type of firearms that shooters are looking for. And there is no better example of this than a couple of newly released rimfires.
First there is the SR-2 that combines the visual features of an AR rifle with the fun and economy of shooting a .22 LR. The SR-22 uses a standard 10/22 action inside a top-quality, all-aluminum chassis that faithfully replicates the AR-platform dimensions between the sighting plane, buttstock height and the grip. It includes a Picatinny rail optic mount and a six-position telescoping M4-style buttstock on a mil-spec diameter tube, plus a Hogue Monogrip pistol grip. The round, mid-length handguard is mounted using a standard-thread AR-style barrel nut, which allows a vast array of rail-mounted sights and accessories to be used. The 15-1/8-inch barrel is precision-rifled and constructed of cold hammer forged alloy steel and comes capped with a SR-556/Mini-14 fl ash suppressor.
The second new addition to Ruger’s rimfire rifles is the 10/22® VLEH Target Tactical rifle. This rifle offers many of the inherent features used in the Hawkeye® Tactical bolt-action rifle but in a semi-auto rimfire action. It builds on many of the features of the Ruger 10/22 Target Model, beginning with the same precision-rifled, cold hammer forged, spiral-finished barrel, but cut to the shorter length of 16-1/8 inches in order to reduce the weight and improve the handling. The .920-inch OD match-grade barrel is capped with a target crown to protect the rifling at the muzzle, and the barreled action is mounted in a non-slip, rugged Hogue OverMolded stock. The trigger of the 10/22® VLEH Target Tactical rifle is the same as used on the 10/22® Target Model and an adjustable bipod comes with each rifle. The Rifle, minus the bipod, weighs 6-7/8 lbs.
SAKO
For the economy-minded shooter, Sako has merged many of the desirable Sako features into their Model A7 bolt-action rifle, yet kept the price down. The A7 comes in wide variety of the most popular calibers ranging from .243 up to the .300 Win. Mag. It is available in either blued or stainless steel and includes such features as a cold hammer forged match-grade barrel, single stage adjustable trigger (adjustable from 2 to 4 lbs. pull), detachable magazine, two-position safety with separate bolt release button, Weaver-style scope bases and a lightweight synthetic stock. Depending on caliber, the weight ranges from 6-3/8 to 6-5/8 lbs. with barrel lengths from 22-7/16 to 24-3/8 inches. Each rifle is guarantee to place five shots into a 1-inch group at 100 yards. MSRP for the blued model is from $850 to $900 and the stainless model runs from $950 to $1,000.
SAVAGE ARMS
In the last decade Savage Arms has substantially improved both the quality of their products and expanded their firearms lines. The company’s newly developed AccuTrigger and AccuStock come stock on many of those products, and this has provided Savage with a signifi cant edge over their competition. This year the company followed up their very successful 2009 release of the radical Model 10 BAS-K and 10 BAT/S-K tactical/target rifles with yet another: the Model 110 BA. Chambered for .338 Lapua and .300 Win. Mag., this considerably extends the range of these great precision rifles. The BA modular platform is built around an aluminum stock that features Savage’s innovative three-dimensional bedding system. Buttstock and pistol grips are easily interchanged and a three-sided accessory rail adds versatility. The 110 BA features a five-round detachable magazine, high-efficiency muzzle brake and a Magpul PRS adjustable stock. MSRP is $2,267.
Another great addition at Savage is their new Model 111 Long-Range Hunter with a new chambering for 2010, the 6.5x284 Norma. The 6.5x284 Norma has been very successful in competition out to 1,000 yards and is a favorite of those who appreciate 26-calibers. The new Long-Range Hunter features a 26-inch fluted magnum sporter barrel, AccuTrigger, AccuStock with Karsten adjustable cheekpiece and a matte blued finish. MSRP is $934 to $972.
SMITH & WESSON
Smith & Wesson is best known for their high-quality handguns, but over the last few decades the company has very successfully moved into the rifle and shotgun market. Recently the company released a great new addition to their line of rifles, the .22LR-platform Model M&P 15-22, which mirrors the AR-style centerfire rifles. The M&P 15-22 comes with a 25-round detachable magazine and a six-position collapsible CAR stock that’s capable of collapsing to an overall length of 30.5 inches or extending to 33.75 inches. The match-grade precision barrel is 16 inches long with a 1:16 twist. The weight is a moderate 5.5 lbs. and the sights are an adjustable A2-style post in the front and an adjustable dual aperture in the rear. In addition, the M&P 15-22 comes with a functioning charging handle, quad rail handguard, threaded barrel with an A1-style compensator, and lightweight, high strength polymer upper and lower receivers. They come from Smith and Wesson with a lifetime service policy and carry an MSRP of $569.
THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS
In the recent years Thompson/Center Arms (nowa Smith & Wesson company) has become a major player in the area of sporting firearms. Answering the calls of predator hunters, in January 2010 the company added yet one more member to their Venture family of rifles, the T/C Venture Predator. At the core of the T/C Venture Predator is its 22-inch precision barrel with 5R “offset” rifling and target grade crown. T/C guarantees these rifles to have MOA accuracy. Just a few of the many inherent favorable features include a trigger with an adjustable pull from 3.5 to 5 lbs, a nitrate-coated bolt with a 60-degree lift, a roller-burnished receiver (which helps to provide quick follow-up shots), and a classic styled composite stock with inlaid traction grip panels. The T/C Venture Predator comes from the factory with a drilled and tapped receiver and ships complete with Weaver-style scope bases already installed. Currently the rifle is available in .204, .22-250, .223 and .308 and comes with a single stack 3+1 detachable nylon box magazine. The Venture Predator is entirely made in the U.S. and is backed by Thompson/Center’s lifetime warranty for a retail price from $549 to $599. Sounds like a helluva deal to us.
To be available in April of 2010 from T/C is the new .22LR HotShot Youth Rifle. Designed to mirror mom and dad’s T/C Pro-Hunter, the HotShot includes many features that are favorable to a youngster, like an easy to operate break-open system, a weight of only 3 lbs. (!) and an overall length of 30-1/4 inches. With the rifle’s single shot design and hammer block trigger, the HotShot will not fire until the hammer is cocked. It’s available in three colors (black composite, Realtree AP camouflage and pink AP camoufl age). The HotShot is made totally in the United States and is also backed by T/C’s lifetime warrantee at an anticipated retail price ranging from $229 to $249 (again: !).
WEATHERBY
Weatherby has long been a supporter of our youth and the company’s introduction of their new Vanguard® Youth Rifle further emphases that dedication of getting youngsters involved in shooting sports. The Vanguard Youth features a removable elongated spacer system that is adjustable to fit the shooter. Installing the spacers creates a longer length of the pull, allowing it be changed from 12-1/2 up to 13-5/8 inches. The rifle weighs only 6-1/2 lbs. and comes with a #1 contour 20-inch barrel. It’s equipped with a black synthetic stock, fully adjustable trigger, a cold hammer forged barrel and the proven Vanguard short action. It has an injection molded Monte Carol style stock and is currently only available in a right-hand version. Available calibers include .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington and the .308 Winchester. The Youth Vanguard Weatherby carries a MSRP of $529.00.
Ruger combines the AR platform with economy in their .22LR-chambered SR-22.
Olympic Arms’ Model K8-MAG is now offered in a new cartridge developed by Olympic, the .300 Olympic Super Short Magnum (OSSM).
The latest addition to Nosler’s line of fine Rifles is the Model 48 Trophy Grade Rifle (TGR).
