Manufacturers leaned into innovation for the modern hunter this year at SHOT Show. With the ever-growing appetite for versatile platforms that can shoulder game in the backcountry as comfortably as they handle range work, this year’s crop of AR variants showcased at the show delivers something for every type of shooter chasing performance in 2026 and beyond
The AR series of rifles is pretty vast, with chamberings as small as .17HMR, spanning to .450Boar, and even to a .50 Beowulf. If you want to hunt with an AR series of rifles, there are plenty of chamberings available for you to choose form. Theres a selection for knocking down pretty much anything in North America on 4 legs. Whether you want to hunt ground squirrels, coyotes, deer, or even a bear, there is something for you. Below are our picks from SHOT Show 2026.
Smith & Wesson M&P 15 AXE 16” Performance Center
The Smith & Wesson Military & Police Direct Impingement line of AR-15’s have been around for a good many of years.
The new AXE line of ARs from the S&W are built to perform under harsh conditions. Since S&W owns Gemtech, they have incorporated the Gemtech GVAC. These are purpose built to mitigate the gas blowback many people catch in the face when running a suppressor. This is where Gemtech’s technology comes in handy.
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Packed with features, this 16.1” barreled AR packs a 5.56mm punch with a 1:8 twist. It features a Radian Raptor Charging Handle, Hyperfire Enhanced Duty Trigger, a Gemtech ETM Flash Hider, and many more featured fitting of the S&W brand.
Black Rain Ordinance Kinetx 16”
The Black Rain Ordinance Spec 15 FORGED Aluminum Gas Piston driven rifle was built for shooters who demand reliability and accuracy. Their all new rifle features their new ARS (Anchor Rail System). Complete with a 16” 4150V chromoly barrel, Magpul Furniture, Kinetix Piston BCG, weighing in at 7lbs, 6.1oz, this seems like a very impressive rifle.
Maxim Defense MD:15L
The Maxim Defense MD:15 Series of AR-15 promises to deliver streamlined, performance-driven AR-15 platforms for serious shooters who demand the only the best. Each member of this family (shorty, full-length, or a custom setup; expect features such as a match grade trigger, and “M-Slot” compatible handguards. Maxim Defense states this rifle is “range ready” out of the box.
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ZEV AR15 Billet Core Elite Rifle
ZEV billet upper and lower receivers are precision made from 7075-T6 aluminum for increased strength and less weight. The ZEV Wedge Lock handguard provide a full length continuous top rail, featuring an anti-rotation pin to ensure a constant alignment of the handguard and upper receiver.
The ZEV Billet Core Elite Rifle features a 416R stainless steel 16” fluted “match” barrel with PVD bronze coating chambered in .223 Wylde with a 1:7 twist. This model also features a flat faced AR golden trigger from ATC, which comes with a 2.5lb trigger pull with a shirt resent and clean break.
Springfield Armory V2 Saint Victor AR-15 Rifle 14” Pinned & Welded
Designed with durability and performance in mind. The Springfield Armory V2 Saint Victor comes chambered in 5.56mm with a pinned and welded 14” barrel. This rifle features a 3910 enhanced BCG with a flat faced, nickel boron coated trigger for a smooth trigger pull. Another cool feature are the 7 integrated QD sockets and spring loaded flip up BUIS. Springfield Armory states “The Victor is built to run right out of the box.”
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Shadow Systems U526 16”
Coming standard with a 16” CMV barrel, a tuned gas system, and what the manufacturer calls a “highly rigid handguard interface,” and ambidextrous controls; the U526 is an impressive setup.
“Our goal was not to build another ‘me-too’ AR,” said Trevor Roe, CEO of Shadow Systems. “We approached this rifle the same way we approach our pistols: as a complete system. Every design choice was intentional, focused on reliability, shootability, and durability where it actually matters.
Caracal 814 Versus Competition Rifle
The Caracal 814 Versus Competition Rifle was purpose built from end to end. It features a Proof Research 18” Carbon Fiber Barrel with a 1:8 twist, chambered in .223 Wylde, and sports a Geissele Super 3 Gun (SG3) trigger with a 4lb break. There are many great featured packed into this 18” competition rifle.
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Caracal states that they utilize an integral flared magazine well, improved aesthetics, and tighter tolerance fit for a more accurate and utterly dependable competition rifle, straight out of the box. This rifle looks very promising.
Zero Delta Ready Series 17.76 LVOA Rifle
ZRODelta has a very impressive lineup in their Ready Series of AR-15’s, especially in the Ready Series 17.76 LVOA (low visibility operations application) Rifle. First off, it comes factory in your choice of 6 different finishes, black anodized, or your choice of FDE, OD Green, Stone Grey, Vortex Bronze, or Cerakote Tan, all done in a Cerakote finish.
It comes with a 16” Nitrided barrel with a 1:8 twist and chambered in .223 Wylde. The ZRODelta Ready Series 17.76 LVOA is made from a 7075 matched receiver set and incorporates an ambidextrous bolt release into the lower receiver. The 17.76 LVOA rail system is primed to host your suppressor.
Bushmaster V-Radicator 18”
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Bushmaster states that the 18” offering from their V-Radicator series was designed with the predator hunter in mind. It features a 416 R stainless steel barrel with a. 1:8 twist and chambered in .223 Wylde. Comes standard with Magpul furniture.
IWI ZION-25
IWI has released an 18” barreled AR-10 called the ZION-25 Rifle, and it’s chambered in .308 Win. It’s actually more of a precision rifle as they list it as a DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) on their website.
It’s got a 17” MLOK equipped handguard surrounding an 18” CMV heavy barrel for precision marksmanship. The lower is wearing B5 furniture and contains a custom Timney 2-Stage trigger. This rifle is made for dinging steel at 1K yards, or as a protein getter, either way.
Barrett Rec10
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Barrett certainly needs no introduction when it comes to their long range marksmanship. Their newer REC10 has a 16” Barrett high-precision barrel, chambered in .308 WIN. The lower receiver is fully ambidextrous, with both the safety, and the bolt release. Coming factory in the REC 10 is also the ALG QMS trigger for squeezing out a little more accuracy.
The REC10 comes factory with Magpul furniture and one 20 round Magpul magazine.
Zev Large Frame Billet Core Elite Rifle
Descended from the legendary “Mega Arms” AR’s, the Zev Large Frame Billet Core Elite is a heavy hitter from Zev, chambered in .308 WIN, featuring a 16” 416R Stainless Steel barrel with bronze PVD coating, a 1:10 twist, and a mid-length gas system.
Inside the billet lower receiver is a flat faced gold trigger from ATC with a 2.5” pull, short reset, and clean break and ambidextrous controls. Comes factory with Magpul furniture.
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PWS MK216 MOD 2-M
Primary Weapons System has released a new, updated version of its MK218, and even added a 16” variant in the MK216. They both feature a 41V50 stainless steel barrel, chambered in .308 WIN with a 1:10 twist. These models contain a 3 position gas adjustment, the legendary PWS long-stroke gas piston system for the ultimate reliability. Fair to mention that the long-stroke piston system was designed to run with or without a suppressor with less maintenance needed, as the operating system mimics the AK-47 long-stroke piston system.
Comes equipped with 7075-T651 upper and lower receivers, an ambidextrous magazine and bolt release, a PTFE coated trigger with a 5.5-6.5lb pull weight, and Magpul furniture. At the business end of the barrel is the PWS PUB Suppressor Mount which is HUB compatible. I personally own the predecessor model in an 18” variant and it’s absolutely an amazing rifle that will run pretty much forever if you do your part.
RISE ARMAMENT 1121XR PRECISION RIFLE
Available in Black, FDE, or Foliage Green Cerakote, the 1121XR Precision Rifle is one serious rifle. Boasting a 22” 416R stainless steel barrel with a 1:8 twist, button rifled and free floated in 6.5 Creedmoor chambering. Comes factory with their famous RA-535 Advanced-Performance trigger and a Rise Armament RA-701 Compensator.
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Guaranteed Sub-1 MOA and includes a lifetime warranty. I can personally attest to just how magnificent this rifle truly is as I hit steel at 1 mile 3/3 with this exact rifle at a past Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous.
LMT MRGG-A (Mid-Range Gas Gun Assaulter rifle)
The LMT MRGG-A is made for US Special Operations Command and being made available to the public for the first time. This one is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with a cryogenically treated, stainless steel 14.5” barrel with a 1:8 twist. Super cool feature is the patented LMT quick change barrel system, so if you want to shoot .308 WIN, it’s a simple barrel swap that literally takes seconds. You utilize the same bolt and BCG and mags, so be careful.
The lower receiver is completely ambidextrous regarding the safety, magazine release, and bolt catch and release. The magazine well is also flared for faster and easier re-loads. If you want versatility for hunting, this is it. Bit it 2 legged zombies or 4 legged creatures, this one is a Jack of all trades.
Rock River Arms LAR-15M
If you are looking to plink targets or hunt vermin, ground squirrels, etc. this rifle is seriously worth considering. Chambered in .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire), sporting an 18” chromoly barrel with a 1:9 twist, and weighing 6.75lbs, this would be a great little hunter. The LAR-15M comes factory equipped with Magpul furniture, a two stage RRA “Ultra Match” trigger, and a 15” M-LOK compatible free float rail.
Bushmaster .450 BOAR
Bushmaster released the .450 Bushmaster BOAR for knocking down pretty much everything in North America, including an engine block if you know what you are doing. Featuring a carbine length gas system and a 20” barrel made from 4150 CMV with a 1:24 twist rate and equipped with a Bushmaster “Snake Charmer” muzzle break, the recoil isn’t too bad actually. Comes factory with the Bushmaster DM2S 2-Stage trigger for increased accuracy, as long as you do your part. Total unleaded weight is only 7.3 lbs. for this beast of a rifle.
Sig Sauer MCX-SPEAR LT IR
Sig Sauer offers their classic MCX-SPEAR in a 7.62×39 chambering that is still a Sig powers gas piston driven rifle. Great for boar or even deer hunting, it packs a punch. The IR in the title is for Infrared Reduction, as in the paint coating. This helped Sig Sauer receive the nod from Special Forces Groups around the world, according to their website. Barrels are fully interchangeable, ambidextrous controls, and a SIG Flatblade Match Trigger, this is a serious rifle.
Sig Sauer Sig516 G3
Born from the legacy of the 516 series, the Sig Sauer 516 G3 adds a modern look to their rifles. This short stroke piston driven rifle is chambered in 5.56 NATO and features a 16” cold hammer foraged barrel with a 1:7 twist. It also comes factory with a Sig Sauer Matchlite Due Curved Trigger.
Olympus Arms Vulcan Rifle Hunter
An interesting rifle of a modular design, the Vulcan Hunter is chambered in .308 WIN and features a 16” barrel with a 7-point adjustable, removable break. Contains the Olympus Arms patented Reciprocating Barrel System, which reduces felt recoil, making this system easier to shoot and maneuver with. The Vulcan Hunter comes in black and Medium Coyote Tan, with Magpul furniture.
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