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.
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick
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Best Mid-Range
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Best All-Around
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Best Budget Option
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Best Classic Style
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Best Straight Pull
Table of Contents
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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
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Match trigger
- HMR molded stock with mini-chassis
- Integrated QD sling points
- Threaded match barrel
- Detachable AICS box magazine
Cons
- Slightly heavy for hunting use
Bergara B14 HMR
Specs
Features
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
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Crisp, adjustable trigger
Cons
- Some plastic parts
Specs
Features
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
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Excellent adjustable Accu-trigger
- Modular stock
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
Specs
Features
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
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Rugged construction
- Affordable price
- Adjustable trigger
- Highly accurate
Cons
- Very basic ergonomics
Specs
Features
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 – Best Classic Bolt-Action Style
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Very accurate
- Easy cycling
- Built to reduce recoil
Cons
- Trigger can be inconsistent
Browning X-Bolt Hunter
Specs
Features
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
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Extremely smooth and fast action
- Detachable magazine
- Excellent accuracy
Cons
- Heavy
Specs
Features
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.
12 Leave a Reply
Would like a short (20") .308, with Winchester 70's style safety and 5rd AICS magazine. Anything come to mind.
Rugged 77 is the best
Savage introduced the AccuTrigger system in 2002, not 1966.
I've got an American predator in a magpul hunter stock in .308. Wonderful gun. Looking at getting the same model in 6.5 creedmoor for distance shooting. I'd recommend it for the price. Someone can build an equivalent to a 3-4 thousand dollar gun for a fraction of the price, even with a high priced optic. The ruger precision uses the same action as the American but costs almost 4x as much.
The CZ and Tikka bolt action rifles intrigue me; I have a few bolt actions but they're rimfire or mil-surp. I have to admit, though, it's kind of funny that the CZ 600 series used to advertise their barrel/caliber change capability before issuing a recall to lock them down. To be honest, I can't tell whether there was an honest flaw in the barrel change setup, or if it was CZ going "we don't trust you, stupid American, to do this improperly, have the gun blow up in your face, then sue us."
Just me, or does this seem aittle on the thin side. No reviews of the Mossbergs, Winchesters, Howas and Mausers?
What's up with that?
I've got a Savage Arms Impulse Predator in .308.
I like it.
I have to agree with Mike; you missed it not including a few of the CZ lines; 550 also. No other gun on the market with the quality and sheer accuracy out of the box better than CZ. Took me a long time and plenty of money to find this out but now that I know; won't buy anything but CZ.
If you’re going to talk about an affordable bolt with the Mauser-style controlled feed it seems like the CZ527 should have made the list. While it’s more pricey than the M-18, it comes in calibers that folks probably already have on-hand, like .223 and 7.62x39.
What, no love for the Remington 783?
Sig 100 love it my vote is the berga in a fancy chassis really nice.
Howa Rifles are also good bolt action rifles