We sent hundreds of rounds downrange to see which rifles were the most accurate in our 2012 gun test.
The smoke has cleared, the numbers have been crunched, and the results are in. See which shotguns took home top honors.
 | How We Test OpticsEach year we run the toughest optic test in the industry. Here's how we do it. |
 | Rifle Test 2012We sent hundreds of rounds downrange to see which rifles were the most accurate in our... |
 | Shotgun Test 2012The smoke has cleared, the numbers have been crunched, and the results are in. See... |
 | 2012's Best Optics InnovationsThis year's most interesting optics marry sophisticated electronics with world-class... |
 | 2012's Best Gun InnovationsHere's a look at two of this year's most innovative guns. |
 | How We Test ShotgunsOnly a thorough battery of tests can reveal all a shotgun has to offer. |
The bold design of the Dimension aims to give hunters a fresh option for an easy-to-use multi-caliber rifle. The switch-barrel mechanism is ambitious (see Innovations, p. 42) but awkward to use. Gear-heads will take to this rifle, but the ungainly lines of the stock (which we found to be very comfortable) won’t appeal to everyone. Among the rifle’s virtues are its smooth operating action, smart ergonomics, and very good accuracy. [ Read Full Post ]
Windham Weaponry is a new gunmaker operating in the old Bushmaster factory in Maine (which was shut down by parent company Freedom Group) and being run by the old Bushmaster crew. They are building a full line of ARs, including this varmint model. We gave the rifle high marks across the board. It had no trouble shooting sub-MOA groups, but we wished it came with a less creepy trigger and had a larger charging handle. [ Read Full Post ]
It didn’t take long for this little 28-gauge from the Turkish firm Akkar to charm the entire test team. It’s as nimble and handy a bird gun as you could want and comes at such a great price ($523), we couldn’t help but anoint it this year’s Great Buy in the shotgun category. A 28-gauge doesn’t have much recoil to begin with, but when you shoot it through a gas-operated semi, what little it does have disappears completely. [ Read Full Post ]
The Franchi Affinity brings to mind the patriotic song written after the attack on Pearl Harbor: “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.” The Affinity has the magically elusive feel gunmakers always hope for when introducing a new shotgun. Its balance and handling are so lively that it springs to your shoulder with the speed and determination of a ruffed grouse exploding from cover. [ Read Full Post ]
The Professional is a new rifle built on the Nosler’s M48 action. It comes with a clever detachable magazine that is released by a tab similar to the one commonly seen with floor-plate magazines. The accuracy and craftsmanship of the Professional is exactly what one would expect from Nosler, which is to say excellent. This is a serious hunting tool and is a very good value even considering its hefty price. [ Read Full Post ]
The original Vanguard by Weatherby was a fine rifle by nearly every measure, but the trigger wasn’t very good and the bedding between the action and stock could be spotty. Well, with the latest Vanguard, the Series 2, Weatherby has worked out those kinks and added a couple of other upgrades. The result is impressive. The new trigger is as crisp as a ripe apple, the stock comes with rubber inserts to improve handling, and the action is smooth and easy to run. [ Read Full Post ]
This year's most interesting optics marry sophisticated electronics with world-class glass. [ Read Full Post ]
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