Specialized calibers. Ultralight and versatile designs. Whatever your quarry, the newest hunting rifles and shotguns are designed to increase both your in-the-field success and shooting enjoyment.
Along with a renewed sense of freedom for gun owners—delivered by the National Rifle Association’s endorsed presidential candidate—we have a plethora of new rifles and shotguns to drool over for 2017. Specialization is the name of the game this year, with several interesting introductions targeting specific pursuits. If you’re a hunting gun lover, something in this list of new offerings is bound to get your attention.
CZ 455 American Stainless Synthetic .22. CZ is offering their first stainless rimfire rifle. The 455 American Stainless Synthetic is meant to be a hardy, long-lived rifle that can be passed down from father to son, and on to grandson or daughter. With the same swappable barrel system as all of CZ’s 455 rifles, both barrel and action are finished in a matte bead blast stainless. Barrel length is 20.5 inches and the bolt and bolt handle are finished in a hardy black nitride. These rifles are available in .22 LR, .17 HMR, and .22 Mag. MSRP: $434-$451.
Mossberg Patriot Revere. Mossberg has elevated its popular and proven Patriot series of classic bolt-action rifles to a new level with the new Patriot Revere, available in five calibers (.243 Win., .308 Win., .270 Win., .30-06 Sprg. and .300 Win. Mag.) and the highly-desirable 6.5mm Creedmoor. The handsomely-appointed Patriot Revere features semi-fancy European walnut stocks; rosewood and maple accents; 24-inch barrel lengths; and complementing blued metal finishes. The Patriot series is based on Mossberg’s proven twin-lug, push-feed machined-steel action which is fed from a lightweight polymer, flush box magazine with four (.300 Win. Mag. only) or five-round total capacity. The standard-contour, free-floating barrels are constructed of carbon steel and feature recessed crowns. Every Patriot rifle also features Mossberg’s patented LBA (Lightning Bolt Action) Adjustable Trigger System for clean, crisp trigger break and is user-adjustable from 2 to 7 pounds.
Henry Big Boy Steel & Big Boy Steel Carbine in .327 Federal. Since the introduction of the .327 Federal Magnum revolver cartridge in 2008, shooters have been screaming for a lever-action rifle as a companion to this versatile and powerful round. For 2017, Henry Rifles—America’s leading manufacturer of lever action rifles—has stepped up. They are now offering their Big Boy Steel and Big Boy Steel Carbine chambered in .327 Federal. Like all of the .327 Federal revolvers out there, these new rifles from Henry can also chamber and fire .32 H&R Mag. ammunition. Available with either a 20- or 16.5-inch (Carbine) barrel, these rifles are ideal for small-game hunting and will even work for deer at modest ranges. Suggested price: $850.
Howa Kuiu Rifles. The Kuiu rifles from Howa are built on their legendary 1500 action and are available in a variety of the most popular hunting calibers. They’re fitted with 20-inch lightweight, 22-inch standard, or 24-inch magnum contour barrels. All metal work is finished in a gunmetal grey Cerakote and the barreled action is pillar bedded in a Hogue Overmold stock. These rifles also come standard with a HACT trigger, three-position safety, and sling swivel studs. Regardless of your predator, varmint, or big game hunting needs, one of these should be ideal and they are eye catching too. MSRP: $782-$811.
Remington 700 AWR (American Wilderness Rifle). Remington has added a new rifle to its model 700 lineup. It’s called the 700 AWR (American Wilderness Rifle). This is a big-game rifle built for durability and accuracy. From the stainless steel barreled action, to a durable Cerakote coating, to the 5R rifling, and a durable and very rigid stock, it’s one that can weather the elements. Ideal for long jaunts into rough country where you expect to get belted with snow and freezing rain, the Remington 700 AWR should make a perfect rough-country companion. It is available in four of the most popular big-game calibers: .270 Win., .30-06 Sprg., and 7mm and .300 Win. Mag. MSRP: $ 1,150.
Savage MSR 10 Hunter & MSR 10 Long Range. Some of the real shockers for 2017 are the new MSRs (Modern Sporting Rifles) from Savage. Hunters will be mostly excited about the MSR 10 Hunter rifle. This rifle was specifically designed to address some longstanding shortcomings of MSRs built for larger cartridges like the .308 Win. This is an AR-10-sized rifle that feels and handles more like the smaller AR-15. It is built on a custom-forged upper and lower receiver, and available chamberings include the .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor. Two versions are available. The Hunter has either a 16- or 18-inch barrel and the Long Range has 20- or 22-inch barrel options. The Hunter version retails for $1,399 and the Long Range for $2,199.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 12-gauge. The 12-gauge Super Black Eagle 3 is available from Benelli in your choice of black synthetic, Realtree Max-5, Mossy Oak Bottom Lands, and Gore Optifade Timber. This is an inertia-driven shotgun, with a chamber that will accept 2.75-, 3-, and 3.5-inch shells. For ease of in-the-field interface it has an oversized bolt handle, bolt release, and safety. It’s shipped with a carbon-fiber rib, and get this: five choke tubes. The 12-gauge Black Eagle 3 is available with a 26- or 28-inch barrel and is suitable for just about anything you want to hunt with a shotgun. MSRP of $1,899 (black); $1,999 (camo).
CZ 628 Field Select 28 Gauge. If you’ve been looking for a light and classy pump gun to carry in the field, CZ might have just put together the ideal answer. Built on a gauge-specific 7075 aluminum action, this 28 gauge has a deep glossy blue finish and select grade Turkish walnut stock. A set of interchangeable chokes lets you tune constriction and the full forend and pistol grip makes this lithe shotgun feel like the shotgun gods have blessed you. With 28-inch barrels CZ’s new Field Select weighs a scant 5.4 pounds. MSRP: $429.
CZ Swamp Magnum Over/Under 12 gauge. Bruce Horrell, host of Gun Dog TV, shoots 3.5-inch shells, “Because they don’t make 4-inch.” For those wanting to whack waterfowl with a vengeance, CZ’s Swamp Magnum is the shotgun to do it with. The Swamp Magnum is the only over/under in their line that has an automatic safety that engages every time the action is opened, making it a little more duck-blind friendly. With polymer stocks in either black or Realtree Max5 camo, and with all metal work blacked out, this over-and-under shotgun is ready for the mud and blood duck blinds are famous for. MSRP: $929-$1,029.
Iver Johnson IJ700-18 & IJ700-26 .410 Shotguns. Two new and interesting single-shot .410 shotguns from Iver Johnson should appeal to those looking for a behind-the-seat truck gun or a shotgun sized for a youth. The IJ700-18 has an 18-inch barrel and is only 34 inches overall. It is astoundingly light at 4 pounds, 8 ounces. It comes with a blued barrel, silver receiver, walnut stock and forend, rubber buttpad, and sling swivels. Its most unique feature is that it folds in half for storage and transport. The IJ700-26 is the same gun but with a 26-inch barrel and an overall length of 41.5 inches. Suggested retail is only $175.
Tri-Star Viper Max 12-gauge Autoloader. Tri-Star says their Viper Max is the ultimate hunting shotgun. It can shoot anything from 2.75-inch target loads to 3.5-inch turkey loads. It features a two-piston system and a light and heavy load piston are included with the gun. The spare piston stores in the top of the forearm so it is always on the gun. It is available in Realtree Max 5 with a 26-, 28-, or 30-inch barrel. A black synthetic version with a 28-inch barrel is an option. A fiber-optic sight and three choke tubes are included. MSRP: $640-$730.
