“deer rifles”

There's never a bad time to add a new rifle to your gun case—especially if you're looking for a favorite new meat maker before the 2015 whitetail season kicks into high gear. Here are a few new-for-2015 offerings that deserve some consideration if you're looking to make an addition to the family before your season begins.

Overall, in fit and finish you'll find the Sauer 100 Classic XT at or near the top of the budget bolt-rifle class. It’s atop the price ladder, too, but if you want Sauer precision, you won’t find it for any less.

Is the most popular military rifle in history worth a ruble in the woods?

The introduction of Mossberg's new Patriot bolt-action series in 2015 is the company's latest development, and it has been a big success.

Fitting of its name, the Minimalist is a svelte AR with just enough features to make it eminently practical in the woods. Weighing 6 pounds, it’s lighter than almost any centerfire bolt-, lever- or pump-action rifle you’ll see at deer camp.

Perhaps the single most noticeable change in firearms over the last 15 to 20 years has been the proliferation of synthetic stocks. But are they a superior product?

Deer rifles and the cartridges loaded in them have run the gamut the last 50 years, from the Winchester 94 in .30-30 Win. to the Weatherby Mark V in .30-378 Wby. Mag. and the DPMS ARL in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Get a closer look at the Bushmaster Minimalist-SD, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series.

Between the .30-30 Win. and the .35 Rem., which is the more useful cartridge for hunters? Contributor Philip Massaro compares the two and picks the winner.