With most whitetail seasons in the rearview mirror, it's time to think about updating your go-to deer hunting rifle. (Shutterstock Photo)
December 19, 2024
By Alan Clemons
This list will be updated in the following months as new rifles hit the market. Stayed tuned for to see the latest and greatest in deer hunting rifles. More guns, ammo and gear can be found here . If you’re planning for next season and looking to scratch the whitetail itch, it’s a good idea to take a look at some of the best new deer hunting rifles for 2025.
The most popular calibers are covered in this lineup, from the tried-and-true .270, .308 and .30-06 to the newer straight-wall calibers taking hold in many states. New stock designs, camo patterns and updates litter the list, too, all of them capable of knocking down whitetails anywhere in the country.
More new rifles are coming in January at the annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Some companies are opting to keep new products under wraps until then. For now, here are some to whet your appetite until more are introduced.
Mossberg Patriot Carbine Photo courtesy of Mossberg Mossberg's popular and successful Patriot line now includes the Patriot Carbine, with suppressor-ready barrel lengths of 18, 18.25 and 20 inches. This reliable bolt-action rifle has a classic style and synthetic stock ready to handle any weather or terrain. The rifle weighs 6.2 to 6.5 pounds, depending on caliber, comes with a mounted Picatinny rail for optics, and is available in .22-250, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, .450 Bushmaster, .350 Legend, 6.5 PRC, .300 Win Mag and 7mm PRC. (mossberg.com )
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Savage Model 334 Photo courtesy of Savage Arms Savage Arms is now offering its popular Model 334 bolt-action rifle in a Mossy Oak Terra Gila camo stock and five calibers, including the .30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester. The rifle is outfitted with a steel Picatinny rail for optics and accessories, sling swivel studs, a free-floating carbon steel receiver and barrel with 11-degree target crown, and a three-round detachable box magazine. The receiver and barrel wear dark gray Cerakote. It has a three-position safety, 60-degree bolt lift with three locking lugs and an integrated recoil lug. Other calibers include .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win.(savagearms.com )
Christensen Arms Evoke Photo courtesy of Christensen Arms Available in 11 popular hunting calibers, the new Evoke from Christensen Arms comes in four configurations for everything from whitetails to wilderness hunts. The Evoke is the first rifle from Christensen Arms priced at less than $1,000, but it is outfitted with many of the top features known on its other rifles.
The Evoke rifles feature a Christensen Arms Precision Machined Receiver, adjustable TriggerTech trigger, detachable box magazine, standard Remington 700 Optics Base, a pre-installed optic rail on the Hunter and Precision Models, and an integrated Picatinny rail section for accessory attachment. It has a Remington 700 action, is suppressor-ready, and has a hybrid grip angle along with an adjustable cheek riser (on select models) and adjustable length of pull. Calibers include .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm PRC, .308 Win, 30.06 Springfield, .300 Win Mag, 300 PRC and .350 Legend. Evoke is available in OD Green, Mossy Oak Bottomland, Christensen Arms Hunter Camouflage and Christensen Arms Hex Camouflage. (christensenarms.com)
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Smith and Wesson Model 1854 Steath Hunter Photo courtesy of Smith and Wesson The new Model 1854 Stealth Hunter from Smith & Wesson will turn a few heads, whether you’re clucking your tongue about this futuristic rifle or wholeheartedly embracing the change. Either way, it’s safe to say the S&W Stealth Hunter lever action is ramped up for hunters seeking more from the iconic rifle.
Available in .44 Rem Mag, .45 Colt and .357 Mag calibers, the Stealth Hunter is built on the traditional Model 1854 platform hunters and landowners are familiar with. However, modern updates give this thumper more oomph in the field. The rifles have a flat trigger design for consistent finger placement, a large loop lever for easy use with gloves, a removable magazine tube for safe and effortless unloading, and a synthetic stock with textured grip panels for improved control and feel.
Additional upgrades on the all-black Armonite rifle include an extended 10.5-inch Picatinny rail for a broader range of optics, a new T6 aluminum forend with 15 M-Lok-compatible slots for accessory attachments and a HIVIZ H3 fiber-optic front sight. The shortened 16.3-inch 410 stainless-steel barrel contributes to a lighter overall weight. (smith-wesson.com )
Sauer 505 Photo courtesy of J.P. Sauer and Sohn For hunters of a discerning taste, the Sauer 505 is now shipping in the United States after its debut in Europe last year. This bolt-action rifle from J.P. Sauer and Sohn is available in four stock options: walnut (wood grade 5), traditional synthetic, synthetic thumbhole or carbon fiber. It features a robust, lightweight skeletonized steel chassis, interchangeable cold hammer-forged precision barrels and four preset trigger weights from 0.77 to 2.75 pounds. Sauer has adopted the proven Blaser saddle mount technology for easy and accurate optics mounting. This quick-detach mount is designed to ensure the optic can be removed and put back on while maintaining the precise point of aim without having to re-zero the scope. Rifle weights range from around 6 pounds with the ultralight carbon fiber stock to heavier weight field options with magnum barrels. The Sauer 505 is available in the U.S. in .222 Rem, .223 Rem, .243 Rem, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06 Spring, .270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, 6.5 PRC, .270 WSM, .375 H&H. (sauer.de )
Springfield Boundary 2020 Photo courtesy of Springfield Armory Springfield Armory’s new Model 2020 Boundary offers a rugged carbon-fiber stock with classic lines yet with modern features. One top feature is a patent-pending, one-piece hinged floorplate bottom metal design that is compatible with Model 700 receivers. This design eliminates fit and complexity issues by combining the box and bottom metal, resulting in one universal bottom metal setup for short-action calibers. The PRC and non-PRC long-action calibers use the same bottom metal and have two follower lengths and an added spacer that fills the area left by the shorter follower.
The Model 2020 action has dual locking lugs on a fluted bolt that run smoothly down EDM raceways for perfect, repeatable engagement. The Boundary’s TriggerTech Field trigger is adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds and has a low-profile, non-snag safety. The Boundary is available with either a BSF carbon fiber or a traditional fluted stainless steel barrel. The rifle— offered in short- and long-action configurations—is available in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .300 PRC, .300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag or 7mm PRC. The barreled action on the Model 2020 Boundary is precisely fitted to the 100 percent carbon-fiber AG Sportsman stock, featuring hand-painted Rogue camouflage. It boasts a 13.5-inch length of pull, along with two QD cups and a 1-inch Pachmayr Decelerator Pad for enhanced shooting comfort. (springfield-armory.com )
Heritage 92 Photo courtesy of Heritage Manufacturing Co. For deer hunters wanting to experience a bit of nostalgia, the Heritage 92 lever-action rifle can take you back in time. The rifle has traditional element designs from the 1800s, such as octagonal barrels on some models. The rifles also come with polished black or stainless steel barrels and actions, tube magazines, and adjustable open sights. The Heritage 92 is available in 357 Magnum, 45 Colt, 44 Magnum, and 454 Casull. (heritagemfg.com )
Ruger Model 77/357 Photo courtesy of Ruger Ruger’s Model 77 bolt-action rifle chambered in .357 Magnum has been around for a while with black synthetic stocks but now comes in two new camo patterns. Hunters can choose between the Kryptek Obskura Nox or Desolve Bar Reduced patterns, both of which will work in a variety of environments. The Model 77/357 comes with an 18.5-inch stainless steel barrel, threaded muzzle, adjustable rear sight and five-shot, detachable rotary magazine. Integrated scope mounts are machined on the receiver. The rifle weighs a tidy 5.6 ounces. (ruger.com )
Fierce Firearms Twisted Rogue Photo courtesy of Fierce Firearms Fierce Firearms’ new Twisted Rogue bolt-action rifle features a No. 4 contour steel barrel with deep spiral fluting and a threaded barrel crown for easy use with a muzzle brake or suppressor. The Twisted Rogue combines the proven Fierce Dual-Lug action with a tough, lightweight C3 carbon-fiber Rogue stock. Key upgrades on this rifle include a 70-degree bolt throw and improved bolt ejection, an integral bipod rail, a streamlined pistol grip, Armor Lube black coating, TriggerTech adjustable trigger, and other premium features. It is also available in titanium—the Twisted Ti Rogue. (fiercearms.com )
