Ruger. This year the flagship Model 77 Mk. II rifle gets a new, trimmer walnut stock with wraparound checkering on the fore-end and a softer recoil pad. Previous iterations of Ruger’s wood stocks have been a bit too chunky, particularly from the wrist forward. That’s now been addressed with what is now called the Model 77 Hawkeye. Also incorporated is a lighter, crisper trigger designated as the LC6; I dry-fired several so-equipped guns at the SHOT Show, and it is indeed a better trigger than the current one. The floorplate on the Hawkeye is now steel, and it has a new latch that is said to be more positive in its operation and more secure. I can attest to that, too.

Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye African

The Hawkeye is also being rendered in a synthetic-stock version called the All-Weather. Both are available in a wide range of chamberings from .204 Ruger to .338 Win. Mag. The synthetic-stock model is also being offered in .338 Federal and the almost-forgotten .358 Winchester. These last two chamberings are also available this year in the Ruger Mark II Frontier Rifle, designed for forward scope mounting in “scout rifle” fashion.

Hosting the new .375 Ruger cartridge are two other new and distinct Model 77 rifles, the Hawkeye Alaskan and Hawkeye African. The former sports a Hogue synthetic, overmolded stock with rubberized grip panels and a 20-inch barrel; the African version a walnut stock and a 23-inch barrel. Both come with iron sights standard. www.ruger.com

Sako. This highly respected Finnish gunmaker has refined its Model 75 bolt-action rifle into what is now the Model 85. Most noteworthy among the several new features is that it is now a controlled-round-feed action using a detachable magazine that can be loaded from the top.

The back of the receiver bridge and bolt shroud have been redesigned to save weight and provide more bolt support. Bolt travel is very smooth with no discernable lateral play. It’s all well done and very attractive. An aluminum bedding block has been incorporated into all versions of the Model 85—the Hunter, Stainless Synthetic and the Grey Wolf, which wears a black laminated stock. Being lighter than the Hunter and Grey Wolf, the Stainless Synthetic comes with a new, highly efficient buttpad—you know, one of those squishy-soft ones that really soak up and distribute recoil. www.beretta.com

Savage. There’s a new version of the Model 10 called the Predator Hunter. Built on the short 110 action, this model is distinguished by its medium-heavy 22-inch barrel and the fact that the entire gun—barrel, action, triggerguard, long bolt handle and stock—is dipped in Mossy Oak’s Brush camo pattern. Calibers offered are .223 and .22-250.

Savage Model 10 Predator

Savage Model 10 FCM Scout

The Mark II Classic .22 rimfire gets an elegant new Monte Carlo stock with contrasting fore-end tip, wraparound cut checkering and a glossy finish. Also new among its rimfire offerings is the Mark II BTVS, a stainless, heavy-barreled target rifle with a laminated thumbhole stock. The Accu-Trigger is now standard in Savage’s rimfires as well as its centerfire rifles. www.savagearms.com