New Hunting Rifles of 2026: From Budget Deer Guns to Mountain Rifles

By The Release Desk · Updated Oct 17, 2026 · How we verify · Editorial standards

Hunting season is America's oldest shooting tradition, and 2026 brought hunters a deep bench of new rifles. There are budget bolt guns under $500, carbon and titanium mountain rifles that weigh barely four pounds, new left-hand options and a dangerous-game Model 70. We track 17 new hunting rifles from 12 brands, and 14 are confirmed shipping. Specs and prices are from the makers or the sources linked on each rifle's page.

Every new hunting rifle, by hunt and budget

Budget deer rifles

Savage 334: new calibers and compacts

Savage expanded its Model 334 bolt rifle in September 2026 with new chamberings and compact versions, in synthetic and walnut stocks. Prices run $459 to $629, which puts a new deer rifle within reach of almost any hunter. The compacts are worth a look for a young or smaller-framed hunter.

Savage Axis 2 and Axis 2 Pro

Savage's entry-level Axis gets a redesigned bolt handle and the user-adjustable AccuTrigger. The Axis 2 lists at $489 and the Axis 2 Pro at $599. Our source for both is thin, so check Savage's site for chamberings before you buy.

Savage 110 Core Hunter

The 110 Core Hunter adds the toolless-adjustable AccuFit V2 stock and comes in more than 30 chamberings, from .204 Ruger to .375 Ruger, with threaded barrels from 16.5 to 22 inches and left-hand actions available. At $799, it's the rifle to buy if you want an exact caliber or a stock that fits you.

SDS Imports Spandau RL .308

The Spandau RL is a Turkish-made M700-pattern .308 Winchester with a 20-inch threaded barrel, AICS-pattern magazine and a Turkish walnut stock, at 6.8 lb and $799. The M700 pattern means a wide range of scope bases and aftermarket stocks.

Brush guns and scouts

Ruger American Rifle Gen II Scout

Ruger's Gen II Scout has a 16.1-inch threaded barrel with an A2-style flash hider, adjustable iron sights, an extended Picatinny rail for forward or conventional scope mounting and a three-position safety, in .308 Win, 350 Legend, 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39. MSRP $929. The 350 Legend version is a natural for straight-wall deer states. When we rechecked Ruger's page on October 17, 2026, the 5.56 model was listed as available and the .308 as limited availability, while other SKUs showed currently unavailable.

Mountain and backcountry rifles

Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra

Weatherby's Capra is a titanium-action Mark V in a Peak 44 carbon stock, weighing 4.1 to 4.4 lb with 17- or 21-inch barrels. Chamberings run from 22 Creedmoor and 25 Creedmoor through 6.5 Creedmoor, .308, .270, .280 AI and Weatherby's 6.5 and 25 RPM. MSRP $3,499. If you count ounces on a sheep or goat hunt, this is the lightest rifle we track.

Bergara Premier Cima Pro

Bergara's Cima Pro is a 5.5 to 5.75 lb mountain rifle with an autoclave carbon stock, a CURE carbon-wrapped barrel and a TriggerTech trigger, chambered from 22 Creedmoor to .300 PRC, including 7mm PRC and 6.5 PRC. MSRP $3,099.

Nemo Arms Electus

Nemo's first bolt rifle uses a titanium Zermatt controlled-round-feed action, a folding Manners stock and a TriggerTech Diamond trigger, at 6.5 lb in 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 7mm Backcountry and .300 PRC. MSRP $7,499. A folding stock is a real advantage strapped to a pack.

Franklin Armory Prevail

Franklin's Prevail uses what it calls "total round control," a design blending controlled-round-feed and push-feed traits, with an AG Composites stock that's M700-pattern compatible and carbon or fluted steel barrels, in 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, .308 and .300 WSM. MSRP $3,299.99. Status: Listed, no stock.

Big game and dangerous game

Christensen Arms Ridgeline Safari

The Ridgeline Safari pairs a European walnut stock with a 22-inch carbon-wrapped, threaded barrel, a radial brake, a TriggerTech trigger and a Picatinny fore-end rail, at 6 lb 14 oz. Chamberings are 7mm PRC, 7mm Backcountry, .300 Win Mag and .375 H&H. MSRP $2,149.99. Status: Shipping.

Winchester Model 70 Safari Express Cape Buffalo Edition

A limited Model 70 Safari Express with Grade II French walnut and a Cape buffalo engraved floorplate. Winchester's dangerous-game Model 70 is a classic, and this edition is as much for the safe as the safari. Pricing wasn't published in our source. Status: Announced.

Left-handed and predator rifles

Browning X-Bolt 2 Left Hand

Lefties, this one's for you. Browning now offers the X-Bolt 2 in left-hand versions across six models: Speed, Composite Hunter, Speed SPR, Speed LR, Hunter and Medallion, four synthetic and two wood, from about $1,179.

Henry SPD Predator

Henry's SPD Predator is built for coyote hunters, in .223 Rem/5.56 NATO with a 10-round capacity, an 18-inch free-floated carbon-wrapped barrel, an adjustable cheek piece and a Harris S-LM bipod in the box. MSRP $2,510.

Also new: walnut, laminate and left-hand

Bergara's Platinum Stalker (January 12, 2026) puts a pepper laminate Monte Carlo stock, a fluted stainless barrel and a TriggerTech trigger on a 6.75 lb Premier action. Bergara's release lists it from $1,899.99. Every caliber was out of stock on Bergara's store at our last check. Beretta's Sako 90 Grizzly (February 12, 2026) pairs high-grade walnut with a fluted, Cerakoted barrel and an integral Picatinny rail, in 6.5 Creedmoor, .308, .270 and .30-06, at $2,999 MSRP. On April 1, 2026, Ruger released its first left-handed American Rifle Gen II models in the Ranch configuration. They have a 16.1-inch threaded barrel in six chamberings, with a $769 suggested retail.

Full specs

Spec comparison

Key specs as published by each maker (from our product detail data). A dash means the maker hasn't published that spec or we haven't recorded it yet.

How to choose a hunting rifle in 2026

• Match the cartridge to the game and the law. Some states restrict deer hunters to straight-wall cartridges, and some set minimum calibers. 350 Legend (Ruger Scout) is built for straight-wall states. Check your state's current regulations.
• Weight vs shootability. A 4-lb rifle is a joy to carry and a handful to shoot. If you hunt from a stand or blind, a heavier rifle is steadier and kinder on recoil.
• Fit matters more than features. Adjustable stocks like Savage's AccuFit and left-hand actions like Browning's make a bigger difference to accuracy than most upgrades.
• Threaded barrels are standard now. Most of these rifles come threaded. With the $0 NFA tax stamp in effect, a suppressor on a hunting rifle is more affordable than ever; see how to buy a suppressor in 2026.
• Budget for glass and ammo. A $500 rifle with a good scope and practice ammo will kill more deer than a $3,000 rifle you can't shoot well.

Live status

More: the new lever-action rifles of 2026, our 22 Creedmoor vs 22 ARC comparison, new thermal scopes for predator hunting, new ammo and every new rifle.

Frequently asked questions

What new hunting rifles came out in 2026?

New 2026 hunting rifles we track include the Savage 334 expansion, Axis 2 and 110 Core Hunter, SDS Spandau RL, Ruger American Gen II Scout, Browning X-Bolt 2 Left Hand, Bergara Premier Cima Pro, Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra, Nemo Arms Electus, Franklin Armory Prevail, Christensen Ridgeline Safari, Henry SPD Predator and the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express Cape Buffalo Edition.

What is the cheapest new hunting rifle of 2026?

The Savage Model 334 starts at $459, the lowest price among the new hunting rifles we track.

What is the lightest new hunting rifle of 2026?

The Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra, at 4.1 to 4.4 lb.

Are there new left-handed hunting rifles in 2026?

Yes. Browning offers the X-Bolt 2 in left-hand versions across six models, Savage's 110 Core Hunter is available in left-hand actions, and Ruger added left-handed American Rifle Gen II Ranch models on April 1, 2026.

Which new 2026 hunting rifles come in 22 Creedmoor?

The Bergara Premier Cima Pro and the Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra both list 22 Creedmoor among their chamberings.

Sources

1. Savage Arms: Model 334
2. Savage Arms: 110 Core Hunter
3. Ruger: American Rifle Gen II Scout models and availability
4. Bergara: Premier Cima Pro
5. Weatherby: Mark V Backcountry Capra
6. Christensen Arms: Ridgeline Safari
7. Browning: X-Bolt 2 Left Hand
8. Outdoor Life: New rifles of SHOT Show 2026
9. American Rifleman: 16 new bolt-action rifles for 2026

Keep exploring

• SBR rules 2026: $0 tax, Form 1 and Form 20
• New lever-action rifles 2026
• New AR-15s 2026
• New Rifles 2026: release dates and prices
• What's shipping now