For the past two years, the big trend has been adding the 6.5 Creedmoor to new and existing rifle lines. Guess what? For 2020, not much has changed. However, this year the 6.5 Creedmoor gets some competition from new rifles available in 6.5 PRC. Another trend continuing full force is new rifles purpose-built for shooting at extended range. Whether on the range or in the field, driving bullets to great distances is the hottest thing going. At the same time, some manufacturers—notably CZ—have not forgotten the rimfire rifle, and Remington and Weatherby still believe there’s a place for lightweight hunting rifles.
Azimuth’s precision 10/22-type receiver/barrel combo features a CNC-machined receiver made from aerospace-grade 7075 aluminum, with critical functional sections milled to tolerances as tight as .0005 inch. The dual internal-rail design prevents bolt canting, and the integrated Picatinny rail is there for accurate optics mounting. The match-grade, button-rifled, fluted bull barrel helps achieve exceptional accuracy, and with all the 10/22 aftermarket stocks and accessories on the market, this is an ideal platform from which to build a supper-accurate rimfire rifle. (azimuthtechnology.com)
Released in 2019, the X-Bolt Max Long Range offered maximum adjustability in the stock. For 2020, Browning has added the 6.5 PRC and 30 Nosler chamberings. These high-performance long-range cartridges dramatically increase the distance potential of this rifle. SRP: $1,299.99 to $1,359.99. Browning has added these same chamberings to the X-Bolt Pro, X-Bolt Pro Long Range, and the X-Bolt Pro Tungsten. But with these models, in addition to these two excellent cross-canyon cartridges, the .300 Remington Ultra Mag. is also an option. SRP: $2,219.99 to $2,349.99.
Hornady’s 6.5 PRC cartridge, which is quickly gaining popularity with hunters, will also be offered in the X-Bolt Target McMillan for 2020. SRP: $3,139.99 to $3,199.99.
Browning will include the 6.5 PRC, 30 Nosler, and .300 Remington Ultra Mag. in the X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range McMillan ($2,239.99 to 2,309.99) and the Hell’s Canyon Long Range rifles ($959 to $1,009). The X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range Speed A-TACS TD-X Camo is a new offering from Browning. It features exclusive hardwoods-matching A-TACS TD-X Camo, a Cerakote burnt-bronze finish, a fluted sporter contour barrel threaded for a supplied muzzle brake, and a weather-resistant composite stock. SRP: $1,259.99 to $1,319.99. There are three new chamberings for the Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed A-TACS AU Camo. They include the 6.5 PRC, 30 Nosler, and .300 Remington Ultra Mag. SRP: $1,259.99 to $1,319.99.
Browning’s new Hunter Long Range model gives shooters the warm feeling only wood provides, and features a heavier barrel for better precision at extended ranges. This rifle has an ambidextrous adjustable comb, a non-reflective matte-blue finish, an extended bolt handle, and a muzzle brake with 5/8x24 threading. The satin-finish checkered walnut stock has an Inflex recoil pad. SRP: $1,299.99 to $1,329.99. (browning.com)
The Paramount Pro is a bolt-action in-line muzzleloader available in .45 or .50 caliber. It features a Cerakote-finished Bergara barrel with a 1:22 twist. It also has a Greyboe stock with a camo finish and comes with a metal trap-door storage compartment. The Paramount weighs 8.75 pounds in .45 caliber, 8.15 pounds in .50 caliber. SRP: $1,499.
CVA is also offering a new bolt-action centerfire rifle. The Cascade is available chambered in a variety of popular varmint and big-game cartridges, including the 6.5 Creedmoor, .350 Legend, and even .450 Bushmaster. Blued or Cerakoted metal are options, and a threaded barrel is standard. SRP: $499 to $599. (cva.com)
CZ-USA has gotten serious about rimfire rifles, and for 2020 it is introducing five new offerings. Precision rimfire rifle competitions have been gaining steam, and CZ rifles have been the go-to equipment for the sport. The new Varmint Precision Chassis pairs CZ’s heavy-barreled 457 action with an aluminum chassis of its own design. Equipped with an adjustable Luth-AR stock, an AR-style grip, QD sling sockets, and M-Lok slots, proper fit and customization are easy to accomplish. It’s available in .22 LR with either a 16.5- or 24-inch barrel, both of which are threaded 1/2x28 for use with rimfire suppressors. SRP: $999.
CZ’s 457 is one of the best rimfire bolt-action rifles in the market, and the interchangeable barrel system is one of the reasons it appeals so strongly to shooters. In just a few minutes, the 457 can be swapped from .22 LR to .17 HMR to .22 WMR. CZ’s new Special American Combo rifle includes both .22 LR and .22 WMR configurations, along with the tools to swap barrels. SRP: $628.
For those who love a long sight radius, the Jaguar pairs CZ’s crisp iron sights with a 28.6-inch barrel. The rear tangent sight is easily adjusted for distances from 25 to 200 meters, and the muzzle is threaded 1/2x28 for a suppressor. With a beechwood stock ideal for open sights, it has grip stippling that follows the Jaguar motif. SRP: $522.
With a premium walnut stock and a decorative forend tip, the CZ 457 Royal definitely is intended to be used with a riflescope. It has a high and flat American-style comb, no sights, and its forend is especially long. The muzzle of the Royal is threaded at 1/2x20 (European standard), and a 16.5- or 20.5-inch barrel is offered. SRP: $739.
A modern classic in the European style, the CZ 457 Premium has all sorts of flair. Its Turkish walnut stock has a decorative Schnabel forend tip, and its hog-back stock has a mild Monte Carlo cheekpiece. The rifle’s 24.8-inch barrel wears iron sights, with a tangent rear and a fiber-optic front. The muzzle is threaded at 1/2x20. SRP: $765. (cz-usa.com)
For 2020, the FN SCAR 20S is now chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Perfectly calibrated for long-range precision, the FN SCAR 20S in 6.5 Creedmoor gives you the ability to accurately engage targets out past 1,000 yards. The chrome-lined barrel will deliver precision, and the gas-operated piston and Surefire ProComp 762 muzzle device manage recoil efficiently to improve follow-up shots and speed up target acquisition. The rifle weighs 11.6 pounds and has an overall length of 41 to 42.80 inches. SRP: $4,499. (fnamerica.com)
Whether used for long-range competition or sniper duty, the LRI-20 upper receiver offers a stable, repeatable platform for a precision gas gun. The core of this design is the new integral handguard nut that helps stabilize the barrel mount. JP has also added extra material to the front pivot pin joint. Paired with its MicroFit takedown pins, the LRI-20 offers a 100 percent unified chassis system and features a JP Supermatch barrel. It’s available in 6mm and 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, and .308 Winchester. SRP: $3,499. (jprifles.com)
Marlin has added several new rifles to the very popular Dark Series. The first two are built on its 1895 action and are chambered for Marlin’s namesake cartridge, the .444 Marlin, and the .410 bore. The .444 has a 16.25-inch threaded barrel, and the .410 bore has an unthreaded 18-inch barrel and comes with extended choke tubes. Both feature a PG black painted stock, a big-loop lever, a paracord sling, and a lever wrap. SRP: $968.
Two more rifles new to the Marlin Dark Series are built on the 1894 platform and include a .44 Rem. Mag./.44 Spec. and a .357 Mag./.38 Spec. Both will have a 16.25-inch barrel, a painted black stock, an XS Lever Rail, a big-loop lever, a black paracord sling, and a black paracord lever wrap. SRP: $1,099.
If you like the idea of a lever-action shotgun, then you’ll really like the new Marlin 1895 in .410. It comes with a fixed choke and will handle any 2.5-inch shell. The rifle features an American black walnut stock and forend, a standard-loop lever, polished-blue finish, and a four-round capacity. An adjustable, semi-buckhorn rear sight is standard. SRP: $847. There is also a version with a flush-fitting choke tube assortment (I/IM/F). SRP: $934.
Marlin will also be offering a Model 336C that comes with a mounted and bore-sighted 3–9x32mm riflescope. It has an American black walnut stock and forend, a standard-loop lever, and a 20-inch barrel, and has a six-shot capacity. SRP: $785; without scope, $694.
One of the coolest new rifles from Marlin is the 150th Anniversary Rifle. It is a limited-production model that will be available only in 2020. Chambered in .444 Marlin, it has a 24-inch half-octagon/half-round barrel and a C-grade walnut stock with an S-style grip. Each rifle features engravings and a historically correct checkering pattern. All metal will feature a high polish, and a Skinner ladder sight is standard. Each rifle comes in a commemorative box. SRP: $1,899.
Marlin is also offering an anniversary version of the famous .22 LR Model 60. It will have an American black walnut stock, stainless-steel metal, a 150th Anniversary medallion in the stock, a special serial number range, and a commemorative box. SRP: $399. (marlinfirearms.com)
In support of all those who hunt where regulations require straight-wall centerfire cartridges for deer hunting, Mossberg is now offering the classically styled Patriot Synthetic and Patriot Synthetic Super Bantam bolt-action rifles chambered in .350 Legend. Both will be available in scoped combos with a 3–9x40mm riflescope. Patriot bolt-action rifles feature a well-designed stock with a straight comb, rounded edges, a raised cheekpiece, and a black rubber recoil pad. SRP: $396; $435, scoped combo.
The suppressor- and optics-ready Patriot Predator will now be available in 6.5 PRC. The action is housed in a durable Flat Dark Earth (FDE) synthetic stock with matte-blue metalwork and TrueTimber Strata camouflage with Patriot Brown Cerakote metal finish. SRP: $441; $544, Cerakote. (mossberg.com)
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the .300 Savage, Remington will offer a limited-edition CDL SR chambered in this classic cartridge. The CDL SR Limited Edition is a continuation of the series of limited-edition 700 CDL SF rifles. It features a 22-inch stainless fluted barrel, a satin finish, an American black walnut stock, and an engraved floorplate. SRP: $1,250.
The PCR E (Enhanced) features the Remington chassis stock with a cutout for easy insertion of the magazine while in the prone position. The chassis and handguard are Cerakoted in a tungsten gray finish, and the barreled action is black Cerakote. The rifle features a 24-inch barrel with 5R rifling and LTR flutes. It comes standard with an aluminum handguard compatible with M-Lok attachments. It also features a two-piece 20 MOA Picatinny rail, a tactical-style bolt handle, and an adjustable MDT SCS Lite stock, and is chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, or 6mm Creedmoor. SRP: $1,595.
Remington has added a new version of the light and quick-handling Model Seven. The Threaded Mossy Oak Bottomland Model Seven weighs 5.5 pounds, comes with a 16.5-inch barrel with 5R rifling, and has, as you might have guessed, a threaded muzzle. The stock is decorated in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo, and a 20 MOA Picatinny rail is included. It is also available in 6.5 Creedmoor. SRP: $1,595. (remington.com)
The 110 Precision takes Savage’s legendary 110 action and makes it even more dynamic. Wearing a custom stock designed by the accuracy experts at Modular Driven Technologies, the 110 Precision is fully customizable. With its adjustable comb height and length of pull, this aluminum-framed rifle is set up for exacting performance. It has a factory-blueprinted action, a matte-black carbon-steel heavy barrel, threaded muzzle, an MDT LSS XL Chassis with FDE Cerakote, and a 1.5- to 4-pound user-adjustable AccuTrigger. A one-piece, 20 MOA EGW rail and one AICS magazine are standard. Chambered in .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. SRP: $1,499.
For 2020, Savage teamed up with Proof Research to craft a barrel specifically for a purpose-driven firearm. At 6 pounds and under, the 110 UltraLight is designed to combat elevation and elements while maintaining the performance of a factory-blueprinted Savage 110 action. The carbon-fiber-wrapped stainless-steel barrel and skeletonized melonite receiver minimize weight, and the rifle comes equipped with Savage’s AccuFit technology with adjustable length of pull and comb height. The user-adjustable AccuTrigger allows crisp, clean shots, and the action is also drilled and tapped for 8x40 screws. There is a large selection of chamberings from which to choose, including the red-hot 6.5 Creedmoor and 28 Nosler. SRP: $1,499.
The Savage AXIS II has a reputation as a budget-friendly rifle that doesn’t sacrifice accuracy or performance. Now the AXIS II family has been given a Precision Series upgrade through a partnership with Modular Driven Technologies. The new AXIS II features an exclusive MDT Chassis with an adjustable comb height and length-of-pull spacers and an M-Lok forend. A 2.5- to 6-pound user-adjustable AccuTrigger, a 22-inch carbon-steel, button-rifled, threaded heavy barrel with a muzzle cap, and a detachable 10-round AICS magazine are standard. It’s available in .223 Remington, .243, .270 and .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .30/06 Springfield. SRP: $949.
Modern shooters require modern ergonomics. The new Minimalist from Savage combines a classic laminate stock design with modern aesthetics to achieve a lightweight platform with improved ergonomics. The rifles feature a button-rifled barrel and user-adjustable AccuTrigger. The Minimalist is offered in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR, and comes in two laminate color combinations to provide shooters with a variety of offerings. It comes standard with an 18-inch carbon-steel barrel and action, and a 1/2x28 threaded muzzle with cap. SRP: $359. (savagearms.com)
The new Mark V Accumark Elite gives marksmen everything they need to put a round on target at distance. With an adjustable carbon-fiber stock and the Elite Cerakote coating, this rifle will perform in the harshest of environments. Mark V rifles are guaranteed to shoot a three-shot group of .99 inch or less at 100 yards when used with Weatherby factory or premium ammunition. The Accumark Elite has a TriggerTech trigger that provides zero creep and extremely short over-travel. It is externally adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds. It also has a 54-degree bolt lift and a Slim Line muzzle brake. An adjustable-comb carbon-fiber stock built by AG Composites is standard. It is chambered for 18 cartridges, including Weatherby Magnum and popular standard offerings. SRP: $2,799 to $2,999.
The Accumark Pro now carries all the legendary performance of the Accumark, plus custom features that drive it to the next level. A lightweight carbon-fiber stock provides excellent stiffness, and the rifle comes with the standard Mark V accuracy guarantee and a TriggerTech trigger. Other features include a fluted barrel, Cerakote finish, and dual swivel stud attachments. It’s available in 18 different Weatherby and popular standard chamberings. SRP: $2,499 to $2,699.
Weatherby’s Backcountry rifle provides the craftsmanship and quality expected from a Mark V rifle. It features a carbon-fiber stock, 3DHEX recoil reducer, a TriggerTech trigger, and an Accubrake. It’s also available in Weatherby’s new 6.5 WBY RPM long-range cartridge, in an addition to a dozen other chamberings. This rifle weighs a mere 5.3 pounds, is built on a six-lug receiver, and comes with the Mark V accuracy guarantee. SRP: $2,499 to $2,599.
The goal of the Weatherby team in designing the new Backcountry Ti was to break the 5-pound overall rifle weight mark while delivering magnum performance. The Mark V Backcountry Ti and 6.5 WBY RPM cartridge combo achieves the desired weight savings and ballistic performance. A TriggerTech trigger helps the rifle deliver on the Mark V sub-MOA accuracy guarantee, and the patent-pending 3DHEX recoil pad is less than half the weight of a traditional recoil pad. Available in 13 long-range cartridges. SRP: $3,349 to 3,449. (weatherby.com)
