Best New Rifles of 2026: Our Picks by Use
Looking for the new rifles 2026? Here is every one we track with price, specs links and release date. American shooters have more choice than ever, and 2026 proves it. We track 27 rifles from 17 brands, from the day they were announced to the day they actually ship. 20 are shipping now.
Every product below links to its source and shows its current status and manufacturer MSRP. Status checks are dated on each product page, so you know how fresh the info is before you head to the counter.
Trapper 1895 Magpul ELG
1894 Trapper .357 Magnum
1894 Trapper 10mm Auto
334 expansion (new calibers/compacts)
SPD Predator
SCAR (next generation, hydraulic buffer)
Premier Cima Pro
Electus
Mark V Backcountry Capra
110 Core Hunter
Spandau RL .308
X-Bolt 2 Left Hand
M&P FPC 5.7
Axis 2
Axis 2 Pro
REVEL Classic (rimfire lever)
REVEL DLX (rimfire lever)
American Rifle Gen II Scout
Model 1854 360 Buckhammer
Harrier
Prevail
SIC Interchangeable Caliber
Mad Pig Customs 1894 .357
Model 70 Safari Express Cape Buffalo Edition
Ridgeline Safari
Skunkwerks TAF
MRAD Covert
The 2026 rifle landscape
From budget bolt guns to five-figure mountain rifles, 2026 covered the whole range. Savage refreshed its entry-level Axis, Ruger launched the Harrier AR and an American Rifle Gen II Scout, Marlin kept the lever-gun revival rolling with Trapper models, and the precision crowd got new rifles from Bergara, Seekins, Weatherby, Christensen and Gunwerks. With suppressor taxes at $0 and threaded muzzles nearly universal, this is a great year to build a quiet hunting rig.
Picks by use case
These picks are based on published specs, MSRP and verified status from our data. They aren't range reviews.
Best budget deer rifle: Savage Axis 2
At a $489 MSRP and shipping, the Axis 2 is one of the lowest-priced centerfire bolt guns in our 2026 data (the Savage 334 expansion starts at $459). The Axis 2 Pro ($599) steps up for hunters who want more features. For something more traditional, the Savage 110 Core Hunter ($799) is also shipping.
Best new AR-15: Ruger Harrier
Ruger's re-engineered AR launched in two 5.56 NATO models with forged 7075 receivers and a free-floated 15-inch M-LOK handguard, built in Hebron, Kentucky, at a $699 MSRP. It's shipping. For a premium semi-auto, the next-generation FN SCAR ($3,799) adds a hydraulic buffer.
Best lever gun: Marlin 1894 Trapper
Compact, handy and shipping in .357 Magnum and 10mm Auto at $1,599, the 1894 Trapper is a classic truck and woods gun. The 1895 Trapper Magpul ELG ($1,769) brings big-bore lever power with modern furniture.
Best scout rifle: Ruger American Rifle Gen II Scout
A forward-mount-friendly, do-it-all bolt gun at $929, shipping now.
Best for left-handed hunters: Browning X-Bolt 2 Left Hand
A true left-hand X-Bolt 2 at $1,179, shipping.
Best long-range precision rifle: Bergara Premier Cima Pro or Seekins SIC
The Cima Pro ($3,099) is shipping. The Seekins SIC ($8,900) lets one rifle swap calibers. For a backcountry hunting rifle, look at the Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra ($3,499).
Best dangerous-game rifle: Christensen Ridgeline Safari
Announced May 12, 2026 at $2,149.99. Check calibers and specs on the product page.
Best rimfire: Savage REVEL Classic
A rimfire lever action at $499, shipping, perfect for small game and teaching new shooters. The REVEL DLX ($629) dresses it up.
Bolt, lever or semi-auto?
Bolt actions remain the hunter's standard: simple, accurate and available in nearly every cartridge, from the budget Axis 2 to the Seekins SIC. Lever actions like the Marlin Trappers are fast, compact and great in thick woods. Semi-autos like the Ruger Harrier and FN SCAR offer quick follow-up shots and modular setups for home defense and training. Pick the action that matches how and where you'll shoot.
Buying tips
Choose your cartridge first, and make sure you can actually buy ammo for it. Check the twist rate if you plan to shoot heavy, high-BC bullets. Budget at least as much for the scope and mount as for the rifle if you'll shoot past 300 yards. If you're suppressing it, confirm the muzzle thread pitch and consider a shorter barrel now that the federal SBR and suppressor taxes are $0. Our NFA updates explain the rules.
What to watch next
A handful of 2026 rifles are still announced or listed without stock in our data, including the Gunwerks Skunkwerks TAF, the Barrett MRAD Covert and the Christensen Ridgeline Safari. Check each product page for the latest status. With suppressor and SBR taxes at $0, expect more short, suppressor-ready rifles from makers in 2027. Find a can in our new suppressors guide.
Release dates and shipping status
Here is where every one of the 27 new rifles stands as of our latest checks. Shipping now (20): Marlin Trapper 1895 Magpul ELG ($1,769), Marlin 1894 Trapper .357 Magnum ($1,599), Marlin 1894 Trapper 10mm Auto ($1,599), Savage Arms 334 expansion (new calibers/compacts) ($459), Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator ($2,510), FN SCAR (next generation, hydraulic buffer) ($3,799), Bergara Premier Cima Pro ($3,099), Nemo Arms Electus ($7,499), Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra ($3,499), Savage Arms 110 Core Hunter ($799), SDS Imports Spandau RL .308 ($799), Browning X-Bolt 2 Left Hand ($1,179), Smith & Wesson M&P FPC 5.7 ($719), Savage Arms Axis 2 ($489), Savage Arms Axis 2 Pro ($599), Savage Arms REVEL Classic (rimfire lever) ($499), Savage Arms REVEL DLX (rimfire lever) ($629), Ruger American Rifle Gen II Scout ($929), Smith & Wesson Model 1854 360 Buckhammer ($1,399), Ruger Harrier ($699). Listed, but no stock seen (2): Franklin Armory Prevail ($3,299.99), Seekins Precision SIC Interchangeable Caliber ($8,900). Announced, ship date not yet confirmed (5): Marlin Mad Pig Customs 1894 .357, announced Oct 7, 2026, Winchester Model 70 Safari Express Cape Buffalo Edition, announced Sep 30, 2026, Christensen Arms Ridgeline Safari ($2,149.99), announced May 12, 2026, Gunwerks Skunkwerks TAF ($14,750), announced Jan 22, 2026, Barrett MRAD Covert, announced Jan 12, 2026. The most recent announcement in this group is the Marlin Trapper 1895 Magpul ELG ($1,769), announced Oct 7, 2026. Each product page shows the exact date we last checked and the source behind its status, so you can judge freshness before you shop.
How we chose
Every product in this guide comes from our release database, which tracks new products from first announcement to shipping. To make the list, a product had to be announced for the 2026 model year (or announced in late 2025 for 2026 availability) and have a cited maker or trade-press source. We then grouped products by the job they're built for, using the maker's published specs, and weighed manufacturer MSRP and verified shipping status. If two products did the same job, we favored the one you can actually buy today.
We haven't range-tested these products, and we don't claim to have. Our picks are editorial judgments based on published data, and we say when something is only announced. Prices are manufacturer MSRPs from cited sources, and street prices are often lower once a product has been shipping for a while. Status comes from our latest dated check, shown on each product page. Read more about how we track releases and our editorial standards.
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.
| Product | MSRP | Barrel | Stock | Action | Calibers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlin Trapper 1895 Magpul ELG | $1,769 | — | — | — | — |
| Marlin 1894 Trapper .357 Magnum | $1,599 | 16.1 in, threaded | — | — | — |
| Marlin 1894 Trapper 10mm Auto | $1,599 | 16.17 in | — | — | — |
| Savage Arms 334 expansion (new calibers/compacts) | $459 | — | — | bolt | — |
| Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator | $2,510 | 18 in free-floated carbon-wrapped | — | — | — |
| FN SCAR (next generation, hydraulic buffer) | $3,799 | — | folding | — | 5.56 NATO, 7.62 NATO, 6.5 CM |
| Bergara Premier Cima Pro | $3,099 | CURE carbon-wrapped | autoclave carbon | — | 22 CM, 25 CM, 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 7mm RM, 7mm PRC, .308, .300 WM, .300 PRC |
| Nemo Arms Electus | $7,499 | — | Manners folding | titanium Zermatt CRF | 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 7mm Backcountry, .300 PRC |
| Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra | $3,499 | 17 or 21 in | Peak 44 carbon | titanium Mark V | 22 CM, 25 CM, 6.5 CM, .308, .240 Wby, .270, .280 AI, 6.5 Wby RPM, 25 Wby RPM |
| Savage Arms 110 Core Hunter | $799 | 16.5-22 in, threaded | AccuFit V2 | — | 30+ (.204 Ruger to .375 Ruger) |
| SDS Imports Spandau RL .308 | $799 | 20 in, threaded | Turkish walnut | M700-pattern | — |
| Browning X-Bolt 2 Left Hand | $1,179 | — | — | — | — |
| Smith & Wesson M&P FPC 5.7 | $719 | 16.25 in, 1/2x28 threaded | — | blowback | — |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 | $489 | — | — | bolt | — |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 Pro | $599 | — | — | bolt | — |
| Savage Arms REVEL Classic (rimfire lever) | $499 | — | walnut | lever | .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR |
| Savage Arms REVEL DLX (rimfire lever) | $629 | — | — | lever | .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR |
| Ruger American Rifle Gen II Scout | $929 | 16.1 in, threaded, A2-style flash hider | leaf green with black splatter | — | .308 Win, 350 Legend, 5.56 NATO, 7.62x39 |
| Smith & Wesson Model 1854 360 Buckhammer | $1,399 | 20 in, stainless, threaded | — | lever | — |
| Ruger Harrier | $699 | 16.1 in, black nitride, 1:8 twist | — | — | — |
| Franklin Armory Prevail | $3,299.99 | carbon or fluted steel | AG Composites, M700-pattern compatible | total round control | — |
| Seekins Precision SIC Interchangeable Caliber | $8,900 | carbon fiber | — | — | 6.5 CM, .308, .300 WM, .300 PRC, .300 Norma, .338 Norma, .338 Lapua |
| Marlin Mad Pig Customs 1894 .357 | Not yet announced | — | — | — | — |
| Winchester Model 70 Safari Express Cape Buffalo Edition | Not yet announced | — | Grade II French walnut | — | — |
| Christensen Arms Ridgeline Safari | $2,149.99 | 22 in carbon-wrapped, threaded | European walnut | — | 7mm PRC, 7mm Backcountry, .300 Win Mag, .375 H&H |
| Gunwerks Skunkwerks TAF | $14,750 | — | folding carbon | — | — |
| Barrett MRAD Covert | Not yet announced | 17 in | compact folding | magazine-fed bolt (MRAD) | .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor |
New Rifles 2026 at a glance
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cheapest new rifle of 2026?
- The Savage 334 expansion starts at $459 and the Savage Axis 2 at $489, the lowest MSRPs among the rifles we track.
- Is the Ruger Harrier shipping?
- Yes. Per our latest check, the Ruger Harrier is shipping at a $699 MSRP.
- How many rifles released in 2026 does GunReleases track?
- We currently track 27 rifles from 17 brands: Barrett, Bergara, Browning, Christensen Arms, FN, Franklin Armory, Gunwerks, Henry Repeating Arms, Marlin, Nemo Arms, Ruger, SDS Imports, Savage Arms, Seekins Precision, Smith & Wesson, Weatherby, Winchester.
- Which new rifles are shipping now?
- Marlin Trapper 1895 Magpul ELG, Marlin 1894 Trapper .357 Magnum, Marlin 1894 Trapper 10mm Auto, Savage Arms 334 expansion (new calibers/compacts), Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator, FN SCAR (next generation, hydraulic buffer), Bergara Premier Cima Pro, Nemo Arms Electus, Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra, Savage Arms 110 Core Hunter, SDS Imports Spandau RL .308, Browning X-Bolt 2 Left Hand, Smith & Wesson M&P FPC 5.7, Savage Arms Axis 2, Savage Arms Axis 2 Pro, Savage Arms REVEL Classic (rimfire lever), Savage Arms REVEL DLX (rimfire lever), Ruger American Rifle Gen II Scout, Smith & Wesson Model 1854 360 Buckhammer, Ruger Harrier Status is based on our last dated check on each product page.
- What is the lowest MSRP among new rifles?
- Savage Arms 334 expansion (new calibers/compacts) at $459 MSRP. The highest listed is Gunwerks Skunkwerks TAF at $14,750. Street prices are often lower.
- What do Announced, Listed and Shipping mean?
- Announced means the maker has published it. Listed, no stock means a maker or retailer has a product page but no inventory. Shipping means units are confirmed available to buy.
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