“model 21”

We had to draw a line somewhere, so we drew it at 10. But trust us, it wasn't easy.

Winchester's turning 150, and we've got to say—the company is looking pretty good for its age. As such, it's celebrating the landmark anniversary by bringing an array of legendary firearms to the 145th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Louisville this weekend.

In this, its 150th year in business, the history of Winchester firearms is well known. After all, “The gun that won the west” was a Winchester, the Model 1873. The Winchester Model 70 is known as the “Rifleman’s Rifle” and the Model 1894 is perhaps the most successful sporting rifle in history. The company also shook up the scattergun market with classic shotguns like the Model 1897, Model 21 and Model 12. The raw truth, however, is that none of these guns could have made their mark in history without ammo to shoot out of them. It’s kind of the red-headed stepchild in terms of glory and glamor, but Winchester has been in the ammo business as long as they have been in the gun business.

It was 150 years ago that the name “Winchester” was first stamped on a rifle. But Winchester’s narrative began well before that, and it is a tale tied to the American West, to the wars of the 20th century, to big personalities such as John Browning and John Olin, and to the manufacture of billions of cartridges and millions of rifles and shotguns beloved by generations of Americans.

Stuttgart, Ark., and its environs are known for flooded-timber duck hunting. But the region offers so much more to waterfowlers who venture from beneath the canopy.

Leupold’s VX-3HD riflescopes are lightweight, rugged and well balanced, and included in the line may be the best value for a hunter looking to cover all the bases: the 4.5-14x40mm. With its 30mm main tube, this scope offers a wider range of elevation adjustment than its 1-inch counterparts, as well as better light transmission.

Here's a look at 2021's most exciting new rifles for hunters looking to make an upgrade.

Nosler's new Model 21 rifle is packed with cutting-edge features, including a wire EDM machined receiver, nitride-coated, fluted bolt, Trigger Tech trigger, Shilen match-grade stainless steel barrel, and a rugged, lightweight synthetic stock.