When it comes to reliability, it’s hard to beat a bolt action rifle. Unlike a semi-automatic, which relies upon a gas tube system or the gun’s own recoil, a bolt action doesn’t cycle until you manually work the bolt. Because there’s no extra machinery movement during the shot, bolt action rifles are the most accurate rifles in the world.
In our search for the best bolt action rifle, we looked at several criteria. First, we looked at a wide variety of calibers, since the best .223 bolt action rifle will be used for different purposes than the best .308 bolt action rifle. We also looked for different price ranges. The best cheap bolt action rifles aren’t necessarily the best overall.
Finally, we looked for rifles from reliable manufacturers, with a track record of making high-quality firearms. We wouldn’t risk using an off-brand rifle, and you shouldn’t either.
Let’s get started!
15 Best Bolt Action Rifles of 2020
The Ruger American Rimfire is a well-engineered .22 caliber plinking rifle.
Key Features
- Chambered in .22 LR (also available in .17 HMR and .22 magnum)
- 18-inch barrel
- 10-round rotary magazine
- Weighs 5.9 pounds
- Black composite stock and fore grip
- Drilled and tapped for optics
The Ruger American Rimfire is a downsized version of the classic Ruger American, chambered for a .22 LR instead of beefier hunting rounds.
It feeds with the tried and true 10-round rotary magazine that’s seen years of legendary service on the 10/22. Needless to say, if a magazine is good enough for rapid-fire, it’s more than reliable enough for service on a bolt action rifle.
Beyond the magazine, there’s a lot to like about this rifle. If you’re familiar with Ruger, you know they make high-quality chambers and tight-fitting, smooth-cycling bolts.
The American Rimfire is no different, so you can expect nothing but the best performance. This is a .22, not a hunting rifle, so there’s no significant recoil, and the lightweight stock makes it easy to carry.
Pros
- Cheap, readily-available ammo
- Lightweight
- Low recoil
- Smooth, reliable cycling
- Affordable
Cons
- Not a good choice for hunting
This is the best budget rifle on our list, ideal for casual plinkers.
The Ruger American Predator is a sturdy Ruger hunting rifle that’s available in a wide variety of calibers.
Key Features
- Chambered in .308 Winchester (also available in .204 Ruger, .22-250 Remington, 5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, and 6.5 Creedmoor)
- 22-inch barrel
- 4-round box magazine
- Weighs 6.6 pounds
- Moss green composite stock and fore grip
- Includes a chamber-length Picatinny rail
The Ruger American Predator is Ruger’s premier hunting rifle. It’s available in a variety of calibers, and while we reviewed the .308 Winchester specifically, the same basic features apply. Be careful of recoil here. This is a lightweight gun, and it kicks like a mule.
That said, the 22-inch barrel is exceptionally well-machined for an inexpensive gun, and will put multiple rounds on a dime at 100 yards or more. If you’re anywhere near a whitetail’s kill zone, you’re going to bring it down. This gun also uses a smooth Ruger bolt system, so you won’t have to worry about any jams or misfeeds.
Pros
- Pinpoint accurate
- Adjustable, clean-breaking trigger
- Accepts most aftermarket scopes
- Smooth-cycling action
- Affordable
Cons
- Poor recoil absorption
The Picatinny rail on this bolt action rifle allows for easy mounting of aftermarket optics.
The Tikka T3X TAC A1 features a pistol grip, for exceptional control and stability.
Key Features
- Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor (also available in .223 Remington, .260 Remington, and .308 Winchester)
- 24-inch barrel
- 10-round box magazine
- Weighs 10 pounds
- Black composite stock and pistol grip
- Adjustable buttstock with cheek guard
- Full-length Picatinny rail
- Left-handed version available
The Tikka T3X TAC A1 is a full-length, 24-inch match-grade rifle, which means it isn’t cheap. But if you’re willing to spend the money, it’s one of the most impressive deer-slayers on the market.
This gun is available in 4 different chamberings, although we specifically reviewed the 6.5 Creedmoor. At 10 pounds, the gun is both heavy and long enough to absorb the recoil without dealing any significant kick.
The T3X is as adjustable as they come. Not only can the buttstock be adjusted to different lengths, but it’s available in both left and right-handed versions. It also features a full-length Picatinny rail with M-Lok rails on the sides and bottom, so you can mount any accessories you please.
Pros
- Exceptional accuracy
- Very stable
- Powerful recoil absorption
- Smooth-cycling action
- Easy to install sights and other accessories
Cons
- Heavy
- Very expensive
This is a match-grade rifle, perfectly designed for long-range shooting.
4. Savage Arms Axis II XP
This bolt action rifle is highly accurate and widely affordable, which will make it a popular choice for many hunters and marksmen.
Key Features
- 4+1 capacity
- 5 Creedmoor
- 22-inch barrel
- blued finish
This affordable bolt action rifle is an excellent pick if you need to keep to a relatable budget but also want something decent. It features an adjustable trigger that allows you to maintain smooth trigger pulls and greater accuracy at a distance, as well as a detachable box magazine and a hardwood stock.
Even better, the rifle comes with a factory mounted and already bore-sighted 3-9×40 scope. You have to fine-tune the zero yourself, but otherwise, it’s good to go. It’s not the best scope on the market, of course, but being included out of the box makes it great in terms of value for money. We also like that this rifle only weighs about 8 pounds, so it’s never too heavy to be ergonomically unpleasant.
Pros
- Pretty comfortable use
- Has an adjustable trigger
- Comes with a scope out of the box
- Pretty affordable overall
Cons
- The included scope isn’t the best quality
This excellent scope and balances budget and performance better than most rifles on the market, so it’s a solid overall choice for many.
5. Ruger American Ranch 350 Legend
This hard-hitting bolt action rifle is a great hunting and marksman tool thanks to its excellent design and its use of 350 Legend rounds.
Key Features
- 350 Legend cartridges
- 38-inch barrel
- Colored finish
- 5+1 capacity
This bolt action rifle features a rugged chambering system to produce a hard-hitting bullet and great accuracy at a distance. The full diameter bolt body and dual cocking cams are copied from earlier iterations of the same rifle, and they benefit the hammer-forged barrel with even greater accuracy and stability.
It also includes an adjustable trigger that can be sent between 3 and 5 pounds in pull weight. It comes with a rotary magazine designed to feed into the straight-walled cartridge, which is a nice touch considering that most people aren’t used to 350 Legend rounds as of yet.
Pros
- Has an excellent threaded muzzle
- Very lightweight at 6.1 pounds
- Comes with an adjustable trigger
- Very good materials
Cons
- No included sights are optics
- No defensive finish
This rugged bolt action rifle will be a popular choice for those looking for an affordable firearm that also puts a creative spin on a traditional design.
6. Savage Arms 10BA
This stealth-focused bolt action rifle has several benefits that make it well worth your time and money.
Key Features
- 24-inch barrel
- 10 round capacity
- 5 Creedmoor
- Matte black finish
The rifle is built with a matte black finish that provides it with excellent corrosive resistance and glare reduction, making it a great stealth build since the sun won’t glare on its surface. It also comes with an integrated rail on the top; this is perfect for adding optics to the rifle, which will probably want to do given that it doesn’t come with any iron sights out of the box.
The stock material is synthetic and comfortable and provides great stability with every shot you take. You can adjust this between six different positions or lengths, so it’ll work with a wide variety of shooters. It also comes with a threaded barrel for added accuracy.
Pros
- Stock is comfortable and adjustable
- Has great matte black finish
- Threaded barrel is high-quality
- Has integrated rail at the top
Cons
- A bit pricey overall
- No iron sights
This bolt action rifle will likely be a perfect fit for hunters or marksmen that want to fulfill a specific aesthetic fantasy.
7. Cooper M22R Raptor
This relatively unique bolt action rifle can be chambered in either 308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor and is versatile and other ways, as well.
Key Features
- 5 Creedmoor 4308 Winchester
- stainless steel finish
- 22-inch barrel
- 5+1 capacity
This is a bolt action rifle designed for those who want to succeed at distant ranges. It has two excellent long-range chambering options and is designed with a tactical stock made of durable synthetic materials. This allows the rifle to last for a long time to come and provides great comfort to your shoulder.
Furthermore, the muzzle at the end of the gun is bolstered with a unique brake design. This same barrel is machined from stainless steel for added durability and corrosion resistance. You can improve the rifle as a whole with the optics rail and adjustable single-stage trigger. The rifle ships with a five-round magazine for added value.
Pros
- Comes with adjustable trigger
- Made with excellent materials
- Comes with a magazine
- Features an excellent muzzle brake
Cons
- A little heavy compared to most
- Very expensive compared other bolt action rifles
While pricy, we think this will be a popular choice among professional marksmen or hunters that really want their money’s worth.
8. Tikka T3X Compact
This tactical rifle is multipurpose and is perfect for urban combat specialists or those who need a rifle that can adapt to any situation.
Key Features
- 24-inch barrel
- 260 Remington, 308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor
- 10+1 capacity
- black or stainless finishes
This rifle can be customized on several metrics out of the box, including chambering and finish. Furthermore, it has a synthetic and modular stock that doesn’t wear down when you are pursuing your target. It’s bolstered by an interchangeable pistol grip that allows you to switch the grip angle to match your shooting position at any time.
Even better, it comes with a nonadjustable cheek rest to help you properly align your eye with whatever scope you decide to mount on the integrated rail at the top. The rifle has a single-stage trigger between 2 and 4 pounds.
Pros
- Comes with several adjustable parts
- Has a cheek rest for added accuracy
- Has a single-stage trigger
- Very lightweight but durable materials
Cons
- A bit expensive compared to others
- Stock durability could be a bit better
This ultra quality bolt action rifle is an excellent choice if you have an extra bundle of cash to spend and really want something that’ll work in virtually any situation: hunting, tactical, or target practice.
9. Bergara Premier LPR
This bolt action rifle provides phenomenal quality and uses several precision-machined yet standardized features to produce top-tier performance even at long distances.
Key Features
- 308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor
- 5+1 capacity
- 24-inch barrel
- black matte finish
This long-range bolt action rifle can be chambered in two types of popular cartridges and, regardless, is made with an aluminum chassis to provide excellent durability without increasing the weight excessively. It also comes with an AR 15 style grip that benefits from an adjustable length of pull. Plus, the butt plate can be canted as you desire so that the rifle precisely fits your shoulder no matter your shooting position.
The rifle weighs about 10 pounds in total and comes with a five-round magazine out of the box. The frictionless trigger means that every shot you take will be ultra-smooth. We also really like that the barrel is produced with the utmost quality for a four-stage process.
Pros
- Can be chambered into popular cartridge types
- Has a smooth and frictionless trigger
- Has an AR 15 style grip
- Butt plate can be canted
Cons
- Very expensive overall
- Accuracy drops sharply at 400+ yards
This rifle is innovative and a bit unique compared to many other market-level bolt action rifles, but we expect it’ll be a favorite for those who shoot in odd positions (i.e. prone, etc.) for their preferred activities.
10. CZ USA 550
This relatively unique bolt action rifle provides lots of value for money spread between its design and its included features.
Key Features
- 3+1 capacity
- 25-inch barrel
- 416 Rigby cartridge
- blued finish
This rifle is an excellent piece of hardware through and through. It’s intended for use with magnified optics but also comes with backup irons, including 3-leaf expression sights. It also comes with a hammer fortune barrel in a single set trigger. When combined with the American-style stock, it looks amazing and iconic.
It also comes with a thick rubber butt pad to control your recoil. The bolt action projector gets rid of casings safely away from your fingers. You’ll also appreciate the quickdraw sling studs on the stock, which allow you to combine this with an appropriate sling for tactical situations.
Pros
- Can be used for quickdraw
- Comes with excellent iron sights
- Good butt pad
- Great ejector distance
Cons
- Very pricey overall
- Wood can chip down easily
This old-fashioned looking bolt action rifle nonetheless delivers fantastic performance and offers a lot of value thanks to its modern durability and versatility.
11. Savage Arms Wolverine
This bolt action rifle is designed for hunting a variety of animals ranging from hogs to deer, and it facilitates excellent accuracy to this end.
Key Features
- 18-inch barrel
- 5+1 capacity
- 450 Bushmaster cartridges
- black finish
This bolt action rifle uses an innovative adjustable stock system. This allows you to modify the stock according to your arm length their overall height. You’ll be able to fiddle with this until it fits perfectly where it needs to for optimal accuracy. It ships with comb inserts and stock spacers, too; clearly, the manufacturers wanted this rifle’s users to be comfortable at all times.
It only weighs a little less than 8 pounds and comes with a five-round magazine for added value. It’s built with a carbon steel barrel for greater accuracy, and the stock is a durable polymer that prevents the overall asking price from becoming too high.
Pros
- Very good adjustable stock
- Made of decent materials overall
- Comes with muzzle brake
- Doesn’t weigh too much
Cons
- No included sights with this rifle
It’s a lightweight and relatively sturdy rifle that will be a great pick for generalist hunters when combined with a suitable optic.
12. Legacy Sports
This long-range target rifle is one of the largest available but it produces great stopping power and accuracy at a distance.
Key Features
- really Winchester
- 10+1 capacity
- 26-inch barrel
- black finish or American flag finish
This rifle looks high-quality and high tech. Chambered in 308 Winchester, it has an excellent action with a flat bottom perceiver that’s machined from billet steel. An integrated recoil load makes it easy to handle and operate even after repetitive shots. The receiver is surrounded by an all-aluminum chassis that drops the weight down to 12.5 pounds.
Furthermore, the rifle has an extended forend you can use for accessory mounting; a muzzle brake is already included out of the box to control the rise of the muzzle when you pull the trigger. The rifle also has an excellent butt stock with an adjustable height comb to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
Pros
- Includes multistage trigger
- Comes with good butt stock
- Includes muzzle brake, room for other Accessories
- Handles recoil very well
Cons
- Heavier than most other bolt action rifles
- Pretty expensive compared to most
This bulky but high-quality bolt action rifle will likely be a favorite for larger guys or those who prefer stationary target practice and hunting.
13. Ruger Precision
This competition designed bolt action rifle is both affordable and effective on any shooting range.
Key Features
- 22 long rifle cartridge
- 10+1 round or 15+1 round capacities
- 18-inch barrel
- black finish
This affordable firearm is a great beginner’s weapon or an introductory bolt action rifle if you want help getting used to this type of gun. It’s constructed from a single piece chassis made from glass-filled nylon, which drives the asking price down without compromising durability too much. The barrel is hammer forged and design for precision use.
It also includes an anodized aluminum rail on top of the receiver so you can combine it with your favorite optic for scopes. A 15-inch handguard will also help you mount those accessories easily. The rifle only weighs 6.6 pounds in total and it comes with a 15-round magazine.
Pros
- Comes with a magazine
- Very affordable overall
- Lightweight and ergonomic
- Easy to add accessories
Cons
- Not super durable
- Distance limited to 300ish yards
This is a great introductory bolt action rifle thanks to its affordability and user-friendliness.
14. Ruger American Rifle Hunter
The Ruger American Rifle Hunter is a powerful, accurate rifle with an adjustable buttstock.
Key Features
- Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor or.308 Winchester
- 20-inch barrel
- 5-round box magazine
- Weighs 9.2 pounds
- Grey composite stock and fore grip
- Chamber-length Picatinny rail
- Magpul-produced adjustable Hunter stock
The Ruger American Rifle Hunter is another Ruger rifle, which means you get what you pay for: a reliable gun without a ton of bells and whistles. That said, this rifle does offer an adjustable buttstock and a sharply-angled grip, manufactured by Magpul.
This rifle is easy to control, and at 9.2 pounds it’s heavy enough to remain reasonably stable under recoil. As with any Ruger bolt action rifle, you’re getting a smooth action, so jams and misfeeds won’t be a concern. A chamber-length Picatinny rail rounds out the package.
Pros
- Stable and accurate
- Powerful recoil absorption
- Easy to install sights
- Smooth-cycling action
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
A well-machined gun at a reasonable price, this is the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifle for the money.
Bottom Line
We’ve just looked at several good bolt action rifles, from high-end hunting pieces to some of the best bolt action rifles for the money. One thing that’s essential to keep in mind when you’re making your purchase is what the gun is going to be used for.
For example, if you’re target shooting, a .22 LR is going to be the best option, both for ease of use and the ready availability of dirt-cheap ammo. If you’re hunting, you’ll probably want a larger caliber. For medium-sized game like boar and coyote, a .223 Remington is sufficient. For even larger game like deer, elk, and bear, or for long-range hunting, go with a high-powered cartridge like the .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor.
No matter what rifle you end up choosing, we hope you’ve learned enough from our reviews to become a more educated consumer. Who knows? Maybe one of these guns is perfect for you!
Check out all the other gun articles put together by our expert team here at Guns & Safety Reviews;
The Review
Best Bolt Action Rifles
We've reviewed the best bolt action rifles on the market today to help you choose which to buy.
Review Breakdown
- Ruger American Rimfire
- Savage Mark II FV-SR
- Savage 11/111 Trophy Hunter XP
- Ruger American
- Mossberg MVP Flex
- Ruger American Predator
- Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas
- Browning A-Bolt III
- Tikka T3X TAC A1
- Ruger American Rifle-Hunter
- Winchester Model 70 Featherweight
- Browning X-Bolt Composite Stalker
- Remington Model 700
- Winchester Model 70 Super Grade
- Mossberg Patriot Revere
Best Bolt Action Rifles DEALS
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