After a couple of days walking the aisles of the 2018 SHOT Show, I couldn’t avoid one theme that kept popping up at booth after booth: Precision is the name of the game in rifles this year.
Companies like Seekins Precision and many more, most in the tactical space, have been making precision rifles for years. But in 2018, we’re seeing more and more of the traditional big brands building rifles designed for precision and other forms of long-range shooting.
Mossberg’s Linda Powell summed up the trend: “Recently we’ve seen an industry-wide trend in long-range shooting in general, in everything from scopes to ammo and more,” she told me. “You’re even seeing it on the hunting side now. We feel like we’ve got a great platform for that.”
That platform is the MVP Precision. Mossberg’s made an MVP rifle for years — it’s a bolt-action gun that accepts AR magazines. Their designers developed their own chassis for the new precision version, however, so the gun could accept both M1A and SR-25 (DPMS) style mags. It’s got a slim-profile forend, Magpul grip, Mossberg’s Lightning Bolt Action trigger, a LUTH-AR multi-adjustable stock that you can adjust for LOP, cast and comb height, 20- or 24-inch threaded medium bull barrel, a 20 MOA Picatinny rail, and the M-LOK system for attaching accessories. The MVP Precision is initially available in 6.5 Creedmoor, which is likely the most popular caliber for today’s long-range competitions, with 224 Valkyrie and the traditional .308 Win and .223 calibers coming later in the year. The MVP Precision will run you about $1,400, making it one of the more budget-friendly precision rifles you’ll come across.
Ruger’s had a lot of success with its Ruger Precision Rifle, introduced a couple of years ago. In 2018 they’re showing a rimfire version that features a Quick-Fit adjustable precision stock, free-float M-LOK hard anodized aluminum handguard, threaded barrel, Ruger Marksman adjustable trigger, adjustable big-gun bolt throw, and 15-round magazine. Rimfire competitors will appreciate the MSRP of $529. Ruger’s also showing a Long-Range Target version of the Hawkeye that should appeal to a lot of shooters.
Big Green is stepping up its long-range game with the Remington Model 700 PCR (Precision Chassis Rifle), pictured above, with the Remington XMark Pro trigger. The iconic Model 700 barreled action is cerakoted, the anodized aluminum chassis is Teflon-coated, the free-floated barrel has a threaded muzzle ready for a suppressor, and a Magpul PRS Gen 3 buttstock gives you plenty of adjustability. It comes in .260 Rem, .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor, starting at $1,200.
Weatherby’s showing the Mark V Carbon Mark, which uses a carbon fiber barrel for superior heat dissipation. It comes in .257, 300 Wby and 6.5-300, around $4,100 MSRP.
Savage has got the 110 BA Stealth Evolution, with all the features you’d want in a precision rifle, including a great trigger (Savage’s beloved AccuTrigger), in .223, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua — and you can get any of them in a left-handed version. MSRP starts at $1,799 depending on the caliber.
Kimber’s Advanced Tactical SOC II is built for law enforcement and military use as well as competition, as many precision rifles are. It features a left-folding stock, ½ MOA accuracy standard, threaded muzzle, full-length Mauser claw extractor and a crisp, factory-set match-grade trigger. You can get it in — what else — .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor for an MSRP of $2,449.
Howa, imported into the U.S. by Legacy Sports International, is introducing the APC Chassis Rifle they’re calling “modular and scary accurate.” The Australian-made aluminum chassis has M-LOK slots, and the gun includes a Hogue overmolded grip and LUTH-AR MBA-4 stock for the ultimate in customization. It comes in the most popular precision calibers include 6MM Creedmoor, with a sub-MOA guarantee and a Legacy lifetime warranty. MSRP starts at $1,149.
If you’re in the market for a precision rifle for long-range shooting or competition, there are more great options available from companies like Sako, Christensen Arms, CZ and many more. There’s never been a better time to get into the precision game — though there are many excellent contenders coming out of the tactical and LE/military crowd, they are no longer your only options for precision at a reasonable price!
