“synthetic stocks”

These budget-friendly bolt guns offer hunters a lot of rifle for a little money.

Winchester’s SX4s are some of the best gas-operated semi-autos on the market, and the 20-gauge version is a welcome addition to the line. It’s durably built, offers a lot of sensible features, produces minimal recoil and is priced affordably.

Thompson/Center’s newest .50-caliber smokepole, the Impact!SB, is easy to operate, accurate and, with a starting MSRP of just $263, it’s also an excellent bargain.

The Tikka T3x Lite is a wonderful balance of portability, accuracy and dependability. It’s available in time-proven varmint and big-game calibers, has a user-adjustable trigger, the action is nicely bedded and it carries like a dream.

From varmints to African dangerous game, contributor Philip Massaro takes a closer look at three groups of cartridges that cover the entire spectrum.

Consider these stock options to make your long-range rifle more effective—and comfortable.

What is it about the single-shot shotgun that still appeals to us all?

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.

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?