Best New Deer Hunting Rifles for 2020

For a deer hunter, the annual SHOT Show is like Christmas in January. All the year’s new deer rifles are on display in Vegas – models that bring revolutionary new features and improvements sure to make a difference in the whitetail woods next fall!

Here’s a look at some of the new deer rifles coming out in 2020:

Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Speed Long Range McMillan

When it comes to deer rifles, accuracy trumps all. Browning has delivered on that with the new X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed Long Range McMillan in 6mm Creedmoor, a rifle that features a steel receiver, free-floating 26-inch barrel (with a threaded muzzle brake on suppressor threads), hand chambering, and a target crown. Both the barrel and the receiver have a Cerakote burnt orange finish. The rifle also features a 60° bolt lift; adjustable feather trigger; detachable rotary magazine; top-tang safety; sling swivel studs, textured gripping surfaces, a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad; and A-TACS AU (Arid/Urban) camo. MSRP $2,239.99 | browning.com

Benelli LUPO Bolt-Action

Perhaps the biggest news in the deer hunting rifle market this year is long-time Italian gunmaker Benelli entering the bolt-action rifle market with the new LUPO (Italian for wolf). A gun that has already received some outstanding reviews, the rifle features a 22-inch Crio free-floated barrel, the company’s Progressive Comfort recoil pad and CombTech cheek pad for a reduction in felt recoil, a fluted bolt, detachable box magazine, ambidextrous tang-mounted safety, an upper receiver that is drilled and tapped, and a user-adjustable trigger from 2.2 to 4.4 pounds. With Benelli’s Perfect Fitting System of shims, spacers, and pads, a custom fit for drop, cast, length of pull, and trigger reach is readily available for each rifle. Available in .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester and .300 Winchester Magnum chamberings for 2020. MSRP $1,699.99 | benelliusa.com

CVA Cascade

CVA, a longtime leader in muzzleloaders, has entered the bolt-action rifle market in 2020 with the new Cascade model. This hunting rifle features either a 4140 carbon steel barrel with a matte blue finish or a Cerakote finished barrel, both with a threaded muzzle. The receiver area features a 70-degree bolt throw, a two-position safety, and compatibility with all Savage 110 scope mounts. The stock uses a soft-touch synthetic model that is fiberglass reinforced and comes in either charcoal gray or Veil Wideland camo finish. Top the rifle off with the Cascade’s flush mount, four-round detachable magazine and dual front swivel studs and it’s easy to see CVA’s 50-years of gun making excellence built in. Available in 10 different calibers from .22-250 Varmint all the way up to .450 Bushmaster. MSRP $657.95 | cva.com

Mossberg Patriot Synthetic

Mossberg’s reputation for making rock-solid guns continues with the new Patriot Synthetic model. Chambered in four calibers including the 350 Legend, the new rifle checks in with a 4 + 1 capacity, a fluted barrel that measures 22 inches in length, and a 1:16 twist rate. With a matte blue barrel finish and a black synthetic stock, the Patriot Synthetic delivers no-frills efficiency, an affordable price, and an easy to carry weight of only 6.5 pounds. Yet again, it looks like the legendary American gunmaker has produced another sure-fire winner guaranteed to find its way into many deer stands next fall! MSRP $409 | mossberg.com

Ruger American Rifle Go Wild Camo

Ruger's American Rifle series has been a big hit with hunters in recent years and 2020 should be no different. This year, the legendary gunmaker introduces its American Rifle in four calibers – including 6.5 PRC – that feature the GO Wild Camo finish. With the Ruger Marksman adjustable trigger, 22-inch barrels that feature Ruger’s patent pending Power Bedding, a Bronze Cerakote barrel and receiver finish, and the Go Wild camo on the gun’s synthetic stock, these are rifles that are definitely easy on the eye. Add in a twist rate of 1:16, a threaded barrel, and a weight of 6.8 pounds, and these new editions of the American Rifle should be popular this year at your local gun shop. MSRP $629 | ruger.com

Savage 110 Ultralite

With a fresh look and full complement of improvements, Savage Arms has unveiled the company’s new Ultralite 110 model in eight different caliber options. With the company’s widely known Accufit and AccuTrigger features, the rifle gets off to a good start. Add in a gray synthetic stock, a skeletonized receiver, a spiral fluted bolt body, a threaded barrel, and detachable box magazine and there’s more to like. Finish the new rifle off with a carbon fiber barrel – which helps bring overall weight to 6 pounds or less depending upon the caliber chosen – and the new Savage 100 Ultralite is sure to have a legion of fans. MSRP $1,499 | savagearms.com

Tikka T3x Lite Veil Wideland

Perfect for either the southern deer woods or the more open terrain out West where whitetails and other big game critters roam, the Tikka T3x Lite Veil Wonderland bolt-action is a great new rifle to consider. With a Cerakote coating on the barrel to make it impervious to weather, a muzzle brake to reduce felt recoil, and easy to handle weight thanks to a fluted bolt and lite barrel, this rifle looks to be a winner on the range and in the field. With a three-shot capacity, the T3x Lite comes in the new Veil Wideland camo pattern along with being chambered in 10 different caliber options. Depending on the model being shot, weights range from 6.6 to 7.1 pounds while barrel lengths vary from 22.4 to 24.4 inches. MSRP: N/A | tikka.fi

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Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Ti

While the Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Ti is aimed at hunters loading up a backpack and heading deep into the backcountry, that's not to say that this rifle doesn't deserve a home in your favorite treestand or box blind. Checking in at 4.9 pounds in either the KUIU Verde 2 or Carbon Fiber / Gray Sponge finishes, the rifle brings 10 different caliber options along with Weatherby's adjustable, zero-creep TriggerTech trigger. Add in the Accubrake ST that reduces felt recoil by more than 50 percent, a 54-degree bolt throw, a carbon fiber stock, 3DHEX Recoil Reducing technology, a titanium receiver, and Cerakote coating and this is another winner from the Wyoming gun maker. Better yet, the rifle brings Weatherby's famed guarantee of shooting a three-shot group SUB-MOA group from a cold barrel using Weatherby or premium ammo! MSRP $3,349-$3,449 | weatherby.com

Winchester Renegade Long Range SR

Long-range accuracy is now a benchmark in the rifle industry, and Winchester adds to that growing consumer demand with its new Renegade Long Range SR. With an M.O.A. trigger system, straight fluting that reduces weight and improves cooling, and a button-rifled free floated steel barrel, this gun is built to be a tack driver in one of the six cartridge offerings Winchester is offering in 2020. With other user-friendly features like a threaded muzzle, two-position thumb safety, an Inflex Technology Recoil Pad, and a detachable box magazine, this gun is another winner from one of America’s most legendary gunmakers. MSRP $1,069 | winchesterguns.com

TC Arms Compass Utility Bolt Action

Simple and sweet. The new do-all, no-frills TC Compass Utility model from Thompson/Center gets the job done accurately without breaking the bank. Available in multiple deer-hunting friendly caliber options, these rifles feature barrel lengths check in at just under 22 inches and have a twist rate of 1:10. With a 3-lug bolt design, a position safety, a flush fit rotary magazine, TC's 5R rifling design, SUB MOA 3-shot group delivery, and TC’s limited lifetime warranty, there's little doubt that Thompson/Center has hit another rifle making homerun in 2020. MSRP $359 | tcarms.com