SHOT Show Rewind: Best Hunting Gear of the Year

It can be tough to comprehend the sheer size of the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, let alone the number of products on display. The 47th SHOT Show, owned and operated by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and housed within the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, Nev., comprised more than 18 acres of exhibits and 14 miles of aisles—a record amount of space. That’s a lot of guns and gear.

Editors from Game & Fish, Petersen’s Hunting and other Outdoor Sportsman Group brands covered the show’s expansive floors to find the most noteworthy new products for hunters and shooters. The firearms, ammunition and accessories featured here address needs, advance trends and enhance performance in the field. For a closer look at these new products, watch interviews with product managers and engineers who developed the gear at gafmag.com. Be sure to check them out as you plan your next outdoor adventures.

BROWNING X-BOLT 2 MOUNTAIN PRO SPR CARBON FIBER

Last year, Browning introduced the X-Bolt 2, a modern upgrade to the company’s flagship rifle platform. Since then, Browning has continued to add models, including the Mountain Pro SPR Carbon Fiber. With suppressors nearly ubiquitous among hunters and shooters, the SPR is set up to accommodate a silencer with shortened barrels (18 to 22 inches, depending on cartridge) threaded at 5/8-24. The carbon-fiber barrel and stainless steel receiver are complemented by a newly designed carbon-fiber stock that’s easily adjustable to create a perfect fit for maximum accuracy. The receiver has recessed cuts to further reduce weight and houses a spiral-fluted bolt with an aluminum handle, making the Mountain Pro SPR an ideal choice for backcountry hunts where weight is at a premium. ($4,139.99-$4,179.99)

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 1854 STEALTH HUNTER

Despite, or maybe because of, their traditional design, lever guns continue to enjoy great popularity among hunters and shooters alike. Last year, Smith & Wesson launched the Model 1854 series of lever actions, and this year the company introduces a kitted-out modern version of the popular rifle. The synthetic Armornite stock is lightweight, durable and adds tactical looks to the typical lever-gun profile. A 10 1/2-inch Picatinny rail offers multiple options for mounting optics from red dots to scout-style scopes. The aluminum fore-end has plenty of M-Lok openings for a host of accessories. The barrel measures 16.3 inches to shave some weight for all-day carry in the woods. Other features include an oversized lever loop, removable magazine tube, aperture rear sight and HIVIZ fiber-optic front sight. Available in .357 Rem. Mag., .45 Colt and .44 Rem. Mag. ($1,399)

WINCHESTER LONG BEARD TSS

Turkey hunters who embrace the effectiveness of Tungsten Super Shot have new options in the Winchester Long Beard TSS line. The loads contain TSS with a density of 18 g/cc, along with buffering to help the pellets respond more consistently to choke tubes for better patterns. Winchester reports hunters can expect six to eight times more pellets in a 10-inch circle at 60 yards when compared to traditional lead turkey loads. Long Beard TSS is available in 3-inch and 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge with either No. 8 or 9 shot, 3-inch 20-gauge with No. 8 or 9 shot, 2 3/4-inch and 3-inch 28-gauge with No. 9 shot, and 3-inch .410 bore with No. 9 shot. Muzzle velocities range from 1,050 fps for the 12-gauge, 2 3/4-ounce load to 1,150 fps for the 28-gauge, 1 1/2-ounce load. (prices vary)

WARNE HYPERLITE SCOPE RINGS

Ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain. So goes the old mountain hunter’s adage, and it’s a good axiom to keep in mind when building out a backcountry hunting rifle. Warne’s new HyperLite rings shave those ounces without sacrificing performance or durability. Precision machined from the company’s proprietary MagnaFusion alloy, they are more than 1/3 lighter than comparable rings made from aluminum. For example, a pair of 1-inch medium rings weigh little more than 2 1/2 ounces. Designed to fit both Picatinny and Weaver-style bases, they are built with an integrated recoil lug and dual-screw clamping design to stay true to zero on the heaviest recoiling rifles. Their Cerakote finish looks great and provides a custom-like appearance. Made in the USA, the rings are available in 1-inch, 30 mm and 34 mm versions, in both low, medium and high configurations. Look for an AR-style mount in the Hyperlite line coming soon. ($99.99-$129.99)

SPYPOINT FLEX-DARK

Hunters get dependable image and video transmission, easy setup and remote management, and low-impact scouting surveillance with the FLEX-DARK cellular trail camera from Spypoint. Dual-SIM technology automatically connects to the strongest signal in the area from any major carrier for reliable coverage, while low-glow and no-glow LEDs capture 40 MB photos and 1080p videos without alerting game. Users can view and download photos and videos, as well as manage and fine-tune settings, in the Spypoint app. Several transmission plans are available, including a free plan that includes 100 photos per month. The FLEX-DARK has a trigger speed of .3 second, flash range of 100 feet and detection range of 100 feet. A version with a built-in solar panel that charges an internal lithium battery, the FLEX-S-DARK, is also available to further reduce the need to visit the camera. Both versions come with a 2-year warranty. ($129.99 FLEX-DARK, $189.99 FLEX-S-DARK)

STREAMLIGHT MEGASTREAM USB

Reliable performance in a right-sized package without the constant, expensive hassle of changing batteries. That’s what Streamlight’s MegaStream USB delivers, along with 1,800 lumens of bright, white illumination for up to two hours on the high setting (500 lumens for 3 1/2 hours on medium and 150 lumens for 13 hours on low). The MegaStream USB has a machined aluminum-alloy body, weighs just 5.4 ounces and measures 5.3 inches in length. Streamlight’s SL-B34 protected lithium-ion battery pack is USB rechargeable, and it can be charged while installed or separate from the light. The tail cap features a push-button switch to cycle through the three brightness modes. The MegaStream USB has an IPX7 waterproof rating and is impact-resistance tested for drops of up to 2 meters. ($148)

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• This article was featured in the May 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe.

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