“upgrade”

The new Hornady CX bullet is an upgrade of the popular GMX. The company’s ballistic engineers looked at all the attributes of the older GMX design and made some key changes which had an effect on downrange trajectory and terminal performance.

An upgrade to the original model, the new 12-gauge Affinity 3.5 sports design features that increase its appeal to the American hunter. It’s dependable, durable and lightweight, and with an MSRP around $1,000 and a seven-year warranty, it’s a shotgun you won’t hesitate to carry into the swamp.

Ammunition companies have been trying for decades to build a better bullet, especially the tipped variety. There are plenty of options on shelves, and for most hunters there’s no reason to upgrade. But wait. What about those seeking perfection and wanting to push the envelope to 600 yards or beyond? That’s the trend today.

Looking for a new crossbow or to upgrade? Here are seven standouts for 2017.

Here are this year's best new compound bows for hunters looking to make an upgrade.

Riflescopes with parallax adjustments, illuminated reticles, 8X zoom ranges and turrets dialing past 1,500 yards are impressive, but do we really need that to still-hunt whitetails in Ohio farmland or chase elk at 8,000 feet in Idaho? An optic like Leupold’s new VX-3i 3.5X-10X-40mm with the Boone & Crockett ballistic reticle is likely better suited for most hunters’ needs. This 12.6-ounce scope, a reengineered upgrade from the previous VX-3, is bright, sharp, slim and extremely reliable.

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