Getting Primed for the Hunt: Best Hunting Rifles

Choosing a hunting rifle is a serious and sometimes daunting task. The rifle needs to have so many solid qualities, yet not be priced alongside a Ferrari. Fortunately for us, there are many companies building great hunting rifles to fit just about any game or hunt style. Whether you are a back-country hunter hiking and climbing for days, or a casual deer hunter in a stand there is something for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the best on the market right now!

Bergara Premier Highlander

The Highlander is a beautiful lightweight rifle chambered in the popular .308 all the way up to 7.7mm. The Bergara action is a proprietary bolt that is smooth and easy to cycle. The trigger includes TriggerTech Friction Release Technology which makes for a comfortable clean break. The hallmark of the rifle is their incredible precision barrel that ensures accuracy and guaranteed to produce sub-MOA groups with quality factory ammunition. The barrel in the Highlander is available in three lengths – 20”, 22”, and 24” – and is Cerakoted, as is the bolt, to ensure durability.

Browning BAR MK 3 DBM Wood

New from the folks at Browning this year is the BAR MK 3 DBM Wood semi-auto rifle. It features a classic non-reflective matte blued finish with an 18-inch fluted barrel. The alloy receiver has integral Picatinny rails for accessories and is fed from a 10-round detachable box magazine. The Grade II Turkish walnut stock and forearm have an oil finish and is shim-adjustable for cast on/off and drop. Available in 308 Winchester only, the rifle offers a more traditional option to those interested in big-game hunting.

Savage Axis Rifle line

When the AXIS was first introduced, it totally changed what hunters should expect from an entry-level rifle. The redesigned AXIS is even better. In addition to a fresh look with improved ergonomics, it’s loaded with features that deliver Savage’s legendary accuracy, including thread-in headspacing, button rifling and a floating bolt head. The AXIS is offered in the complete spectrum of popular hunting calibers, in full-size, compact and left-hand models. It features a rugged synthetic stock with new ergonomic design as well as a sporter barrel contour. It also has a carbon steel barreled action with matte black finish as well as a detachable box magazine. Available in left hand and compact models the Axis is a versatile rifle.

Winchester XPR Hunter True Timber Strata

The Winchester XPR rifle is a step forward in design and manufacturing, bringing you a high-performance hunting rifle at an extremely affordable price from a name you know and trust. Pairing the performance of the XPR with True Timber’s Strata camouflage pattern gives you a lethal advantage. It has an advanced polymer stock in True Timber Strata camo, with textured panels to help improve wet weather grip. The flattened profile of the forend improves stability from sandbags, and the barrel, receiver, and bolt have a Permacote finish to minimize glare and protect from corrosion. An M.O.A. trigger system, detachable box magazine, steel recoil lug, bolt unlock button, and two-position thumb safety are standard. The rifle is available in most popular short action cartridges, including 6.5 Creedmoor, with 22, 24, or 26-inch barrels.

Steyr Monobloc

The unique Monobloc rifle from Steyr is one of the most exciting new hunting rifles for 2019. With this introduction, Steyr has changed the notion of what a high-end hunting rifle can be. The Monobloc’s barrel is cold-hammer-forged from a single piece of steel and then milled to form the chamber and action; the barrel and action are one piece. The result is an ultra-accurate rifle with an aluminum bedding block and host of exciting shooter interfaces, including leather-accented inlays in the stock, a four-round detachable magazine, and a removable trigger group. It will initially be available in .308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield.

Remington Model Seven SS HS Precision

The Model Seven puts game-dropping precision and power in a fast-handling platform perfect for blinds, tree stands and covering ground on foot. Weighing in at only six pounds, the Seven SS HS features a stainless steel barreled actions with a satin finish and a rock solid HS Precision stock with an aluminum bedding block. Its features include a 20″ light contour barrel, stainless steel barreled action and a satin finish. The HS Precision stock comes with an aluminum bedding block and the rifles includes a user Adjustable XMark Pro Trigger. Coming in at only six pounds it is a proven lightweight shooter!

Weatherby Mark V Camilla Ultra Lightweight

The new Mark V Camilla Ultra Lightweight was designed by women, for women. The rifle has a shortened 13-inch length of pull, slender forearm, slimmer grip with a gentle palm swell, and higher comb for optimal scope-eye alignment. The recoil pad is fitted with an ergonomic cant, and the rifle features a composite stock with an aluminum bedding block. It’s chambered for the .240 Weatherby Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 and .308 Winchester, and the .30/06 Springfield.  

Mossberg Patriot in 450 Bushmaster

New from Mossberg is the introduction of the 450 Bushmaster into the Patriot line. Perfect for medium and large game at short to moderate rage—and ideally suited in states now allowing straight-wall rifle cartridges for deer hunting—these rifles come with all of the features associated with the Patriot rifle that has received so much acclaim. The four new 450 Bushmasters include two 16.25-inch-barreled Predators at 6.25 pounds, as well as synthetic and wood stocked Patriots with a 20-inch barrel at between 6.5 and 7 pounds. It’ll work for A perfect rifle for a variety of game from hogs to deer.

Barrett Firearms Fieldcraft in 6.5 Creedmoor

Lightweight, strong and accurate. These are traits admired by hunters, and they’re the traits Barrett built into their Fieldcraft Bolt-Action Rifles. Hand-laid carbon fiber stocks provide incredible durability in an easy-to-carry lightweight package, while match-grade stainless steel barrels boast the perfect length, twist rate and taper to move your chosen bullet downrange at maximum accuracy. Reliable single-stage Timney triggers are easy to adjust to your preference, yet come factory set if you enjoy ready-to-go convenience out of the box. Drilled and tapped with multiple options for scope mounts. Top-loading four-round blind magazines. Two-position manual safety. The rifle is ready for the hunt to be sure.