a tall task to say the least. Moreover, the turrets are small enough that with gloved hands they might prove a bit precarious to deal with.

A deal breaker? No. But something to be aware of if you’re absolutely wed to dialing your shots.

Scope Construction

Tube size, particularly when it comes to image production and adjustment range, proves important. At 30mm, the RS.1 2.5-15X44mm offers more than enough for any hunter.

Composed of nicely machined aircraft-grade aluminum, Maven’s scope has a solid feel to match an impeccable finish. Little things, such as very aggressive knurling on the turret caps and magnification ring are also appreciated, making them much easier to manage in the often wet and harried conditions of the field.

Luckily, I didn’t test the scope’s overall wherewithal by banging it off a Poderosa or chunk of granite on my hunt. Had I, I suspect the scope would have shaken it off and continued hunting.

Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm In The Field

This is a scope review, not a hunting story, so I’ll turn my ego aside and keep this brief.

The second mule deer buck I saw in Western Colorado was the one I took. A high-desert hillside over, the loner was pestered by a coyote and while not at a trot, he wanted done with the impertinent canine. Suffice to say, the window was narrow between setting the RS.1’s crosshairs and watching the buck disappear over the knoll.

Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm Magnification Ring
Nice touches, such as aggressive knurling on the magnification ring and a tough exterior finish bumps the Maven scope up a peg verses other options at its price point.

By the reading on my rangefinder, when he settled and the shot came it was just a hair over 300 yards. This was the first BDC hash, which I placed just behind his scapula and struck the sweet spot. There’s little more to say than the scope functioned just as it had at the range—which was on the money.

To confess, I was a bit dissatisfied to start, because I desperately desired to dial in the shot. However, this wore off with time and an appreciation of the entire system Maven presents in the RS.1 took its place.

Hunting is full of wild cards, no two shots the same. A quiet morning might allow a hunter the chance to get to the turrets, make the right number of clicks and put a bullet in the vitals. Other days, with a coyote at a buck’s heels, putting meat in the freezer requires a hold over.

Either way, I walked away with supreme confidence that no matter the opportunity, Maven allows you to take advantage of it.

Parting Shot

Most hunters, even in big country, take their game close in—the average deer, regardless of species, is harvested at no further than 100 yards. In turn, the Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44mm might be overkill for most hunters. Then again…

I saw a ton of West Colorado deer on my hunt, only two were bucks. I might have come home empty handed had my rifle not had a scope I could rely on. Conversely, there’s the case of trophies—mine decidedly was not this. But when one happens around, you want the tools to take him.

With a Maven on top of your rifle, it seems you can be assured you certainly have one.

More Optics Reviews:

High-Rolling Heaters: From Bergara To Manurhin

If you have money to burn, there are some fine quality heaters out there you can spend it on. Here we take a look at a few models from Bergara, Manurhin and more.

Here’s a statement that should shock absolutely no one: l like affordable guns. Earthshattering, I know. But the great thing about making that statement is it pretty much means I celebrate the greater swath of the American gun market. If you have, say, $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket, then chances are good that you can ferret out a pretty solid pistol, rifle or shotgun—even a double barrel—to fit your need and serve you well.

All that said, this doesn’t mean I or any other red-blooded American shooter doesn’t wipe away a bit of drool when eyeing high-end heaters. For most of us, the better part of the top shelf will remain prohibitive. Perhaps we’ll have enough wherewithal to squirrel away enough nickels and dimes to put one—maybe two—absolute gems in the ol’ gun locker. Or, maybe, slim as the chance is, your lottery numbers will come up and you can collect the whole lot. Whatever the case might be, even if your bank account gasps at the irons you eye, there’s no reason to stop looking and hoping.

High-Rolling-Heaters-feature-Bergara

Making A List

Honestly, if you have the money, the sky is the limit for what you can spend on a firearm. The best guns of the Purdey and Holland & Holland stripe push into the six-figure range, and you can dump a load of money on a custom job to make it one of a kind.

Here, we’re not so concerned with turning a run-of-the-mill Kalashnikov into a unique shooter via a Saddam Hussein gold plate special. Instead, we’re going to delve into the world of excellent production and semi-custom guns that cost a mint but are worth every penny. These guns, in many cases, are best in class and, while not utterly unique to the user’s specification, are rarefied in price and performance.

Bergara Premier Competition Rifle

Bergara-Premier-Competition-Rifle
Bergara’s Premier Competition rifle is an absolute tack-driving gem, but it does wear an MSRP of $2,750.

I’ve long been impressed by what Bergara brings to the table in nearly all of their rifles. This was further fortified with its recent venture into dedicated long-rang competition rigs. Honestly, at $2,750, the Premier Competition Rifle (PCR) would fall into the Production Class of PRC competition, but it vastly over-delivers as far as off-the shelf rifles are concerned. Once dialed in, I had a 6mm Creedmoor iteration of the rifle poking cloverleaves at 100 yards, with few groups pushing over ½ MOA at that range.

Bergara’s barrel-making expertise is on full display with the chassis rifle, a 26-inch heavy (No. 7 profile) stainless and button-rifled affair with an absolutely flawless bore. As its name suggests, the fire tube is mated to the company’s excellent Premier action, a nearly enclosed unit that’s still wide enough to breech feed. The bolt is spiral fluted with an oversized tactical handle and has one of the smoothest throws I’ve felt on a production rifle. Thank the floating head and tapered lug for this and the absolutely flawless feed.

As nice as Bergara’s end of the build is, what sets the rifle apart from many in its class is its Masterpiece Arms (MPA) Short Action Chassis. Particularly pleasing is the 90-degree grip, which positions the finger dead nuts on the TriggerTech Remington 700 Primary fire control’s straight shoe, making repeatable breaks natural. By the way, that baby broke consistently at 1.6 pounds, according to my Wheeler scale when I dialed it all the way down. But also worth mention is the chassis’ ARCA Swiss rail, which allows a bipod much more leeway in positioning—even on the fly. This is just the tip of the iceberg on the PCR, but let it be said: Even at its fairly hefty price, it still comes in at a value.

Christensen Arms Modern Precision Pistol

Christensen-Arms-Modern-Precision-Pistol
Bolt-action pistols are gracing the lineups of many manufacturers these days. Most are great; Christensen’s Precision Pistol is exceptional.

I will fully admit that this is the oddball of the roster because, well, who the heck wants a bolt-action pistol? The same thought went through my mind when I unboxed the Christensen Arm’s shorty. Then, I got behind the brace and … wow!

Fully deserving of the moniker “tack driver,” the Modern Precision Pistol (MPP) might be the ultimate truck/ranch gun. I pulled the trigger on the 10.5-inch-barreled .223 Remington variation, and after turning out group 1 MOA or below at 100 yards, I walked away impressed. Yeah, the barrel length might make it dicey as a dedicated predator gun, but for the quick shot at uneducated coyotes when driving the back forty, it’s dead on. Plus, at an outright svelte 4.4 pounds—thanks to its carbon-fiber-wrapped stainless steel barrel—the pistol has all the makings of backcountry insurance (in its heavier calibers) that’s guaranteed to hit the target.

Interestingly, the little chassis rig runs fast if you’re not afraid to get aggressive on the bolt. A straight handle that comes off the chassis allows for the hand to find it quickly, but the 60-degree throw allows you to run an optic with a larger ocular bell. An enlarged ejection port clears bass quickly yet allows a fast top-off from the breech if the situation calls for it. And a straight-shoed, adjustable TriggerTech trigger has as crisp a break as you could desire, helping hits come through.

Now, the .223 isn’t a mauler in the recoil department. That said, the adjustable side-baffle brake included kept the MPP nearly dead still shot to shot—though, it made the gun a bit barky. It’s truly a fun gun and, for the right shooter, very practical … for $2,400.

Manurhin Gendarmerie

Manurhin-MR73-2-1
Durability meets history and beauty in Manurhin’s $3,600 Gendarmerie wheelgun.

Honestly, some of the appeal of this revolver is due to its colorful history. But the Beretta import isn’t purely living off its résumé as the sidearm of choice for the French Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale.

Specially designed for the elite counter-terrorism unit, the gun is at once match accurate and tough as nails. Some of the .357 Magnums have survived past the quarter-million round mark, which even with its $3,600 price tag works out to around $0.01 per trigger pull. Money well spent.

There’s plenty to like in the Manurhin’s durability, but more so in its performance. The trigger especially merits comment. The revolver’s triple adjustable trigger not only features a built-in overtravel screw but also a hammer force adjustment screw and a hammer spring weight adjustment screw. The latter features are built into the frame and offer a shooter more control over the performance of the trigger than most revolvers on the market.

Manurhin-MR73-1-1

Furthermore, aspects I enjoy include the Jacques Trausch-designed grips. Ruger fans might recognize them, given he produced a model for the SP101, and they do the same sort of number on the Manurhin, cutting the felt recoil and improving the control over the revolver. The unique design also makes a fundamental high grip very natural and is deftly shaped to the shooter’s hand, providing plenty of comfort.

Of course, the revolver comes with all the little extras expected in this class of firearm, such as fully adjustable rear sights and stunning aesthetics. It’s also available in a 5.25-inch-barreled Sport model and 4-inch Gendarmerie version. I prefer the latter, simply because it’s slightly more “Mama Bear”—the potential for concealed carry is there. Overall, shooters should walk away pleased with either model.

Merkel Helix

Merkel-Helix
If you like engraving, you’ve gotta pay for it. Merkel’s straight-pull Helix is a stunning shooter if you’re not scared off by the $3,300 MSRP.

Full confession up front: I’ve always had a thing about straight-pull rifles, and feel it’s a shame these innovative irons haven’t had greater popularity stateside. I blame the lever action.

Yet, if I was squirreling away money for a top-flight hunting rifle, a straight-pull would top the list. There’s no two ways about it; there’s just something about the Helix. Perhaps it’s because Merkel figured out how to endow the unique style of rifle with an action that’s nearly as strong as a traditional bolt-action, while keeping the action as fast as ever. And boy, is it fast.

Merkel-Helix-2

The bolt travel is a mere 2.5 inches, yet the carrier moves a full 4 inches, thanks to the innovative Teutonic engineering under the hood. And it’s completely linear, unlike some designs that slightly cant upon closing to lock the lugs. As to holding up to hot rounds, the six-lug head—similar to the Weatherby Mark V system—holds tight.

Another feature of the Helix, generally not popular in America, is it’s a switch barrel (takedown, too). While not a must-have for me in an exclusive rifle, I like the concept. What’s wrong with having a do-all hunting gun, one you can take a deer in the morning with a .30-06 Springfield barrel and coyotes in the evening with a .243 Winchester tube? It’s more sensible, in some respects, than having two calibers of the same model rifle—plus, the benefit of the same consistent fit and performance trigger pull to trigger pull.

As far as finishing touches, at least with the more exclusive deluxe model Helix, it offers a bit of soul to the hunter. Sticked in Grade 7 Turkish walnut and better, it looks like it’s meant for the woods. Plus, you get to pick three animals to have engraved on the receiver, an almost unheard-of option in what still classifies as a production gun. All that said, the rifle will set you back about $3,300.

Browning Citori White Lightning O/U SHOTGUN

Browning-Citori-White-Lightning-OU-SHOTGUN
The Citori’s receiver gets a silver-nitride coating instead of bluing, which offers a stunning contrast among the blued barrels and walnut stock

The pride of my father’s gun collection were his Belgian-made Browning Superimposed Broadway and Lightning. A predilection for hunting, I was always fonder of the latter. Thankfully, the field gun soldiers on—now under the banner of Citori—and while churned out in a different corner of the world might be better than ever. B.C. Miroku of Japan has turned out the time-tested design since the early 1970s, more than enough time to work out any bugs. And it shows with the White Lightning.

Admittedly, this iteration is a pretty standard-fare Citori, only the receiver undergoes Browning’s silver nitride coating process instead of bluing. The results speak, I believe, for themselves, giving the over-under a beautiful contrast among the receiver, barrels and walnut stock.

Browning-Citori-White-Lightning-SHOTGUN-2

The shotgun is very intuitive to the shoulder, with a ¼-inch-wide straight-side vented rib drawing the eye to the front sliver bead. I prefer the 26-inch-barreled model (in 12-gauge), compared to the 28-inch model, for easy carry and moving the fulcrum of the gun back slightly. The stock is nicely shaped, with a round knob pistol grip and ample forend, each well checkered.

And the gun boasts a dynamite trigger, breaking a bit over 4.5 pounds on each barrel. On this point, like all Citoris, the White Lightning the trigger is inertia driving, using the recoil of the first shot to set the hammer for the second. Though, a barrel selector on the tang allows you to quickly switch tubes, thus chokes—if you set them up separately. The Citori is the well-worn path of this list; it’s very familiar and comfortable. It’ll set ya back about $2,800, but do you want anything else out of a field gun?

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


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SHOT Show 2023: SIG Sauer Range Day Round Up

SIG Range Day put the company's catalog on display. Here are a few of the guns that caught our eye.

As is now the norm, SIG Sauer plays in its own sandbox come, SHOT Show. Instead of just being another face in the crowd at media day at the range, the gun and optics behemoth hosts its own live-fire shindig to showcase its wares. While SIG didn’t have earth-shattering announcements at the Clark Count Rifle-Pistol Center just outside of Las Vegas proper, it did have several of its new and newish releases, as well as old favorites on hand. Here are a few that caught our eye.

P365 Rose

P365 Rose
Announced days before SIG Range Day, the pistol is a slightly modified version of the company’s P365. With input from World Champion shooter Lena Miculek, the gun is more than a gun—it’s a complete system developed for women new to shooting. The optic-ready P365 itself comes chambered in either 9mm or .380 ACP and is given a feminine touch with rose gold accents on the controls, trigger and backplate. Additionally, it has a nice Rose motif in the grip panel that gives it a unique look without being gaudy.

Nothing too special there, given anyone, can slap on some aesthetic appeal to a gun and call it good. Where this gets better for new women shooters is what comes included in the kit, two magazines, a TSA-approved Vaultek Lifepod pistol safe, five polymer dummy rounds for dry-fire practice, a mag loader, and access to the QuickStart guide and online training series. Overall, a fairly solid system for a lady just getting into the shooting game.

P365 In .380

Sig Sauer Range Day 4

While we didn’t throw any rounds downrange with the Rose P365, we did get hands-on with the new .380 model. Certainly, it wasn’t enough trigger time to give a definitive thumbs up or down on the pistol.
That said, it did leave an overall positive impression. Through a couple of mags, it proved very controllable and overall pleasant—the latter is not always the case with small .380s, especially since your pinky is hanging. Additionally, the gun is sized right. At just 4 inches in height, and just under 6 inches in length it is sculpted to melt away on your person in all but a bikini.

P320-Spector Comp

Sig Sauer Range Day 2

All the cool kids have compensation models now—SIG wasn’t going to get let out in the cold here. The P320-Spector Comp model was released earlier in 2022 and not only features a fairly sizable single-port comp at the front. It doesn’t stop there with the company’s Custom Works adding a litany of other upgrades, such as a laser-engraved, tungsten-infused grip module, falling serrations, ported slide and 4.6-inch TiN gold threaded barrel. OK, so it’s got the racing stripes and tail fins—but does it shoot?
You bet. Plenty heavy and the comp doing its job, the pistol raced through a dueling tree and more than seems to have the chops as a race option.

MCX-SPEAR LT

The big hubbub for SIG heading into SHOT is the MCX-SPEAR LT. This is the lightweight model of the company fighting rifle and more than fits the bill tipping the scales at right around 5 to 7 pounds, depending on the model—pistol or rifle. Much of the weight savings is found in the multi-caliber rifle stock, with has been stripped down to next to nothing and has the added benefit of folding. Nice package.
Given the SPEAR in its original form is pretty sweet—we confess, we shot the old one at range day since it was chambered 6.5 Creedmoor (so sue us)—the new iteration should prove quite nimble and convenient in the field.

Cross PRS

No pictures on this one—blame the performance of the rifle. This competition-ready rendition of the forward-looking Cross was lights-out at the range. Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, we sent five rounds down at a hostage target at 500 yards, each one sending the flapper flying. The last one was dead center, really hitting the target hard.

It seems a great option for a Precision Rifle Series shooter or someone who’s bound and determined for bragging rights at their local range. The rifle, however, is configured for competition. That is, it’s heavy as sin itself—about 17 pounds in the model we shot. All the better to watch your rounds hit, not so great if you’re looking for a practical field iron. Very comfortable rifle to shoot as well, with an exceptional trigger. There’s no creep on the switch and its break is very consistent and crisp. Honestly, what more could you want out of an off-the-shelf competition gun?

Integra 15-22 Suppressed Upper: Making A Sweet Rimfire Even Sweeter

1

Keeping the .22 LR platform nimble and keeping it more shootable, the Integra 15-22 Suppressed Upper is a worthy investment for the MP15-22.

Let’s face it… if you aren’t shooting rimfire suppressed nowadays, you aren’t shooting rimfire. Yes, the gritting of teeth among the traditionalists out there is deafening and certainly, you can still pitch lead without a can. Yet, not taking advantage of the shooting tech available today, well, it makes about as much sense as staying wed to black powder after the advent of nitrocellulose.

Nowhere is this more evident than in adding a suppression system to a rimfire. Less recoil, dampened report, faster shooting, improved accuracy potential… the list of benefits goes on and on. While a bold statement, almost nothing beats shooting a suppressed rimfire. Well… perhaps one thing—shooting an integrally suppressed rimfire.

Integra 1

For devotees of Smith & Wesson’s snappy little AR-style .22 LR, the MP15-22, things couldn’t be better in this arena thanks to the company’s subsidiary Gemtech. Launched earlier this year, the company’s Integra 15-22 Suppressed Upper kicks the already solid carbine’s game up a notch, not only offering exceptional sound suppression but in an inconspicuous package that maintains the integrity of the platform. In short, it makes an already sweet rimfire even sweeter.

Why Go Integral?

Truth told, there are a slew of top-notch direct-thread and QD options for the .22LR available today—many quite a smidgen easier on the pocketbook. This piques the question, why go all top shelf and pony up $654 (MSRP) for the Integra? For the MP15-22 owner the answer is performance, but perhaps not in the manner you first might guess. Yeah, it hits the aforementioned notes—we’ll get to those in a moment—but where the system excels is in maintaining a nimble and deft platform.

Integra 3

Consider this, most rimfire cans are going to add anywhere from 5 to 7 inches of length to a barrel. In the case of the MP15-22, this takes a 16.5-inch carbine and modifies it into anywhere from a 21- to 23-inch rifle. Furthermore, with roughly 3 or 4 ounces of weight getting tacked on past the muzzle, the balance of the rifle is thrown all out of whack. On the other hand, at just .25 inches longer in overall length and tipping the scales at nearly the same weight as a stock 15-22 upper, Integra seamlessly interfaces with the platform.

Any practical use—picking off varmints or competition—this advantage pays dividends, maintaining the carbine’s inherent dexterity. This is particularly notable shooting the Integra offhand, with gun’s fulcrum perhaps a few fractions forward, but not enough to make a marked difference shooting. For many, that alone is worth the price for entry.

Integra Breakdown

Certainly, preserving the nimbleness and feel of the 15-22 is important, but the Integra brings some other assets to the table. To get to these, however, we should touch on a few points of its construction.

Matted to a 15-22 upper is a 9-inch barrel that is pinned and welded to a 7.9-inch monocore baffle, this ensures the upper meets the 16-inch minimum length and keeps it a “one-stamp” purchase. The ample monocore gives the upper a one-two punch. The more notable is it cuts the carbine’s report down to safe levels—so safe that when tested at Cancon the folks a Gemtech insisted on the removal of electronic ear protection, which would have amplified the report.

A less considered point of the ample monocore, it has the potential to cut down on the need for cleaning, as fouling is less apt to clog it in a short period of time. Furthermore, made of 17-4 PH stainless steel, the monocore resists overheating quickly—given the thermal-resistant nature of the material.

Encasing the monocore is a lightweight .925-inch aluminum tube, that fits snugly around the internals. It is black-oxide finished and interestingly has no gas seal. This is a benefit to its sound suppression, expanding the overall size of the expansion chamber, but means fouling does have a way of finding its way into nooks and crannies.

This all sits in what is essentially the stock MP15-22 handguard, a slimmed-down affair that offers plenty of accessory mounting options thanks to M-Lok slots at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions. Up top, there’s a full-length Picatinny rail and flat-top receiver, making the addition of an aim solution easy to install and flexible to modify.

At The Range With The Integra

Getting the chance to run the Integra at Cancon, in Savannah, Ga., in October, one couldn’t but walk away impressed. As has been ballyhooed repeatedly, the upper offers unparalleled sound suppression, making the MP15-22 positively safe for naked ears. This lends a lot to a plinker, making it an ideal option for beginning shooters to cut their teeth with almost no perceptible recoil and very little report, thus eliminating flinch. Also, for a long afternoon sending ground squirrels to varmint Valhalla, well the Integra makes for comfortable shooting sans muffs or plugs.

Integra 2

Veteran shooters have plenty to appreciate in the integral upper as well. This is particularly true if they want to really run the gun, and accurately so. With little to no kick or muzzle rise, you have the ability to work the trigger and fast, something put to the test at Cancon. Suffice it to say, emptying the magazine in the first run on a steel popper was one long stream of pings of lead smashing into steel.
That sort of experience should be enough to sell anyone on the Integra.

Parting Shot

Obviously, if you can’t pick a nit on any gun, accessory or component, then likely you aren’t looking closely enough. And there is one aspect of the Integra 15-22 Suppressed Upper some might not cotton to—it’s only compatible with the MP15-22. Hey, Gemtech is a Smith & Wesson company, can’t blame them for keeping it in the family.

While this might not sit well with owners of other AR-style rimfires, it doesn’t diminish what the Integra brings to the table. Furthermore, for those whose interest is piqued, it’s a great excuse to add a 15-22 to your arsenal. The gun is a slugger in and of itself but takes on a whole new dimension when paired with the Integra upper.

Integra Suppressed Upper Specs
Caliber: .22LR
Diameter: .925 inches
Overall Length: 23.75 inches (Overall Length of the Suppressed Upper 17.5-inch Barrel Length)
Weight: 2.7 pounds (Includes charging handle and bolt carrier assembly)
Mount Type: Fits M&P15-22 lower receiver
Tube Material: 6061 T6 Aluminum
Full Auto Rated: No
Tube Finish: Matte Black Hard Coat Anodized
MSRP: $654

Top Suppressor Cover Options To Mitigate Mirage (2022)

Updated 11/07/2022

A relatively simple accessory, a suppressor cover goes a long way to shooting more accurately with a can, while protecting the muzzle device. Find out the top choices.

What Are The Best Suppressor Cover Options:

After dropping a few hundred dollars on a suppressor, a couple hundred more on a tax stamp, filling out a mountain of paperwork and waiting months for it to get processed, you finally get your can. Alleluia, pass the ammo! You're now free to shoot away in quieter and more accuracy bliss. Almost.

True enough, as long as you have a suppressor and a rifle properly threaded to accept it, you’re set for reduced-decibel marksmanship. Though, if you’re serious and dedicated to the popular muzzle device you’ll most likely find out you need one more piece of gear to complete your kit—a suppressor cover.

I hear some of you out there: What exactly? And why?

Yup, outside of dyed-in-the-wool suppressor aficionados ‘can wrap’ is a bit of mystery or bordering on frivolous. Yet, get to popping away without one and you’ll wish you’d investigated the accessory sooner. They’re not there for looks, suppressor covers are vital to safe and effective shooting with the noise reduction device.

Why A Suppressor Cover

You needn’t have a suppressor to understand the need for a suppressor cover. To illustrate I’ll pose a simple question: What happens to your barrel after a few shots? If you brushed up against it after a string, you know that bugger gets hot Depending on its profile and its caliber, scalding in many cases. And that’s a relatively thick tube of metal, even with a sporter profile and especially measured against a suppressor tube (or baffles, if it’s tubeless). Aluminum, stainless steel or titanium, cans heat up and quickly, causing a couple of major issues.

First off, hot suppressors are an outright menace to your person. Not an issue if you’re the type of shooter who never takes his or her rifle off the bench. But if you’re more dynamic behind the trigger you and those around you run a chance of receiving a blistering kiss. Like motorcycle and dirt bike enthusiasts, legs are particularly susceptible to getting burned.

Suppressor Cover 2

Uncomfortable as singed flesh might sound, there’s a more undesirable outcome to a suppressor hovering around blow-touch temperatures—accuracy deterioration. No, it has nothing to do with barrel harmonics or any finite issue you generally deal with when a gun runs hot. Its heat mirage, and plenty of it. Downrange, the thermal phenomenon is downright handy—allowing you to read wind direction and magnitude; up close, it’s an entirely different story. Cooking off a can, heat mirage makes the image through a scope about as clear as the back of a cataract.

Finally, get a suppressor too hot by shooting too many rounds in too short a space of time you can damage your precious device. It’s a rarity, but not unheard of and less than desirable. They're not exactly cheap and, besides, who wants to go through the same song and dance to replace a damaged one.

When made correctly, with the proper material, a suppressor cover mitigates these issues. But you’ve got to know what you’re looking for, because not all wraps are equal.

What To Look For In A Suppressor Cover

The polar opposite to the device they enhance, suppressor covers are a simple affair—to evaluate and purchase. Uncomplicated as they are, they still have a little nuance worth considering so you get the right jacket for your can.


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For the most part, suppressor covers consist of two parts: inner core and outer jacket. Each is important. The inner core is made of a fire-proof material, such as Nomex or Kevlar, that absorbs and dissipates heat. The jacket is generally a synthetic fabric that secures the core to the suppressor and, in some cases, provides camouflage for the device and further heat protection. There are some recent twists to this formula—such as MagPul’s coreless cover and the silicon grippable covers—but for the most part, a great deal of the market consists of the aforementioned configuration.

The important factors to consider when shopping for a suppressor cover are heat rating and fit. The latter first.

Suppressors come in all shapes and sizes, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all cover. You’ll need to know the length and diameter of your can to get the right system, and you need to read how manufacturers measure their suppressor covers. There isn’t a lot of uniformity in this, so it’s worth your time to understand what dimensions are important.

As to the core, heat rating is what is important. Some of the extreme covers are rated for 3000-degrees Fahrenheit, which covers some pretty radical use. But before you go, That’s the one for me! you need to consider what such a model entails. Material and plenty of it. The short and the quick of it, that’s how suppressor covers operate, relying on core bulk for heat resistance. In turn, the higher the rating, generally the larger the cover and the more weight you’re attaching to your pistol or rifle.

For someone running hot on the range or the like, the extra weight might not be that big a deal and even an advantage. The more insulation potentially means longer strings. But if you’re moderate in fire volume and need to maintain your firearm’s balance, a lighter, thinner option might make more sense.

Top Suppressor Cover Options

Burn Proof Gear Suppressor Cover

Suppressor Cover Burn Proof

A traditional jacket-core configuration, Burn Proof Gear’s suppressor cover is straightforward and effective. Available in three configurations, Heavy for rifles, Medium for pistols and rifles and Custom for anything not covered by the first two. Across the board, the base units—made of Nomex and Kevlar—handle up to 1000-degrees Fahrenheit of heat, which translated means a fairly large volume of fire in a short amount of time. You also have the option to beef any of them up to 2000-degree rating with an optional fiberglass insert. There are five cover color options to choose from as well
MSRP: $150-200

Magpul Suppressor Cover

Suppressor Cover Magpul

Arguably, Magpul’s offering is one of the most unique in this corner of the market. Consisting of a heat-resistant sleeve and a raised stainless steel heat shield, the unit keeps exterior temperatures up to 1000-degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the suppressor’s surface. It’s pretty ingenious in execution, clamping directly onto a can to provide ample airflow to cool the muzzle device. A bit heavy at 9.6 ounces, nonetheless, the suppressor cover is the ideal addition to any AR you happen to run suppressed.
MSRP: $100

Cole-Tac HTP Suppressor Cover

Suppressor Cover Cole Tac

If you’re searching for the most heat suppression with the least hassle, it’s difficult to do better than Cole-Tac’s High-Temperature Python (HTP). The suppressor cover uses a three-layer system, the inner tube rated for 3,000-degrees Fahrenheit, middle layer 1,800-degrees and Denier Cordura Nylon 600-degrees. Cole-Tac even uses Kevlar thread for stitching. What you get is an incredibly resilient system, perfect for maintaining your rifle's accuracy no matter how many rounds you put down range. The suppressor cover is also incredibly simple to use thanks to its highly intuitive Velcro locking system. The exact length and weight can vary because these covers are made-to-order, offering a lot of protection with little impact on your rifle or silencer regardless of what model you're using. When purchasing, users have a choice between 12 cover colors, 9 strap colors and 3 buckle colors, and they can also input their suppressor's exact dimensions to ensure a perfect fit.
MSRP: $95

Rifles Only HAD Suppressor Cover

Suppressor Cover HAD

Rifles Only MAD cover is a strong option, but is outdone by the HAD for overall performance. The difference, a heat-abatement outer jacket that ups the overall performance of the suppressor cover system. The inner core is rated for 3,000-degrees Fahrenheit and the shell 2,500—that’s a lot of protection and all but eliminates any mirage. Rifles Only offers a wide selection of shells for the suppressor cover, letting you match your operational environment. The only drawback, its traditional lace-up system doesn’t make switching the fastest procedure known to man.
MSRP: $95

Armageddon Gear Mirage Cover

Suppressor Cover armageddon

This system has been around for a spell and remains one of the top choices for mirage mitigation. One of the great features is Armageddon Gear makes the suppressor cover for more cans than perhaps any other company. Even if you can’t find yours in the chart, they’ll make a custom model if you send in your spec. However, this isn’t the choice for running your rifle (or pistol) suppressor red hot. Armageddon Gear had precision shooters in mind, thus it’s rating is a bit more pedestrian than some of the more extreme example—around 800-degrees Fahrenheit on its hi-temp model.
MSRP: $87

Manta Defense Suppressor Cover

Suppressor Cover Manta Defense

There’s more than one super simple silicon option out there, but Manta Defense offers a great option with some of the best features. Manta’s suppressor cover is ribbed, which helps increase surface area to disperse heat more efficiently while also being easy to grab. The one advantage or drawback, depending on what type of suppressor you run, it’s only sized for 1.5-inch diameter cans. Basically, you get a 7-inch suppressor cover you carve down to length. Great if you have a can that fits those dimensions, but it leaves everyone else out in the cold.
MSRP: $78

Handgun Gear: Best 9mm Suppressor Choices (2022)

Updated 10/18/2022

The top 9mm suppressor options to put a lid on your nine.

What are the best 9mm suppressors:

The most shot centerfire cartridge in the United States, the 9mm is as pervasive as the air we breathe. Chances are you have one in your collection, even if you’re lukewarm on the caliber. Admit it.

Its prominence is no mystery. The caliber is easy to shoot well, is a capable self-defense option, and is perhaps only eclipsed by the .22LR in economy of ammunition. It is also something else – eminently suppressible. The right can and your pistol – or pistol caliber carbine for that matter – is as stealthy as it gets in the centerfire world. That raises the question, however, what is the right 9mm suppressor?

No easy answer there, like choosing a gun it matters what’s right to you. There are a few facets you’ll definitely want to consider when shopping for an accessory that’s potentially as expensive as your pistol. Among these are:

  • Size: Do you require something short and dexterous for shooting on the move or will a full-sized unit fit the bill.
  • Weight: Will it throw the balance of your gun out of whack?
  • Sound Suppression: How much do you need to achieve your goals?
  • Flexibility: Is the suppressor dedicated to one caliber or will it sever multiple guns?
  • Cost: How much can you afford, given you have a tax bill on top of costs?

As usual, you’ll have to assess your own situation and what suppressor ticks off the right boxes. In the meantime, we’ll give you a taste of some of the best choices out there today. On top of their games, these 12 9mm suppressor options fill about every conceivable niche and will certainly keep a lid on your nine.

Best 9mm Suppressor Options

Sig ModX-9

Sig Modx-9

Sig certainly built suspense with its modular pistol suppressor. The ModX-9 made its debut at the 2019 SHOT Show to great fanfare, exciting shooters with the direction the company was taking its burgeoning suppressor empire. Flash forward to the winter of 2020 and the ModX-9 finally hit store shelves.

Despite the thumb-twiddling the wait was worth it, with Sig delivering among the slimmest, lightest and effective modular cans on the market. Thank advanced manufacturing for the ModX-9’s attributes, with the 3D-printed titanium device boasting a flawless fit and function. To its fine points, the 9mm suppressor comes in at 7.75-inches in its full configuration and weighs a very manageable 8 ounces. But it shrinks down to 3.25 with just its blast baffle and end cap for a tidy 5-ounce package. With eight total baffles, shooters can modify it to their situation at hand. No matter the size, it does a capital job of noise reduction, cutting a 9mm’s report to around 127 dB at full length to 145 dB in its smallest alignment.

Sig includes two springs with the ModX-9 with different tensions, two pistons with metric and imperial thread patterns and a fixed barrel spacer. The final point makes the suppressor compatible with carbines and sub guns, where the reciprocation of the entire booster assembly isn’t required. A nice point bout the ModX-9, it carries its weight reward, which adds to its nimbleness even when run at full length.

Sig ModX-9 Specs:
Caliber: 9mm
Weight: 8/5 ounces
Length: 7.75/3.25 inches
Diameter: 1.35 inches
Materials: Titanium
Finish: N/A
Attachment: 1/2×28 and M13.5x1LH
Average Decibels: 127 (approx.) dB full configuration
MSRP: $925

YHM 9mm Sidewinder

YHM Suppressor

Even before ponying up for the tax stamp—not to mention your time filling out paperwork and waiting—a suppressor is often a sizable investment. Most retail just shy $1,000, in turn, often costing more than the guns they’re destined to hush up. This makes the Sidewinder so refreshing. Ringing up at less than $600 at most outlets, the 9mm suppress doesn’t put a shooter in the poorhouse and performs well beyond its price.

Yankee Hill’s can is pretty straightforward, a user-serviceable unit with an aluminum tube and monocore, and stainless steel blast baffle. Yeah, like many monos it suffers from first-round pop—a function of larger chamber volume. But once settled in shooters can expect generous noise reduction in the neighborhood of 36 dB—more when wet. Though, there is a bit of a trade for price and performance. The Sidewinder runs on the heavier end of the spectrum at a hair over 10 ounces, which is fairly hefty particularly for something pistol specific. For many, the Sidewinder might make a better PPC option.

The drawback for those who figure the suppressor is perfect for a carbine, it’s purely a direct-attachment affair. Not a deal-breaker, but certainly a slower switchover compared to quick-attach systems. As to its threads, three patterns are available: 1/2″-28, 1/2″-36 and metric 13.5×1 LH.

YHM 9mm Sidewinder Specs:
Caliber: 9mm /.300 Blackout
Weight: 10.2 ounces
Length: 7.8 inches
Diameter: 1.375 inches
Materials: Aluminum/Stainless Steel
Finish: Hardcoat Anodized
Attachment: 1/2″-28, 1/2″-36 and metric 13.5×1 LH
Average Decibels: 125 (approx.) dB full configuration
MSRP: $745

Gemtech Lunar 9

Gemtech_lunar_9-005

Modularity, it’s pretty much becoming the norm in suppressors. Why not? Drop the coin and jump the hoops, might as well have a can with versatility baked into the cake. Which makes the configurability of Gemtech’s newest offering a surprise to absolutely no one.

The ability to run two different lengths—7 or 4.7 inches—both extremely lightweight with a 10-ounce top end, makes the Lunar 9 a do-all, perfect for tactical and pleasure shooting. Though, this just the tip of the iceberg. Making matters considerably more convenient, the 9mm suppressor is also compatible—thanks to Gemtech‘s Multi-Mount system—with a variety of the company’s mounting systems—three-lug, direct thread, what have you. As for noise reduction, the Lunar 9 gets the job done, no matter what size you run it. In full configuration, it’ll knock a pistol down into the 120 dB range, shortened up the mid-130s. Not quite enough to go without plugs, but a comfortable level nonetheless.

Gemtech Lunar 9 Specs:
Caliber: 9mm /.300 Blackout
Weight: 10/7 ounces
Length: 7/4.7 inches
Diameter: 1.4 inches
Materials: Aluminum/stainless steel
Finish: Hardcoat Anodize
Attachment: 1/2×28 booster included. Compatible with GM-9 mounts
Average Decibels: 129 (approx.) dB full configuration
MSRP: $654

CGS MOD-9

CGS Mod 9

Doesn’t matter if you’re talking handguns or precision optics, striking a balance is always a challenge. Suppressors are no different, though CGS goes a long way in finding middle ground with its MOD 9. Lightweight, yet durable and an excellent noise-reduction profile, the 9mm suppressor walks the line on all the desirable attributes shooters search for in a can.

Yeah, the MOD-9 is a full-sized, measuring in at 7.7 inches in length, with a 1.37-inch tube diameter. If you aren’t kicking in doors for a living that should prove more than manageable, especially for the payoff. CGS has cooked up a quiet suppressor—mouse-sneeze quiet. Of course, this varies depending on ammo and barrel length, but expect most 9mms with a 4-inch-plus fire tube to generate between 113 and 120 dB with a MOD-9 mounted. Aluminum is the main ingredient of the build, including the suppressor's 6 baffle stack and tube. This keeps it a light 10 ounces. One last note, the piston assembly is impressive, with 12-point rotational adjustment to dial in for impact shift.

CGS MOD-9 Specs:
Caliber: 9mm/.22 LR/.300 Blackout
Weight: 10 ounces
Length: 7.7 inches
Diameter: 1.37 inches
Materials: Aluminum tube and baffle stack, stainless steel blast baffle
Finish: Black Anodized
Average Decibels: 123.7dB full configuration
MSRP: $915

Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 45

9mm Suppressor Rugged-Suppressors-Obsidian

Technically, the Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 45 is much more than a 9mm suppressor. Rated for .45 ACP, the extremely robust device handles some real heavyweights, including .450 Bushmaster, .45-70 Government and .458 SOCOM—with the appropriate barrel length. Quite a spread, to say the least, making the Obsidian an ideal choice if you not only want to hush up your ‘Nine’, but a load of rifles and carbines.

The versatility doesn’t stop with caliber compatibility. Modular, you can tailor the Obsidian to your firearm and application with an 8.7-inch full configuration and 6.7-inch K configuration. This gives you ideal lengths for use on your rifle or pistol. Either way, the suppressor is full-auto rated for all pistol calibers, as well as .300 Blackout and does a number on your gun’s report. At full length, it knocks a 9mm pistol’s report down to 123.7dB run dry. The unit features a non-slotted piston design, cutting down on gas blowback from handguns, and is constructed of a durable aircraft-grade aluminum tube and stainless steel baffles. This is a true jack-of-all-trades.

Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 45 Specs:
Caliber: 9mm/.45 ACP
Weight: 10.7-12.8 ounces
Length: 6.7-8.6 inches
Diameter: 1.37 inches
Materials: Aluminum tube, stainless steel baffles
Finish: Hard Coat Anodized and Cerokote
Attachment: .578×28 Piston
Average Decibels: 123.7dB full configuration
MSRP: $875

Dead Air Odessa-9

9mm suppressor odessa

Sound suppression, for obvious reasons, is what headlines suppressor innovation. But what about the little things that make a can more functional and practical to a greater swath of shooters? Dead Air homed in on these and, it’s safe to say, knocked it out of the park with the Odessa-9.

Among the most notable aspects is the 1.1-inch tube. On the surface, the slim design might not sound like much, until you consider it is fully compatible with nearly every pistol’s stock sights. Moreover, the 9mm suppressor adapts to any application put in front of it, given its modular design. You can run the Odessa with all 11 baffles if noise suppression is at a premium or with just one if you need to take the edge off your gun’s report. And it will do its job when run short, with four baffles putting subsonic ammunition at or near safe hearing levels. Full length, the 10-ounce suppressor reduces subsonic 9mm ammo to around 122dB. There’s little argument, the Odessa-9 makes going suppressed a whole lot easier.

Dead Air Odessa-9 Specs:
Caliber: 9mm/.380 ACP, .32 ACP, 5.7x28mm, .17 HMR, .22 Mag, .22 LR
Weight: 10.6 ounces
Length: 8.59 inches
Diameter: 1.1 inches
Materials: Stainless Steel
Finish: Black Nitride
Attachment: 1/2×28, M13.5X1 LH
Average Decibels: 122dB full configuration
MSRP: $899

SIG Sauer SRD9

9mm suppressor srd9

Move over King Midas! It’s Sig Sauer that has the golden touch—at least when it comes to firearms and firearms accessories. The SRD9 is proof enough of this.

The user-serviceable 9mm suppressor is an absolute top-shelf choice. Made with a Grade 9 titanium tube and high nickel alloy stainless steel baffles, the device isn’t only lightweight (9 ounces), it’s effective. Run dry, the SRD9 knocks a 9mm’s report down to around 128dB. Full-auto rated, the suppressor also is compatible with the most popular pistol calibers: 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. It also comes with both a 1/2×28 and an m13.5x1LH pistons, giving it the ability to mount across the board, regardless of a gun’s origin. With the SRD9, you’ll pay near an entry-level price, but get pro performance.

Sig Sauer SRD9 Specs:
Caliber: 9mm
Weight: 9 ounces
Length: 7.2 inches
Diameter: 1.38 inches
Materials: Titanium Tube, Stainless Steel Baffles
Finish: PVD
Attachment: 1/2×28, M13.5X1 LH
Average Decibels: 128dB
MSRP: $775

SilencerCo Osprey

9mm Suppressor osprey

SilencerCo’s uniquely shaped Osprey isn’t a spring chicken by any stretch of the imagination. But that doesn’t make the 9mm suppressor any less effective at doing its job. It’s among the best at cutting down noise, as well as offering one of the best possible shooting experiences.

The eccentric suppressor (meaning the bore doesn’t run down its center axis) offers a load of advantages over its cylindrical counterparts. First and foremost, it provides more internal volume for gases to expand, thus offers more noise-reduction capabilities. A 9mm’s report is reduced to 127dB, which is dynamite. Furthermore, its off-center design helps it stay out of your sight picture, in turn you get to keep your stock sights. Additionally, the device is extremely lightweight, composed of aluminum tube and baffles, and stainless steel blast baffle. Top noise reduction capabilities, user-friendly and lightweight—what’s not to like?

SilencerCo Osprey Specs:
Caliber: 9mm, .300 Blackout, .40 S&W, .45 ACP
Weight: 9.8 ounces
Length: 7.06 inches
Diameter: 1.30×1.75 inches
Materials: Aluminum Tube and Baffles, Stainless Steel Blast Baffle
Finish: Black Oxide
Attachment: Interchangeable Pistons
Average Decibels: 127dB
MSRP: $840

CMMG DefCan 9

DefCan9
Not everyone shoots 9mm from pistols. In turn, not every 9mm suppressor need be designed for handguns. A fact plain as day to AR specialists CMMG. Jumping into the noise reduction game this past year, the company tailored the pistol-caliber members of its DefCan line for sub-guns and AR pistols, rifles and carbines.

Unmistakably, the DefCan 9 looks the part. While extremely slender (1.38 inches), it is long – long as they come on this list at least. At 10.25 inches, even if it could fit your pistol, you wouldn’t want it there anyway. On a long-gun, SBR or AR-pistol it’s a completely different story. That extra length to dissipate gases does a number on a gun’s report, cutting it 32dB on average.

For its size, the DefCan 9 should prove a second thought mounted, given its featherweight. The suppressor adds a scant 10 ounces to a firearm, which is akin to adding many lighting options to the fore of a rail. Aluminum construction keeps the unit light, as well as imparting it with some desirable thermal properties, dissipating heat in a flash.

In its guts, the DefCan 9 uses a stack of seven M-style baffles, each of which has a squared port on the aperture. The design point further improves noise reduction, directing gas particles laterally inside the tube. The suppressor is completely sealed, in turn, not user accessible. However, it requires no routine cleaning.

DefCan 9 Specs:
Caliber: 9mm
Weight: 10 ounces
Length: 10.25 inches
Diameter: 1.375 inches
Materials: Aluminum Tube and Baffles
Finish: Hard Coat Anodized
Attachment: Bi-Lock Flash Hider with Included Peel Washer, Threaded 1/2-28
Average Decibels: 128dB (estimated)
MSRP: $700

SilencerCo Omega 9K

Omega-k
It’s difficult to make a suppressor list without the SilencerCo Omega K rearing its head. That goes for the ubiquitous 9mm. Residing on the tonier end of the market, the Omega 9K is hardly money wasted. It’s light, compact and does what it was designed to do – keep a lid on your noisy guns.

Among the smallest 9mm suppressors on this list, the tubeless Omega K adds a negligible 4.7 inches to the overall length of your gun. Yes, you’ll still know it’s there, but if you happen to compete or engage in any shooting activity that requires agility the suppressor won’t hang you up. Furthermore, at 7.2 ounces, the can won’t knock your pistol out of balance as greatly as heavier options.

Made from stainless steel and stellite (a cobalt-chromium alloy), the Omega K is wang-leather tough. The abrasion-resistant and extremely hard alloy is renowned for its wear resistance, standing up to long shooting sessions as well as the most rugged external punishment.

As to the suppressor’s performance where it counts – noise reduction – it’s a bit below par compared to longer options. SilencerCo pegs the average report of a 9mm outfitted with an Omega at 131.5dB, around 28.5dB of noise reduction. Not top of the charts, not a slouch either – especially for its size. If you need a push over the edge to spend the money, it can digest sub and supersonic 300 Blackout rounds as well.

Omega 9K Specs:
Caliber: 9MM AND .300 BLK
Weight: 7.2 ounces
Length: 4.7 inches
Diameter: 1.48 inches
Materials: Stellite Tube, Stainless Steel Baffles
Finish: Black Oxide
Attachment: Direct Thread
Average Decibels: 131.5dB (estimated)
MSRP: $750

Griffin Armament Revolution 9

griffin-arm
Adaptable to your requirements, the Revolution 9 is akin to two cans in one. Modular in design, the 9mm suppressor has two configurations – full length and what Griffin Armament’s call its “K” version. The latter arrangement shaves 3-inches off the Rev 9, making for a more adroit unit, ideal for a nightstand gun or the like.

You guessed it, you run small, you run louder. Never fear, you’ve got plenty of sound suppression to work with in the Rev 9. Booster housing on and all eight baffles in, the 7.6-inch suppressor shaves an impressive 34dB off a 9mm’s report. In the smaller “K” configuration, three baffles removed, it still provides a respectable 32dB of noise suppression.

Griffin Armament designed the Rev 9 as more than a range toy, stoutly constructed with stainless steel baffles and a hard-coat anodized aluminum tube. This, as you might expect, makes the suppressor a bit weightier – 11.2 ounces at full length. However, if you can stand a little more noise the “K” configuration drops the Rev 9 to 9.7 ounces.

Overall, it’s a clever and flexible concept that should cover all your bases, whatever they might be.

Revolution 9 Specs:
Caliber: 9MM AND .300 BLK
Weight: 9.7-11.2 ounces
Length: 7.88 inches
Diameter: 1.375 inches
Materials: Aluminum Tube, Stainless Steel Baffles
Finish: T3 Hard-coat Anodize, Nitride
Attachment: 1/2×28 or M13.5×1 LH
Average Decibels: 127dB (full length)
MSRP: $795


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Banging Away With Range Time Targets

Range Time Targets … full-throttle purveyors of that sweet, sweet PING!

The sweet sound of PING! Once you’ve experienced it, you can’t get enough of it. Those who understand the reference surely agree there are few more pleasurable endeavors than throwing jacketed lead at a sheet of hardened steel.

Beyond basic fun behind the trigger, steel targets add visual and auditory aesthetics to range time any red-blooded shooter appreciates. In a word, shooting steel is addictive.

And useful.

Practice a lot, and steel will save you money. Need a long-term solution, treat it right and it’ll be there for years. Want instant feedback, you hear every hit. Require something dynamic, steel has it in spades.

Range Time Steel Target 4
Range Time by AR500 offers Hostage Targets (above) along with a slew of other long-term terminal destinations for your bullets.

Sure enough, there’s an upfront investment, but that cash is paid back tenfold in skill building, convenience and, yes, money saved. At the same tick, not all metallic targets are created equal—which brings us to Range Time Steel Targets by AR500 Target Solutions.

Range Time: Doing Steel Right

Based out of Rice Lake, Wisc., Range Time has kicked a toehold in the high-quality end of the steel target market. Heck, you can even find some of their specialty targets at the Navy and FBI Quantico training grounds. It's a tough game to get to this level, especially given there are plenty of pretenders stealing business away from companies that are doing it right.

But what does “doing it right” mean and why do Range Times targets stand out against discount brands you find on special at your local mega outdoor store? It comes down to the steel.

Across the board, Range Time utilizes the proper type of metal for the job, by this, we’re talking AR500 and AR550 . For those uneducated on the matter, this is the stuff you want to catch bullets.

Range Time Steel Target 3
Range Time's Gongs kit, made of AR500 steel and 3/8″ thick, the targets are stout enough to withstand pistol and rifle fire.

The “AR” here stands for “abrasion resistant,” and the rolled steel plate is utilized in a host of brutal jobs—armor, mining equipment and snow plow blades, to name a few. Given its resume, it has some attributes making it perfect as a shooting target. In particular, its hardness and resistance to impact stresses. Brass tacks, it won’t warp or gull—good things when you don’t want a bullet careening back at you.

This isn’t the case with all steel targets, so buyers beware. If it doesn’t say AR500 or AR550, good chance you’ll invest in something that won’t last a cup of coffee or will put you in harm’s way.

Taking Care Of The Little Things

Given the steels' toughness, AR500 and AR550 aren’t the easiest materials to work with, as you can imagine. This is where Range Time definitely deserves kudos. The company’s wares—from simple gongs to silhouettes—all boast crisp pleasing lines and precision-cut attachment holes.

Yeah, this is a bit of icing on the cake, a sloppily cut target is still useful. But you’re slapping down considerably more on steel than most any other option, so you might as well demand top manufacturing. Range Time gets this, and its laser-cutting process delivers it in spades. 

Upgrading The Range

I have banged Range Time’s steel previously, in particular, their IPDA/IPSC Silhouettes and have walked away impressed with their resilience. The company sent me a couple of packages to test out recently, including its AR550 Reactive Hostage Target and three AR500 swinging gongs. Both have already proved worthwhile and up to what I’ve come to expect from Range Time.

Range Time Steel Target 5
The AR550 Hostage Target Kit comes with everything to set up your own shooting range. You only have to supply a 2″x4″ for the post.

Before touching on how each target performed at the terminal destination, a brief word on what comes with each kit is worth mentioning.

Gong Kit

As it sounds, these are three 3/8-inch thick AR500 gongs, 10-, 8- and 6-inches in diameter. Making things all the easier for set up, Range Time includes hardened hangers that work in conjunction with a 2”x4” to set up a tidy row of targets. These are perfect for target transition practice, casual shooting sessions or anything else where a plain old target is required.

Hostage Target Kit

If you are unfamiliar with the setup, it’s essentially a 12″x20″x1/2″ AR550 silhouette (IPDA/IPSC size), the twist is its bright orange, 5-inch AR550 paddle that's also 1/2-inch thick. This mounts to the rear of the target and sits off to the side of the silhouette’s head, in a mimic of a bad dude’s noggin popping up behind a hostage. The bonus to this setup is the flapper is dynamic—make contact and it flips sides adding a bit of action to a shooting session.

To round things out, the hostage kit comes with a stand set up and mount that works in conjunction with a 2”x4”. Range Time offers up quality carriage bolts for mounting (sold separately), but you supply the lumber.

As a side note, you can attach the gongs to the stand via a carriage bolt, if you so desire, for a single target.

Range Time At The Range

So, if you were expecting regalement at the actual review of Range Time’s targets, get ready for disappointment. It gets pretty pedestrian from here on out. Why? Because their performance was exactly what you’d expect from quality steel—boring.

No, no … not the actual shooting and what the targets brought to the session. That was top notch, we'll get to that in a moment. But exactly how the steel performed against a hail of 9mm and .223 Remington fire.

Face it, the only way this review gets exciting is if somewhere along the line a target cracks or a massive divot is removed from its surface. That happens, we can all look at the picture, furrow our brows and mutter in knowing tones. Sorry, not with Range Time.

Range Time Steel Target 2
Impact and spall stripe some of the powder coating from these 9mm hits, but the steel itself is virtually unharmed.

With pistol and rifle fire from 10 to 100 yards, the targets came away with little more than paint chips. The steel itself was nearly pristine enough if powder coated again would likely prove as flawless as the day I took them out of the box. Honestly, pretty impressive given some 200-plus rounds rained down upon them.

Now, of course, I’ll have to invest in a rattle can or two to protect their surfaces from corrosion—plus get them looking spiffy again. But that’s a small price to pay for target systems I’m certain are up to the abuse I aim to inflict on them for years to come.

Which Target For What?

The answer to that is a solid, it depends …

The Hostage Target definitely has more of a defensive training role, offering a legitimate option to sharpen pistol skills or work with your carbine relatively close in. Doubling as a plain ol' silhouette, it opens up a wealth of drill possibilities and would like serve well for someone looking for one single investment.

The gongs, on the other hand, are all-arounders. Up close, they’re perfect for a target transition course with your pistol or a general plinking gallery with a rimfire. Move them down range and you have the excellent emulation of vital zones of most North American game to check your zero before hunting season.

All that said, the gongs serve better as secondary targets added to a dynamic main system. Honestly, the best bet is both packages for a fairly versatile range setup. Oh yeah, and plenty of ammo to pitch at them.

Brief Note On Steel And Thickness

One more factor to consider, should you go AR500 or AR550, and how thick? Again, this all depends on what you're shooting.

The Hostage Target in this review, for instance, is resilient against .223 Remington rifle fire as close as 50 yards. The 3/8-inch gongs I futzed with can shake off a .308 Winchester at 100 yards. That covers a lot of ground.

However, if you're looking at purely pistol shooting, you can save a bit of money by investing in AR500. This will stands tall against all handguns–including magnums. But if you're aiming at throwing a carbine in the mix at realalistic engagment ranges, it's definitely worth upgrading to AR550 and thickness.

Either way, Range Time's caliber chart gives you a good idea of what steel and thickness handle what cartridges. It is worth a perusal if you're in the market for a target.

Parting Shot 

Not all steel targets are equal and there are plenty of options out there that potentially have a lifespan slightly north of paper. This isn’t the case with Range Time.

Dynamic, American-made and precision manufactured, the targets are made for years of enjoyment. This puts plenty of that sweet PING! in your future.

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Gaining Impetus: Franchi Momentum Elite Review

A look at the enhanced Franchi Momentum Elite, proof that Franchi is playing the hunting rifle game for keeps.

Most are familiar with Franchi. The Affinity is the acme of affordable, inertia-drive, semi-auto shotguns, and their host of over/unders leave nothing to want. So, it was a bit mindboggling when the Italian gunmaker, in 2018, took a crack at the budget hunting rifle market. Might as well jump in the deep end and turn out a polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol while you’re at it.

Franchi-Momentum-Elite-right

Both are cutthroat niches—the rifle end maybe even more so. Not only are they a dime a dozen, but they also pit newcomers against powerhouses such as Winchester, Ruger, Savage, Browning and Remington, just to name a few. Might as well ask a Ford or Chevy guy to give a Fiat a whirl. Tough sell. However, the Momentum has shown incredible impetus against the old guard. Three short years later, Franchi looks to take another bite of the pie with the updated and upgraded iteration of its flagship. 

Despite being dubbed the Momentum Elite and boasting a suggested retail price of $899, the line expansion is well within reach of most hunters. After some time with a 6.5 Creedmoor Elite, it’s easy to say the enhancements the package offers are welcome and worth the money. They also continue to square away the one-time shotgun specialist as a player in the hunting rifle market.

Stocking Up

As expected in the affordable bolt-action market, the Momentum Elite sports a polymer stock. Honestly, this doesn’t bend my nose out of shape, though my traditionalist streak tends to walnut on a hunter. On the Elite version, Franchi gives a good reason to appreciate polymer, offering four camo patterns—Realtree Excape, TrueTimber Strata (what was on my rifle), Optifade Elevated II and Optifade Subalpine. Overall, these options blend in with the better part of North America’s environments, from dusky alpine to dark woods.

Franchi-Momentum-Elite-left
Franchi didn’t reinvent the wheel with the Elite, keeping what worked on the original Momentum and adding some welcomed enhancements.

As nice as the addition is, the stock’s big selling point remains how Franchi lays out the main rifle-to-shooter interface. Pull the barreled action and you’ll see a pair of recoil lugs embedded in a “V” shape near the front action screw. Interfacing with slots milled into the bottom of the receiver, the lugs perfectly center the rifle in the stock and ensure absolute rigidity in mate-up. In short, the Momentum Elite is in line and devoid of play, even under recoil. While not billed as a long-range hunter, its mechanical consistency certainly sets the rifle down this path.

Cleverly, Franchi recesses the sling studs, offering a low-profile design that won’t hang up on gear. At the same tick, there’s ample room for a standard sling to do its job. The forend projects past the front attachment point, a break from the typical rifle design and welcome for those who utilize bipods. This extra real estate gives the accessory more surface area to attach to, thus forming a solid base. This might seem like a small feature … until you try to attach a bipod where there isn’t ample room to do so.

Franchi-Momentum-trigger-1
The rifle’s near pistol grip provides a good leverage point to tuck the Elite into the shoulder. Note the grid texturing, also found on the fore and buttstock.

However, the forend is also much flatter and wider than the blade-like examples found on most hunting rifles. The rifle is a natural off a rest—be it a backpack, fence post or bench. In the rear, the slender buttstock sports a near pistol grip—textured with a touch of swell—making the Elite very responsive. Falling back on their shotgun knowhow, Franchi tops the whole thing off with a TSA recoil pad, which on some models is a solid addition.

Fat Bolt

One of the unheralded advancements in bolt-action rifles in recent years is the rise of what Gun Digest contributor Jon Sundra deemed the “fat bolt.” More loquaciously, the industry calls them full-diameter, three-lug bolts. The design saves money, given there’s less machining involved in their creation, but this doesn’t mean they’re cut-rate—far from it. The system allows for unparalleled lockup, with maximum case head-to-bolt contact when stripping a round off the magazine, thus lowering the chance of a misfeed.

Franchi-Momentum-bolt
A 60-degree bolt throw? Yes, please. It’s fast and makes the rifle compatible with nearly any scope.

Those are just icing. Where the push-feed intrigues is its 60-degree bolt throw. The rifle cycles quickly, even more so given the slightly oversized bolt handle and chrome-plated, spiral-cut bolt. Add a drop of oil and it runs like a western mustang. It offers greater clearance for large optics, which has been the trend in recent years as precision glass becomes cheaper.

I put this to the test, running a decidedly non-hunting Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 6-24x56mm in a set of Talley Modern Sporting rings on the rifle’s Picatinny rail. It’s a lot of glass for this style of rifle—frankly, better suited for a chassis rig or a long-range build. Yet the Momentum Elite wore it well and didn’t lose a beat cycling rounds. As a side note, the rifle spits spent brass like no tomorrow, ejecting cases well to the side, saving a high-priced optic any additional abuse. While the majority of hunters will run a more sober optic, slapping on the Athlon proved to me that shooters should be comfortable with any scope being the right one on the Momentum Elite.

Trigger, Barrel And Other Stuff

The aforementioned assets are all for not if a rifle doesn’t have one important element—a good trigger. The Momentum Elite doesn’t lack in this department. While it doesn’t boast some catchy branded name, the trigger is adjustable with a range between 2 and 4 pounds. However, I didn’t have to tinker with the switch. My model shipped from the factory with a break a hair over 2½ pounds according to my Wheeler Trigger Pull Scale, and that’s spot-on for range testing. As for its performance, the trigger didn’t have a lick of creep and broke like early autumn ice. It’s hard to think of what more a hunter could want. Mated to a two-position safety with a rather sizable switch the trigger is also quick into the action.

Depending on caliber (Franchi offers eight), the Momentum Elite sports a 22- or 24-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel. As expected, the longer fire tubes come on magnum and 6.5 Creedmoor models, whose accuracy and reach benefit from the extra bore. Not to leave modern shooters cold, Franchi threads the muzzle but offers a bit more than just a protector with the rifle. A removable muzzle break is a welcome addition to the rifle. Given its relatively light build—7.5 pounds unloaded and without a scope—it’s a bit bucky, even when pitching mild-mannered cartridges such as the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Franchi-Momentum-barrel
The Elites come with a Cerakote finish—in this case Midnight Bronze—not only giving the rifles a dash of class but also protecting them from rough-and-tumble hunts. Additionally, the polymer stock comes in one of four camo patterns.

Franchi caps off the barrel and receiver with the choice of Burnt Bronze, Midnight Bronze or Cobalt Cerakote finish. Aesthetically pleasing, the ceramic coating also gives the rifle resilience in the face of bad weather and rough use.

One of the biggest changes between the Momentum and the Elite is the magazines. The new rifle boasts a detachable box magazine. If there was a hang-up shooters had with the original Momentum, it was the rifle’s internal mag and hinged floor plate—this is the 21st century, after all. Single stack and polymer, the magazine puts 3+1 rounds on tap, giving the ability to reload the rifle quickly. While not a flush fit, the box doesn’t protrude too far south of the magwell and keeps the rifle’s overall svelte profile. As a sidenote, the small-bore Varmint Elite has seven- and eight-round magazines available.

Franchi-Momentum-magazine

At The Range

I allowed the rifle to showcase its inherent accuracy by utilizing a lead sled. At 100 yards, it didn’t disappoint.

Running through several hunting loads, the rifle printed impressive groups, each sub-MOA … or pretty dang close. Interestingly, its favorite was Sellier & Bellot’s 140-grain SP load, which averaged .59-inch groups. That’s more than adequate for a hunting rifle.

Franchi-Momentum-with-ammo
The Momentum Elite most certainly ups the Italian gunmaker’s rifle game.

Later, I switched to supported shooting—via sandbags—to get a better feel of the rifle at the shoulder. The rifle fit well and proved responsive. A superbly angled grip made an excellent leverage point to nestle the buttstock into my shoulder pocket. Furthermore, the forend’s wide base didn’t have an iota of wobble on the bags.

Though it’s not mountain-rifle light, the Elite nevertheless is light. While this is an obvious advantage for an iron destined to traverse hill and dale to fill a tag, it amplifies recoil. By no means is the 6.5 Creedmoor a punishing cartridge, but its recoil was more pronounced given the rifle’s light build. Franchi’s addition of a high-quality recoil pad was appreciated and ensures a quick follow-up shot, if needed, in the field.

Franchi-stock-1

Parting Shot

It’s difficult to get whomped up about economical hunting rifles unless you’re after your first whitetail or elk. Most are very utilitarian and they don’t have a ton to endear them, outside the fact that they’ll get the job done. The Franchi Momentum Elite breaks this mold.

More accurate than most hunters require, configured to hump back further than most hunters go, and full of extras most hunters have never considered, it over-delivers. For its class, the rifle is anything but a yawner and quite possibly has the stuff to be a hunting season go-to.

Thank goodness Franchi set its sights beyond shotguns.

Momentum-Elite-Specs-1

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 Buyer's Guide special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


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