SHOT Show week in Las Vegas began with Monday’s annual Industry Day at the Range, during which attendees were able to try out new firearms and ammo. (Photo by Lynn Burkhead)
January 23, 2024
By Alan Clemons
Check back for updates to this article from SHOT Show 2024.
The annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas is the coming-out party for products large and small. Among them each year are new deer-hunting rifles, many of which will find their way to hunters’ stands and blinds this season.
Mossberg Patriot Mossberg is now chambering its Patriot bolt-action rifle in 400 Legend, ideal for deer in states where straight-walled cartridges are legal and also for a variety of big game including hogs and close-cover bears. A walnut-stocked version and black synthetic stock option, both with 20-inch threaded barrels, are available. Based on Mossberg’s proven twin-lug push-feed machined-steel action, these classically-styled Patriot rifles are fed from a flush polymer magazine with a 4+1 capacity. Free-floating, 20-inch carbon steel barrels are threaded a suppressor or muzzle brake; they include a protective thread cap and have a 11-degree match crown. All Patriot rifles feature Mossberg’s patented LBA (Lightning Bolt Action) user-adjustable trigger with a 2- to 7-pound range of adjustment.
Ruger American Rifle Generation II Ruger American Rifle Generation II is an update to the original, introduced a decade ago, and now available with more calibers and top features. The American Gen II includes an updated three-position tang safety, along with a more rigid and ergonomic stock that accommodates a removable comb riser and length-of-pull spacer. A 20-inch fluted barrel is threaded and includes a factory-installed radial muzzle brake. Ranch models have a 16-inch barrel, and are lighter and more compact.
Advertisement
Christensen Arms Evoke Offer a versatile feature, rich array for beginner and veteran hunters. The rifles have a 416R stainless steel precision barrel with Cerakote finish, 60-degree bolt throw on a three-lug bolt, RFR muzzle brake and are suppressor-ready. The hybrid grip angle and a user-adjustable TriggerTech trigger helps put shooters on target every time. Other features include detachable box magazine, integrated Picatinny rail, swivel sling studs, adjustable cheek riser and integrated ARCA rail on select models. The rifles are available in 11 calibers, from .243 to .350 legend.
Franchi Momentum Elite Franchi has expanded its Momentum and Momentum Elite lines with new chamber, barrel and color options. Momentum Elite bolt-action now includes the .30-06 Springfield and .450 Bushmaster, both with 22-inch free-float barrels in Midnight Bronze Cerakote with True Timber Strava camo Evolved Ergonom-x stock. Three new options are available in the Momentum, which has a 22-inch barrel and now includes the .30-06 Springfield, .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster chamberings. Momentum has a more traditional Hunter Gray Ergonom-X stock and blued barrel. Both models come with the adjustable Relia trigger group, one-piece Dependa bolt with short 60-degree throw, a free-floating, cold-hammer-forged chrome-molybdenum barrel, and a removable muzzle brake.
Marlin Model 1894 Classic The newest rifle in the Marlin lineup is the Model 1894 Classic, a longtime favorite chambered in .44 Rem. Mag and .357 Mag. It has an American black walnut stock and forend. The rifle’s receiver, lever and trigger guard plate are CNC machined from alloy steel forgings, and its 20.25-inch cold hammer-forged barrel also is crafted from alloy steel. The receiver and barrel are blued with a satin finish. The Model 1894 has and adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight and hooded front post. It holds 10 rounds of .44 Rem. Mag.
Advertisement
Shaw Barrels Excursion As expected, the Shaw Barrels Excursion rifle is packed with a ton of features that begins with a premium Shaw Match Grade barrel. It’s paired with a glass-bedded Prak44 carbon fiber stock, 3DHex recoil pad, blueprinted 416 stainless steel receiver and user-adjustable TriggerTech trigger. The latter can be adjusted from 2.5-5 pounds. The Excursion is available in 39 short-action and 51 long-action calibers, and compatible with hundreds of stocks and triggers.
CVA Cascade XT The newest rifle in the CVA line is the Cascade XT in 7mm PRC, which hits speeds up to 3,000 fps and provides accurate shots without tooth-rattling recoil. The Cascade includes a large bolt knob, threaded muzzle, two-position safety, flush fit detachable magazine and trim lines with a 7.15-pound weight. The 7mm PRC chambering joins other XT stalwarts including the .223 Remington. 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester. .450 Bushmaster, .350 Legend, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag and .300 Mag.
Bergara Premier Series MgMicro Lite Bergara’s ultralight magnesium micro chassis in its Premier Series MgMicro Lite is designed for accuracy while giving hunters a lightweight, custom-style rifle. It has an 18-inch Cure Carbon Barrel, threaded for a suppressor, and ATOM XLR magnesium chassis with folding stock. The stock features an adjustable check rest, Limbsaver recoil pad and M-LOK slots. It’s dressed in graphite black Cerakote finish and is available in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC.
CZ 600 American Six of the most popular deer hunting calibers are offered in the CZ 600 American, a traditional bolt-action design with Turkish walnut stock. You’ll find the rifle in .223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .270 Win, .30-06 Sprg and .300 WinMag. CZ guarantees sub-MOA accuracy (3-shot groups at 100m with match-grade ammunition). The rifle has an anti-corrosion finish, adjustable trigger, double-stack magazine and more.
Sig Sauer Cross Magnum and Trax rifles. The new bolt-action Sig Sauer Cross Magnum is chambered in .300 Win Mag, perfect for big game from whitetail to elk and moose. It has a 24-inch user-changeable 5R barrel, match trigger, PRS-style grip, AICS magazine and more. The aluminum anodized frame has free-floating handguard that is M-LOK and ARCA compatible. The folding buttstock adjust for length and cheek height. It weighs 8.9 pounds. The new Cross Trax is lightweight at just 6.1 pounds, available in .308 with an alloy forend and polymer grip. It has an 11.5-inch lightweight handguard, Leg Bone minimalist stock, Rattler grip and low-profile bolt knob with a 16-inch barrel.
Bergara B-14 Squared Crest Carbon Bergara Rifles introduces the B-14 Squared Crest Carbon, with a stock crafted from carbon fiber with an internal spine. The stock incorporates length-of-pull spacers and Bergara’s M5 cutout, which allows an easy transition from an AICS magazine to a traditional floorplate. The Bergara Cure carbon fiber barrel is 20-22 inches, depending on the caliber, and the rifle weighs just 6.2 pounds. It is offered in 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .22-250 Rem, 6.5 PRC, .300 Win Mag, and 7mm PRC.
Bergara Wilderness Series Bergara’s new Wilderness Series will catch the eye of hunters wanting a traditional sporter style but with more adjustability. And adjustable comb allows for optimal positioning on each shot. The Sierra is chambered in .22-250 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 6.5 PRC, .30-06 SPRG, .270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm PRC, .300 Win Mag, and 300 PRC. The CrMo steel barrel is 20-22 inches, depending on the caliber. The finish sniper gray Cerakote. Weight is 7.4 pounds, and left-handed versions are available.
Uberti 1873 Hunter Rifle Uberti USA brings a legend into the 21st century with its new 1873 Hunter Rifle series. The rifles are heirloom-quality replicas with two models for the modern hunter. The 1873 Hunter Rifles come chambered for the legacy .45 LC and popular.44 Magnum cartridges. The big twist? Uberti designers took advantage of the half-octagon barrel profile to install a conventional Picatinny rail. With this mounting solution, shooters can install a scout-style, long-eye-relief magnified scope or conventional red dot optic for hunting applications. Both models have a 20-inch barrel, 10-round magazine tube, checkered walnut forend and pistol grip stock, and no-slip rubber buttpad.
Taurus Expedition The Taurus Expedition, the first bolt-action rifle from Taurus USA, is based on the durable Remington 700 action and has a hammer-forged 18-inch barrel, AICS pattern magazine, M-LOK for accessories and more. It is available in .308 Winchester, with more calibers to come.