Rifle makers have been very busy in the off-season. Here's a look at what they've been up to.
Feb 1, 2004
Remington Arms
Big Green has been one of the busiest at introducing new models, or model extensions, in this year's rifle-rich market, and the company is offering a wide variety in the centerfire, rimfire and Youth Model areas. In the centerfire arena, the popular, value-priced Model 710 bolt-action is now available in magnum calibers in the new 710 magnum. Available in 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag., it offers the same synthetic stock, detachable box magazine (3 + 1 capacity) and blued finish of the standard Model 710. The 24-inch barrel features the same bolt-
to-barrel lockup as its non-magnum counterparts. Each rifle is equipped with a Bushnell 3x9x40 Sharpshooter scope that is factory bore-sighted. SRP: $426 for either caliber.
The bolt-action Model 673 Guide Rifle, with its short-action laminated wood stock, handy-length 22-inch barrel, and ventilated rib/iron sight package, was
a popular introduction in 2003. This year, Remington is expanding the caliber offerings with the addition of the 6.5 Remington Magnum and the .308 Winchester. SRP: $825.
The Model 700 Titanium Magnum is built on a short
bolt-action receiver (drilled and tapped for scope mounts) that is machined from solid titanium bar stock and features a blind magazine with a capacity of 2 + 1 rounds. The action is pillar-bedded into a custom-designed composite stock, fitted with sling-swivel studs and equipped with the Remington R3 Recoil Pad with Limbsaver technology. A 24-inch, contoured stainless-steel barrel (sans iron sights) develops full velocity from the 7mm Remington SA Ultra Mag. and .300 Remington SA Ultra Mag chamberings, yet the overall gun weight (minus scope) is held to a petite 63/8 pounds. SRP: $1,279.
Rimfire shooters will want to take a look at the new Model 504 bolt-action .22 LR. This is designed to be a benchmark premium-grade rifle with an impressive array of features. The receiver is machined from solid carbon-steel bar stock, and is scalable to accept rimfire magnum cartridges in the future. Drilled and tapped for scope mounts, each first-
year rifle is shipped with a set
of machined Weaver-style bases. The newly designed bolt has a rear lockup (also locking into the receiver and not the stock) and features dual extractors.
The 20-inch barrel (sans iron sights) offers 5-R button rifling derived from the 40-XR target rifle, and has a semi-match chamber. The receiver is bedded into
a classic-style American walnut stock with dual points and the barrel channel is machined with Model 700-style pressure pads.
A six-round metal magazine fits flush with the bottom of the stock and a newly designed trigger is fully adjustable for weight of pull, over-travel and sear engagement by an Authorized Repair Center. SRP: $710. Booth #601. (800-243-9700; www.remington.com)
Sako
Imported by Beretta, Sako is offering a number of new bolt-action rifle models in its Sako 75 line this year, and also has a very innovative rimfire. Hunters will want to check out the new Sako 75 dedicated short magnum (SM). This is a new bolt-action size for 2004 and is designed to perfectly fit the popular .270 WSM and .300 WSM cartridges. This
provides minimum action weight and maximum stiffness.
The new action will be available in the above calibers in four Sako 75 models. The Hunter is the classic model featuring high-grade wood, distinctive checkering and a blued finish. SRP: $1,163. The Finnlight is a minimum-weight version that offers a fluted stainless-steel barrel and an ergonomic synthetic stock with soft rubber inserts at the gripping points. SRP: $1,301. The Stainless Synthetic features a
synthetic stock with soft rubber inserts, a satin stainless-steel
finish on barrel and action, and stainless-steel internal action parts. SRP: $1,271. The Sako 75 SM Deluxe is its most elegant version and provides shooters with a premium-grade walnut stock with rosewood forend and grip caps, skip-line checkering and a gloss finish, as well a deep-blue metal finish. SRP: From $1,688.
Those looking for maximum accuracy in a single-shot .308 Win. rifle will want to look at the new Sako 75 Custom Single Shot. It was designed to provide benchrest accuracy without user modifications. SRP was not available at press time. Booth #4251. (800-797-2205; www.berettausa.com)
Tikka
Imported by Beretta, Tikka is introducing three new models to its T3 bolt-action rifle family. The Tikka T3 Laminated Stainless is designed for tough hunting conditions. Incorpor-ating all of the features found on the standard T3 series (trigger adjustable from two to four pounds, a free- floating, cold-hammer-forged barrel, detachable magazines and drilled and tapped for scope mounting), this new model offers all stainless-steel construction combined with a sturdy, laminated wood stock that should render it impervious to extreme weather. It will be available in 10 popular calibers, from .243 Win. to the .338 Win. Mag., including the .270 and .300 WSM. SRP starts at $744.
The Tikka T3 Tactical (available in .223 Rem. or .308 Win.)
is designed for the precise and demanding tasks of the law enforcement community. It features a 20-inch barrel with a non-reflective black phosphate finish, a drop-free, five-round detachable magazine and a synthetic varmint-style stock with an adjustable cheekpiece. The top
of the action is equipped with a Picatinney-style rail system designed to accept a wide variety of optic bases and accessories.
In addition, the T3 Tactical comes ready to accept many accessories, such as muzzle brakes and bipods. Like all Tikka rifles, the Tactical does not leave the factory without shooting a one-inch or smaller group at 100 meters with factory ammunition. SRP: $744. Booth #4251. (800-797-2205; www.berettausa.com)
Thompson/
Center Co.
The leader in single-shot rifles and handguns, T/C continues to expand its available calibers this year. The Encore Rifle will now be available in .280 Remington in a 24-inch
barrel. Drilled and tapped for scope mounting, the barrel includes iron sights. SRP: blued with walnut stock, $635; blued with composite stock, $602; stainless steel with composite stock, $673. Booth #101. (603-332-2394; www.tcarms.com)
FNH USA, Inc.
New rifle for law enforcement
A subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., Belgium, FNH is introducing a new rifle family designed for law enforcement and tactical shooters. The new FN Patrol Bolt Rifle (PBR) is chambered for .308 Win. and is available in barrel lengths of 18, 20, 22 and 24 inches. All models feature a cold-rotary-forged medium-heavy barrel with recessed crown and a four-groove right-hand twist of 1 in 12. The PBR utilizes a four-round removable magazine and a controlled push feed. Drilled and tapped for 8/40 screws, each gun is also supplied with a two-piece MIL Spec M1913 rail. The stock is a specially designed FN/Hogue featuring full-length aluminum-pillar bedding. SRP: $984. Booth #1301. (703-288-1292; www.fnhusa.com)
Savage Arms, Inc.
New bolt-actions for varmint series
In 2003, Savage introduced its excellent AccuTrigger on its Varmint series and law enforcement models. This year it will be added to virtually all hunting models and to the company's smokeless-powder muzzleloader.
In addition, two new bolt-action models will be added to their Varmint series. The new Model 12 Varminter Low Profile is a low-profile bolt-action rifle in .223 Rem. and .22-250 Rem. and will have the AccuTrigger. SRP: $752. The second model will be the Model 40 Varmint Hunter. SRP: From $374. Booth #4661. (413-568-7001; www.savagearms.com)
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