What's New for 2021?
Supply chain disruptions have slowed down many industries with new product launches, such as the automotive industry, and firearms companies have not been immune from that. For 2021, here are a few of the more interesting products from my point of view.
SAVAGE ARMS IMPULSE
The Savage Arms Impulse line is a series of straight-pull bolt-action rifles. The Savage “Big Game” version, for example, is chambered from .243 Winchester up to .300 Winchester Magnum. Straight-pull bolt rifles are popular in some areas for hog hunting, the primary touted feature is the faster rate of fire than a conventional bolt action. The premier straight-pull center-fire rifle is likely the Blaser R8. For those that are already poo-pooing the $1447 MSRP of the Savage, Blaser R8's start at $3700 or so street price, hit $5600 for an R8 Safari, and go up to $20,000 or more for R8 custom series rifles.
Rate of fire aficionados will note that the lever action Browning BLR can be fired quite quickly, as can the Remington 7600 pump-action that was produced until recently. I've requested a review copy of the Impulse Big Game, SKU Number 57647, in 6.5 Creedmoor. Savage says "late spring" to ship my review rifle.
BROWNING
Browning is offering a late-cycle refresh of their Maxus gas-operated autoloading 12 gauge shotgun from 2009, dubbed the “Maxus II.” I've requested a 26 inch barrel 3 inch chamber Maxus II for review. The Maxus II promises easier reloading, does away with the quick release (Speed Lock) forearm in favor of a conventional forearm cap, adds a thicker recoil pad as well as some rubber over-molding on the synthetic stock models. My review gun is expected at the end of May, 2021.
BENELLI
Somewhat confusingly, Benelli has announced the “Super Black Eagle 3” in a 3 inch chambered 12 gauge and a 20 gauge for 2021. The SBE3 12 gauge with a 3 inch chamber, according to the Benelli website, weighs about the same as a 3-1/2 inch SBE3, and still requires 1-1/8 oz. 1200 fps (a.k.a. 3 dram equivalent) shells to function reliably.
FABARM USA
Fabarm USA now has the XLR Chesapeake, which is a flat rib version of the XLR5 Waterfowler. This gun is modeled after the “XLR COLUMBA PALUMBUS” (shown above) that has been already introduced internationally.
REMINGTON AMMO
Wingmaster HD is back, with spherical pellets that are a bit denser than lead at 11.6 g/cc. Wingmaster HD is said to be easier on forcing cones and chokes than other tungsten-based shot types. I'm hoping that the 1700 fps of the 20 gauge load is a typo.