12 Best Hunting Rifles in 2024

Last Updated February 15th 2024

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Winners at a Glance

Image	Product	Detail	Price
	Tikka T3x Lite	Overall Winner	Price
	Marlin 336	Best Lever Action rifle	Price
	Savage Axis II	Best Cheap Bolt Action	Price
	Browning X-Bolt Speed	Best Mountain Rifle	Price
	Seekins Precision Havak PH2	Best High End Modern Hunting Gun	Price
	Sig Sauer Cross	Best Precision Rifle for Hunters	Price
	Springfield Armory Waypoint	Carbon Fiber Sniper Rifle for Hunters	Price

The best hunting rifles will always mean different things to different people, but it’s our job to cut through the noise and give you the top guns for each particular job.

For the record, we think the Tika T3x is the best hunting rifle overall, but we have a selection to suit every budget and requirement.

Here are our top picks for the best hunting rifles in 2024.

1. Tikka T3x Lite

• Price: $769.99+
• Caliber: 308 Win/243 Win/270 Win/300 Win/6.5 Creedmoor/30-06 Springfield
• Capacity: 3

Best Overall

We’re big fans of the Tikka 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 best hunting rifle of 2024. Well that and the fact it totally rocks.

The bolt 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 barrel. So the Tikka T3x Lite is a famous tack driver and pretty much all the gun reviews are positive.

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 barrel, 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 hunting rifle recipe, cooked to near perfection, for the right money. That’s why this is the best hunting rifle in 2024, we think, and one of the best rifles in the world.

You can get a Tikka T3x Lite in almost every caliber these days, from 223 Remington up to 30-06 Springfield and beyond for big game hunting. Check here for more options:

• Full selection of Tikka T3x rifles.

2. Marlin 336 Classic

• Price: $2,549.99
• Caliber: .30/30 Win
• Capacity: 6

Best Lever Action Rifle

The Marlin 336 is an updated version of the old Marlin Model 36 lever actions. And the construction is much better since Sturm Ruger bought the company from the then bankrupt Remington in 2020.

It was always a favorite deer hunting rifle, but now the Marlin 336 Classic lever action rifle is one of the best new rifles on the market if you’re looking for a simple hunting rifle that excels at less than 100-120 yards. That’s an odd distance, but the enduring success of this hunting rifle says it’s absolutely not a dealbreaker.

Features include the chrome-plated breech bolt, high-quality extractor, a flared open ejection port and semi buckhorn sights. It is drilled and tapped for a scope or a rail for red dot sights as well.

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.

3. Savage Axis XP

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

Best Low Budget Rifle

The Savage Axis XP with the Bushnell Banner scope package and the plain old Axis II without it have 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 big game hunting rounds.

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 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 bolt action rifle 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 entry level hunting rifle can mix it with the best new rifles on the market and, at this price, that’s amazing.

4. Browning X-Bolt Speed

• Price: $1249.99
• Caliber: 6.8 Western/270 WSM/6.5 PRC/7mm Rem Mag/308 Win Mag/30-06 Springfield/300 Win Mag etc
• Capacity: 3

Best Mountain Rifle

The Browning X-Bolt Speed is one of the slicker versions of the x-Bolt line that starts with the cheaper composite stalker to the range topping X-Bolt Pro that you’ll need to pay $2000 for.

Again you can get the legendary X-Bolt in just about any caliber and spec, but this 6.8 Western is one of those niche cartridges that we wanted to feature.

It’s great for long range hunting and solid for long range precision shooting. So check out 6.8 Western if you’re not totally in love with 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm Rem Mag. Of course you can buy in X-Bolt chambered for those rounds and lots of others besides, and a long range bolt action rifle with a precision stock.

Now this is the middle ground and comes with most the performance features of the top of the line rifles, including the three-level feather trigger and the custom class barrel.

You get the fluted bolt, sporter weight barrel and a radial muzzle brake, all of it with a bronze Cerakote finish. 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 this mountain rifle.

For the full line of hunting rifles, go here.

• The complete X-Bolt line for sale.

5. Ruger American Predator

• Price: $442.99+
• Caliber: 308 Win/243 Win/350 Legend/6.5 Creedmoor/6.5 Grendel
• Barrel: 18-22
• Weight: 6.1lb
• Capacity: 4

Another Low Budget Contender

The Ruger American Predator is another solid hunter for budget rifle money and it’s a good rifle for the money.

If the gun deals are right, this Ruger American rifle 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 small game to taking down a grizzly and hunting big game. You can also get different specs with the Ruger American rifle, but we prefer the Predator.

The Picatinny rail up top means mounting scopes & optics is the work of a moment. And you can run a suppressor on the threaded barrel and do without ear protection.

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.

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 AmericanHunter or Predator as their go-to hunting rifle, and for good reason.

6. Sig Sauer Cross

• Price: $1,699.99
• Caliber: 308 WInchest Magnum/6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel: 16-24
• Weight: 6.5lb
• Capacity: 5+1

Best Precision Rifle for Hunters

If an AR-15 and bolt gun got together and made sweet love, the baby would look roughly like the ultra lightweight Sig Sauer 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 bolt action hunting rifles on the market.

With a fully adjustable length of pull and comb height, everybody can get comfortable on the Sig Sauer Cross. 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 big game at long range.

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.

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 for your hunting rifle, and some people report the Sig Cross runs better suppressed. It is not the last word in consistency with your shot groups, then, and tha trelatively short barrel means you might lose a paper punching contest at long range. But even with the inherent compromises, this Sig Cross is still a Hell of a gun.

7. Seekins Precision Havak PH2

• Price: $1,849.99
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel: 24
• Weight: 6.9lb
• Capacity: 5

Best Custom Hunting 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 Seekins Precision Havak Pro Hunter 2 is one of the best new rifles on this list, and on any list for that matter. The only issue is the price, but it could be more expensive for everything you’re getting.

8. Weatherby Mark V

• Price: $1,399.99
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel: 24
• Weight: 6.1lb
• Capacity: 4

A handlaid fiberglass stock, aluminum bedding, cerakote finished spiral fluted body and more all combine to make the Mark V Hunter a great rifle.

You can choose from all kinds of finishes and the Weatherby Mark V Apex sits right alongside Wetherby’s Mark V Hunter, Camilla Utra Lightweight and Backcountry.

We like the Monte Caro stock on the Mark V Apex, but it seems obtuse to go for anything other than the hunter in a post about, you know, the best hunting rifles.

You can look at the other ones here, though, and choose from a range of calibers.

• Weatherby’s Mark V hunting rifle, full line up.

9. Mossberg Patriot Predator

• Price: $489.99
• Caliber: 450 Bushmaster
• Capacity: 5

The Mossberg Patriot 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 Mossberg Patriot Predator is an awesome hunting rifle that is capable of taking big game at reasonable distances.

At short range, these are some of the best bolt action hunting rifles 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 of this hunting rifle 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. Springfield Armory 2020 Waypoint

• Price: $2,099.99
• Caliber: 6.5 PRC
• Capacity: 5+1

Springfield Armory shocked the world with its precision rifle for hunters, made largely of carbon fiber, when it launched in 2020.

Now one of the best new rifles on the mainstream market has gained quite the following among hunters that don’t mind spending more on a high quality rifle with a carbon fiber barrel.

It’s a nice range of calibers, including the long range sniper 6.5 PRC, and you’ll find a Waypoint for whitetail hunting, hogs and dropping bears.

That carbon fiber barrel is a sleeve round a fluted barrel made from stainless steel. It’s amazing, it feels good in the hand and it will makme you smile every time you pull the trigger.

11. Bergara B-14 Ridge

• Price: $849.99
• Caliber: 300 Win Mag
• Barrel: 24
• Weight: 8.1lb
• Capacity: 3

The Bergara B-14 Ridge hunting rifle 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. But if you want more adjustability and features, check the full line here.

• Bergara B-14 line on Guns.com

12. Christensen Arms Ridgeline

• Price: $1,599.99
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor/300 Win Mag/30 Nosler/308 Win/More

This is a great hunting rifle and probably deserves to be further up the list.

You get a carbon fiber stock and a carbon fiber barrel barrel with a 416R steel core. They come in a range of calibers and barrel lengths, and still weighs just 6.3-6.8lb depending on the spec.

This hunting rifle comes with a sub MOA guarantee and full match grade spec, but it’s bred for the great outdoors.

It comes with a bottom machined from billet aluminum, a hinged floor plate and a spiral fluted, Nitride treated bolt. High tech material science is running wild here, and spares will cost more. But this Christensen Arms Ridgeline is a sweet hunting rifle and you will love it.

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.