10 Best Hunting Guns

A lot of factors can influence you when you’re choosing the best hunting gun. Your level of experience may affect your choice of weapon. Quality is another important consideration, and you’ll want to identify the best hunting rifles in your budget. You may also favor a lighter gun if you favor backcountry hunting, but you might not be as concerned about weight if you use an ATV on your hunting trips. 

With all these factors to consider, narrowing down your choices and finding the best hunting gun for your needs can be tricky. Ultimately, what’s best for you may not be ideal for another hunter. The guns listed here include a range of weights and calibers, ensuring this list features excellent choices for every hunter. 

Why is choosing the best hunting rifle important?

There are several reasons you’ll benefit from taking the time to learn about different gun models. Choosing the best hunting rifle for your needs ensures you acquire a reliable weapon suitable for the type of hunting activities you enjoy. 

Save Money

Consider the long-term value of your investment when choosing a hunting gun. Sometimes, spending a little more saves money in the long run. In addition to buying a gun, you’ll need ammo, a gun case, bipods, and other accessories. If you buy a gun you need to replace quickly, you could lose money purchasing accessories you need to replace when you upgrade.

Satisfaction

You will only enjoy hunting trips if your gun performs optimally. An excellent rifle scope can make the difference between lining up the perfect shot and missing your target. Failing to hunt successfully can hamper your enjoyment while hunting, which is why choosing the best rifle is crucial. Hunters should also consider the ammo options for each rifle since ammo grain weight can affect your shooting experience.

Suitability

Different guns are designed for different situations and types of game. There are different types of guns suitable for short-range and long-range shooting. You’ll want a small-caliber rifle if you’re hunting for small game, while you’ll need a large-caliber weapon for hunting big game. However, some rifles are only suitable for specific types of large game. A deer rifle may be perfect for hunting whitetail deer, but depending on the caliber of the weapon, this type of rifle may be ineffective if you’re hunting bears. 

Perhaps you’re considering where to hunt in Nevada in the future but currently want Las Vegas gunsmiths to help you find a suitable rifle you can use at a shooting range in Nevada. Use the shooting range guide to learn about the different types of guns you can use at a range. You can also discover the best firearm training Las Vegas offers and how to choose the best guns suited to your hunting goals and needs for these courses.

1. Best Overall: Bergara B-14 Ridge

The Bergara B-14 Ridge is an excellent option for big game, suitable for 6.5 Creedmoor and .30-06 Springfield (Sprg) ammo. The Bergara B-14 Ridge models weigh between 7.2 and 7.8lbs and feature a two-position safety. It has a SoftTouch coating that ensures you won’t lose your grip in poor weather conditions. While Bergara earned its reputation making superior barrels, Bergara applied its standards of excellence to its rifles, ensuring superior quality.

Specifications:

• Right-handed design
• 18″ -24″ barrel

2. Best Overall: Nosler 21

The Nosler 21 is a bolt-action hunting rifle with a stainless steel barrel. It holds three or four rounds, depending on whether you choose a model that uses 6.5 PRC or .28 Nosler ammo. The model using 6.5 PRC ammo weighs 6.9lbs, making it an excellent lightweight option, while the model using .28 Nosler ammo weighs in at 7.1lbs. 

Specifications:

• Right-handed design
• 24″ barrel

3. Best Overall: Sig Sauer M400

The Sig Sauer M400 is a semi-automatic rifle for hunting big game, such as bears, cougars, and coyotes. It weighs 7lbs, and the Sig Sauer M400 is also one of the hunting rifles suitable for right- or left-handed shooters and weighs in at 7.4lbs.

Specifications:

• 5.56 NATO
• Ambidextrous
• 16″ barrel

4. Leading Large Game Rifle: Remington 700 AWR

One of the pluses of stainless steel is that it’s less likely to corrode. The Remington 700 AWR comes with a stainless steel action, ensuring corrosion won’t keep you from loading and releasing cartridges. Variations of this bolt action rifle use different calibers of ammo, including .30-05 Sprg and .270 Winchester.

Specifications:

• Right-handed and left-handed models are available
• 26″ barrel

5 Leading Large Game Rifle: Ruger Bolt Action Rifle

The Ruger Bolt Action Rifle is 8.1lbs and has buttpad spacers, allowing users of various sizes to adjust the size of their rifles. Ruger has been manufacturing guns for over 70 years and produces several impressive models. The Ruger American Predator 6.5 Creedmoor uses 6.5 Creedmoor ammo and is designed for left-handed shooters. Its 22″ barrel is slightly longer than the Ruger Bolt Action Rifles. 

Ruger Bolt Action Hunter Rifle Specifications:

• Right-handed design
• 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Winchester
• 20″ barrel

6. Superior Small Game Option: Seekins HIT .308

Seekins backs up their products with an impressive guarantee. The guarantee ensures consumers are delighted with every feature of their Seekins rifle, from how it looks to how it performs. The Seekins HIT .306 is a bolt-action rifle weighing 11.5lbs with an adjustable folding stock. This feature offers users versatility, enabling hunters to use this rifle effectively in different situations. A precision rifle is long and difficult to carry, but adjustable stocks allow you to adjust your stock, making your rifle easier to transport.

Specifications:

• .308 caliber
• Right-handed design
• 24″ barrel

7. Superior Small Game Option: Benjamin Marauder

The Benjamin Marauder is an affordable small game gun that weighs 7.3lbs. It’s known for its accuracy, and this model is an excellent choice if you’re hunting squirrels or rabbits. 

Specifications:

• .22 caliber
• Right-handed design
• 20″ barrel

8. Outstanding Affordable Rifle: CZ-USA 600 Alpha

While the most expensive hunting rifles available cost thousands, excellent affordable guns cost hundreds. The CZA-USA 600 Alpha is a bolt-action gun that uses 6.5 Creedmoor ammo with a 22″ barrel. It weighs 7.5lbs and owners use this rifle for hunting or target shooting. The CZ-USA 600 is ideal for those hunting elk or deer.

Specifications:

• .223 caliber
• Right-handed design
• 24″ barrel

9. Outstanding Affordable Rifle: Ruger American Predator

The Ruger American Predator features several models, allowing hunters to choose the perfect features for their hunting needs. This rifle is reasonably priced, making it an excellent economical option. At 6.2lbs, it’s one of the lighter options. 

• Ammo options include 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, and 6.5 Grendel
• Right- and left-handed designs are available
• 16.38″ to 22″ barrels available

10. Outstanding Affordable Rifle: CVA Cascade

The CVA Cascade is a quality rifle at a low price, making it an enticing option for new hunters and those who want to conserve costs. It’s a bolt-action rifle that uses 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC ammo, .28 Nosler, or .308 Winchester rounds. Depending on the model, it can hold up to 5 cartridges and weighs approximately 6.85lbs.

Specifications:

• Right-handed design
• 18″ -24″

Sources

29 North American Big Game Animals. (2022).

Small Game Hunting. (2022).