The Best Rifles of 2024 [Range Tested]

How can you make a list of the best rifles without it being a 50-page novel?

Well…you can’t, but that isn’t going to stop us anyway.

While it is easier to break down best-ofs into different categories, say AR-15s or hunting rifles, sometimes people just want a good ol’ fashioned “what do you think is the best overall” type list.

Today, we are taking on that monumental task of trying to condense the best rifles down to a bite-sized list — hopefully without upsetting too many people.

THE QUICK LIST

1. Best AR-15

   Daniel Defense DDM4 V7

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2. Best AK-47

   Zastava ZPAP M70

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3. Best AR-10

   Palmetto State Armory Gen 3 PA-10

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4. Best All-Purpose Bolt-Action

   Bergara B-14 HMR

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5. Best Long Range Rifle

   Aero Precision Solus

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6. Best Lever-Action

   Marlin Model 1895 SBL

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7. Best Box-Mag Lever-Action Rifle

   Henry Long Ranger

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8. Best Semi- Auto Rimfire

   Ruger 10/22

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9. Best Precision Rimfire

   Tikka T1x MTR

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Show more (2 items)

Best Rifles Comparison Chart

	Caliber	Barrel Length	Overall Length	Weight	Capacity	Price
Daniel Defense DDM4V7	5.56 NATO	16″	32 1/4″ – 35 7/8”	6.2 lbs	30+1	$1,827
Zastava ZPAP M70	7.62x39mm	16.3″	35″	7.9 lbs	30+1	$1,062
PSA Gen 3 PA-10	.308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor	16″ – 20″	N/A	~ 7.2 – 9 lbs	20+1	$729
Bergara B-14 HMR	22-250 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, .450 Bushmaster	20″ – 26″	40″ – 47.5″	9.5 lbs – 9.9 lbs	3 – 5	$969
Aero Precision Solus Competition	6.5 Creedmoor	22″	41″ – 42.5″	11.3 lbs	10	$2,099
Marlin 1895 SBL	.45-70 Govt.	19.1″	37.25″	7.3 lbs	6+1	$1,349
Henry Long Ranger	.223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win	20″ – 22″	40.5″ – 42.5″	7 lbs	4 – 5	$931
Ruger 10/22	.22 LR	18.5″	37″	4.4 lbs	10	$199
Tikka T1x MTR	.22 LR	16″ – 20″	33.7″ – 37.8″	5.5 lbs – 6 lbs	10+1	$649

How We Chose the Best Rifles

For this list, we gathered a bunch of rifles we’ve personally shot, reviewed, and owned here at Pew Pew Tactical. The entire Pew Pew Tactical team, including our freelance writers, contributed to this review. This allowed us to gather a wide range of opinions based on experience level and body type. We picked a mix of guns that we have full reviews on or extended trigger time behind. You can learn more about how we test and rate each and every gun to learn more.

All rifles were chosen based on a few criteria:

• Overall build quality
• Performance and reliability
• Aftermarket selection
• Availability
• Fun factor
• Value

This list isn’t strictly about budget picks, but it isn’t going to be filled with absolute top-of-the-line rifles either. There are a lot of great rifles under $500, and some of the best guns out there cost well over $5000.

Ultimately, these are current-production rifles that we feel are solid picks and relatively easy to get while avoiding the extremes of budget or extremely expensive guns.

For rifles with reviews, we’ve linked our article. Every review rifle undergoes 500 rounds of practice ammo and heavier match-grade ammo at 50 and 100 yards with a 5-25x scope (unless otherwise noted). We require all rifles with magazines to be tested with at least three mags to assess compatibility, and we use a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge to measure the average trigger pull for all rifles we review.

There are a metric ton of excellent rifles that won’t make the list, but sacrifices had to be made in order to keep it short and sweet. So, without further ado, let’s jump in!

Best Rifles

Best Semi-Auto Rifles

1. Daniel Defense DDM4V7 – Best AR-15 Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: 5.56 NATO
• Action: Semi-automatic, direct-impingement
• Barrel length: 16″
• Overall length: 32 1/4″ – 35 7/8”
• Weight: 6.2 lbs
• Capacity: 30+1

Starting out the list is one of the editorial team’s favorite AR-15 rifles — the Daniel Defense DDM4V7.

This is an extremely reliable and accurate AR-15 that is widely recommended for good reason. Daniel Defense makes much of its parts in-house, including its excellent cold hammer-forged barrels.

A high standard of quality control, excellent fit and finish, and consistent performance make these perennial contenders.

The downside? Well, the price. If you are just testing the AR waters, it might be a bit much, but if you are looking to step up to something nicer or just go for gold right out of the gate, the DDM4V7 is worth the spend.

During our time testing it, it ran well and shot smoothly. We had no hiccups, which reflects the reliability they are known for. We’ve also tested Daniel Defense’s RIII, MK18, M4ISR, DD5, and DDM4 PDW — all of which have been collectively positive experiences.

We did note that heavier loads produced better results on paper, so you might want to keep that in mind when shopping for ammo.

Overall, the DDM4V7 is perfect for those who want a high-quality AR-15. If you have the cash, we say spend it!

For more on the DDM4V7 check out our video review below or the full article.

2. Zastava ZPAP M70 – Best AK-47 Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: 7.62x39mm
• Action: Semi-automatic, gas-operated
• Barrel length: 16.3″
• Overall length: 35″
• Weight: 7.9 lbs
• Capacity: 30+1

This gun was my personal editor’s pick in our Best AK-47s article. I have one of these rifles and absolutely love it.

For me, the ZPAP M70 ticks all of the boxes for what I am looking for in an AK. It is reasonably priced (as far as AKs go these days), built like an absolute tank, and has a surprisingly nice fit and finish.

Current M70s feature an RPK-style 1.5mm bulged trunnion for extra strength, chrome-lined barrels, and optics side mounts.  

Zastava makes the important parts, like the receiver and barrel, in Serbia. Those parts are sent over, where the gun is then assembled and finished at Zastava’s US plant using US parts.

These rifles are put together with care and precision, and it shows. Operation is smooth, and the guns feel robust and shoot well — no canted sights or rattly mag wells here.

Note that these are “Yugo pattern” guns, so standard AKM furniture won’t fit. However, there is plenty of aftermarket for Yugo pattern rifles these days, so don’t sweat it too much.

3. PSA Gen 3 PA-10 – Best AR-10 Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor
• Action: Semi-automatic, direct-impingement
• Barrel length: 16″ – 20″
• Weight: ~ 7.2 – 9 lbs
• Capacity: 20+1

I am bending my own rules a little here, but not as much as it might seem.

Palmetto State Armory is widely known as the champion of budget-minded folk. This holds true with their Gen 3 PA-10.

AR-10s used to be a $1000+ proposition no matter how you sliced it, but the PA-10 challenged that notion. But budgets aside, these are just great rifles.

You can get this battle rifle with an M-LOK rail, enhanced polished 2-stage trigger, Magpul stock, adjustable gas block, and a stainless barrel, all for $650-850.

On top of some excellent features, these rifles tend to produce near MOA accuracy with basic ammo and sub-MOA accuracy with the right loads. That is outstanding performance regardless of price.

Many “next tier” rifles require you to build your own gun or spend an extra $400-1000, making the PA-10 appealing. This rifle is tough to beat if you are looking for an off-the-shelf, solid, heavy-hitting semi-auto.

You can peep our complete review here!

Best Bolt-Action Rifles

4. Bergara B-14 HMR – Best All-Purpose Bolt-Action Rifle

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
• Capacity: 3 – 5 rounds

Bergara has been making barrels for decades but only started making rifles in 2012. The fact that their guns have made it onto so many of these types of lists is a testament to their quality.

Their B-14 HMR (Hunting & Match Rifle) is the ultimate do-it-all rifle. They set out to create a gun that is equally at home in a deer blind as it is on the 1,000-yard range.

Well, they succeeded. Much of that is due to their excellent barrels and the tried-and-true Remington 700 pattern action.

You also get a well-designed stock with QD sling slots, an adjustable length of pull and cheek riser, and a mini-chassis for bedding. These rifles also come with threaded barrels and accept standard AICS magazines.

Users also get a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee and a selection of seven different calibers.

Overall, this is one of the best all-around options in the bolt-action market today.

Check out our hands-on review!

5. Aero Precision Solus Competition – Best Long-Range Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel length: 22″
• Overall length: 41″ – 42.5″
• Weight: 11.3 lbs
• Capacity: 10 rounds

Aero Precision is largely known for its manufacturing of AR parts and rifles, but they have made huge waves recently with its first-ever bolt-action rifle — the Solus.

Like the Bergara, the Solus is also based on the Remington 700 action. However, the Solus was built with modularity in mind. Chassis, barrels, and actions are all available as separate pieces to allow users to build the rifle as they see fit.

Aero has wisely chosen to also offer complete rifles for shooters who are looking for something ready to go right out of the box.

These rifles are geared toward long-range precision shooting and offer a great entry point for beginners looking to get into that game.

You get copious amounts of M-LOK, Arca rail, QD points for maximum accessorization, and other great features like the lapped Sendero contour barrel, excellent trigger, and AICS magazine.

Our content creator, Sean Curtis, was able to achieve 1/2 MOA groups with the Solus Competition model. He was so impressed that he gave this gun a rare 5 out of 5 stars across every category.

You can read more about why he loves this gun so much in our full review. Or listen to him wax poetic in the video below!

Best Lever-Action Rifles

6. Marlin 1895 SBL – Best Lever-Action Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: .45-70 Govt.
• Action: Lever-action
• Barrel length: 19.1″
• Overall length: 37.25″
• Weight: 7.3 lbs
• Capacity: 6+1

Whether you are hunting polar bears, buffalo, or just goofing around, the Marlin 1895 SBL is a good companion.

With Ruger’s recent acquisition of Marlin, production of some of the classic Marlin rifles has started up again. I’ve shot the new Ruger-made 1895, and while I still like my older JM 1895 better, the new one is still outstanding.

A stainless finish and grey laminate stock combo make for a badass-looking gun. A spiral-fluted bolt makes for a smoother action, and this rifle is set up with a 19” barrel and has a generous Picatinny rail for optics mounting.

Other features include a slick ghost ring rear-sight and tritium fiber front-sight setup and a threaded barrel for those who want to mount a muzzle brake or a suppressor.

At the end of the day, the 1895 SBL is the definitive 45-70 lever gun right now. It’s hot, it’s cool, it’s hip, and all your friends will be jealous.

7. Henry Long Ranger – Best Box-Mag Lever-Action Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: .223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win
• Action: Lever-action
• Barrel length: 20″ – 22″
• Overall length: 40.5″ – 42.5″
• Weight: 7 lbs
• Capacity: 4 – 5 rounds

This one might be a bit of a curveball, especially for you purists out there.

The Henry Long Ranger isn’t just a lever-action rifle; it’s a box-magazine-fed lever-action rifle. This means you can use modern Spitzer bullets.

Available calibers include .223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win. These choices mean the Henry Long Ranger is a formidable and versatile hunting platform for those who want something other than a bolt-action or an AR.

I have one of these in .243, and man, is it sweet. A relatively smooth action is paired with a crisp trigger, and the gun is superbly balanced and quick handling.

On top of how well it points, I can get .75 to 1-MOA accuracy out of mine with relative ease. These guns are slim, accurate, and just flat-out cool. While it may not be traditional, the overall feel and performance make this one of the best lever-action rifles on the market today.

What do you think of the Long Ranger? Rate it below!

Best Rimfire Rifles

8. Ruger 10/22 – Best Semi-Auto Rimfire Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Barrel length: 18.5″
• Overall length: 37″
• Weight: 4.4 lbs
• Capacity: 10 rounds

Undefeated, undisputed — the Ruger 10/22 remains the crown king of rimfire rifles.

There isn’t much to say here that hasn’t already been said, but I will go ahead and say it anyway.

A simple blowback semi-automatic action, rotary magazines of varying capacities, and an intuitive and reliable overall design have made this gun a staple in the shooting world for decades.

This is evidenced by the fact the 10/22 enjoys one of the largest aftermarkets of any weapon ever created. Seriously, you can get anything you want for these guns!

You can get walnut-stocked models, threaded tactical models, takedown models, and everything in between. The 10/22 offers something for everyone and has a lower price point that makes it easy to get into.

You simply can’t go wrong by getting one.

9. Tikka T1x MTR – Best Precision Rimfire Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel length: 16″ – 20″
• Overall length: 33.7″ – 37.8″
• Weight: 5.5 lbs – 6 lbs
• Capacity: 10+1

Those looking to shoot on the cheap with .22 LR but still want to squeeze some precision out will be well-served by the Tikka T1x MTR.

Built upon the ultra-proven bolt-action T3x platform, the T1x scales everything down to a 10+1 capacity .22 LR rifle that is available with either a 16 or 20-inch barrel.

Southpaws will also be happy to hear that the T1x is available in a left-handed version.

A stainless steel bolt, detachable magazine, and threaded barrel ensure you won’t be hurting for features. Once you find a type of ammo the rifle likes, you can expect around 1 MOA accuracy or less — not bad for a rimfire.

These guns are priced well, feel good, and have performance to match.

Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical

Leading the charge on researching and writing this article is Wyatt Sloan, Jr. Editor. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor as well as a USCCA-certified rifle instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He uses his extensive experience with firearms at large to bring his top recommendations on the best rifles that fit most consumer needs.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers and edited this article. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association as well as an NRA-certified instructor. 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

Making a list this small and trying to fit everything in is a tall order. Keep in mind these are just my personal picks, and there are a ton of great rifles out there that could make this list.

These are meant to represent guns with good build quality, value, and performance that are worthy of universal recommendation.

Do you have any experience with these rifles? Are there any that you would include? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to check out our other best-of articles, like the 9 Best 9mm Pistols of 2023!

Latest Updates

• December 2024: Updated how we tested each rifle
• May 2024: Removed LWRC DI and CZ 600 Lux. Added Aero Precision Solus.