The SIG M400 Varminter is a new hunting rifle using the AR15/modern sporting rifle platform. Designed for precision, long range taking of varmints, this M400 is chambered in 5.56 and has a variety of options and features that will be appreciated by many hunters.
First off, the M400 Varminter uses a 22″ match grade, heavy barrel. The fluted barrel is stainless steel and has a 1:9″ twist, which is fine for stabilizing lighter weight bullets frequently used for varmints. While a 1:8″ twist is better for heavier bullets, it is literally fast enough to spin apart some lightweight, compressed metal bullets.
Last year the Savage model 42 reintroduced the break-open combo gun to the company’s line up. It was a .22 LR and .410 combination gun. For 2013, Savage brought out a new version of the model 42 chambered in .22 WMR and .410 bore.
Both versions of the model 42 break open at the receiver for chambering and extracting ammunition. The top chamber and barrel is for the rimfire round, while the lower chamber and barrel is for the shotshell. I should note that the .22 WMR, also known as .22 Magnum, is not capable of safely firing .22 LR ammunition.
There is a new Mosin-Nagant replacement stock being made by Archangel. For a variety of reasons, making a detachable magazine for the Mosin-Nagant rifles has been difficult. The basic rifle design is more than 120 years old, so adapting it to modern conventions is bound to have a few difficulties.
A quick check of YouTube found this video from mixflip on the new Mosin-Nagant stocks from the ProMag/Archangel booth at the SHOT Show:
The new Savage B.MAG rifle is a completely new compact rimfire bolt-action gun designed specifically for the new .17 Winchester Super Magnum cartridge. The .17 WSM is a rimfire round that is capable of speeds to an amazing 3,000 fps. Click here for more on this new cartridge.
The B.MAG is an entirely new rifle, not merely a warmed-over existing rimfire gun. According to Bill Dermody of Savage, there are “exactly zero” parts on the B.Mag that interchange with the company’s other rimfire rifles. In fact, Dermody suggested that the features of this new rifle more closely resemble their centerfire cartridge rifle line than the rimfire line.
This rifle uses a short action bolt with rear locking lugs for additional strength to handle the higher pressure .17 WSM. The rifle also has a “cock on close” action and hidden action screws.
Savage B.Mag Specifications
Caliber
17 WSM
Capacity
8 rounds
Barrel Length
22″
Overall Length
40.5″
Rate of Twist
1:9 RH
MSRP at Launch
$349
MSRP (current)
$429
The B.MAG uses a thread-in headspacing system that is very similar to the more expensive centerfire rifles in the Savage catalog. According to Savage reps at the SHOT Show, this headspacing system significantly enhances accuracy.
The B.MAG comes with the extremely popular AccuTrigger, which is a user-adjustable trigger that Savage uses on most of their rifles above the entry-level, budget guns. It does not require special tools for adjustment by the owner.
An eight-round, rotary magazine is standard on this rifle. The magazine is detachable and feeds from the center of the mag. It should be a relatively simple thing to make a larger capacity magazine, but there are no announced plans to do so. An extended magazine might be of some benefit to varmint hunters who are eliminating large numbers of pests at long range. I wouldn’t be surprised to see something like the Hot Lips magazines for the 10/22 from Butler Creek.
Introduced in the summer of 2012, the 2013 SHOT Show was our first opportunity to get our hands on the new Caracal CC10 9mm carbine. The CC stands for Caracal Carbine. The CC10 has a steel receiver and barrel, with a polymer frame, however no details were given on the type of steel.
The CC10 will come in (2) variants – the SB (short barrel version) and the LB (long barrel version). The SB versions are marketed towards law enforcement, while the LB versions are promoted to the civilian market. Unfortunately, I was not able to put some rounds downrange with this carbine to truly give it a full review. [Ed. note: When we were at the morning session of Media Day during the 2013 SHOT Show, Caracal did not have the CC10 at the range. They promised to have it there later in the day, but it was never seen by any of our writers.]
