Ever shot a straight-pull (aka toggle-link) action rifle? We like these action types, which were developed for Biathlon competitors who needed to shoot fast, but were not allowed to use semi-auto actions. The biathlon-style toggle action features a lever on the side of the action. Pull the lever back with your index figure to open the bolt, then push forward with your finger to close the bolt*. It’s fast and efficient. With some practice, you can cycle the action in a couple of seconds — nearly as fast as a semi-auto.
The Volquartsen Summit .22 LR rifle is based on a concept originally developed by Primary Weapons Systems. Designed for both competition shooting as well as small game hunting, this unique rifle features a straight-pull, toggle-style action with a Ruger 10/22 profile. That means you can run 10/22 magazines, swap into stocks inletted for the 10/22, and even use after-market 10/22 barrels. The CNC-machined receiver features an integral 20 MOA Picatinny Rail. The Magpul stock adjusts for length of pull. Weight is 5.8 pounds, so this is easy to carry in the field.
The Summit features a lightweight carbon fiber-wrapped barrel, threaded 1/2×28 at the muzzle to be suppressor-ready. One of our favorite features on this little rifle is the trigger — which has a light, crisp 1.75-lb pull weight. Watch the video above to see the Summit .22 LR in action. The tester, 22Plinkster, was impressed with the rifle’s ease of use and accuracy. The Summit delivered a 0.277″ group at 50 yards, shot from the bench.
Good Field Test of Summit Straight-Pull Rifle by Dustin Ellermann
Past Top Shot Champion Dustin Ellerman demonstrates the Summit’s impressive accuracy by hitting small candies at 50 yards (06:13 start/06:55 impact). In rapid-fire drills, Dustin also shows the ease and speed with which the Summit action can be cycled.
Summits Now Offered in .17 HMR and .22 WMR Also
Last Year Volquartsen announced it would be expanding the Summit series to include other rimfire cartridge chamberings. Volquartsen is now offering a Summit .17 HMR and Summit .22 WMR.
These new .17 HMR and .22 WMR offerings will be available in stainless steel and lightweight aluminum configurations, with various barrel and stock options. All configurations will feature a 2.25-pound trigger pull, 0 MOA integral Picatinny rail, and a 9-round magazine capacity. Both 1/2 x 28 threaded barrel and non-threaded barrel options will be available. READ Full Report.
* Biathlon shooters cycle their Fortner toggle actions even faster, using their THUMB to close the bolt. This allows them to get the index finger on to the trigger blade faster. The whole process takes maybe a second — as fast as you can say “snick-snick”. To use the thumb effectively, you need a stock with a more vertical pistol grip. The Magpul stock on the Summit moves your thumb a bit too far back to use comfortably to close the lever without shifting the hand.
SHOT Show 2024 concluded 1/26/24, but another big shooting/hunting event is right around the corner, and this time the public is invited! (SHOT Show is restricted to outdoor industry personnel and media). The Great American Outdoor Show runs February 3-11, 2024 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This 9-day event celebrates hunting, fishing, and the outdoor lifestyle.
The show features over 1,000 exhibitors with booths and displays covering 650,000 square feet of exhibit hall space. At the Outdoor Show you’ll find firearms and optics makers, hunting outfitters, fishing guides, and RV experts. Each day there will be special events including seminars, featured speakers, archery competitions, celebrity appearances, outdoor skills demonstrations and much more.
Along with the 400+ outfitters, there will be experts giving instruction on archery, fishing, and hunting skills. CLICK HERE for profiles on the experts and featured speakers. Here are four of the leading hunting and firearms speakers on the schedule:
Big Country Concert on Saturday Night
Country music fans have reason to cheer this year. On Saturday February 10, 2024 (from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm), there will be a major 2024 NRA Country Concert. Warren Zeiders and Randy Houser will be rockin’ the house with special guest Jacob Bryant. CLICK HERE to pre-order Concert Tickets.
Wall of Guns — $10 for a Chance to Win One of 40 Firearms
Right in the middle of the action will be The NRA Foundation’s Wall of Guns. Located at booth #39 in the PA Farm Show Complex’s main hallway, the Wall, which has display cases on both sides, will offer chances to win firearms during all nine days of the show.
The Wall of Guns has been a favorite since the NRA took over the show in 2014. For only $10, attendees have a 1 in 100 chance to win a brand new firearm or a $400 cash prize. After every 100 tickets are sold, a winner is drawn. With over 40 firearms to choose from, the $10 ticket is an easy buy for most attendees. All of these firearms have been graciously donated to The NRA Foundation in support of preserving the Second Amendment. Click HERE to view all 2024 Wall of Guns ticket packages.
Text in this article is Copyright 2024 AccurateShooter.com. Any site republishing this story agrees to pay damages and/or licensing fees.
SHOT Show 2024 has just concluded. Thousands of new products were unveiled at SHOT Show, including hundreds of new rifles. Today’s Saturday Movie showcase features a number of new (or nearly-new) rifles displayed at SHOT Show 2024 in Las Vegas. This showcase gives our readers a chance to check out some of the newest hunting, precision, and tactical rifles recently featured at SHOT Show 2024.
New Carbon-Fiber Stocked Savage Hunting Rifle
The HuntStand staff had a chance to field test the new KLYM rifle series from Savage. Based on a new carbon-fiber platform, the straight-pull Savage KLYM weighs just 6.7 pounds without optics.
Top AR-Platform Rifles for 2024
AR-platform “Modern Sporting Rifles” continue to be top sellers because of their affordability and versatility. An AR rifle can be used for Service Rifle competition, 3-Gun games, varmint hunting, and of course, home defense. This video features 10 modern-generation AR-platform rifles. Many of these rifles were on display at SHOT Show in Las Vegas this past week.
MDT Chassis and Howa Rifles for 2024 — SHOT Show Report
This video, recorded this past week at SHOT Show 2024, shows some interesting new products — both complete rifles and new components. Many notable products are featured in this 24-minute video. At 16:16 the video shows the new Howa Super Deluxe Walnut rifle. This comes with a handsome figured Walnut stock and either stainless or blued barrels. Starting at 15:04 other new Howa models are shown including a new Mini-action with carbon-wrapped barrel and hinged floor plate.
At 11:05 the video covers MDT’s Zero Stage electronic trigger. First announced in 2023, this is a unique new technology for field rifles. This operates by pressure on the trigger blade, rather than backward mechanical movement. The Zero Stage trigger adjusts from 4 to 64 ounces (0.25 to 4 pounds) without tools. Last but not least, at 00:30 the MDT ACC Premier Gen 2 Chassis is shown (photo below). This has many new features, including a shorter fore-end and new components to help with rimfire magazines.
SHOT Show 2024 “Shorts” — New CZ Rifles, New AirGun
Ten Good Bolt-Action Hunting Rifles — All Under $600
This 9-minute video provides quick looks at ten affordable bolt-action rifles, all under $600.00. If you are looking for a basic hunting rifle, perhaps for a young family member, here are some options with good “bang for the buck”. Using mostly factory footage, this video covers these 10 bolt-guns:
1:04 TC Arms Venture
1:56 Mossberg Patriot
2:28 Ruger Ranch Rifle
3:10 Howa Mini Action Rifle
3:47 Howa Hogue Rifle
4:35 Thompson Center Compass
5:15 Ruger American Rifle
6:03 Winchester XPR Compact
6:52 Remington 783
7:44 Savage Axis II XP
BONUS — Get a Howa Barreled Action for Your Next Rifle Project
Howa M1500 barreled actions are great for hunting and varmint rifle projects. These Japanese-made Howa actions are smooth running and the two-stage HACT trigger is way better than most factory triggers. CLICK HERE to learn more about Howa M1500 barreled actions.
Right now at Brownells you can get a complete Howa barreled action (with trigger!) starting around $400.00. Chamberings in stock now include: 22-250, 6mm ARC, .243 Win, 6.5 Grendel (Mini), 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win, and .300 WinMag. A wide variety of barrel lengths are offered, and some chamberings have carbon-wrapped barrels.
Literally hundreds of new rifle designs were displayed at SHOT Show 2024. Here are eight notable new (or recently introduced) rifles that were spotlighted in SHOT Daily magazine. We have seen trends to more modular rifles in recent years. And multiple rifle-makers are now offering very lightweight rigs for hunters.
The innovative Benelli Lupo HPR rifle boast an impressive sub-MOA, FIVE-shot factory accuracy guarantee. The new Lupo HPR combines a custom-fitment stock system with a heavy-contour, straight-fluted CRYO barrel. Many popular chamberings are offered: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win, .300 PRC, .300 WinMag, and .338 Lapua Magnum. Benelli says the Lupo HPR “incorporates the function of a chassis rifle with the handling grace and accuracy of a custom bolt-action.” CLICK HERE for image with Lupo HPR details.
The Savage 110 Ultralight Elite is a modern very light rig designed for the higher-end hunting market. Offered in multiple chamberings, the 110 Elite features a carbon-wrapped 18″ or 20″ Proof Research barrel and skeletonized carbon composite stock. The whole rig (before optics) runs just 5.8 to 6 pounds — very lightweight. The weight savings are nice, but the $3299.00 MSRP makes this a pretty pricey Savage. Chamberings are: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, .308 Win, .300 WSM, and .300 WinMag. This rifle is review in the Backfire Video below at the 19:14 time-mark.
Bergara B-14 Crest rifles are offered with two models for backcountry hunters. This 100% carbon monocoque fiber stock is designed with industry-leading technologies. The Squared Crest rifle comes with a detachable 5-round AICS compatible magazine. A wide selection of chamberings are offered: .22-250 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, .308 Win, 300 Win Mag.
The Rock River Arms XM24 is offered in .308 Win and .338 Lapua Magnum. Priced at a hefty $5295.00, this features a non-folding MDT ESS chassis and 26″ cryo-treated barrel. The .338 LM version would be a decent out-of-the box choice for ELR shooting.
The Browning X-Bolt Ovix rifle features a Cerakoted barreled action (with brake) fitted in a handsome camo stock. The modern DLX trigger offers a crisp break and adjusts down to 3 pounds. The Veri-Tech stock, finished in Ovix camo pattern, has a unique modular grip design. This allows the sporter grip (as shown) to be swapped with a more vertical-style grip.
The CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter rifles feature 22″ or 24″ barrels with muzzle brake. Both action and barrel have a handsome tan Cerakote finish. The stocks have an adjustable cheekpiece plus a “soft touch” finish. A wide range of chamberings are offered: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Mag, 7 PRC, .308 Win, .300 PRC, and .300 Win Magnum. Prices start at $925.00 MSRP.
The Primary Weapons Systems UXR is an innovative, multi-caliber tactical rifle. The unique UXR (User Xchange Rifle) allows users to quickly switch chamberings by exchanging just three parts: barrel, magwell, and bolt head. Initially available in 5.56×45 and .300 BLK variations, the UXR platform will also be available in .308 Win and 8.6 BLK configurations later this year.
The new Springfield Armory Model 2020 Redline is lightweight, custom-grade hunting rifle currently available in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win. Featuring a minimalist Grayboe Trekker stock and outfitted with a 16″ or 20″ carbon-wrapped barrel, the Redline is suppressor-ready and carries a .75 MOA guarantee.
38 More Guns in BackFire Video Review
If these Quick Pix just wet your appetite and you want to see even more rifles, watch this 41-minute Backfire Channel video. The host reviews 38 different firearms, mostly rifles. The gun he’s holding in the video “cover shot” is a custom rifle with a Rem-clone action in a Matterhorn metal plus wood laminate stock. (See 15:40 time-mark).
In the video you’ll notice a cameo appearance by Eric Cortina at 8:20 time-mark. Eric notes that Caldwell has a new radar chronograph that can calculate bullet BC. The host then showcases the new Caldwell VelociRadar chronograph at the 8:52 mark. It’s quite a bit bigger than the new Garmin Xero C1 Chrono, but it has a nice rugged housing and costs $100 less.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. EuroOptic — 15% Off Vortex Optics
⏺ Significant savings on full line of Vortex optics
Vortex scopes are a top choice of hunters and target shooters alike. Vortex offers a superb warranty and a wide variety of optics types and zoom levels. If you’ve wanted to grab a new Vortex riflescope or spotting scope visit EuroOptic. Right now you can get 15% off the vast majority of Vortex products EuroOptic has in stock. Use CODE VTX15 to get the 15% savings.
2. Creedmoor Sports — ADG Brass IN STOCK
⏺ ADG makes very good brass — now in stock for popular cartridge types
ADG brass was designed not only for consistency, but for durability. You can grab some quality ADG Brass cartridge types now at Creedmoor Sports. They have hard to find 6.5 PRC, 6.5 SAUM and more ready to ship. NOTE: Top F-Open shooters are necking up 6.5 PRC to 7mm, to create a very effective and efficient 7/6.5 PRC wildcat.
3. Palmetto SA — Ruger American Predator Rifle, $599.99
⏺ Very solid deer-hunting rig with great Go Wild camo
Looking for a new hunting rifle? Consider the Ruger American Predator, a rugged, reliable hunting rifle without the high price tag. This 6.5 Creedmoor rifle has a nice synthetic stock in the popular Go Wild camo finish. The one-piece, three-lug bolt with 70° throw provides ample scope clearance and utilizes dual cocking cams for smooth cycling. This rifle comes with mounted Picatinny scope rail and threaded-end barrel with muzzle brake. The trigger is user adjustable between 3 and 5 pounds. The 6.5 Creedmoor round is more than adequate for normal deer hunting. For big elk, we recommend a larger cartridge.
4. Stocky’s Stocks — Quality Carbon Fiber Stocks on Sale
⏺ Excellent stock for varmint and hunting rifles — strong and light
Would you like a modern, high-tech carbon fiber stock for your next hunting or varmint rifle project? Stocky’s Stocks is running a major sale on UltraLite Carbon Fiber VG2 Rem 700 Stocks, UltraLite Carbon Fiber Hunter Rem 700 Stocks and UltraLite Carbon Fiber M50 Rem 700 Stocks. With a selection this big you’re bound to find one that fits your needs. These stocks are strong, light, and durable.
5. Bruno’s — Nightforce 15-55x52mm DEMO open box, $2150.00
⏺ Save hundreds on open box Nightforce comp scope
The impressive Nightforce Competition 15-55x52mm ZeroStop is one of the best available optics for benchrest, F-Class, and ELR competition. The glass is very good, clicks are precise, and the scope has a handy ZeroStop. Right now Bruno’s has “open box” versions of these superb scopes for $2150.00 — hundreds less than they normally cost. These 15-55X NF demos still come with full factory warranties. Don’t delay — supply is very limited!
6. Natchez — RCBS TrimMate, $89.99
⏺ Reliable, versatile case prep — $45 less than $135 Amazon price
Now offered at a big discount at Natchez, the RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center, is a good, versatile multi-station power unit. Five gear-driven rotating heads perform multiple tasks. Along with case neck cleaning, this Case Prep Center will do neck chamfering, deburring, primer pocket cleaning, military crimp removal, and flash hole deburring. This is a great price — the same RCBS machine is now $135.49 on Amazon.
7. Amazon — Lyman BrassSmith Funnel, $33.49
⏺ Very useful kit we use — avoids powder spills
Having a good powder funnel really helps precision reloading. The Lyman Products Brass Smith Pro Powder Funnel System is a great little system. Unlike plastic powder funnels, the aluminum DIE cast body and CNC-turned aluminum caliber-specific inserts are static free to eliminate powder cling. The precision fit to your case necks eliminates spilled powder. The kit includes six laser-marked aluminum inserts to fit calibers 22 to 338: .22, .243/6mm, .25/6.5mm, .270/7mm, .30, and .338.
⏺ Great for shooters who need to read logs and smartphone App details
Are you one of the many shooters who need some magnification when adjusting your turrets, reading scores, or using phone Apps? You should try BIFOCAL SAFETY GLASSES that protect your vision while helping you see better. These MAGID Safety Glasses with Level 2 Diopters (#ad) boast a ANSI Z87.1 safety rating. With these safety bifocals you get quality eye protection when shooting plus the benefit of a little extra magnification as needed. These bifocal safety glasses also have side shields.
Using a torque wrench is important when mounting scopes and installing actions. If you need a torque wrench, consider the Hiners 1/4-Inch Torque Screwdriver Wrench Set (#ad). This 31-piece kit features a driver that can be set from 10 to 70 inch-pounds with a nice, resin handle that’s comfortable to grip. There are color-coded steel Hex, Slotted, and Torx Bits.
⏺ Colorful bullseye targets work for indoor pistol and long-range rifles
Here’s a good, highly-visible target for close-range pistol practice or longer-range rifle shooting. The colors stand out for indoor pistol shooting, while the rings are good for competition rifle shooters. This 50-Pack of Bullseye Paper Targets (#ad) features a 5-color, 10-ring bullseye target with scoring values from 1 to 10. The targets measure an ample 17″x17″ square and include a log box for name, scores, and distance.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
The Beretta BRX1 is a modern rifle with some unique properties. It is a fast-cycling “straight-pull” rifle with the ability to quickly change the bolt position from right side to left side. It uses a rotating multi-lug bolt, similar to what you’ll find on AR-platform rifles. The closing system employs an 8-lug bolt (or 16-lug for magnums). Currently, three chamberings are offered in the USA: .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, and .30-06 Springfield. And there are also some previous production models in 6.5 Creedmoor. Multiple barrel lengths are offered: 20.1″, 22.4″, 24.4″ (51, 57, 62 cm). Barrel and chamber are cold-hammer forged together from a single steel piece. The trigger can be adjusted to three pull weights from 2.1 pounds (950 grams) to 3.3 pounds (1500 grams). CLICK HERE for factory specifications and more information.
Accuracy has been good by hunting rifle standards. Beretta offers a 3-shot, sub-MOA Guarantee for the BRX1, stating that “the accuracy certificate for each firearm is available online”. Testers have confirmed that this rifle should be capable of putting three shots in about 1″ at 100 yards.
You’ll find a good review of the Beretta BRX1 on the All4Shooters Website. In 100m outdoor range testing, they were able to get a 1.18″ five-shot group, and the testers confirmed the rifle was fast to cycle and operate: “The straight-pull repeater comes with a linear reloading system. In concrete terms, this means that no rotation or lever movement is required. This promises particularly fast reloading due to an especially smooth bolt action. Without any problems, it was possible to cycle the rifle with one finger.” The testers confirmed the rifle can change from right-hand to left-hand very quickly: “The bolt handle can be removed in a few seconds, and the shooter can change the ejection side. In combination with the central safety, you have a fully-fledged left- or right-handed gun within a short time.”
Overall the testers were impressed: “The new Beretta BRX1 has everything you need on board: a muzzle thread, a one-piece Picatinny rail, a high-quality red-orange magazine (5+1 rounds), ambidexterity, barrel change option, and a great, very smooth straight-pull action.”
January 2024 Field Test of BRX1 Latest Model
This is a good, recent review (1/19/2024) by the BackFire channel. The tester liked the straight-pull action, stating that cycling the BRX1’s bolt does not “jostle the rifle” as with a conventional bolt action. This allows smoother and faster follow-up shots.
We were concerned that the BRX 1 doesn’t have a conventional action frame. As you can see in the above photo, when the bolt carrier assembly is retracted there is nothing above the bolt except the scope rail. However, this rifle has been thoroughly tested by the Beretta team, including one rifle that saw 10,000 rounds of .300 Win Magnum (see Backfire video at 10:40). Beretta notes that the “BRX1 has successfully passed the same NATO tests carried by Beretta on military weapons. Thanks to the experience in the military and law enforcement world, BRX1 mounts a locking system featuring a rotating bolt head with 8 locking lugs — or 16 for magnum calibers.”
There was a safety recall on Beretta BRX1 rifles early on, shortly after the original release in 2021. The issue arose from users incorrectly installing the bolt handle: “a user has reversed the charging handle on the bolt without positioning it correctly in its seat.” A part was modified to eliminate the issue.
SHORT VIDEOS Showing BRX1 Features
Here are some helpful “short” videos. The first (top left) shows how to cycle the action rapidly. The second video (from Beretta Gallery Dallas) shows how to attach the bolt assembly, and notes that one must ensure the hammer is cocked/retracted before sliding the bolt assembly on to the action. The third video illustrates how to move the bolt handle from one side to the other.
Tactical Version with Extended Magazine TFB-TV Review
For 2024, Beretta has introduced a new, camo-finish version of BRX1. This has been dubbed the BRX1 Tactical. Like other BRX1 rifles, this camo BRX1 features a left/right swappable straight-pull action that is very fast to cycle.
In this video, released just last week (1/17/24), the TFB-TV team tests the new Beretta BRX1 Tactical: “This tactical edition, a standout with its multicam finish, is a specialized variant of the Beretta BRX-1, which has gained popularity in Europe for its precision and reliability. The BRX-1 Tactical is enhanced for practical functionality with a 3D printed magazine adapter, allowing it to accept Magpul P-Mags, adding to its versatility.” This video covers the BRX1’s notable features including smooth action, adaptability, and stock ergonomics. The video also compares the new BRX1 Tactical to the original European BRX-1 model, highlighting the main changes — principally the stock configuration and the new bigger magazine.
Safari Club International (SCI) invites hunters and sportsmen to attend the 52nd Annual Hunters’ Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. This major event will be held January 31st through February 3rd, 2024 at the Nashville Music City Convention Center. “Safari Club International’s Annual Convention is an opportunity for hunters to experience the latest from leading brands in the hunting industry … our Convention [brings] the best of the hunting industry to our members” said W. Laird Hamberlin, SCI’s CEO.
The large Music City Convention Center will host exhibitors from all over the world. Attendees can check out the latest firearms and hunting gear, take part in seminars, and book hunts from multiple continents. This year’s convention will host guest speakers Craig Boddington, Dan Adler, Dave Holt, and Ramsey Russell. There will also be over 20 live and online SCI auctions with bidding on once-in-a-lifetime guided hunts, exceptional firearms, fine art, and jewelry.
With outfitters and guides from around the world, plus gun and ammo manufacturers, the SCI Annual Convention has been called the “Superbowl of Hunting Shows”.
The SCI Convention Will Feature Live Music by Legendary Performers
The 2024 SCI Convention will also feature some great live music, with performances by big name musical artists .38 Special, Jason Aldean, Big & Rich, and Foreigner.
Map for Music City Convention Center in Nashville, TN:
Every year the NRA Publications group announces Golden Bullseye Award winners for various product categories (rifle, handgun, shotgun, optics, gear etc.). These awards are like the Oscars for the shooting industry. There are many Golden Bullseyes given out each year because there are separate awards given by different NRA Magazines — including American Rifleman, Shooting Illustrated, and American Hunter. Here are the 2024 Rifles of the Year (Golden Bullseye Winners) as chosen by each of those three publications.
American Rifleman 2024 Golden Bullseye — Rifle of the Year
American Rifleman says the Springfield Armory 2020 Rimfire has impressive features: “Springfield 2020 Rimfire rifles come with an accuracy guarantee to shoot a three-shot group under one inch at 50 yards with match-grade ammunition. [The] new 2020 Rimfire bolt action [has] dual cocking cams and a 60-degree bolt throw. Rifles come supplied with an interrupted Picatinny optics rail[.] The trigger is user-adjustable [and is] compatible with 700-pattern aftermarket triggers[.] The rifle is fed with a detachable-box rotary magazine with a 10-round capacity of the 10/22 pattern.”
American Hunter 2024 Golden Bullseye — Rifle of the Year
American Hunter magazine likes the Marlin 336 Classic, with its smooth lever action and traditional appearance: “A gorgeous lever-action … this is a firearm as comfortable over the fireplace as it is in the deer woods. Its American black walnut stock blends beautifully with the satin-blued finish of the receiver and barrel.”
Shooting Illustrated 2024 Golden Bullseye — Rifle of the Year
S&W’s M&P FPC folding carbine is easy to transport and has smart on-board storage for magazines. The FPC’s buttstock has twin slots that hold 17-rd and/or 23-rd magazines compatible with S&W 9mm pistols. When folded, S&W’s FPC Carbine is just 16 3/8″. S&W delivers the new FPC in a cool zippered carry case with four internal pockets. That nice, padded carry case is included in the affordable $659.00 price.
New Award Category for Suppressor
New for 2024 is the Shooting Illustrated Suppressor of the Year Award. This new category reflects the growing usage of suppressors in many shooting sports. The first-ever Suppressor of the Year is the Silencer Central BANISH Speed K:
Just 4″ long, the new Silencer Central BANISH Speed K suppressor offers outstanding noise/recoil reduction in a very small format. The BANISH Speed K features a unique baffle design and a finned blast chamber that minimizes blowback to less than 6% of unsuppressed shooting. The Speed K is built from 100% Inconel, allowing it to be durable and maneuverable.
About the Golden Bullseye Awards
Now in their 22nd year, NRA Publications’ Golden Bullseye Awards acknowledge top firearms and shooting sports products. Winners are selected by a team of editors, graphic designers, and NRA Publications staffers. To qualify for consideration for a Golden Bullseye Award, a product must have been:
— Recently introduced and available to consumers.
— Used/tested by a staff member or magazine contributor.
— Reliable in the field, meeting or exceeding the evaluator’s expectations
— Innovative in design and function.
— Readily perceived as a value to the purchaser.
— Styled in a manner befitting the shooting and hunting industry.
Golden Bullseye Awards are presented by three major NRA Publications: American Rifleman, Shooting Illustrated, and American Hunter. In addition, Golden Bullseyes were awarded by NRAWomen.com, an NRA Publication web property.
The 2024 Golden Bullseye Awards as well as the Pioneer Award and the Freedom Award will be presented in person at an invitation-only event during the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Dallas, Texas.
This story features a unique, American-designed rimfire rifle, chambered for the potent .17 HMR round. The current generation Browning T-Bolt has a tang-mounted ambidextrous safety, a choice of barrel contours, lengths, and finishes, and a variety of stock options. What sets the T-Bolt apart from other rimfire rifles is the way the action cycles. There is not a conventional bolt that requires four distinct motions (lift bolt handle up/pull back/move forward/rotate handle down). With the T-Bolt you simply pull the handle straight back to extract a round, then return it forward to chamber a new round from the Double Helix magazine. The cocking effort is divided between back pull and forward movement so the effort is relatively light and easy.
Among current rimfire rifles, the Browning T-Bolt ranks high for fit and finish. The bluing is very nice and the T-Bolt even boasts a gold-plated trigger shoe. Many different stock types have been offered in recent years including some very nice AA Maple stock models as shown below (click to zoom). These T-Bolt rifles exhibit very fine craftmanship. Current models are made in Japan under license to Browning.
Click image for full-screen T-Bolt photo with detail.
Browning T-Bolt Sporter AA Maple Model
RECEIVER – Steel; High polished finish; Drilled and tapped for scope mounts
BARREL – Medium Sporter; Blued finish; Free-floating; Semi-match chamber; Recessed crown
ACTION – Straight pull bolt action; Top-tang safety; Adjustable trigger
STOCK – AA Maple; Gloss finish; Checkered
FEATURES – Sling swivel studs installed
PRODUCTION – Limited quantities
T-Bolt Owner Talks about Function and Accuracy
“I have a Browning T-bolt in .17 HMR, but with the maple stock. It is probably my favorite .17 HMR rifle (also the most expensive). The rifle feels smaller than some of my other .17 HMR rifles. I think the length of pull is a little shorter. I do like the light weight and trim handling of the rifle and the straight-pull bolt can be cycled really quickly. Mine is quite accurate and will shoot one-inch groups at 100 yards with both Hornady ammo and the CCI A17 ammo.” — RexRay, Varminter.com Forum member.
Pros and Cons of the Browning T-Bolt
The T-Bolt has a reputation for good accuracy, provided you have a good lot of .17 HMR ammo (we recommend checking for bullet run-out before you shoot for groups). The straight-pull action works as advertised — it is fast, smooth, and easy-to-operate. The Double Helix magazine (covered below) is excellent. It is very compact yet ultra-reliable. Another plus is that the T-Bolt has been produced in many different versions, with a variety of stocks, and even a stainless action version.
What are the negatives? Some of the stocks have a somewhat short length-of-pull, but this is easily solved with spacers. The main complaint is the factory trigger — some owners say it is too heavy at about 4 pounds, though the break is clean. For varmint work, we could live with the stock trigger and put money saved into optics.
If you prefer a very light trigger, JARD makes a T-Bolt replacement trigger. Featuring an aluminum housing, the JARD T-Bolt trigger can be ordered with 12-, 16-, or 20-ounce pull weights. The JARD trigger offers a crisp, clean break significantly lighter than stock. But at $254.95 the JARD trigger is fairly expensive. Additionally there have been a couple complaints about slam fires at the lowest weights so we recommend the 20-ounce. Here is one owner review, from a Rimfire Central thread: “The new Browning T-Bolt is a great rifle in all aspects except for the trigger. In my case when I received my JARD trigger it was an almost drop-in installation with very little adjusting or fooling around. For me it made a decent little rifle a great little rifle.”
Browning Double Helix 10-Round Magazine
The T-Bolt’s patented 10-round rotary Double Helix™ magazine is a unique design that feeds very reliably and is easy to load. The Double Helix magazine uses a torsion drive spring and interlocking gear design to maintain correct timing and exact cartridge alignment for smooth, reliable feeding. The translucent gray body allows for easy verification of the number of remaining cartridges. We like the fact that the Double Helix provides TEN-round capacity while fitting nearly flush with the bottom of the action.
The Browning Double Helix rotary box magazine system is easy to load, easy to carry, and easy to use. The smooth, rounded exterior contours of the Double Helix, along with twin gripping grooves, tapered shape and a slightly extended baseplate design make insertion positive, while the spring-assisted drop-free magazine ejection feature allows for rapid magazine changes. T-bolt owners confirm that feeding and reliability is excellent — the magazine design puts cartridges in perfect alignment with the chamber.
Other Browning T-Bolt Variants
In recent years, Browning has produced T-Bolt rifles in a variety of models, with many different stock types and various barrel lengths/contours. Most of the photos above showcase the AA Maple Sporter T-Bolt, which is currently out of production, though still available from some dealers (if you search). We like the looks of the AA Maple T-Bolt, but there many other stock options including dark brown, Black, Green, and various camouflage finishes. Use the links below to see other T-Bolt configurations.
Current production T-Bolts are offered in four rimfire chamberings: .17 HMR, .22 LR, .22 Magnum, and .22 WMR. Barrel contours and lengths (from 2″ to 22″) vary from model to model. Shown below is the New-for-2024 T-Bolt Target SR (Suppressor Ready) and two other current models. Then we feature five notable discontinued T-Bolt rifle models. CLICK HERE to see all discontinued T-Bolt variants — many of which are still available if you search gun vendors.
.17 HMR Cartridge — Fast and Deadly on Small Varmints
We are big fans of the .17 HMR round. It’s just about perfect for ground squirrels, and is effective on prairie dogs out to about 200 yards. The three main .17 HMR producers have been CCI, Federal, and Hornady, but you will also see Browning and Remington .17 HMR ammo. Choose from 17gr or 20gr bullets — both work well in the varmint fields. A good source for all types of .17 HMR ammo is TargetSports USA.
Here is a Comparison Test of Multiple Types of .17 HMR Ammo
CCI .17 HMR TNT offers 2650 FPS Velocity
For varmint work we like CCI’s modern .17 HMR VNT ammo. This boasts class-leading 2650 FPS muzzle velocity. Engineered to combine good accuracy with high impact energy, this CCI TNT ammo features a 17gr polymer-tipped bullet designed for rapid expansion. We also like the Hornady .17 HMR Varmint Xpress ammo, rated at 2550 FPS with 17gr V-Max bullets.
Today is Christmas, and there is plenty of snow on the ground in many parts of the country. 2023 has brought some unusually cold weather to many regions, and we can expect a pretty cold January and February in the higher elevations.
If you plan to go shooting or hunting in the weeks ahead, while the weather is below freezing and snow is on the ground, you need to be prepared. You should always have the right equipment and make sure that you can contact help if something goes wrong (such as not being able to start your vehicle).
The folks at the Precision Rifle Network have created a good video on winter shooting and hunting. Host Marcus Hom provides his TOP 10 TIPS for wintertime shooting/hunting adventures. We recommend that any 4-season shooter watch this video.
TOP 10 TIPS for Winter Shooting and Hunting:
1. Wear Good Sunglasses — With snow on the ground, wearing sunglasses is a must because of the extra reflected light. You can get good sunglasses that also have ANSI Z87.1-approved impact protection.
2. Wear Protective, Moisture-Proof Clothing — Wear a set of Bibs and a long jacket. This will prevent you from getting snow inside your clothing when shooting prone.
3. Take Care of Your Hands — Bring good winter gloves, preferably with a waterproof outer layer. Make sure the inner gloves can work with your trigger/trigger guard.
4. Bring a Good Tripod — A tripod keeps you elevated so you can avoid laying down in snow or slush. That, in turn, avoids body heat loss. “Keeping out of the snow and shooting from an elevated position is pretty important in the wintertime.”
5. Protect Optics and Action — Keep your scope lenses and action clear of moisture, snow, and fog. You will want to have good caps on both lenses. Make sure the action remains closed, and consider some kind of wrap over the action until you’re ready to load and shoot.
6. Ranging Challenges — Laser range-finders don’t perform optimally with intense, bright, ambient light. Also, if it’s showing you may get false readings from snow particles. So take multiple readings to ensure you have the right distance. Also, if you have a reticle with MOA or MIL marks, and you know the size of your target, then you can range the target with the scope.
7. Drop and Windage Info (DOPE) Chart — Bring a waterproof, hard copy dope chart. Out in the field on cold days, a phone battery dies fast, and you’ll want to preserve that battery for emergency phone use if needed. So, you should keep a good old-fashioned drop chart in a waterproof laminate.
8. Muzzle Velocity Issues — Cold temperatures can lower muzzle velocity. Before you go, get an idea of how your velocity will change with low temperatures. Some powders are more sensitive to temperature than others, causing a noticeable reduction in muzzle velocity. A load you’ve worked out in summer may shoot LOW in winter because the actual velocity is low. Even with a “temperature stable” powder you may see a 10 fps slow-down. Do some winter velocity testing if you can before you go.
9. Keep Your Ammo Warm — A simple way to avoid muzzle velocity changes with low ambient temperatures is to keep you ammunition ON YOUR BODY. Have a pouch under your layered clothing where the ammo can be kept relatively warm. See video: 07:50
10. Safeguard Keys and Valuables — Keep keys and valuables in a secure, zippered pocket. “There is nothing worse than losing something… keys, phone, wallet. It’s really hard to find something when its buried under [many] inches of snow”. We also recommend keeping a spare vehicle key hidden on your car/truck. There are magnetic holders that can keep that spare key secure but safely hidden from view.
Big Country Concert on Saturday Night
The large Music City Convention Center will host exhibitors from all over the world. Attendees can check out the latest firearms and hunting gear, take part in seminars, and book hunts from multiple continents. This year’s convention will host guest speakers Craig Boddington, Dan Adler, Dave Holt, and Ramsey Russell. There will also be over 20 live and online SCI auctions with bidding on once-in-a-lifetime guided hunts, exceptional firearms, fine art, and jewelry.
Every year the 
In recent years, Browning has produced T-Bolt rifles in a variety of models, with many different stock types and various barrel lengths/contours. Most of the photos above showcase the AA Maple Sporter T-Bolt, which is currently out of production, though still available from some dealers (if you search). We like the looks of the AA Maple T-Bolt, but there many other stock options including dark brown, Black, Green, and various camouflage finishes. Use the links below to see other T-Bolt configurations.
