A glut of AR-15s and other AR-style rifles marked the start of 2018, leading many to believe that this year would be a quiet one for new AR-style rifle introductions. However, manufacturers took up the challenge to provide the market with a number of AR-15s and other AR-style rifles chambered in hot, new calibers designed to feed the growing market of long-range precision shooting. Several AR-style guns are chambered in the popular 6.5 Creedmoor, and other AR-15s are designed to take full advantage of the new .224 Valkyrie cartridge that pushes the limits of the AR-15 platform. Take a look at these 20 new AR-style rifles introduced in 2018 to see which one jumps out at you:
Black Rain Ordnance BRO .458 SOCOM Rifle Chambered in the big-bore .458 SOCOM, this hard-hitting AR is loaded with premium components and can be easily configured for home defense or hunting.
Brownells BRN-10A Though some don’t realize it, the original chambering of the AR platform was 7.62 NATO back in the 1950s. It was only when ArmaLite’s “afterthought” 5.56 NATO-caliber rifle was embraced by foreign militaries that it went to the forefront.
Brownells BRN-601 Designed to be a close copy of the rifle that so impressed Gen. Curtis LeMay, the BRN-601 has the green furniture of the USAF contract rifle. This was the early version of the ArmaLite rifle used in the Vietnam War.
Bushmaster 450 SD It makes sense that Bushmaster would introduce a carbine chambered in the eponymous .450 Bushmaster. There’s also a rifle variant with a fixed stock, and both variants offer Hogue grips and a muzzle brake built to tame the big-bore round.
CMMG Inc. Mk4 DTR2 224 Valkyrie With the introduction of the 224 Valkyrie, CMMG set out to build the ideal rifle that could take full advantage of the long-range characteristics of this new round from Federal Premium.
Cobalt Kinetics BAMF XL Overwatch PRS Offering a choice of four foundation and accent colors, a premium trigger and a host of other upgrades and top-shelf options, the BAMF XL Overwatch PRS rifle needs only a riflescope to get out in the field and make your mark at long range.
DoubleStar STAR10-BX Also available in .260 Rem., the STAR10-BX offers a good example of the AR platform versatility without unwanted bulk. A Samsom 15-inch Evolution fore-end provides welcome adaptability, allowing you to add accessories as the situation dictates.
DPMS MOE Warrior More than a mere MilSpec M4 carbine, the MOE Warrior features some of the most popular aftermarket accessories, resulting in a factory-tricked-out AR at an attractive price. Best of all, the MOE SL handguard accepts M-Lok attachments.
FN America FN 15 Tactical Carbine FDE P-Lok Featuring a MilSpec lower receiver, a match-grade, freefloat, chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged barrel and a mid-length gas system, this carbine promises to be super reliable and accurate.
LWRCI IC-DI 224 Valkyrie LWRCI’s SIX8 has long been the gold standard for 6.8 SPC ARs, so a new rifle chambered in the new 6.8 SPC-case-based 224 Valkyrie was a no-brainer. Loaded with performance-enhancing features, this rifle should squeeze every bit of performance from the hottest new cartridge of 2018.
LWRCI IC-DI MKII Target Chambered in .223 Wylde for optimum performance with either .223 Rem. or 5.56 NATO ammunition and sporting a cold-hammer-forged, NiCorr-treated barrel, this rifle promises enhanced accuracy in most any situation.
LWRCI REPR MKII 6.5 Creedmoor Elite From its carbon-fiber barrel to its Geissele trigger and fully ambidextrous controls (including the charging handle), everything about this rifle is ultra-high end. It should be no problem at all to achieve sub-MOA accuracy with this version of the REPR in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Rise Armament 1121XR in 6.5 Creedmoor Designed to improve the performance of a heavy-caliber gas gun without unnecessary weight, the 6.5 Creedmoor-caliber exploits the potential of that round in a proven operating system from a company known for precision. Rise incorporates many of company’s premium components in building the 1121XR rifle.
Savage MSR 15 Recon Long Range Precision How do you improve upon a precision-based MSR? The addition of an adjustable gas block and a longer barrel add to the rifle’s reliability and its already impressive accuracy thanks to its 5R rifling.Best of all, the Savage is also available in 6.8 SPC and 22 Nosler.
Savage MSR 15 Valkyrie Designed for maximum performance from an MSR platform with the new 224 Valkyrie cartridge, this rifle is capable of delivering supersonic velocities at distances of 1,300 yards with extremely flat trajectories and, of course, the match-grade accuracy you have come to expect from the Savage brand.
SIG Sauer M400 SDI VTAC Adding to SIG’s line of VTAC (Viking Tactics) firearms is the direct-gas-impingement M400 SDI VTAC. With a tan cerakote finish, numerous upgraded parts and M-Lok-compatible fore-end, this rifle is ready for any task.
Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 Blue Platinum Eye-catching is definitely one way to describe this new variant of M&P15-22. However, it upholds the high bar set by the M&P15-22 family, with its light weight, slim handguard and six-position stock lending itself to rimfire fun for all.
Caliber:.22 LR Magazine Capacity:25 rounds Barrel Length:16.5 inches Overall Length:30.7 to 33.75 inches Weight:5 pounds MSRP:$499 (800) 331-0582 smith-wesson.com
Springfield Armory Saint Edge Freefloat handguard, upgraded trigger and top-tier furniture, in an AR-15-style rifle weighing slightly more than 6 pounds? Upgrading the new Saint Edge will be tricky, given the impressive list of standard features.
Wilson Combat Ultralight Ranger Combining the company’s lightweight billet receivers with its match-grade tapered barrel results in a svelte, precision-based AR carbine that is fast-handling no matter the task. Other chambererings include 5.56 NATO, 6.8 SPC., .300 BLK., 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win. and .358 Win.
Wilson Combat Tactical Hunter Capable of exceeding the ballistics of rounds like the .450 Bushmaster, the .458 SOCOM and the .50 Beowulf, Wilson Combat’s newest rifle, aptly named the Tactical Hunter, can handle maximum pressures of 46,000 psi while generating in excess of 3,000 ft.-lbs. of energy—all from a hybrid-length receiver and custom-length buffer.