Whenever you see bolt-action or semi-automatic hunting rifles for sale, at large gun dealerships, you likely will have hundreds of different types to choose from in a variety of calibers.
Determining the best hunting rifle involves subjective and objective factors.
The Basics
No matter what sort of rifle you buy, whether they’re semi-auto or not, any serious hunter wants a gun that is accurate and dependable.
You also want a gun that feels right, one that you find comfortable to grip and has a trigger pull that suits your style of shooting, and most of all is accurate.
Other Factors
To make a list of the best hunting rifles on the market today, the first step requires asking yourself three questions:
#1 What Type of Game Do I Hunt?
Medium size game like deer usually means you want a hunting rifle that chambers .308, .243 or .270.
Smaller game and varmint hunters generally use .22 caliber rifles.
Big game hunters on safari in Africa might use hunting rifles made to shoot .375 Holland & Holland magnums, .416 Rigbys, or the more common .30-06 Springfield rounds.
#2 Where Do I Hunt
If your primary hunting excursions involve traipsing about the woods and up and down hills, you likely don’t want to lug around a heavy, barreled, solid metal and wood, rifle.
A light weapon, perhaps with a composite stock or detachable magazine and mechanism with a fluted barrel for reduced weight, would work best for woodland deer hunting
Hunting using an ATV or from a deer stand may mean the weight of your rifle won’t matter.
Consider a synthetic stock if you hunt in a wet climate since a wooden stock might swell in humid areas, affecting your aim.
#3 How Much Do I Want to Spend
Many quality weapons cost only a few hundred dollars. However, if you like all the bells and whistles and insist on the latest and newest rifle on the market, that also narrows your search as not all manufacturers offer new models each year, and those that do may not have all the high-tech accessories available you want.
5 Great Options
Here are a few choices for hunting rifles that research suggests meet most hunters’ criteria for a great hunting rifle. Some of these choices are featured on notable hunting magazine websites, such as the Bonnier Corporation Company’s Outdoor Life magazine, and the guns especially featured on the sites were editorially chosen for awards in hunting.
1. Browning X-Bolt
The Browning X-Bolt first .223 caliber rounds. It weighs nine pounds, comes with a five-round magazine, and has an overall length of 45.6 inches.
The X-Bolt is a great small game gun, considered very reliable, simple to shoot, and extremely durable.
The crowning feature of the Browning X-Bolt is its unique three-level Feather Trigger™. The Feather Trigger™ offers a shot that is incredibly accurate and feels incredible all in one. The pull is crisp, reliable, and light. It is adjustable to meet every shooting style.
The X-Bolt is free-float due to the installation of bedding in the front and rear of the action.
The X-Bolt features the X-Lock mounting system as well to ensure that your optics are always going to be securely fitted onto your rifle.
2. Ruger 10/22
The Ruger American 10/22 is another excellent small game or varmint hunting choice. Great for both beginners and seasoned sportsmen, this rifle has a 10-round capacity, shoots .22 LR, and has a barrel length of 18 ½ inches, weighing less than 5 pounds.
3. Remington M700 Magpul
The Remington M700 Magpul, made from reinforced polymer with an anodized aluminum bedding block, provides excellent value for your dollar.
The rifle is chambered for four rounds: .300 Winchester, .308 Winchester, the 6.5 Creedmoor, and the .260 Remington.
Experts consider this versatile gun highly accurate and very dependable.
4. Seekins Precision Havak
Seekins Precision produces the Havak, a long-range precision rifle with a match-grade, stainless steel, 5R-rifled free-float barrel.
This quality gun has a 20-MOA Picatinny optics rail, matte Armor-Black finish, and a factory-set three-pound trigger release.
Available calibers for this hunting rifle include 6 and 6.5 mm Creedmoor and .308 Winchester.
5. Semi-Automatic Ruger SR-762
This AR-10 hunting rifle has a Picatinny rail for scopes, folding iron sights, and an ergonomic rubber grip. It is an impressive semi-automatic rifle.
Weighing close to 10 pounds, the SR-762 has a 10-round box magazine and an overall length of between 34¾ to 38 inches.
Contact Us
At IFA Tactical, we are passionate about firearms and can help you choose the best hunting rifle for your needs. We ship firearms and accessories nationwide, so whether you are hunting waterfowl in Michigan, boars in Tennessee, elk in Wyoming or whitetails in North Carolina, call us on (586)-209-3595 to discuss your hunting rifle options or complete our online contact form. You will be satisfied with the firearms purchased through this site.
We also offer a 6-month layaway so that you can gift the hunter in your life with their dream rifle or other products featured in our catalog during this holiday season!
