6 Best Bolt-Action Rifles

In the world of firearms, and especially bolt guns, there are insanely popular guns everyone seems to jump to buy.

But you might ask yourself, “Should I jump into this model, too?”

If you’re in the market for a new bolt-action rifle and you’re wondering if you should follow the well-traveled path or forge your own, we’re here to help.

We’re going to take a look at the most popular bolt-action rifles on the market, what they have to offer, what makes them so popular, and whether or not you should follow the crowd.

How We Chose the Best Bolt Action Rifles

This article is a meta-analysis based on our experience with hundreds of handguns and tens of thousands of rounds over the years at Pew Pew Tactical.

We first chose our criteria for the best, narrowing down models based on features, performance, reliability, durability, and price. We then polled our editors and writers to get their top recommendations that met our criteria, and they've hands-on time with at the range.

Best Bolt-Action Rifles

1. Bergara B-14 - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Bergara B-14 HMR

$999

at Sportsman's Warehouse

Prices accurate at time of writing

$999 at Sportsman's Warehouse

GrabAGun (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR, .22-250 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win, 300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, 7mm PRC .450 Bushmaster
• Action: Bolt action
• Capacity: 3+1 (6.5 PRC), 5+1 (standard), 10+1 (.22 LR)
• Stock/Chassis: Composite polymer stock
• Barrel Length: 20-26"
• Overall Length: 40-47.5"
• Weight: 9.5-9.9 lbs

The Remington 700 has been around for more than 60 years.

Although Remington created countless versions of the 700 over the years, they all share the iconic “Three Rings of Steel” cylindrical receiver.

The design provides a better bedding surface than previous bolt-action designs, which basically translates into repeatable downrange accuracy.

If you can find a pre-2008 Remington 700 -- go for it! But otherwise... you might want to choose one of the outstanding clones on the market.

Rifles like the Bergara B-14 use the same action pattern as the R700 but have much higher quality control and produce an outstanding rifle!

Made in Bergara, Spain, their whole B-14 line is a workhorse set of rifles that cover everything from hunting to long-range precision shooting.

If you want an American-made near-custom rifle, Bergara offers their Premier line that offers even higher quality.

2. Tikka T3x - Best Mid-Range Bolt-Action

Best Mid-Range

Tikka T3x Lite

$749

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$749 at Palmetto State Armory

GrabAGun (see price)

Firearms Depot (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22-250 Rem, .223 Rem, .243 Win, .270 Win, .270 WSM, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 6.5x55 SE, 30-06 Sprg, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm-08 Rem
• Action: Bolt action
• Capacity: 3+1, 4+1
• Stock/Chassis: Synthetic stock
• Barrel Length: 22.4", 24.3"
• Overall Length: 42.6", 44.5"
• Weight: 6.4-7.3 lbs

Why is the Tikka T3 so popular?

It offers a lightweight, affordable, and astonishingly accurate design. If those aren’t good reasons to jump onto a trend, I don’t know what will convince you.

However, not everyone loves the Tikka. It has its haters out there. Most of them complain about Tikka’s penchant for adding plastic parts to an otherwise sturdy, dependable gun.

While plastic is certainly something to complain about, the T3 has plenty of shining features, including a crisp, adjustable trigger and a machined action with a reduced ejection port for improved accuracy.

The T3 series received an overhaul in 2016, and the newest models got an updated, although thoroughly unoriginal, new name --- Tikka T3x.

The T3x promises MOA groups right out of the packaging, which means the T3x will definitely be carrying on the crazy popularity of its predecessor.

3. Savage Arms Model 110 - Best All-Around Bolt-Action Rifle

Best All-Around

Savage Arms Model 110

$519

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$519 at GrabAGun

Kygunco (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .243 Win, .270 Win, .270 WSM, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x284 Norma, .30-06 Sprg, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm-08 Rem, .300 WSM, .338 Win Mag
• Action: Bolt action
• Capacity: 3+1, 4+1
• Stock/Chassis: Synthetic stock, wood stock, and chassis options
• Barrel Length: Model-dependent
• Overall Length: Model-dependent
• Weight: Model-dependent

The Savage 110 is “the oldest continuously manufactured bolt-action rifle in North America.”

Designed in 1958, the Model 110 occupied tens of thousands of deer stands across multiple generations.

Originally designed to provide the average American hunter with a strong, powerful hunting rifle, it also manages to be lightweight and relatively affordable.

Today, thanks to the Model 110, Savage is currently one of the largest bolt-action rifle makers in America.

One of the Savage 110’s best-selling points comes in the form of its patented AccuTrigger -- which was added to the design in 1966.

Plenty of other gun manufacturers have attempted to copy the AccuTrigger design, some with better success than others.

The Savage AccuTrigger definitely sets the bar for adjustable rifle triggers, and that bar is pretty freakin’ high.

Modern Model 110s also feature Savage’s AccuFit modular stock system, which allows you to adjust the stock for a perfect, personalized fit.

We rounded up some of the best Savage models here!

4. Ruger American - Best Budget Bolt Action

Best Budget Option

Ruger American Rifle

$319

at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$319 at Brownells

GrabAGun (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .243 Win, .270 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06 Sprg, .308 Win, 7mm-08 Rem
• Action: Bolt action
• Capacity: 4+1
• Stock/Chassis: Synthetic stock
• Barrel Length: 22"
• Overall Length: 42", 42.5"
• Weight: 6.1-6.3 lbs

The Ruger American is an absolute workhorse-of-a-rifle --- rugged and tough, just like a hard-working American.

The Ruger American features a lightweight, ergonomic synthetic stock and a cold hammer-forged barrel.

It also comes with a crisp, adjustable trigger and a free-float barrel.

Add all that up, and you get a versatile rifle that produces MOA accuracy straight from the factory.

And it has a price tag that makes buying one almost feels like stealing.

It’s easy to understand why dealers can’t keep these things on the shelves.

See our full review of the Ruger American here.

5. Browning X-Bolt 2 - Best Classic Bolt-Action Style

Best Classic Style

Browning X-Bolt 2

$970

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$970 at GrabAGun

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .243 Win, 6mm Creedmoor, 6mm GMT, .270 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 28 Nosler, .280 Ack Imp, 6.8 Western, .30-06 Sprg, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, 7mm PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 WSM,
• Action: Bolt action
• Capacity: Model-dependent
• Stock/Chassis: Model-dependent
• Barrel Length: Model-dependent
• Overall Length: Model-dependent
• Weight: Model-dependent

Why is the Browning X-Bolt so popular? Well...it's a Browning, so it should almost go without saying. However, the X-Bolt has plenty to offer beyond its recognizable and respected brand name.

The X-Bolt brings a level of accuracy usually reserved for custom rifles, which definitely does more for its popularity than the brand’s legacy.

The rifle features a free-float barrel, a crisp, no-creep three-lever trigger, and a 60-degree bolt lift that promotes fast, easy cycling.

Each rifle also comes standard with an Inflex recoil pad that supports “a directional deflection of recoil forces.”

What does that mean? Essentially it makes the recoil a helluva lot easier on your shoulder and reduces muzzle climb. So, you can more efficiently recover from each shot, get back on target, and hit it with accuracy. 

Tried the Browning X-Bolt? Give it a rating below.

6. Savage Impulse - Best Straight Pull

Best Straight Pull

Savage Arms Impulse

$765

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$765 at GrabAGun

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22-250 Rem, .243 Win, 6mm Creedmoor, .270 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 28 Nosler, .30-06 Sprg, .308 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm PRC, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM, .300 PRC, .338 Lapua Mag
• Action: Bolt action
• Capacity: Model-dependent
• Stock/Chassis: Model-dependent
• Barrel Length: Model-dependent
• Overall Length: Model-dependent
• Weight: Model-dependent

The Savage Impulse brings a straight-pull bolt-action rifle design. It provides a rock-solid, accurate, and easy-handling rifle. The recoil is low, the action is smooth, and the trigger is excellent.

There are three models of various calibers -- the Hog Hunter, the Big Game, and the Predator.

Hog Hunter has barrel lengths ranging from 18 to 24 inches depending on the caliber and comes in everything from .243 Winchester to .300 Winchester Magnum.

The Big Game model comes with barrels ranging from 22 to 24 inches and calibers from .243 Winchester to .300 Winchester Magnum.

Finally, the Predator hits us with a 20-inch barrel and calibers that include .22-250, .243, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Winchester.

For a bolt-action rifle, anything over $1,000 is a lot of money. However, when you compare it to other modern straight-pull bolt action rifles, the Impulse is priced affordably.

What is a Bolt-Action Rifle?

Before diving headfirst into the world of bolt-actions, let’s talk about what makes this style of firearm unique.

If you’ve ever watched a sniper movie, you’ve seen a bolt-action.

They’re commonly used in media for precision-like scenes because, well, they’re pretty precise.

These rifles have been around the block a few times, winning fanfare among military and SWAT snipers, hunters, and long-range shooters.

With a bolt-action, the user manually feeds and ejects each round by manipulating the bolt on the side of the rifle. This bolt rotates, can be pulled to the rear, rotated, then pushed back into place.

Want to read up on the advantages and disadvantages (or learn more about other types of actions)? Head over to our Guide to Rifle Actions.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the most popular bolt-actions!

Final Thoughts

It isn’t always a good idea to do something just because everybody else is doing it. But in the case of these bolt-actions, following the crowd is a smart choice.

From Rugers to Weatherbys, these guns earn their hype.

Several of them also made our list of the 9 Best Deer Hunting Rifles You Can Still Buy, which we think totally adds to their popularity.

Did we leave off something you think deserves a spot on the A-list? Tell us about it in the comments below. For even more rifle action, check out the Best Sniper & Precision Rifles for Beginners or the Best Rifles.

Latest Updates

July 14, 2024: Removed CZ 600 and Weatherby Mark V from recommendations. Added supplemental data to each product. Included more information on how we chose our recommendations.