Tactical rifles have come a long way from their early days in the rice paddies of Southeast Asia. To say that the AR-platform rifle is one of the most popular sellers would be a serious understatement. Given the versatility of the design, AR rifles can be found nearly everywhere, from target ranges to hunting fields to the trunks of many police cruisers, and in a variety of calibers beyond the original .223 Remington. This year, Remington adds yet another variation with the introduction of the R-15 in the new 30 Remington AR—a .30-caliber cartridge of the same overall length as the .223 that will produce 2,800 fps with a 125-grain bullet, making it an excellent choice for deer-sized game.

The R-15 30 Remington AR is built on a standard AR-15 lower unit. The upper features a modified .308 bolt head and barrel extension. The rifle features an A2-style full buttstock with an A4 upper for easy optics mounting. The 22-inch button-rifled barrel has a recessed crown and is fluted forward of the gas block. The trigger is a single-stage hunting design factory set at 4.5 to 5 pounds. A single-stack magazine offers 4+1 capacity, and the entire rifle is finished in Realtree AP HD camo. SRP: $1,199.

Those who pop varmints with the AR will find two new offerings this year. The R-15 VTR Thumbhole Varminter is chambered for .223 Rem. and features a Bell & Carlson Thumbhole Stock, 24-inch fluted barrel, a single-stage trigger set at 4.5 pounds and A4 upper for optics mounting, and is fully covered in Advantage Max 1 camo (SRP: $1,412). The R-15 VTR Stainless Varminter offers a similar package (A4 upper, 4.5-pound single-stage trigger), but in stainless steel with a triangular barrel and matching gas block. The upper and lower receivers are finished in OD Green, with Advantage Max 1 camo on the buttstock, forend and pistol grip. SRP: $1,412.

On the bolt-action side, Remington expands the use of the VTR triangular fluted barrel first introduced in a varmint configuration in 2008. The new Model 700 XHR (Xtreme Hunting Rifle) combines the barrel configuration with its synthetic XHR stock featuring Hogue rubberized grip panels, SuperCell recoil pad and Realtree AP HD camo finish. It will be available in .243 Win., .25/06 Rem., .270 Win., 7mm/08 Rem., .30/06 Sprg, 7mm Rem. Mag., 7mm Rem. Ultra Mag. and .300 Rem. Ultra Mag. Barrel length is 26 inches on the Ultra Mag calibers and 24 inches on the others. SPR: $879 to $905.

On the tactical side, the new Model 700 Tactical mates a 26-inch triangular VTR barrel with a synthetic Bell & Carlson Medalist Varmint/Tactical stock that features a hand-filling pistol grip combined with an adjustable comb and adjustable length of pull and factory-installed sling swivels. Chambered for .308 Win., the action features a tactical-style bolt knob and an all-steel hinged floorplate. Capacity is 4+1. The rifle, in a black matte finish, comes without sights and is drilled and tapped for scope mounting. It weighs 8.87 pounds. SRP: $1,972.

The Model 700 VTR line features a synthetic Hogue stock with overmolded grips with a vented forend and a 22-inch VTR barrel with muzzle brake. It comes without sights and is drilled and tapped for scope mounting. Three new models enter the line this year. The .17 Remington Fireball and .243 Win. will be available in an OD green stock, while the Desert Recon is offered in .223 Rem. and .308 Win. with a digital-pattern camo finish. SRP: $832 to $879.

The short-action Model 700 Varmint Stainless Fluted offers a traditional round, fluted 26-inch hammer-forged barrel, synthetic Hogue stock with grip panels and dual-front swivel studs. It comes without sights, but is drilled and tapped. It will be available in .17 Remington Fireball, .204 Ruger, .223 Rem., .22/250 Rem., .220 Swift, and .308 Win. SRP: $919.

For southpaws, the Model 700 SPS Left Hand will be offered in .270 Win., .30/06 Sprg, 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag. Barrels are 24 inches for standard calibers and 26 inches for magnums.
SRP: $639.

Although new models are interesting, Remington will be phasing in an enhanced version of the X-Mark Pro Trigger on all new models and existing varmint and target bolt-actions, as well as current Model 700 and Seven products. The enhanced trigger will have a pull factory-set at 3.5 pounds, with an approximate adjustment range of 2 pounds.

Rimfire fans will want to look at the new Model 597 FLX camo. This new digital camo design mates with the 20-inch barrel .22LR semi-auto that is drilled and tapped for scope mounting and comes equipped with TruGlo adjustable sights and a 10-round box magazine. SRP: $260. (800-243-9700; remington.com)