(Photo courtesy of Stag Arms)
September 03, 2024
By Todd Burgreen
Hunting with suppressors is gaining in popularity. Many shooters are now keen on hearing loss incurred from repeated loud reports of firearms. In the past, there were many hoops to jump through to get a tax stamp from the government, leaving many not willing to do the legwork. Nowadays, suppressors are much easier to obtain. For example, Silencer Central will handle all the details, and you just have to wait for it to show up at your door. All you need is a suppressor-ready rifle.
While no list will be perfect, here are 10 suppressor-ready rifles that I have had hands-on experience at the range and in the field.
Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary (Photo courtesy of Springfield Armory) My introduction to the Springfield Armory Model 2020 took place at a 2020 writer’s event with the Waypoint model. The new Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary follows Springfield’s established building blocks of success—the proprietary Model 2020 action, AG Composites carbon-fiber stock, TriggerTech trigger and BSF carbon-wrapped barrel. What distinguishes the Model 2020 Boundary is a more traditional hunting-centered, classic-style, carbon-fiber stock along with a hinged floor plate instead of a detachable magazine.
Why, the Boundary? The Waypoint had momentum going that was only accelerated with the announcement of the long action “boomer” Waypoints. The answer from Springfield Armory came back, “We are gun people at Springfield Armory and wanted another option available focusing more on hunters.” Enough said. MSRP: $2,599 | springfield-armory.com
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Taurus Expedition (Photo courtesy of Taurus USA) The Taurus Expedition bolt-action rifle caught people by surprise although it shouldn’t have. Taurus’s goal is to develop into a noteworthy force in the U.S. for multiple firearm categories—albeit sporting, competition or personal defense. The Expedition confirms this.
The rifle is not intended for the tactical/sniper role; hunting is its realm. The Expedition’s salient features are all geared towards this. There is a developing aura involving hunting with a bolt-action rifle in this day of AR-15 semi-autos. The Taurus Expedition .308 Win is a pleasing 7 pounds. Overall length measures 37.9 inches, including the 18-inch spiral-fluted 5/8x24 threaded barrel. A 6.5 Creedmoor chambering is available with a 20-inch barrel. Its five-round, AI-style detachable magazine feeds rounds into the Expedition’s chamber. The magazine is of single-stack design, allowing for centerline feeding reliability as well as maintaining as much stock material as possible to support the action for better potential accuracy. MSRP: $984 | taurususa.com
Stag Arms Pursuit Bolt (Photo courtesy of Stag Arms) The Stag Arms Pursuit Bolt is designed to appeal to the long-range precision shooter who hunts, is not tied to tradition and appreciates the nuances offered by high-end production rifles. While the Pursuit uses a proprietary action, it does follow the Remington 700 pattern. The Pursuit’s action is machined from 416 stainless steel billet. A pinned recoil lug is part of the action. A bolt-on, 20-MOA biased Picatinny rail comes factory-mounted. Cerakote protects the receiver, bottom metal, barrel shank and muzzle brake. The bolt receives coating for extreme durability, as well as its self-lubricating properties. The bolt is slick to operate and empties eject vigorously. MSRP: $1,899 | stagarms.com
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Ruger Scout Rifle (Photo courtesy of Ruger) The underlying component in the scout rifle concept, as defined by Jeff Cooper starting in the 1980s, is versatility. The Ruger Scout is based on the proven Ruger Model 77 bolt action. What immediately sets apart the Scout from other Ruger bolt actions is the barrel profile, including a rail section in front of the action and a provision made for the use of detachable magazines. The Scout features a 16.25-inch, hammer-forged barrel with a 1-in-10 RH twist and is chambered for .308 Win with a multitude of other calibers available.
The Ruger Scout proves that hyper-velocity magnum boomers equipped with optics resembling spotting scopes are not the only viable option. I find it hard to believe that anyone using a Ruger Scout rifle will consider themselves ever undergunned or at a disadvantage. The Ruger Scout will appeal to rifle lovers for their no-nonsense efficiency if allowed to prove their worth. MSRP: $1,479-$1,559 | ruger.com
CZ 600 Trail (Photo courtesy of CZ-USA) CZ is all in with the CZ 600 action, phasing out manufacturing of other CZ bolt types. The CZ 600 Trail features a patent-pending short extractor-controlled feed design that grips the cartridge case throughout the cycling movement to ensure reliability. The 60-degree bolt throw is compact and will not interfere with mounted optics. An oversized bolt handle offers plenty of leverage for manipulation. The bolt head on the CZ 600 is either three-lug or six-lug, depending on caliber.
Right off the bat, the SMG-like retractable buttstock lets you know something different is happening with the CZ 600 Trail. The rifle features a polymer chassis, M-Lok forend, detachable magazine, pistol grip, Picatinny rail and a threaded barrel. Easy to transport and lightweight, the CZ 600 Trail leaves no excuse to leave it behind. MSRP: $1,079 | cz-usa.com
Sig Cross Trax (Photo courtesy of Sig Sauer) The Sig Cross Trax chambered in .308 Win takes the Cross to a minimalist extreme by shaving .50-.80 pounds off the already lightweight Cross. The Trax weighs in at a feathery 6.1 pounds. This is done via a skeletonized 11.5-inch handguard around a 16-inch barrel, foldable Leg Bone minimalist stock, Rattler pistol grip and low-profile bolt knob.
The heart of the Trax is still the Cross receiver. The monolithic action is incredibly rigid—but also svelte thanks to being one-piece, eliminating the need for bedding and action screws; think AR-15 without upper and lower distinctions. The receiver interacts directly with the trigger, bolt, AICS magazine and barrel mounting. This is a change from typical bolt-action methods that serve to minimize many of the accuracy-robbing causes associated with typical bolt actions, while also contributing to ruggedness afield.
Ideal for pursuing game in rugged and steep terrain, the rifle’s accuracy shines in hunting stands/blinds as well as shots across wide, clear-cut spaces. With ergonomics still very conducive for spot-and-stalk techniques, most do not realize that even with the relatively short ranges involved in thick timber hunting pinpoint accuracy is crucial to find a shooting lane. The Cross Trax is easily carried in the hand, ready to go when quarry is spotted. MSRP: $1,529 | sigsauer.com
Ruger American Generation II (Photo courtesy of Ruger) The Ruger American Gen II is much more than a souped version of the original Ruger American bolt action. So many enhancements have been made that it is unrecognizable from its Gen I predecessor. The new stock features a Monte Carlo-esq contoured raised cheekpiece with adjustable length of pull and comb height.
Ruger’s patented Power Bedding integral bedding block system secures the receiver and free-floats the cold hammer-forged barrel for improved accuracy. The 20-inch, spiral-fluted, cold hammer-forged barrel will raise eyebrows with its aesthetics and put the user on notice something new is at hand with this Ruger rifle. The barrel comes threaded and arrives wearing an effective radial muzzle brake.
A tang-mounted safety completes the action. The American G2’s safety has three positions—forward for fire, middle safe where the bolt can still function and rear safe with the bolt locked down. If you have ever been afield in thick terrain, you know that a bolt can be inadvertently opened and could drop a round out when pushing through brush. This can pose a problem when finally encountering your prey. This is an important detail that Ruger listened to their customer base about. MSRP: $729 | ruger.com
Stag Arms 10 Pursuit AR (Photo courtesy of Stag Arms) The Stag Arms 10 Pursuit is a great example of the growing potential of ARs in the hunting arena. The Stag Pursuit semi-auto highlights all of the AR positives in its MSR form, especially when combined with the 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win or other similar cartridges. While ARs were quickly embraced for varmint hunting, caliber expansion has steadily grown in popularity with hunters for larger-sized game as well.
Stag Arms has made a conscious effort with the Pursuit to harness mid-power cartridge potential in a more hunter-friendly AR form. Many will contend that the 6.5 Creedmoor chambered in an accurate semi-automatic like the Stag Arms Stag 10 Pursuit is the epitome of an MSR. A trained marksman will definitely be able to put to good use the ballistic advantages offered by the rifle with its precision semi-automatic firepower. Stag Arms did not enter into the MSR market without serious forethought and decision-making to try and separate their rifle from other offerings in a cluttered market. The Stag 10 Pursuit succeeds in this mission. MSRP: $2,199 | stagarms.com
(Photo courtesy of Weatherby) Weatherby’s intent with the Mark V Hunter is to challenge pre-existing thoughts of Weatherby Mark V rifles being elitist in both cost and chamberings offered. Initial press releases emphasized that the Mark V Hunter was being chambered in many standard classic cartridges outside of the Weatherby proprietary cartridge lineup. The two I handled were chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm Rem Mag. The Mark V Hunter allows a wider spectrum of sportsmen to benefit from Weatherby Mark V attributes such as sub-MOA accuracy, awesome trigger, rock-solid/smooth fast-operating fluted 54-degree bolt lift and stock design to name a few—even if their preferred cartridge is outside the Weatherby stable.
The Mark V Hunter is mated to a new polymer stock design for Weatherby. The distinctive Weatherby Monte Carlo cheekpiece is gone, although the comb does have a slight arch for a nice cheekweld effect. The Mark V Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor weighs in at 6.1 pounds. That’s not a misprint. The rifle measures 43 inches overall, and the internal magazine capacity is four rounds. Much of the weight savings is attributed to both the polymer stock and 22-inch #1 contour barrel profile. Do not fear, as Weatherby’s three-round, sub-MOA accuracy guarantee is in place. The Mark V Hunter is perfect for a “roving” as well as ambush/stand hunter. MSRP: $1,499 | weatherby.com
Ruger SFAR (Photo courtesy of Ruger) The Ruger SFAR (Small Frame Autoloading Rifle) is another great example of the growing potential of ARs in the hunting arena. The Ruger SFAR highlights all of the AR positives in its MSR form, especially when combined with the .308 cartridge. Ruger has made a conscious effort with the SFAR to harness the power of the .308 within AR-15-sized upper and lower receivers, thus offering users superior terminal ballistics while maintaining svelte handling associated with AR-15 dimensions.
The added weight of most AR-10 platforms compared to the smaller AR-15 negates inherent AR handling properties. Not the Ruger SFAR...7 pounds empty as verified on my FFL dealers shipping scale. By the way, this was with a 20-inch barrel SFAR model. A 16-inch barreled SFAR would be even lighter by several ounces. The combining of the great-handling Ruger SFAR platform with the increased power represented in the .308 Win cartridge is the key to its allure as a versatile performer afield. MSRP: $1,329 | ruger.com
