Best Sniper & Precision Rifle for Beginners [Ultimate Guide]

When I entered the precision rifle world, around 1999 to 2000, there was a very clear distinction between sniper rifles and rifles meant for precision hunting or competition.

Manufacturers like Robar, HS Precision, Remington, and (for those who like to drink their warm beverages with an extended pinky) Accuracy International were common names in the sniper rifle market.

But since then, the market has exploded with a variety of manufacturers who are producing rifles with hair-splitting accuracy, user configurable, and almost every stock adjustment to hug your body tighter than a pair of spandex from the 80s.

So, with all these choices, which ones are best? Don’t worry, we've got you covered. Keep on reading to see some of our favorites!

How We Chose the Best Sniper Rifles

After nearly 20 years of being behind sniper rifles, I have learned to appreciate what works and what doesn’t. With how fast new precision rifle technology is evolving, keeping up with the leading edge is a continual process.

A rifle may look awesome sitting on the gun store counter, but it begins to look a little less awesome when it’s getting lugged up a hillside, and that one sharp corner starts digging into your back.

All of the rifles listed here are capable of shooting the golden standard of 1 MOA or better using the appropriate match-grade ammo. We also heavily considered durability, availability, features, and customizability. Our list also covers a wide range of price points and intended user skill levels.

Best Precision and Sniper Rifles

1. Bergara B-14 HMR - 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: 22-250 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, .450 Bushmaster
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel Length: 20″ – 26″
• Overall Length: 40″ – 47.5″
• Weight: 9.5 lbs – 9.9 lbs
• Magazine Type: AICS Detachable
• Capacity: 3 - 5 rds

The Bergara B-14 HMR is quickly setting the standard for quality and affordability. For right around $1,000, the B-14 is a hard rifle to beat for the entry-level precision shooter.

Bergara opted to use the venerable Remington 700 footprint, which offers compatibility with an already established aftermarket for common accessories such as stocks and scope rings.

However, the barrels are different and not compatible with aftermarket Remington 700 barrels.

Bergara's actions are extremely smooth straight out of the box. It also feeds from readily available AICS magazines.

The factory trigger is easily adjustable and has a consistent and clean break at all pull weights. While many shooters opt to upgrade the trigger, I find the B-14 HMR trigger to be one of the better factory triggers at this price point.

A huge bonus is that B-14 HMR also comes standard with a stock that has a toolless adjustable cheekpiece as well as an adjustable length of pull utilizing polymer spacers. It also uses an aluminum mini-chassis in the stock to ensure consistent contact of the bedding areas between the stock and receiver. 

Another benefit of the Remington 700 footprint is the availability of more rails for mounting optics than you can shake a stick at. No matter what you are looking for,  you can find a rail that fits your specific needs at any price point.

Check out our complete hands-on review of the Bergara B-14 HMR!

2. Savage 110 Tactical - Best Budget Option

Best Budget Option

Savage 110 Tactical

$703

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$703 at GrabAGun

Midway USA (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: .308 Win
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel Length: 20"
• Overall Length: 43"
• Weight: 7.38 lbs
• Magazine Type: AICS Detachable
• Capacity: 10 rds

The Savage 110 Tactical is a robust rifle capable of consistent and reliable accuracy despite its low price point. Savage offers the 110 in both short and long action, and they accommodate a variety of calibers.

Savage also has a long history in the firearms market, meaning there are also a significant number of stock and chassis systems available for the shooter to upgrade to as they are able to invest more money into the rifle.

One of the best-kept secrets in firearms is just how good Savage barrels are. I have personally observed Savage tactical rifles shoot repeatedly tight groups in training courses over the last 20 years. In my humble opinion, the Savage 110 Tactical has one of the best barrels on the market for the money.

The Savage 110 action also utilizes a barrel nut, allowing you to change barrels without the need for complicated machining processes.

The barrel also comes threaded and ready to install your preferred muzzle brake, flash hider, or suppressor.

Another bonus is Savage’s Accu-Trigger, which is capable of providing an acceptable trigger break and is easily adjustable. It should be noted that the Accu-Trigger has a safety blade that must be fully pressed to the rear for the gun to fire. This requires what I can only explain as an exaggerated placement of the finger on the trigger, something which is not needed on other trigger designs.

For those who don’t like that, aftermarket triggers that eliminate the trigger safety are readily available and easy to install.

A large tactical bolt knob comes standard from the factory, and the action cycles well but is not quite as smooth as other actions on the market. Expect functional, not greased lighting.

The factory stock is adjustable for LOP (length of pull) and comb height. It is functional, but if you’re not getting the super tight groups you want, upgrading from the factory stock will most likely be your next step.

Overall, the Savage is an excellent rifle at an aggressive price point.

3. Uintah Precision UP-10 - Most Modular

Most Modular

Uintah Precision UP-10 Complete Rifle

$2375

at Uintah Precision

Prices accurate at time of writing

$2375 at Uintah Precision

Specs:

• Caliber: 22 Creedmoor, 25 Creedmoor, 6 GT, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 8.6 BLK
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel Length: 13" - 26"
• Weight: 8 lbs - 9.75 lbs
• Magazine Type: AR-10/SR-25 Detachable
• Capacity: 10 - 25 rds

While the next manufacturer produces complete rifles, we are focusing on a more unique product of theirs.

Uintah Precision produces bolt-action AR upper receivers that can be paired with AR-15 mil-spec lower receivers and AR-10/LR308 lower receivers.

These can turn your standard gas gun into a finely tuned bolt-action rifle. Think of it like the crossover SUV of the precision rifle world.

Although they offer AR-15 conversion uppers, we are focusing on their AR-10-based UP-10. They offer both complete guns and uppers in various calibers.

By designing their system on the AR family of receivers, you can swap from a semi-automatic upper to their unique bolt-action upper very quickly without affecting the zero of the optic.

As with any modular system, the adage of “jack of all trades, master of none usually comes into play.” The UP-10 offers the ergonomic qualities of an AR-15 that are remarkably close to many of the popular chassis-equipped bolt-action rifles currently on the market.

However, you should expect to make minor tweaks to your shooting style when transitioning to this system if you have any length of time behind a bolt gun. This is because the bolt handle is placed in front of the trigger. Traditional bolt-actions have the bolt handle above the web of the hand for quick and intuitive cycling of the action.

A unique feature is that these uppers do not require a buffer or buffer spring to be installed in the rifle. While neither is needed to make the UP uppers operate, the buffer and spring can be left in the weapon while using the bolt action.

Leaving the buffer and spring in creates a situation in which the rear of the bolt engages the buffer, requiring a little extra force at the end of the bolt cycle. If you want a smoother bolt travel, you can remove those parts — just remember to reinstall them when swapping back to a regular upper!

One minor downside to this system is that there are certain aftermarket triggers the company does not recommend using. This is because some triggers can create an unsafe configuration between the hammer and the bolt, allowing it to fire out of battery.

If you purchase the system as a complete rifle, this won’t be an issue. But double-check trigger compatibility if you are adding a UP-10 upper to an existing lower.

The UP-10 is a system that you just can’t go wrong with. But they are spendy, at around $2,375 to $2,850 for a complete UP-10 rifle and $1,475 to $1,999 for a UP-10 upper.

4. Tikka T3x TAC A1 - Best Out-of-the-Box Rifle

Best Out-of-the-Box Rifle

Tikka T3x TAC A1

$2319

at Sportsman's Warehouse

Prices accurate at time of writing

$2319 at Sportsman's Warehouse

Midway USA (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: .223, .260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel Length: 16" - 23.6"
• Overall Length: 36.5 - 43.9"
• Weight: 9.5 - 10.6 lbs
• Magazine Type: Tikka T3x
• Capacity: 10 rds

The Tikka T3x Tac A1 is just as much at home on a tactical deployment as it is on a competitive range.

Tikka actions are known for their buttery smooth cycling due to the broached raceways and the finishing of the receiver and bolt. The 70-degree bolt throw will feel great in your hand when you’re chambering that match-winning round.

The newer T3x action has a generous ejection port opening when compared to the previous Tikka T3 action, which makes loading a single round into the chamber much easier. This is especially important when there’s any stress placed on the shooter.

Tikka actions are also unique in that the location of the action screws and the design of the bottom of the receiver afford a very generous bedding surface area between the chassis and the receiver. This ensures consistent mating between the chassis and the action while retorquing the action screws to their proper specs.

The trigger is a crisp, two-stage affair that is adjustable from 2 to 4 pounds. Trigger adjustments require you to remove the action from the stock, making it slightly more complicated to adjust than some of the other rifles on this list.

One of the main draws of the Tikka T3x A1 is its chassis system, which is fully compatible with AR-15-style buttstocks and pistol grips. However, most shooters won’t need to take advantage of this feature as the factory-supplied stock is packed with plenty of adjustments. The stock also folds for easy storage and transportation.

The quality of this rifle is apparent the moment you shoulder it. Once you adjust it to your liking, it won’t disappoint.

5. Barrett MRAD - Best Magnum Sniper Rifle

Best Magnum Sniper Rifle

Barrett MRAD

$4259

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$4259 at GrabAGun

Kygunco (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .300 Norma Mag, .300 PRC, .300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua Mag, .338 Norma Mag
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel Length: 17" - 26"
• Overall Length: 40.4" - 49.4"
• Weight: 11.9 lbs - 14.5 lbs
• Magazine Type: Barrett MRAD
• Capacity: 10 rds

When someone thinks about the Barrett rifles, their .50 BMG rifles are almost always what comes to mind.

But living in the shadow of their big bore rifles is the excellent MRAD (Multi-Role And Design) rifle. It is the perfect choice for those who want a rifle capable of slinging magnum lead at long distances.

If you want to shoot big calibers like .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, .300 PRC, or .300 Winchester Magnum, why settle for just one? With the MRAD, you don’t have to.

The MRAD features quick-change barrels. You can swap between all those magnum calibers as well as smaller rounds like the .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Two bolts in the handguard facilitate the quick swap between calibers. Barrel changes take about a minute.

Field Stripping is also a breeze and requires no specialized tools. You can even remove the trigger pack without tools by simply removing the safety selector. The safety selector itself is a 45-degree throw. It is also ambidextrous, as you can simply reinsert it on the preferred side.

This rifle comes standard with a folding stock that is fully adjustable for length of pull and comb height. The chassis system is equipped with a full-length 10-MIL top rail. M-LOK mounting holes are at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions on the handguard for easy accessory mounting.

All you need is a quality optic and a bipod, and you’re ready to hit the range. You simply can’t go wrong with this setup if you want a battle-hardened, modular, extended-range rifle, but it comes at a steep price.

What is the Difference Between Precision and Sniper Rifles?

As a general rule, every sniper rifle is a precision rifle, but not every precision rifle is a sniper rifle.

Sniper rifles must be robust, capable of enduring harsh use, and operating reliably in a variety of field conditions.

Conversely, some competition rifles are equipped with various accessories that can make them unsuitable for use as sniper rifles. Things such as illuminated scope levels can be “target indicators,” meaning they can potentially make the shooter easier to spot.

While the differences between these two types of rifles are nuanced, many of the rifles listed here could easily fill both roles with a slight reconfiguration. Slapping a coat of rattle can over your $5,000 precision rifle almost always classifies a rifle as a sniper rifle. Right?

For this article, the sniper rifles highlighted are suggested with the law enforcement sniper in mind who has the ability to select the rifle, configuration, and caliber they or their department chooses.

Military snipers are generally restricted to weapon systems that are selected and issued by their respective branches and units.

Caliber Selection

A very important consideration when differentiating between a sniper rifle and a general “precision” rifle is caliber.

Suppose your precision rifle is used strictly for punching paper or slapping steel on a range. In that case, the downrange energy of the projectile becomes less important than other factors, such as the ability to defeat the wind, a flat trajectory, or reduced recoil for spotting hits.

We would want all of these factors in a sniper rifle’s cartridge as well, but a sniper rifle must have the ability to deliver sufficient energy downrange to stop a threat and defeat intermediate barriers while retaining its mass.

Shooting through glass is a science and is well known to be tough on projectiles. Depending on the thickness and temper of the glass, as well as the angle of the shot, bigger and harder projectiles may be necessary.

Are there small-caliber sniper rifles chambered in cartridges such as 5.56 that have led long and well-known service lives? Absolutely. But when selecting a “sniper rifle,” careful consideration must be made to its intended purpose, including barriers.

In the old days, stocks were not very user-friendly right out of the box. They often required cheek risers to be constructed from sleeping mats and duct tape. Length of pull was often a take-it-or-leave-it situation unless the services of a gunsmith were sought.

Companies such as HS Precision and McMillian were the gold standard for stocks that solved these issues. But nowadays, even many budget rifles come with a great degree of adjustability and customizability.

Meet the Experts

Heading up this article is PPT contributing writer Nick Stake. Nick is a retired law enforcement officer, having served as a detective sergeant, jail deputy, patrol deputy, field training officer, department range master, counter-sniper instructor, and handgun instructor. In addition to his extensive LEO career, Nick also owns a law enforcement consulting company and is an avid outdoorsman and recreational shooter.

Editing this article is one of our Editors, Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor, long-range shooting, and hunting. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He loves carrying a wide variety of handguns and, by necessity, has tried a wide variety of holsters.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

There are so many quality precision sniper rifles on the market that it was difficult to narrow the list down to just a handful.

And for all of the readers clutching their chest and wondering why the venerable Remington 700 isn’t on this list, don’t worry, and just grab a paper bag to breathe into. We know the Remington 700 has reigned supreme in the precision rifle world for so long as the OG — we have a whole article dedicated to it!

Which rifle on this list is your favorite? Are there any that you would have liked to see make the cut? Let us know in the comments below. And as always, a good rifle needs good glass, so be sure to check out our article on the Best Long-Range Rifle Scopes!