Here’s a bold statement: There’s never been a better time to be a rifleman. In the history of flinging lead projectiles downrange, from Minie Ball to today’s highly ballistic efficient bullets, the delivery vehicle has never been this good. Quite simply, gunmakers all over the world continue to turn out quality rifles. Our five best new rifles for 2020 illustrate that point.
Tactical Life’s 5 Best New Rifles of 2020
From hunting to plinking to the ever-raging interest in all things long-range precision, rifles are better than ever before. And what once took a fortune in customization and aftermarket builds, riflemakers today turn out at a fraction of the price. Today’s factory rifle will pretty much hold its own with the most expensive of bolt-action masterpieces. It’s a good time to be a rifleman, and our list of best rifles of 2020 shows just that.
Benelli Lupo
Designed for hunting, the Benelli Lupo comes chambered in a wide range of proven cartridges. Initial chamberings include .270 Win., .30-06, .300 Win. Mag. Promising sub-MOA accuracy, the Lupo packages ergonomics and recoil reduction into its platform.
Features include a precision CRIO-treated, free-floating barrel. An alloy chassis receiver adds to the appeal. A five-round, double-stack box magazine, two-position, tang-mounted ambi safety and Airtouch Grip surfaces to the stock round out the features. Lastly, the Benelli Lupo retails for $1,699. For even more info, please visit benelliusa.com.
Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint
Springfield Armory made company history this fall with the release of its first-ever bolt action hunting rifle, the Model 2020 Waypoint. And it more than lived up to the hype.
The Model 2020 Waypoint starts with a carbon fiber-wrapped barrel featuring fluted stainless within a jacketed carbon fiber. Torqued into place, it leaves gaps for cooling. The system enables Springfield to guarantee .75 MOA accuracy out of the box.
Initial chamberings include 6mm CM, 6.5 CM, .308 Win. and 6.5 PRC. The Model 2020 Waypoint retails for $1,699. For even more info, please visit springfield-armory.com.
Daniel Defense DELTA 5 Pro
The Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro builds on the company’s original Delta 5 launched last year. The upgraded model comes with a .5 sub-MOA guarantee at 100 yards. It features an AREA 419 Hellfire Muzzle Brake and a Timney Elite Hunter trigger. A three-lug bolt utilizes a floating bolt head, and mechanical bedding features an integral recoil lug.
This one comes with all the bells and whistles, and priced to match. At $2,499.99, it just meets the PRS $2,500 limit for production guns. And this rifle is no-doubt built to compete. For even more info, please visit danieldefense.com.
FN SCAR 20S
The FN SCAR 20, in 6.5 Creedmoor, brings incredible accuracy and downrange performance potential into a warfighting rifle. Available in matte black and also the company’s signature FDE, the 20S features a 20-inch, 1:8-inch twist barrel. A SureFire ProComp 762 muzzle device caps the barrel made from FN machine gun steel.
The rifle features an extended monolithic receiver and Geissele Super SCAR trigger. An SSR precision stock adjusts for length of pull and comb height. The SCAR 20S retails for $4,499. For even more info, please visit fnamerica.com.
SIG 716i TREAD
The SIG 716i TREAD features an aluminum frame, but chambers the harder-hitting .308 Win. Essentially a lightweight version of the company’s 716 series, the 716i sports a 16-inch barrel and free-floating M-LOK handguard.
A host of included features include an oversized ambi magazine release, safety selector and charging handles. Meanwhile, a two-stage Matchlite Duo trigger and six-position adjustable stock round out the component package. The rifle retails for $1,429.99. For even more info, please visit sigsauer.com.
