The most significant progress in hunting rifles this year is an industry-wide focus on improving trigger pull for standard-production products, and providing trigger adjustability mechanisms that shooters can operate themselves. That's a long-overdue development, and a welcome indication that gun makers have finally decided that the needs of their customers are more important than liability considerations.

We also see AR-platform rifles, particularly in original AR-10 .308-receiver configurations, continuing to be introduced by mainstream manufacturers in specific hunting configurations in an ever-widening range of commonly used and popular cartridge chamberings. It's merely the same process by which military-origin lever-action and bolt-action rifles moved into the hunting world in past centuries.

At the same time, we see a continuation of the trend toward ever-lighter, ever-quicker, and ever-more-comfortable tools. New hunting rifles with short and more compact actions, chambered for ever-more-efficient cartridges, continue to surge. Here is a closer look into some of the top hunting rifle picks for 2008.

BERETTA/SAKO A7 RIFLE
Beretta, which owns both SAKO and Tikka, has introduced the new Sako A7, based on the Sako 75 at a lower price. Like the Sako 75, it has an adjustable trigger (2.2-pound minimum pull) and a three-lug bolt with 70-degree throw. There is a new three-round detachable magazine, with an improved latching mechanism taken from the Sako 85.

Differing from the Sako 75, the A7 does not have a receiver-top scope-ring dovetail, but ships with American-style Weaver-type scope mounting blocks front and rear. Unlike any other production-grade rifle, the A7 comes with a manufacturer's five-shot accuracy guarantee: "Each rifle must place five shots within one inch at 100 yards or it doesn't ship."

The Sako A7 weight averages 6.5 pounds, with a 14-inch length of pull. Available chamberings include most popular short-action and long-action cartridges, including short mags, from .243 Winchester to .300 Win Mag. (www.sakoa7.net).

CZ-USA MODEL 527 AMERICAN
The reasonable price of the extremely high-quality CZ-USA Model 527 American is gaining it a growing popularity among discerning U.S. centerfire small-bore shooters. It has all the features of the elegant CZ-USA Model 527 Lux rifle, but in an American-style package designed specifically for the American market. It is available in .22 Hornet, .221 Fireball, .222 Remington, .223 Remington, and .204 Ruger chamberings -- all with a wide selection of wooden and laminated stock styles.

Now come left-hand versions of the Model 527 American, with left side bolt and eject, in .223 Remington and .204 Ruger. Exactly like the mirror-image right-hand models, they feature a classic American pattern Turkish stock, 18 LPI checkering, forged square bridge receiver, detachable five-round magazine, controlled round feed claw extractor, single set trigger, and a hammer-forged 21.8-inch free-floated barrel with recessed target crown. (www.cz-usa.com).

MARLIN XL7 BOLT RIFLE
Marlin Firearms has added centerfire bolt-action rifles to its product lineup. The first model in the new series is the XL7, available in black synthetic or Realtree APG-HD camo, chambered in .30/06, .270 Winchester and .25/06 Remington. The XL7 includes Marlin's new Pro-Fire trigger, a new Marlin Soft-Tech recoil pad and a lightweight pillar-bedded synthetic stock.

The Marlin-designed Pro-Fire trigger system is user-adjustable, virtually creep-free and can be set to break at a crisp 2 1/2 pounds. The Pro-Fire trigger release prevents movement of the trigger until it is depressed.

Other notable XL7 features include a fluted bolt for smooth cycling, steel sling swivel studs, high-polished blued-steel finish, checkered bolt handle, recessed barrel crown and classic American-style checkering molded into the lightweight synthetic stock. The rifles have an MSRP of $326 for the black synthetic model, and $356 for the camouflaged model. (www.marlinfirearms.com).

MAUSER M 03 TRAIL RIFLE
The compact new synthetic-stock Mauser M 03 Trail model is a brush hunter's dream. Unique new features include a high-visibility, orange-colored polymer "Muzzle-Safe" patch cover system to keep moisture or foreign objects out of the 18 1/2-inch barrel. It fits into a special recess in the muzzle, and can be shot out of the way with no effect on the safety or accuracy (25 patches are included).

A new no-tools-required "Mag-Safe" magazine lock secures the removable box magazine against accidental dropout. New 3-Dot fluorescent orange open sights provide quick target acquisition in adverse light conditions. There is a rotating 360-degree sling swivel at the end of the barrel, an additional swivel at the fore-end, along with two sunken swivel studs on the bottom and side of the butt.

Fluorescent orange elastomer inlays for the fore-end and pistol grip are optional, and it's available in right- or left-hand models. Chamberings include .308 Winchester, .30/06, 7x57mm Mauser and 9.3x62mm. (www.mauser.com).

MOSSBERG MODEL 464
Mossberg has responded to the demise of the venerable Winchester Model 94, .30/30 "deer rifle" with the all-new Mossberg Model 464 Lever Action Rifle, its own rendition of that American Classic, refined and improved. Traditional lever-action rifles continue to serve a well-recognized niche within the hunting community, and with a new design centered on improved accuracy, safety and value, the Model 464 maintains the classic lines of a deer hunter's old best friend.

It weighs in at 6.7 pounds and has an overall length of 38 1/2 inches. The balance point is precisely at the juncture of the fore-end and receiver. The combination of weight, balance and a smooth yet robust action makes the 464 Lever Action Rifle tremendously fast handling, maneuverable and astoundingly accurate -- all the qualities a traditional lever action are known for. (www.mossberg.com).

REMINGTON MODEL R-25
The new Remington Model R-25 is designed specifically for hunters, initially available in .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington and .308 Winchester -- three of today's most popular short-action cartridges. With the hunter in mind, the R-25 incorporates the most advanced design aspects of AR-platform .308 Winchester-style rifles available today.

For accuracy, the R-25 features a precision-crafted 20-inch barrel with recessed hunting crown that's free-floated within a machined-aluminum fore-end tube for shot-to-shot consistency. Six longitudinal flutes forward of the gas block provide increased rigidity and weight reduction while promoting rapid barrel cooling. The ergonomic pistol grip and lightweight overall design of the R-25 provide excellent handling qualities.

The upper and lower receivers are machined from aluminum forgings for durability. Each Model R-25 is completely covered in the ultra-effective Mossy Oak Treestand camouflage pattern. Each rifle also is provided with a four-round magazine and is compatible with all aftermarket AR .308 Winchester type magazines and accessories. (www.remington.com).