September 04, 2018
By Haynes Shelton
Nothing says deer season quite like the roar of a rifle and the smell of gunpowder. Making the perfect shot on the buck of your dreams starts with choosing high-quality equipment.
Browning X-Bolt Pro Gen. 2
The X-Bolt Pro Gen. 2 is a featherweight 6.5 Creedmoor packed with premium features, including a 360-degree carbon fiber wrapped stock and burnt bronze Cerakote finish. The carbon is to credit for the rifle's airy total weight (just a touch over 6 pounds), in addition to the spiral-fluted bolt and 22" sporter barrel. A fine touch, the threaded barrel comes with both a muzzle brake and protective shroud. browning.com
Kimber Model 84M Hunter
The Model 84M Hunter is now available in Realtree Edge camouflage, just because camo makes everything better. The 22" stainless-steel sporter barrel is protected by durable Kimpro all-weather black finish, and the adjustable trigger can be set between 3.5 and 4 pounds. The rifle weighs just 5.6 pounds and measures 41.25". It's available in a variety of cartridges, including the ever-popular 6.5 Creedmoor. kimberamerica.com
Mauser M18
Hailed as "The People's Rifle," the M18 is a versatile, finely crafted weapon virtually anyone can afford. The cold-hammered barrel and robust synthetic stock are both rugged and attractive, as are the soft grip and fore-end inlays. The detachable 5-round magazine is handy in the field, while the crisp-breaking action provides smooth, reliable feeding. For 2018, several capable whitetail cartridges are available. mauser.com
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Mossberg Patriot Synthetic Cerakote
The Patriot Synthetic Cerakote rifle will defy Mother Nature's worst. It's chambered in .243 Win., has a 5-round magazine capacity and a fluted 22" stainless-steel barrel with a 1:10 twist rate, and weighs 6.5 pounds. An advanced Cerakote finish protects against rust and scratches, ensuring the rifle will withstand a lifetime of abuse in the deer woods. This is a great choice for shooters of all experience levels. mossberg.com
Remington Model Seven Threaded
Looking for a lightweight brush gun with a short barrel? The Model Seven Threaded is it. Available in .300 Blackout and .308 Win., it measures only 34.25" and weighs just 6 pounds. It's finished in KUIU Vias camouflage and features the X-Mark Pro externally adjustable trigger. The .300 Blackout version has a 5-round magazine capacity and offers great low-recoil performance. remington.com
Ruger American Rifle
The American Rifle has received a makeover for 2018. It's now available in Go Wild camo and comes complete with a stylish barrel finish, detachable magazine and muzzle brake. Additional features include a factory-installed one-piece aluminum scope rail, Power Bedding integral block and an adjustable trigger. This affordable rifle is capable of minute-of-angle accuracy. ruger.com
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Savage 110 Storm
The 110 Storm rifle is not only outfitted with the time-tested AccuTrigger but also showcases the highly adaptable new AccuFit stock system, which makes adjusting your length-of-pull and comb height a breeze. The rifle includes a detachable box magazine, along with soft-grip hand surfaces to promote quick and easy handling. The rifle weighs 7.25 pounds and is available in an array of whitetail cartridges. savagearms.com
Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P 10
The Performance Center M&P 10 is equally at home in the deer woods or on the range. It's chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and comes with a two0-stage match trigger and 24" suppressor-ready 5-R rifled barrel. Additional features include a 15" free-float Troy M-LOK handguard and the Magpul MOE stock. The rifle measures 39.5" in overall length and weighs 9 pounds. smith-wesson.com
Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS
The Model 70 Extreme Weather SS is now available in both .243 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor. Its premier Bell and Carlson composite stock features a textured matte charcoal finish for ultimate protection. The rifle boasts an aluminum bedding block, matte stainless action and stainless-steel free-floating fluted barrel with a recessed target crown. The rifle weighs 6.75 pounds and measures 42.25" in overall length. winchesterguns.com
Browning BXS
The BXS line of big-game ammunition has expanded to include a host of popular whitetail cartridges, including a red-hot 120-grain 6.5 Creedmoor option. Controlled expansion and devastating penetration are achieved on game, thanks to the copper bullet's polymer tip. Both attractive and effective, the nickel-plated shell case offers corrosion resistance and promotes controlled feeding. browningammo.com
Federal Edge TLR
Edge TLR ammunition is available for 2018 in three new cartridges, including 7mm Rem. Mag., .270 Win. and .270 WSM. The high-performance, heat-resistant polymer tip delivers match-grade accuracy and unparalleled penetration, creating more trauma at extended ranges. The copper shank and bonded lead core ensure weight retention while promising reliable expansion at velocities as low as 1350 fps. federalpremium.com
Hornady Precision Hunter
Precision Hunter ammunition delivers match-grade accuracy to big-game hunters. The ELD-X bullet with Heat Shield technology has been verified by Doppler radar to retain its shape under intense heat at extended ranges, and the high-grade propellant is loaded to uniform capacities for consistent results. Several new cartridges were released for 2018, including 6MM Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC and .270 WSM. hornady.com
Sig Sauer Elite Performance HT
The Elite Performance HT line of hunting ammunition has recently broadened to include a 6.5 Creedmoor offering. The all-copper bullet delivers deep penetration and consistent 1.8X diameter expansion. The 120-grain offering has a muzzle velocity of 2825 fps and generates 2126 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. All Sig HT cartridges incorporate premium nickel-plated cases and flash-reduced propellant. sigsauer.com
Winchester Deer Season XP Copper Impact
Deer Season XP Copper Impact delivers devastating terminal performance without sacrificing weight retention or expansion. The copper bullet features a large-diameter polymer tip and an engineered hollowpoint for greater knockdown power and more intense wound channels. It's now available in .270 Win., .30-06 Springfield and .300 Win. Mag. winchester.com
