“push feed”

Although you may not recognize the name, chances are you have seen and even shot the handiwork produced by Bergara. Following its success in the barrel market, Bergara recently moved into building complete rifles, including the Custom Mountain Hunter.

Always a leader in generational deer rifles—see the Model 94 lever-action, pre-’64 Model 70 “Rifleman’s Rifle” and the later, push-feed version of the Model 70—Winchester has jumped into the fray with its new XPR.

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.

The world has been awash in .22 Long Rifle rimfires for decades, but few have been built as solidly as the new CZ 455 Varmint Thumbhole Fluted bolt-action. This “little twenty-two” is hefty, a “real” rifle with real rifle feel and performance to match.

Just in time for the peak of predator season, Japanese manufacturer Howa recently teamed up with Nevada-based Legacy Sports International to introduce the lightweight Mini Action rifle.

Thompson/Center introduces the Compass, a blued/black composite bolt-action hunting rifle loaded with features that's set to retail for only $399.

Even if feral pigs aren’t something you often find in your crosshairs, Savage’s little utilitarian bolt-action should draw your attention. The Hog Hunter is built to be tough, affordable and deliver results, too—and it succeeds on all three counts.

When you take the plunge to hunt those game animals that warrant a true dangerous game cartridge, you need to choose a rifle that is utterly reliable, and can deliver the goods no matter what the situation may present. Simply put, it needs to cycle the ammunition flawlessly, stand up to the hottest hot and the coldest cold, and it must go bang every time. Legendary Arms Works Big Five rifle fits that bill just perfectly.

Let’s take a walk on the frugal side and see what $500 gets you these days.