For most hunters, 100 or 200 yards is about as far as you’re ever going to shoot. If nothing else, there are liable to be trees in your way by the time you get out to that kind of range. But if you’re lucky enough to live in an area with acres upon acres of wide open space, you can really up your game.
In our search for the best long range rifle, we’re looking at rifles that are accurate at 400, 600, or even 1,000 yards. But what exactly makes a good long range rifle?
To begin with, you need a powerful cartridge to maintain velocity at that kind of range. Most of these guns are chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, but .300 Win Mag, .308, and .30-06 are equally well-suited for the purpose.
You’ll also want a long barrel, with 22 inches as a bare minimum to achieve plenty of acceleration inside the gun.
14 Best Long Range Rifles
The Ruger American Predator is an affordable bolt action rifle that’s chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Key Features
- Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor
- 22-inch barrel
- Bolt action
- 3-round removable magazine
- Weighs 6.6 pounds
- Flat dark earth composite stock and fore grip
- Includes a chamber-length Picatinny rail
- Adjustable trigger (from 3 to 5 pounds)
The Ruger American Predator is an upgraded version of Ruger’s popular American line of bolt action hunting rifles. It features an adjustable trigger, as well as a built-in chamber-length Picatinny rail mount for getting your optics set up on day one.
For an affordable rifle, this one works very well. It offers sub-MOA accuracy, allowing you to hit a dinner plate at 1,000 yards if you have enough space to shoot that far. Just make sure to stuff the stock with socks or other material to add weight; out of the box, it’s so light that it offers very poor recoil resistance.
Pros
- Sub-MOA accuracy at 100 yards
- Easy to mount optics
- Affordable
Cons
- Hollow, lightweight stock
If you’re looking for a good bargain, this is by far the best long range rifle for the money.
The Winchester XPR 350 Legend is a new model of rifle with a short, easy trigger pull.
Key Features
- Chambered in Winchester .350 Legend
- 22-inch barrel
- Bolt action
- 3-round removable magazine
- Weighs 6.75 pounds
- Black polymer stock and fore grip
- Pre-drilled and tapped for optics
The Winchester XPR 350 Legend is an inexpensive rifle that’s built like a mid-priced gun, complete with a pre-drilled and tapped chamber and an exceptionally short trigger pull. So what’s the catch?
In terms of hardware, there is none. If we had to take a guess, we’re guessing that Winchester is selling these guns at a loss to drive sales and popularity for their brand new (January) .350 Legend cartridge.
There’s a lot to like about the .350 Legend, particularly the straight-walled design which makes it easier to stack and feed. But it’s just not a very popular cartridge. And seeing as it just came out earlier this year, we don’t know whether it will become popular or fizzle out as so many new cartridges do.
Basically, the XPR 350 Legend will be a fantastic value if the .350 Legend cartridge gains popularity. On the other hand, if the cartridge fizzles out, the gun will be an expensive doorstop.
Pros
- Very short pull
- Easy to install a scope
- Affordable
Cons
- Hard to find ammo
This gun is pre-drilled and tapped for optics, which is nothing less than you’d expect from a brand like Winchester.
3. Savage Arms 10BA Stealth
The Savage Arms 10BA Stealth is purpose-built for competitive target shooting.
Key Features
- Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor
- 24-inch barrel
- Bolt action
- 10-round removable magazine
- Weighs 9.2 pounds
- Black polymer adjustable buttstock and pistol grip
- Chamber-length Picatinny rail
- Fore grip with M-LOK attach points at 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 o’clock
The Savage Arms 10BA Stealth is a target shooting rifle with an ergonomic pistol grip for easy use. The buttstock is very adjustable, giving you plenty of variation in position and length of trigger pull. As a result, you can sling 6.5 Creedmoor rounds downrange with sub-MOA accuracy and maximum comfort.
This rifle features both a chamber-length Picatinny rail and multiple M-LOK attach points on the fore grip. On the one hand, you can load up with attachments like a scope (required) and rangefinder (optional). On the other hand, the fore grip isn’t comfortable at all, so you’re essentially limited to shooting from a bench rest.
Pros
- Great choice for competitive shooters
- Can accept multiple attachments
- Easy to install a scope
Cons
- Uncomfortable grip while standing
If you’re shooting at long distance targets from a bench rest, it’s hard to beat this rifle.
This highly accurate rifle is both effective at a distance and incredibly affordable compared to competing weapons.
Key Features
- 4+1 capacity
- 22-inch barrel length
- 5 Creedmoor
- blued finish
This is an excellent rifle through and through. It comes with many design innovations and features befitting a more expensive rifle, but it’s still affordable for most. It comes with an adjustable trigger for added convenience and personalization, as well as a detachable box magazine. Hardwood stock as an aesthetically pleasing element while being stable to help you control recoil.
This model also comes with a factory-mounted 3-9×40 scope, so you don’t need to spend more on optics out of the box. The optic is decent enough even if it isn’t the best on the market and adds even more value for money.
Pros
- Comes with included optic
- Very nice appearance
- Easy to adjust
- Trigger befits extra stability and better performance at a distance
- Good magazine capacity
Cons
- Included optic could be better
All in all, this effective and affordable long-range rifle will be an excellent pick for marksmen that don’t want to break the bank.
5. Ruger American Rifle
This 100% American-made rifle is innovative and affordable and has an extra high-capacity magazine.
Key Features
- 10+1 capacity
- 22-inch barrel
- Matte black finish
- 22 long rifle cartridges
This rifle is a great budget choice thanks to its low asking price, but it’s also built to last and comes with several advanced design specifications. It has an adjustable trigger between 3 and 5 pounds, and its overall lightweight and ergonomic thanks to its black composite stock. It’s quick and easy to handle as a result.
Even better, this rifle includes several grip serrations so it’s hard to drop the rifle, and it features a soft rubber recoil pad that can dramatically reduce the recoil you feel. The hammer-forged barrel allows it to operate very well at long distances, and we’re very pleased with a high-capacity magazine that gives you plenty of extra shots to make sure you hit your target.
Pros
- Very ergonomic overall
- Comes with front and rear sights
- Black finish reduces flashes while in camouflage
- Excellent cartridge capacity
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Not the most durable rifle on the market
- Limited effectiveness outside 400 yards
Overall, this rifle is a great budget choice if you don’t want to spend too much on a decent long-range rifle.
6. Tikka T3X
This long-range tactical rifle is a customizable build that works with the majority of AR 15 components, making it a great choice for hobbyist firearm enthusiasts.
Key Features
- 260 Remington, 308 Winchester, or 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges
- 24-inch barrel length
- Blue nitride finish
- 10+1 capacity
As mentioned above, this rifle can be combined with most AR 15 handguards, stocks and pistol grips. This allows you to customize the build to your liking for combining with an existing AR 15 set of attachments that you really enjoy. The rifle as a whole is built on an aluminum chassis for lightweight durability and excellent recoil control.
Out of the box, it comes with a factory stock folds for easy transport or storage needs. It also has an integrated top rail and a rail on the heel of the stock; both of these locations are perfect for accepting accessories.
Pros
- Can be combined with AR 15 components
- Has two rails for accessories
- Very lightweight but durable
- Comes with multiple types of receivers
Cons
- Very expensive compared to most rifles
- Included stock can catch on your clothes
Overall, this rifle will be a favorite for any gun enthusiast that likes to build their own weapons and personalize them to their liking.
7. Savage Arms 110LHRÂ
This long-range rifle is customizable for both its length of old and comb height, making it suitable for a wide variety of users.
Key Features
- 5 Creedmoor
- 3+1 capacity
- Black nitride finish
- 26-inch barrel
This rifle is built with an AccuFit system, essentially allowing you to customize several aspects of its operation to better suit your arm length and overall height. The adjustable trigger lets you adjust how it pulls to your liking for your convenience.
Even better, the stock is also customizable three-dimensionally along its entire length. This allows you to use it or swap between yourself and your friends and still see consistent performance without spending lots of time fitting a new stock. The rifle barrel provides excellent precision and consistency. Finally, it’s topped with an adjustable muzzle brake for added control.
Pros
- Can be customized in several different ways
- Durable but lightweight polymer stock
- Very easy to adjust
- Includes an adjustable muzzle brake
Cons
- No optics or sights included
This top-tier long-range rifle is well worth the asking cost and with be a great choice as a shared hunting tool used by several marksmen.
8. Ruger Hawkeye
This target rifle is a perfect choice if you want to win at target practice competition or go for a hunting expedition.
Key Features
- 10+1 capacity
- 5 Creedmoor
- 26-inch barrel length
- Black nitride finish
This 6.5 Creedmoor rifle can do better than most when it comes to putting around on target at extreme distances. It features a controlled round feet extractor; this provides a smooth case extraction action with every shot you take. This also makes it easy to salvage your brass casings if you are a fan of the reloading hobby.
Furthermore, the rifle is enhanced with a blade style ejector that kicks cases clear of your hands to prevent them from burning you. It ships with a 10 round magazine and comes with a hammer forged barrel made of high-quality 4140 steel. This adds extra accuracy and prevents bullet deformation.
Pros
- Comes with an included magazine
- Very good accuracy at long distances
- Projects cartridges clean and away from your hands
- Made with durable materials
Cons
- No optics or sights included
- A little heavier compared to many rifles
All told, this high-quality long-range rifle can really improve your accuracy better than most firearms could ever hope to.
9. Bergara Premier
This bolt action rifle is almost custom quality but is still relatively affordable compared to many other high-end shooters on the market.
Key Features:
- 308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor
- 5+1 capacity
- Black nitride finish
- 24-inch barrel length
This rifle features a fantastic chassis; it’s machined from 6061 T6 aluminum for added durability without making it too heavy. It also has an AR 15 style grip, which should be familiar for most firearm enthusiasts. This comes with an adjustable length of pull, adjustable comb height, and a cant-able butt plate. This lets the rifle fit to your shoulder in any shooting position.
The barrel is made of stainless steel for added corrosion resistance. This has the added benefit of projecting better bullet accuracy at long distances. Furthermore, the trigger is designed with frictionless release technology for added convenience and comfort.
Pros
- Very smooth trigger pull
- Made with good, durable materials
- Very accurate barrel design
- Butt plate can be canted
Cons
- Still heavier than most other rifles
- Pretty expensive compared to most
This pricy long-distance rifle is a quality piece that reflects the attention to detail and exceptional performance upwards of 500 yards.
10. CZ USA
This rifle as intended to be used with magnifying optics and provides consistent, high-quality performance for any user.
Key Features
- 3+1 capacity
- 416 Rigby cartridges
- 25-inch barrel
- blued finish
This bolt action long-distance rifle features fixtures for high-quality optics: the combined set up for this firearm. But it also comes with iron sights, so you aren’t totally devoid of accuracy assistance in any case. It features an American styled stock with a flat comb for added shoulder stability, and the ground forend is designed to not snag on brush forelimbs.
Even better, this rifle comes with quickdraw sling studs mounted into the stock. The rubber butt pad helps to control recoil, too. It comes with a hammer forged barrel in a single set trigger, plus a fixed ejector to get rid of spent casings away from your hands and fingers.
Pros
- Very user-friendly and comfortable
- Projects casings far from your fingers
- Works with quickdraw slings
- Great aesthetic
Cons
- Very pricey compared to most rifles
This rifle uses a rare type of cartridge but will be well worth your time and money if you prefer innovative, high-quality firearms.
11. Ruger Predator 308
This is one of the rare left-handed rifles on the market, making it a perfect choice for those who are left hand dominant.
Key Features
- 7+1 capacity
- 22-inch barrel
- 308 Winchester
- Black nitride finish
This is identical to the right-handed version of the rifle, but we wanted to point out the left-handed version due to the lack of competing options for lefties out there. It’s equipped with the synthetic stock that is both contoured and textured for comfort and extra stability. It’s also bolstered by a power betting system that keeps the barrel free-floating to enhance its overall accuracy.
It’s also designed for use with even big rifle scopes. It only weighs 6.6 pounds, features a threaded muzzle for better accuracy, and has decent capacity. All in all, it does a great job of providing solid performance at a distance even while keeping the same design choices that make this rifle a favorite among righties.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Comfortable design
- Very affordable overall
- Designed for left-handed users
Cons
- Could be more durable overall
This will likely be one of the most popular choices for marksmen and hunters that are left hand dominant, which is nice considering how few options they normally have.
12. Cooper Firearm
This bolt action precision rifle is a great representation of the latest trend among hunters and sharpshooters, featuring new innovations alongside the popular 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge.
Key Features
- 5 Creedmoor or 308 Winchester
- 5+1 capacity
- 22-inch barrel
- stainless steel finish
This durable rifle is built to last for the long haul, with a stainless steel finish over the barrel and receiver for added corrosion resistance. It’s also set inside a specially designed for tactical stock. This is made with durable material that will stand up to lots of use even in inclement weather. The muzzle is topped with a unique brake design specific to Cooper Firearms, which adds even greater accuracy to the weapon’s performance at range.
The barrel is further machined from stainless steel and it includes an optics rail for adding your preferred ocular accessory. The detachable magazine and a user-adjustable single-stage trigger round out the available features and make this a great choice for hobbyist gun enthusiasts who really want something worth their hard-earned cash.
Pros
- Very durable overall
- Uses popular types of ammunition
- Comes with adjustable trigger
- Has excellent muzzle brake
Cons
- A little heavy
- Very expensive compared to most
Though it’s quite expensive, this long-range rifle will give you fantastic performance over the long-term; it’s a rifle built to work for years to come.
13. Ruger Precision
This precision rifle uses a rarer type of ammunition but still delivers phenomenal performance upwards of 300 yards.
Key Features
- 6 mm Creedmoor
- 10+1 capacity
- 24-inch barrel
- Black nitride finish
This rifle features an extremely high-quality barrel and lower receiver, both of which are made from hammer forged and chrome-moly steel that affords it phenomenal performance and extra accuracy. It uses a rifling technique to reduce bullet distortion and place your shots on target even at a great distance.
It also comes with a rail system to let you combine the rifle with your favorite accessories. To make things better, it comes with two 10 round magazines: excellent value for money. The buffer tube assembly is also further adjustable, so this will likely be a great choice if you enjoy modifying your rifles.
Pros
- Innovative design
- Very durable overall
- Comes with two magazines
- Very customizable
Cons
- A bit expensive considering its uniqueness
This high tech piece of equipment will be a great novelty rifle for firearm enthusiasts, even though it doesn’t use most standard long-distance cartridges; we think those with the cash to spare and some curiosity will get the most benefit.
14. Bergara B14 Ridge
The Bergara B14 Ridge’s fixed magazine comes with unique benefits and drawbacks.
Key Features
- Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor
- 24-inch barrel
- Bolt action
- 4-round fixed magazine
- Weighs 7.9 pounds
- Black composite stock and fore grip
- Pre-drilled and tapped for optics
The Bergara B14 Ridge is a dedicated hunting rifle with a fixed magazine. While this style of magazine is more reliable than a removable magazine and leads to fewer jams, it’s also harder to reload, since you’ll have to insert the cartridges manually through the top of the chamber. This makes the B14 Ridge a poor choice for competitive shooters, since you can’t fire more than 4 rounds in a short period of time.
On the other hand, the reliability and the light trigger make this gun a solid choice for hunting. Not only will your shots hit their target consistently, but in the worst-case scenario where you need to make a follow-up shot, you won’t experience a mis-feed.
Pros
- Light, 3-pound trigger
- Extremely reliable
- Compatible with Remington 700 accessories
Cons
- Difficult to reload
This rifle comes with a light, 3-pound trigger that’s easy to pull without throwing off your aim.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day the best long distance rifle is different depending on your purposes. For example, the best long range hunting rifle will be weatherproof and durable enough for the trail, whereas a specialized target shooting rifle will sacrifice durability to squeeze out an extra 0.1 MOA of accuracy.
Another important distinction is whether you’re looking for the best long range hunting rifle out of the box, or whether you’re looking for a rifle that’s less accurate, but can be modified later. As a rule, we’ve focused on guns that are accurate right out of the box, since upgrades would really fall into a separate category altogether.
We hope our look at the top long range rifles has helped you discover the most accurate long range rifle that meets your needs. If nothing else, we hope you’ve learned enough to make your decision an easy, painless experience.
Check out all the other gun articles put together by our expert team here at Guns & Safety Reviews;
The Review
Best Long Range Rifle
If you're looking for the best long range rifle on the market today, read through our review.
Review Breakdown
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Howa KRG Bravo 1500
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Bergara B14 Ridge
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Browning X-Bolt Composite Stalker
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Savage Arms 12 Long Range Precision
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Ruger American Predator
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Savage Arms Axis II XP
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Winchester XPR 350 Legend
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Savage Arms 10BA Stealth
-
Mossberg MVP Predator
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Ruger Precision Rifle
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