12 Best Hunting Rifles in 2025

Last Updated November 30th 2025

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Best Hunting Rifles at a Glance

Finding the best hunting rifles is a process. You test, you swap setups, and you learn what works in real field conditions. I’ve spent the last year rotating through more than a dozen rifles, everything from light bolt action deer rifles to sniper rigs with heavy barrels, threaded muzzles, and tuned triggers. I’ve carried them in big woods, open plains, and steep country. I checked groups, cold bore drift, and the way each rifle handles when you take a fast follow up shot.

Some rifles feel right straight away. Others grow on you. A few earn a permanent spot in the safe. This list focuses on rifles that have proven themselves as accurate, reliable, and easy to live with. These are the rifles I would buy again. They cover the best deer hunting rifles, guns for large game, pest control, and long distance work.

You’ll see familiar names like Ruger, Tikka and Savage Arms. You’ll also see newer contenders. There are lightweight models, heavyweights and a few rifles that give you a level of accuracy that would have been unthinkable a decade ago.

Why These Are the Top Rifles

A rifle has to do more than print small groups. It needs to work in real weather, in mud, in dust, and in cold mornings when the air hits your lungs and everything feels stiff.

I look for rifles that handle multiple hunting scenarios without drama. Rifles with smooth bolts, predictable trigger pull, and consistent barrel length. Rifles that stay stable with muzzle brakes, recoil pads, that give you an accurate and reliable shot even when you rush it.

These rifles hit that balance.

1. Tikka T3x Lite

• Price: $702.99+
• Caliber: 308 Win/243 Win/270 Win/300 Win/6.5 Creedmoor/30-06 Springfield
• Capacity: 3

Best Overall

Price	Accuracy	Capacity	Weight	Prestige
4/5	4/5	2/5	4/5	3.5/5

We’re big fans of the T3x Lite round here and it’s a regular winner in other categories. So in the name of consistency, we really had to name it as our winner. Well that and the fact it totally rocks.

The action is so smooth you might need to check you really chambered a round. It’s so light you can forget it’s on your shoulder and when it comes to taking the shot, that’s a Sako cold hammer forged stainless steel barrel. This is a famous tack driver and pretty much all the gun reviews are positive, although the lighter profile of this rifle means it can heat up if you shoot lots of rounds and can lose accuracy.

Now the trigger guard and some other cosmetic parts are a little plasticy for some tastes, the stock has a ‘hollow’ ring when you knock it and recoil is surprising. But those are natural consequences of the lightweight construction at this price point. They’re not dealbreakers.

It doesn’t get a threaded barre on every modell, and that is a pain, but it is a hand crowned barrel. So if you don’t shoot suppressed and you don’t have a collection of muzzle brakes, then it’s all good.

This is a basic recipe, cooked to near perfection, for the right money.

The lighter rifle carries effortlessly. It is a perfect mountain rifle. The lightweight stock trims weight without adding harsh recoil. The adjustable trigger is sharp. You get accuracy without effort. The heavier gun is better at the range, but the benefits of the lighter rifle in the great outdoors far outweigh the negatives.

You can go even further with the fluted barrel and lightweight spec of the Tikka T3x Superlite, and it’s an excellent gun. It does tend to be more expensive, though, and we think the Lite is the real sweet spot in terms of bang for your buck and the Tikka T3x Superlite isn’t quite as compelling overall.

You can get almost every caliber these days, from 223 Remington up to 30-06 Springfield and beyond for safari-type shooting. Check here for more options:

• Full selection of T3x rifles.

2. Browning X-Bolt

• Price: $709.99+
• Caliber: 6.8 Western/270 WSM/6.5 PRC/7mm, Mag/308 Winchester Magnum/30-06 Springfield/300 Win Mag etc
• Capacity: 3

Best Mountain Rifle

Price	Accuracy	Capacity	Weight	Prestige
3/5	5/5	4/5	4/5	4.5/5

The X Bolt balances weight, stability, and pure accuracy. The bolt has a smooth action and it feeds well. The adjustable trigger feels clean with a crisp wall and very little overtravel. With the right ammo, I saw inch groups at 100 yards, sometimes a little tighter.

It comes in multiple barrel lengths, threaded options, and light configurations. Hunters swear they’re the best deer hunting rifles roles and even longer range hunting. Browning nailed the build quality, and the price point is good for what you get.

The action and adjustable trigger are legendary in the hunting community and you can get the right caliber for whitetail deer, hogs or Rocky Mountain Bighorn with the X-Bolt Speed mountain rifle.

For the full line up, go here.

• The complete line for sale.

3. Ruger American Gen II

• Price: $420.00+
• Caliber: 308 Win/243 Win/350 Legend/6.5 Creedmoor/6.5 Grendel
• Barrel: 18-22
• Capacity: 4

A Low Budget Star

Price	Accuracy	Capacity	Weight	Prestige
4/5	3/5	3/5	4/5	2.5/5

This is a solid hunter for budget rifle money and it’s a good rifle for the money.

If the gun deals are right, this can even be the best budget rifle, on its day. But the Savage normally wins that particular duel.

You can get a range of calibers to cover everything from hunting critters to taking down a grizzly. You can also get different specs, but we prefer the Predator.

The Picatinny rail up top means mounting scopes & optics is the work of a moment. There’s a shorter 18 inch barrel in certain calibers, which we like, and you can also choose one with a detachable box magazine or a traditional rotary magazine slotting into the adjustable stock.

As for accuracy, the 6.5 Creedmoor is sub 0.5 MOA accuracy at 100 yards, and that’s hard to argue with at this price point. New hunters and old hands alike have a Ruger American Gen 2 as their go-to, and for good reason.

4. Winchester Model 94

• Price: $2,064.99
• Barrel length: 20, 24 inch
• Caliber: .30/30 Win
• Capacity:8

Best Lever Action Rifle

Price	Accuracy	Capacity	Weight	Prestige
1/5	2.5/5	4/5	3/5	4/5

The Winchester Model 94 is one of those rifles you end up respecting, even if you grew up on modern bolt guns and chassis builds. It carries well. It mounts fast. And it feels right the second it hits your shoulder. The action cycles with that familiar lever snap that never gets old, and the whole rifle stays light enough to drag through brush all day without noticing. I’ve used it in the woods enough to know why people still swear by it.

But it isn’t perfect. The sight picture takes getting used to, and you need to be honest about what a lever action can and can’t do. Accuracy has limits here, especially past the typical woods ranges. You can get good groups at 50 or 75 yards, sometimes 100 if you do your part, but this isn’t a precision rifle and it doesn’t pretend to be one. And follow-up shots take work, because running the lever without breaking your position is a learned skill, not something that happens naturally on the first range trip.

So the pros are easy to love. Clean handling, fast shouldering, and a rifle that feels alive in tight cover. The cons are part of the deal too. You give up long-range precision. You give up quick, steady follow-ups. And you have to accept iron sights or modest optics if you want the rifle to stay balanced.

Still, the Model 94 fits a certain kind of hunt perfectly. Thick woods, short shots, moving fast, keeping things simple. In that narrow lane the rifle shines and reminds you why it’s been around forever.

It is also designed for easy field stripping and can be cleaned from the breech. The 30-30 ammo, meanwhile, is relatively recoil free and easy on the ears. This lever action rifle is good for hogs and most medium-sized game. Whitetail deer hunting is its specialty, though.

Hunters have taken Elk with these lever actions, too, although that is right on the limit of its advertised capabilities. And its comfort zone is really 100 yards or less in terms of accuracy.

If you like the brand, but not the layout, the Winchester XPR rifle could easily have featured on this list. That’s a straightforward bolt gun and there are others we like more, but the Winchester XPR is solid.

5. Savage Axis XP

• Price: $330+
• Caliber: 223 Rem/.243 Rem/270 Win/350 Legend/6.5 Creedmoor
• Capacity: 4

Best Low Budget Rifle

Price	Accuracy	Capacity	Weight	Prestige
5/5	4/5	2/5	3/5	3.5/5

The plain old Axis II has been the go-to cheap hunting rifles for years. And it still our top choice for the best budget bolt action rifle.

Basically any caliber you want is on the table, from 223 Remington for hunting small game through to the biggest North American game animals. It’s been our best cheap guns list forever, and it’s the best rifle here if you’ve got a couple of hundred bucks to spend.

You’ll want to upgrade the scope like straight away, and a limbsaver recoil pad does a better job than the basic rubber recoil pad. But for new hunters, it’s a great starter pack.

The stainless steel barrel is accurate enough at real world hunting distances, the non adjustable comb height feels about right and the money you save makes the compromises worthwhile.

There’s a caliber for coyote hunting, whitetail deer hunting, hogs, Elk, bears and anything else you might think of hunting. The price range changes with the caliber but, relatively, the Axis is always a bargain if you’re looking for a deer hunting rifle or a full on sniper rifle.

Pretty much all gun reviews say that this Savage can mix it with the best new rifles on the market and, at this price, that’s amazing.

6. Sig Sauer Cross

• Price: $1,499.99
• Caliber: 308 WInchest Magnum/6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel: 16-24
• Weight: 6.5lb
• Capacity: 5+1

Best Precision Rifle for Hunters

Price	Accuracy	Capacity	Weight	Prestige
4/5	4/5	4/5	4/5	3.5/5

If an AR-15 and bolt gun got together and made sweet love, the baby would look roughly like the ultra lightweight Sig Cross.

There were some issues early on, including accidental discharges that took just an accidental bump on the bolt. Now those days are long gun and the Sig Cross is finally realizing its potential and becoming one of the best new rifles on the market.

With a fully adjustable length of pull and comb height, everybody can get comfortable on the Sig Cross and it’s an infinitely adjustable stock. There’s a simple M-LOK rail for a vertical grip or bi-pod too, to work with the pistol grip, if you’re hunting Bigfoot through s sniper scope.

Then there’s the weight of the Sig Cross. It’s phenomenal, and the folding stock means this new rifle is easy to carry on a long hike. A one piece receiver also prevents misalignments and that engineering simplicity pays off in terms of long term accuracy. A two stage trigger is rare in this company, and it’s an adjustable trigger as well. Just knock the two-position safety into fire and it’s good to go.

That lack of weight drew criticism from the target shooting community for this new rifle, but for hunting it is much less of an issue.

You do need to experiment with ammo to find the best fit and some people report the Sig Cross runs better suppressed. It is not the last word in consistency with your shot groups, then, and that trelatively short barrel means you might lose a paper punching contest at distance. But even with the inherent compromises, this Sig Cross is still a Hell of a gun.

The Sig Cross is the first rifle in a long time that made me stop and rethink what a lightweight hunting setup can actually do. I carried it for a few days before taking it to the range and the whole thing felt wrong at first, almost too light, almost too simple, then it just clicked.

The folding stock feels solid when you lock it in, the one piece receiver sits tight, and the weight sits closer to a compact carbine than any bolt gun I have used in the past. The Sig Cross keeps that weight advantage without ever drifting into toy territory, and that is why hunters keep moving away from those heavy tactical rigs that wear you down over a long day.

If you want a rifle that can climb hills, hunt all day, and still ring steel at six hundred yards or more, the Sig Cross earns its spot.

7. Christensen Arms Ridgeline

• Price: $1,699.99+
• Caliber: 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 7mm Remington Mag, 284 Norma Mag, 243 Win
• Barrel: 20, 24 inch barrel
• Capacity: 5

Best Custom Rifle

Most rifles here are basically a new twist on the Remington 700 or Mauser 98, but this is something entirely different.

This is the best new action we have seen in a while and the four lug bolt is perfectly engineered. Helical extraction cams are built on to the bolt’s locking lugs and the DLC coated tool steel bolt attaches to the bolt body via two massive roll pins.

There’s a fluted barrel, the stock is carbon fiber, the box mag comes from Accuracy International and basically everybody that tries this rifle is amazed by this top tier hunting gear. The carbon-fiber wrapped barrel saves weight and increases rigidity too, and inevitably the smooth action is like butter.

8. Weatherby Vanguard

• Price: 449.99+
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel length: 20-24 inch
• Weight: 6.1lb
• Capacity: 4

You can choose from all kinds of finishes and if you want to spend more the Weatherby Mark V Apex sits right alongside Wetherby’s Mark V Hunter, Camilla Utra Lightweight and Backcountry. Those rifles come with a handlaid fiberglass stock, aluminum bedding, cerakote finish ion the spiral fluted body and more. But that’s why they’re almost $1000 more than this budget-friendly rifle.

We like the Monte Caro stock on the Mark V Apex, if you’re looking for a left-field recommendation.

• Weatherby’s full line up.

9. Mossberg Patriot Predator

• Price: $389.99
• Caliber: 450 Bushmaster
• Capacity: 5

The Predator is a great gun, and if it wasn’t going to war with the Savage Arms then it would be further up. In this price range, it’s not our favorite, but there are some compelling models that will do the job.

The 450 Bushmaster version is an awesome rifle that is capable of taking the biggest African game at reasonable distances.

At short range, these are some of the best bolt actions you can hope for. They’ll turn up to work and do everything you ask, including taking the biggest game at hundreds of meters.

It loses out in the long distance accuracy war, but honestly not by much.

The 2 lug action is topped with a Picatinny rail for scopes & optics, and the oversized bolt handle makes it easy to handle with gloves on. The barrel is fluted, along with the bolt, but the fit and finish are basically in line with the price.

You can get different stocks, too, with a more advanced pistol grip or adjustability. In fact there’s a bunch of parts & accessories for these guns & ammo, which is part of the appeal.

10. CVA Cascade

• Price: $799.99
• Caliber: 308 Win, 6.5 PRC, 30-06 Springfield, 243 Win, 300 WM, 270 Win, 450 Bushmaster, 7mm, 6.5 Creedmoor
• Capacity: 4

This rifle looks plain at first glance, almost too simple, but once you start running rounds through it the whole thing comes alive. The ergonomics feel natural, even when you’re shooting from awkward field positions, and the bolt tracks straight without any of that gritty, budget-rifle nonsense. The CVA Cascade might not flex on the shelf, but out in the bush it settles fast, points well, and makes you forget you’re shooting something that costs far less than it should.

The adjustable stock is basic, it’s length of pull only that you can really change, but it’s stiff enough to matter, especially when you’re shooting prone or bracing against a tree. And when you’re lining up on deer or large game, the CVA Cascade gives you that steady, predictable feel that lets you focus on the shot, not the hardware. It’s a workhorse, it’s honest, and it’s one of those rifles you end up trusting because it never gives you a reason not to.

11. Bergara B-14 Ridge

• Price: $799.99
• Caliber: 6.5 PRC, 30-06 Springfield, 243 Win, 300 Win Mag, 270 Win, 450 Bushmaster, 7mm Remington Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 Win
• Barrel: 20, 24
• Capacity: 4

The Bergara B-14 Ridge aims to bring Bergara Barrel custom rifle accuracy in an affordable package. It’s like a next level Remington 700 clone that has taken the mantle with engineering excellence.

Again you can opt for a range of calibers, and you get the famously smooth Bergara B-14 action, a two lug bolt and a 70 degree bolt throw to make it easier in the field.

You also get a soft touch stock that feels great in the hands and is just heavy enough, together with a sublime example of a single stage trigger.

The Bergara B-14 Ridge is just one model and you can opt for the HMR, the Bergara B-14 Squared Crest with a carbon fiber stock and many more.

We like the simplicity of the Bergara B-14 Ridge and it’s a great deer rifle in the right caliber. But if you want more adjustability and features, check the full line here.

• Bergara B-14 line on Guns.com

Honorary Mentions

The Kimber Hunter and Remington Model 700 should both be on this list, but then it gets out of control in a hurry. But we think the Remington Model 700 should be here just for tradition’s sake, and the we personally like the Kimber HUnter. So next time you check back, they’ll probably be here.

Long Range Specialists

Long range hunting requires stability, a clean break, and cartridges that fly flat. Rifles like the Seekins Precision Havak hit the mark.

They deliver moa accuracy, great effective range, and enough energy for elk, mule deer, or pronghorn. If you want to go further, we’ve got the best sniper rifles here.

Best Deer Rifles

For whitetail deer and mule deer, the best deer hunting rifles are:

• Browning Gen 2 X-Bolt
• Ruger American
• Savage Arms Axis
• Tikka T3x

These rifles are light, easy to carry, and accurate enough for shots in heavy brush or open fields. The best deer rifle feels natural. They do not punish your shoulder. They give you confidence.

Best Budget Hunting Rifle

If money matters, these rifles give you the best value:

• Ruger Gen 2 American
• Savage Arms Axis
• Mossberg Patriot

All of these rifles shoot inside inch groups, hold zero, and offer excellent accuracy for their price point.

Best Big Game Hunting Rifle

When you need power, reach, and stability, I trust these rifles:

• Christensen Arms Ridgeline
• Seekins Precision Havak
• Weatherby Vanguard
• T3x Lite

These rifles keep their composure with heavy magnum rounds in cold air or rough terrain.

Best Small Game Rifles

For smaller calibers, the Ruger in lighter chamberings or the Savage are perfect. They give you predictable accuracy without extra weight. Check here for the best rifle in 22LR if that’s your jam.

Best Calibers for Hunting

Caliber choice matters. Some calibers give you range. Some give you energy. Some just feel easy in the shoulder.

Here are the calibers that proved themselves across the entire year.

308 Win

Works anywhere. Works on anything. It is still one of the best deer rifle chamberings of all time.

6.5 Creedmoor

It stays flat, holds energy better than most midrange rounds, and carries well past 500 yards. The recoil is easy. Cold bore shots land close to point of aim. It works for deer hunting, and longer distances.

7mm Rem Mag

More reach, more energy, and better effective range. When you want to shoot accurately at long distances, the 7mm still earns its reputation. Works in almost every terrain.

7mm PRC

A modern long distance round with tight groups and serious impact.

300 Winchester Magnum

If you push out past 600 yards, this one still matters. Great for whitetail deer, elk, or anything you pursue in deep mountain terrain.

7mm 08 Rem

Light recoil, tight groups, ideal for youth hunters, smaller shooters, or anyone who wants a softer shooting bolt gun.

These calibers cover almost every hunting style and every field conditions scenario.

Essential Rifle Features Explained

Trigger Pull

A clean break matters. It helps you shoot accurately when your heart rate jumps. It’s also important to know the difference between single stage triggers and double stage. A single-stage trigger breaks in one smooth pull, clean and predictable, no surprises. A two-stage trigger gives you that first bit of take-up, a wall you can feel, then a crisp break that lets you settle in and take a steadier shot.

Barrel Length

Longer barrels give you speed and range. Shorter barrels handle better in thick brush. Fluted barrels help reduce weight and offer cooling benefits.

Muzzle Brake

Reduces recoil and helps you shoot accurately. Especially helpful in 7mm or 300 Win Mag. Some rifles have an integral muzzle device, but it’s better to have a thread on the barrel so you can choose to use different types of brakes to suit your ammo, or even go suppressed.

Threaded Barrel

Lets you use brakes or suppressors. Most modern rifles offer it, but even some of the stars on this list don’t have them. You can opt for aftermarket barrels from the likes of Proof Research, but that can cost more than the gun itself if you’re shopping at the lower end.

Synthetic Stock

Stable in cold, wet, or dry climates. Great for real hunts.

Adjustable Trigger

Helps you tune your shot. A must-have for precision shooting.

Buying Tips for Hunting Rifles

Buying a hunting rifle isn’t about chasing the newest name on the rack. It’s about finding something that actually fits the way you hunt. Start with your hunting style. If you sit in a blind all morning, weight won’t bother you and a heavier barrel might even help you hold steadier. If you stalk, climb, and cover real ground, every extra pound feels like punishment. Think about the way you move. Think about the way you shoot under pressure. That’s where the right rifle starts.

Then look at your terrain. Wide, open veld with long shots favours a flatter-shooting calibre and a steadier platform. Thick bushveld, steep hills, or tight forest means shorter shots, quicker shouldering, and a rifle that points naturally every single time. Don’t overbuild for your area. Under real hunting conditions, a rifle that handles cleanly beats a benchrest-spec monster every time.

Recoil tolerance is another one hunters pretend doesn’t matter, but it does. If a rifle kicks you out of position or makes you dread the follow-up shot, it’s the wrong tool. Choose something you can shoot confidently. A softer-shooting calibre with good shot placement always beats a heavyweight you pull off target.

And then there’s price range. Spend within what makes sense, but don’t cheap out on the parts that affect your shooting. A clean trigger, a reliable action, and a barrel that holds zero through the season matter more than fancy stock shapes or marketing lines. You don’t need the most expensive rifle on the shelf. You need the rifle you trust.

Pick up different models. Shoulder them. Work the bolt. Balance them with a scope in mind. If a rifle feels natural in the hand, you’ll shoot it better. And when you’re tired, cold, and staring at a once-in-a-season shot, that “fits like it belongs here” feeling is what actually delivers.

If a rifle feels natural in the hand, you’ll shoot it better.

Best Upgrades for Your Hunting Rifle

If you spend big at the start or go for a cheaper gun, there will come a time when you want to upgrade or switch out some parts. Here are the main upgrades that you will feel every single time you pull the trigger.

• New Barrel – A Proof Research barrel can transform your gun’s accuracy. Either the Carbon Fiber wrapped barrel or the fluted steel options are slick, but the price tag can sting. If it’s too much, aim for a decent cold hammer forged steel option with good reviews.
• Oversized bolt handle – Makes it easier to reload, especially with gloves on.
• Bigger trigger guard – Again if you hunt in gloves, this can make your life so much easier.
• Recoil pad / improved buttstock pad – Helps soak up recoil, makes heavy calibers easier on your shoulder day after day.
• Upgraded trigger (aftermarket or adjustable) – Gives a crisper break and better shot control, especially under pressure or at long range.
• Muzzle device or threaded muzzle with brake / suppressor-ready barrel – Reduces recoil and helps you stay on target for follow-up shots or longer sessions.
• Better scope mounting system / upgraded scope rings / quality optics mount – Ensures your scope stays zeroed, settles properly and doesn’t wobble — critical when you hunt in rough terrain or move a lot.
• Enhanced sling / better sling mounts or QD swivels – Makes carrying across rough terrain or thick brush easier, and helps transition quickly from carry to shooting position.
• Upgraded magazine (detachable or higher-capacity where legal and practical) – Makes reloads faster and more convenient when time matters.

Air Rifles for Hunting

I used to write off air rifles as backyard plinkers. Now I have to catch myself, because the latest generation of hunting air rifles can do real work in the field. Modern PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) guns push heavy pellets or slugs at serious velocities, with enough energy to humanely take small game and, in some setups, even medium game where the law allows it. You get quiet shots, almost zero recoil, and accuracy that embarrasses some budget centerfire rifles at realistic hunting distances.

The big attraction is control. A good hunting air rifle lets you place precise shots without fighting a sharp recoil impulse or loud muzzle blast. That matters when you are taking head shots on rabbits or trying to thread a pellet through branches at 40 or 50 yards. Adjustable stocks, regulated actions and match-style triggers are now normal in this space. You can tune them, learn them and get repeatable hits in a way that feels closer to precision rimfire than the rough springers most of us grew up with.

Big bore air rifles now come with 50 cal pellets and hog hunting with air rifles is becoming a real thing.

There is also a practical side. Pellets are cheap. Noise is low. You can practice a lot more without annoying the neighbours or beating yourself up with recoil, and that practice time carries straight over into better results when you are hunting. In some parts of the world, high-powered air rifles even dodge the worst of the firearm red tape, or they fall into a lighter licensing category. In others they are treated almost like full firearms, so this is where you stop reading and check your local laws before you buy anything. The point is that for a lot of hunters, it is easier to own, store and transport a powerful air rifle than a big centerfire.

Are air rifles “better” than old school rifles? Sometimes. If you are shooting pigeons in farm buildings, squirrels in tight woodlots or pests near houses, a quiet air rifle is simply the right tool for the job. You get less risk of over-penetration, less noise, and less drama. For big open country and large game, traditional centerfire rifles still make more sense. So you do not replace your hunting rifle with an air rifle. You add an air rifle for the jobs where it shines, and you end up using it more than you expect. It could even take over as your best deer rifle, if you go big.

Air Pistols for Small Game

Now again, you might tap your trusty 22LR pistol and laugh, but if you just like popping off shots at vermin like rats, squirrels and tin cans, an air pistol actually has a lot to offer. They’re relatively quiet, ammo is cheap and they’re more than powerful enough for close range work these days. I mean you can get 50 cal air pistols and air pistols that are hunting specialists.

So if you haven’t taken a look for a while, you might be surprised how far air pistols have come.