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Best rifles of 2021
BestRiflesof2021
FieldandStream examined2021’sbest newlightweightrifles.
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Here is a selectedsummary ofwhattheyfoundinlightweightandlong-range rifles.
BROWNINGX-BOLT MOUNTAINPRO
A newcarbon-fiberstock, spiral-flutedbolt,andspiral-fluted,lappedsporter-contourbarrelkeepsthe rifle under 6 pounds, and Browning addeditsnew Recoil Hawg muzzlebrake, which reduces recoilupto77%totakethe stingoutofshooting high-power roundsinsuch a lightweight rifle.Startsat $2,399.
For2021,thecompanyhas addedtwonewchamberings forthe rifle:the6.5PRC and .280 Ackley Improved. Mountain Carbon riflesare builtaround Nosler’sModel48 Actionandfeaturea 24-inch Light SenderoContour, carbon-fiber-wrapped,cut-rifled barrelthatisglassandaluminumpillarbeddedinto a carbon-fiberaramid-reinforced Mountain Hunter Stock.This goesfor$3,235.
oldestmanufacturerofhunting firearms, updates itsflagship serieswith theintroductionof theS404Synchro XTCCarbon Fiberrifle incamouflage-green. Thehand-laidcarbon-fiber stockhas a thumbholegrip, adjustable comb, and a new finishthat helpsitdisappear into thelandscape.Youcan haveitfor a littlemore than $8,100.
©ADOBESTOCK
outs in2021 isthenew110 Ultralight, whichcombines a carbon-wrapped,stainless-steelProof Researchbarrel to a skeletonized,blueprinted 110 receiverwithspiral-fluted bolt.The resultis a mountain rifle thatweighsabout 6 pounds, dependingonthe model.
Like all110s, the Ultralight hastheuser-adjustable AccuTriggerand AccuStock with adjustable comb pieces andlength-of-pullshims. Retailsfor$1,599.
BROWNINGX-BOLT WESTERNHUNTERLONG RANGE
To buildthenew Western HunterLong Range,Browning attached a heavysporter-contourbarreltothetried-andtrueX-Boltaction.The free-floatingbarrelisbedded atthefrontand rearofthe actionforstabilityandtohelp maintainbarrel-to-stockspacingforconsistentaccuracy.It’s more thanmanageableatonly 7.7pounds.Costis$1,099.99.
SPRINGFIELDARMORY MODEL2020WAYPOINT
Thisis a custom-quality bolt-actionhunting riflewith a .75-MOA accuracyguarantee. There are manyoptionsinthe Waypointseries, startingwith thebarrel. Youcanchoosefrom anall-steelversion,oronethat wrapsthefluted416stainless-steeltubein a carbon-fiber jacket. Itretailsfor$1,699.
