Predator hunters with an appetite for precision and in-the-field durability appreciate the commitment and extraordinary treatment that go into building special-purpose rifles that serve a wide variety of hunting wants and needs — from anchoring beasty wild boars and black bears to chasing down speedsters such as coyotes, foxes and bobcats. Whether it’s a quick-handling AR-platform rifle, pistol hybrid or lever action for swift and decisive action or a precision-built bolt gun, fine-tuned for superior long-range performance, these fur-centric firearms are tailor made for today’s equal opportunity predator hunter. And rifles that are specifically designed with fur takers in mind come in a wide array of platforms, calibers, finishes and configurations, with a mind-boggling array of upgrades and accessories available. The following are some fine examples to start you down the road to acquiring your next predator rifle. Do the research, narrow down the options and choose wisely.

 

Big Horn Armory AR500

The Big Horn Armory AR500 semi-auto rifle comes chambered in .500 Auto Max — the most powerful AR-platform firearm available, matching the energy and versatility of the company’s Model 89 lever action that’s offered in the powerhouse .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum. The .500 Auto Max, a rimless .50-caliber cartridge designed to feed in a semi-automatic rifle, puts an unparalleled amount of power into a pleasant shooting, rapid firing, versatile rifle. This combination of size, familiar feel, available accessories and energy on target make the Big Horn AR500 a great choice for hunting black bears and wild hogs. It is also available in a braced-pistol configuration. MSRP: $1,999. Contact: www.bighornarmory.com

Brenton USA Ranger Carbon Hunter

The Ranger Carbon Hunter is Brenton USA’s flagship hunting rifle — designed, engineered and tested by hunters, for hunters. Produced with the serious rifleman in mind, it features a NiB-coated bolt carrier assembly for reliability under harsh hunting conditions, Brenton’s own 3.5- to 6.5-pound performance-grade adjustable trigger assembly, HuntSize controls for use with gloved hands, MarbleKote camouflage (Harvest, Foliage, Midnight and Snow) for concealment, free-floating performance-grade 22-inch 416R match grade stainless steel barrel threaded for suppressor use, Magpul MOE fixed hunting stock and carbon fiber reinforced RealFeel handguard with rails for use with bipods and tripods. The Ranger Carbon Hunter comes chambered in .450 Bushmaster, .350 Legend, 6.8 SPCII, 6.5 Grendel/LBC, 6mm ARC, .224 Valkyrie, .223 Rem./Wylde and .204 Ruger. MSRP: $2,399.98. Contact: www.brentonusa.com

 

Christensen Arms Modern Precision Pistol

Christensen Arms’ new Modern Precision Pistol (MPP) weighs just 4.4 to 5.8 pounds, created for situations that require a lightweight, compact firearm, such as backpacking or back-country hunting. Building upon the success of the Modern Precision Rifle (MPR), the MPP has a purpose-built, bolt-action pistol chassis. It is initially available in four calibers with a muzzle-threaded barrel in lengths ranging from 7.5 to 12.5 inches, creating an ideal suppressor host. Features include Christensen Arms’ legendary carbon fiber barrel, adjustable side-baffle brake, precision-machined action and fluted bolt, oversized bolt knob, 20-MOA optic rail, forward-mount rail with sling stud, five-round detachable AICS magazine, TriggerTech flat trigger, ergonomic pistol grip, QD sling sockets and folding SB Tactical stabilizing brace. MSRP: Starting at $2,295. Contact: www.christensenarms.com

 

CZ-USA 457 Varmint Precision Rimfire

CZ-USA’s 457 Varmint Precision Chassis rifle is chambered in .22 LR and ready for competition shooting or hunting right out of the box. The MTR variant of the VPT allows shooters to buy an affordable, match-chambered rifle — eliminating the perceived need to upgrade any major components to improve accuracy. The 457 VPT MTR comes with a cold hammer-forged and lapped 16.2-inch barrel with 1/2x28 threads at the muzzle for a suppressor or muzzle device, and the action is mounted in a Manners carbon fiber stock. It also comes with a fully adjustable trigger, five-round detachable magazine and integrated 11mm dovetail scope mounts for easy optics installation. MSRP: $1,449. Contact: www.cz-usa.com

 

Henry Long Ranger

Carrying on Henry Repeating Arms’ popular Long Ranger lever-action rifle series, a premium-grade version with special engraving is now available for coyote hunters. This Long Ranger Wildlife Edition is chambered for .223 Rem./5.56 NATO and portrays a lone coyote on the left side of the receiver and a pair of full-figured coyotes on the right side. This highly capable predator hunting rifle weighs in at 7 pounds and features a 20-inch round sporter barrel, checkered American walnut stock, folding adjustable rear sight and ivory front bead, internal transfer bar safety, rubber recoil pad, sling swivels, detachable steel box magazine and a high-polish nickel plated lightweight alloy receiver under scroll engraving that frames the 24K gold-inlaid depictions of each animal. MSRP: $1,973. Contact: www.henryusa.com

 

Kel Tec Weapons RFB Bullpup

The RFB (Rifle Forward-Ejecting Bullpup) from Kel Tec is a truly ambidextrous 7.62 NATO bullpup rifle, due to its downward-ejection, magazine catch/release placement, intuitive safety and reversible operating handle. It delivers a ballistic advantage in a very compact package that’s easy to manipulate and its unique proprietary bolt design holds dual extractors that simultaneously extract empty brass and send it down the ejection chute as the bolt reciprocates. The RFB is equipped with an adjustable gas system that allows the user to curb recoil while maintaining reliability — an excellent suppressor host. Designed to feed from the FN/FAL metric pattern 20-round magazine, the RFB features an 18.5-inch barrel and a smooth trigger pull with a clean 5-pound break. MSRP: $1,800. Contact: www.keltecweapons.com

Mossberg MVP Patrol

The Mossberg MVP Patrol bolt-action rifle is now chambered in .300 AAC Blackout and comes with a host of features including a pillar-bedded stock with textured grip and forend, 16.25-inch threaded barrel with removeable A2-style muzzle brake and thread cap and a LBA user-adjustable — 3 to 7 pounds — trigger. This AR magazine-compatible rifle has a fluted bolt with an oversized bolt handle that provides a sure grip, even with gloved hands. It also features a top Picatinny rail and fiber optic/adjustable rifle sights, front and single rear sling swivel studs and a 10-round magazine. The MVP Patrol is available in 7.62 NATO/.308 Win. and 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. chamberings. MSRP: $613. Contact: www.mossberg.com

 

Ruger American Rifle Predator

The Ruger American Rifle Predator — available with a moss green or black synthetic stock and a matte black barrel finish — has a host of features predator hunters look for in a field rifle. It comes chambered in 10 popular calibers in right- and left-hand models. The Predator has a one-piece, three-lug bolt with 70-degree throw with a full diameter bolt body and dual cocking cams for smooth, easy cycling from the shoulder and its Ruger Marksman trigger is user adjustable between 3 and 5 pounds. A Power Bedding integral bedding block system positively locates the receiver and free-floats the barrel for outstanding accuracy. It comes with a factory installed Picatinny scope base, magazine and sling swivel studs. MSRP: $579-$659. Contact: www.ruger.com

 

Savage Arms Impulse Predator Rifle

The Savage Impulse Predator rifle features a straight-pull action that refines the basic function of the conventional bolt into one fast and intuitive movement. At the heart of the rifle’s bolt is Hexlock, six hardened steel bearings that lock the bolt in place inside the receiver’s barrel extension. As pressure increases, Hexlock’s hold tightens, ensuring there can be no rearward movement of the bolt. Once the round has left the barrel, the pressure subsides, and the action can safely open again. The smooth bolt throw allows the shooter to cycle rounds intuitively, without the need for the four changes of direction common to a conventional bolt’s path of travel. Features include a user-adjustable AccuTrigger, 10-round AICS magazine and one-piece 20 MOA rail. MSRP: $1,379. Contact: www.savagearms.com

 

Seekins Precision DMR 6mm ARC

The Dedicated Marksman Rifle (DMR) is Seekins’ do-it-all tactical/hunting rifle. Designed for a rigorous and rough lifestyle, its lower receiver offers ambidextrous controls that maximize efficient manipulation of the firearm from either side, while the proprietary upper receiver and handguard provide a rigid, stable platform for repeatable accuracy. The DMR is now available in six semi-custom colors and comes chambered in .223 Wylde/5.56 NATO and 6mm ARC. It weighs 8.2 pounds and sports a 1:8 twist 5R 416 stainless steel barrel. Other features include IMRT-3 upper and SP223 lower 7075 billet receivers, low-profile adjustable gas block, Timney single-stage trigger set at 3 pounds and a Seekins ATC muzzle brake. MSRP: $1,650. Contact: www.seekinsprecision.com

Sig Sauer M400 Tread Predator

Sig Sauer has expanded its M400 Tread series of rifles with the introduction of the M400 Tread Predator, chambered in 5.56 NATO and designed specifically for predator hunting. It features an aluminum frame with a Cerakote Elite Jungle finish, precision lightweight stock that is adjustable for comb height and length of pull, 16-inch stainless steel barrel with thread protector, lightened free-float M-Lok 15-inch handguard, hardened polished trigger and ambidextrous controls. It also has optional Tread branded accessories that include an M-Lok handguard with lightening cuts to reduce weight, three chamber compensator, aircraft grade aluminum ambidextrous charging handle, flip-up front and rear iron sights that are easy to install, adjust and deploy quickly, factory upgraded flat blade, single-stage trigger and much more. MSRP: $1,099.99. Contact: www.sigsauer.com

 

Umarex Gauntlet 2

Get more shots, more velocity and more downrange energy with the newly redesigned Umarex Gauntlet 2 air rifle — delivering more consistent, powerful and accurate shots from every fill of its tank. Offered in two calibers using higher pressure air regulators and more air capacity, the Gauntlet 2 delivers as many as 70 or more shots when shooting the .22-caliber model and more than 50 shots with the .25-caliber version. The Gauntlet 2 is ideal for hunting, precision shooting or just plinking for fun. The .22-caliber (10-round capacity) generates 1,075 fps at the muzzle and the .25-caliber (eight-round capacity) generates 985 fps. Both models have a 28.25-inch barrel, total length of 47 inches and weigh in at 8.5 pounds. MSRP: $449. Contact: www.umarexusa.com