Ballistics Best Hunting Bolt-Action Rifles includes 10 new bolt-action hunting rifle reviews. This year, the new 7mm Backcountry cartridge dominates the headlines, and we’ve got several in this roundup, too.
Hunting Bolt-Action Testing Protocol
Let’s take a closer look at the evaluation process before we dive into Ballistic’sBest hunting rifles. To shoot and evaluate 10 new bolt-action hunting rifles, three experienced riflemen joined me at my home range in Middle Tennessee.
Again, each of these rifles were given a score of 1 to 5 points each for aesthetics, ergonomics, sight mounting ease, trigger, recoil control, reloading ease, accuracy, reliability and value to price.
The cost of these rifles went from $489 MSRP to $5,000. For that reason, we broke the rifles into two categories. Budget-grade rifles under $1,000 and those selling for more.
Ammo & Gear
Hornady supplied the majority of the ammo for the test again this year, with more than 1,800 rounds of ammo split between 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win. Federal Cartridge also stepped up in a big way to feed the 7mm Backcountry rifles.
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Another shout-out goes to Leupold, Riton, Swarovski and Minox for providing optics for this rifle test.
Course Of Fire
The course of fire this year was for each shooter to fire a minimum of four 5-shot groups (per load) at 100 yards from a benchrest and record the smallest groups at each distance. Various loads were tested to find the best-shooting ammo. The tightest shooting loads were used for accuracy evaluation and then averaged between shooters.
Several rifles also presented threaded muzzles, so we added a few suppressors to the test, too. Silencer Central’s Banish Backcountry, Buck 30 and Banish 30 silencers got screwed onto appropriate rifles and more groups fired. If the rifles produced their smallest group with a can, we used it in the calculus.
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When the groups were measured in inches, center-to-center, and the results tabulated, the inch measurements were converted into MOA. As a refresher, 1 MOA measures 1.047 inches at 100 yards.
The Riflemen
Putting these rifles through their paces, a team of four Tennessee riflemen with varied experience joined forces.
Brent Spicer and Rich Modzelewski, joined us again this year for this Ballistic’sBest test. Rich is a former Marine and gunsmith who owns Echo 3 Armory in Chapel Hill. Brent Spicer is an avid deer hunter and long-range shooter from Thompson Station.
We expanded to a fourth evaluator this year. Neighboring farmer Jim Stiteler, an avowed collector and avid shooter, joined our group to lend his expertise.
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I’ll refresh my qualifications for the unfamiliar. I have hunted big game and varmints and have been shooting hunting and target rifles since I was relying on a bicycle for transportation. From the time I turned 16 and joined the local gun club I’ve been shooting competitively, too. I’ve also hunted big game in 30 states, mostof which was during the past 38 years as a hunting or gun magazine editor. No stranger to long-range rifle pursuits, I don’t have to leave the house to pull a trigger, either. I keep a flat-shooting centerfire within reach of my office desk and get opportunities to hammer steel out to a quarter mile regularly. It helps keep the coyote population in check, too.
Hunting Bolt-Action Rifles under $1,000
Taurus Expedition
The first bolt action rifle from Taurus USA, the Expedition borrows a lot from the old reliable and popular Remington 700 action. We included a pre-release version in .308 last year, but felt this rifle deserved another bite at the apple when they released the 6.5 Creedmoor version this year.
The new 6.5 Creedmoor model, thanks to its hammer-forged barrel, is a sub-MOA shooter.
Another user-friendly touch is that Expedition feeds from commonly available AICS-pattern magazines. The Taurus’ stock features a scalloped cut, designed to make the gun rest perfectly in gun saddles. Hunters could also utilize the MLOK attachment point on the bottom of the stock, or the integrated Spartan Precision attachment point.
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This rifle is selling for about $985 these days. Weaknesses that held last year’s Expedition model back in the evaluation process got fixed, which helped it raise its score this time around.
Savage Axis 2
The Axis first hit the market in 2010, so Savage decided to upgrade their price-conscious bolt-action rifle lineup. Savage listened to the gun-buying public and designed a new stock design with improved ergonomics and strength where it counts. This writer recalls making modifications to stiffen up a flimsy forend to enhance accuracy in early Axis models.
The new model addresses this weakness. Among the stock improvements is a vertical pistol grip with a palm swell.
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Evaluators unanimously agreed the Axis 2 has a nice vertical-gripped stock, pretty good trigger and a great value capable of great accuracy. In testing the 6.5 Creedmoor version we found that it was capable of sub-MOA accuracy, with the smallest group recorded measuring 0.857 inch.
The AccuTrigger comes standard on the Axis 2, as well as an enhanced bolt. The Axis 2 comes chambered in a wide variety of cartridges, from .223 Rem to .400 Legend. Retail price is $489. Savagearms.com
Christensen Arms Evoke
The Christensen Arms Evoke in 7mm Backcountry is a compact, backcountry-focused bolt rifle that pairs magnum-class ballistics with a surprisingly trim, huntable package. It’s offered with short, field-minded barrels as short as 16.25inches or the 20-inch version (as tested).
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The barrel gets a 1:8-inch twist optimized for 7mm bullets — the button-rifled, hand-lapped 416R stainless barrel is threaded 5/8×24 and commonly finished with Christensen’s RFR muzzle brake.
At 7.7 pounds this rifle is light and easily carried. The overall length of 41.75 inches carries the additional length of a suppressor well, but the nearly 4-inch shorter version is a match made in heaven for adding a can. The longer barrel averages 3,031 fps for 10 shots with Federal’s Barnes 168-grain loads, and you can expect 150 to 200 feet less velocity from the shorter tube.
This rifle is accurate, too. It can launch this blazing fast cartridge and keep 5-shot groups sub-MOA. The tightest 100-yard group measured 1.011 inches.
The Evoke balances easily since it’s built as a hunter’s tool rather than a bench-rest rifle. The stock is a weather-resistant synthetic with an adjustable cheek riser and modern ergonomics; receivers and barrels are available in FDE/bronze/Cerakotepatterns or camo finishes to suit field use.
Functionally the Evoke uses a two-lug bolt, an adjustable TriggerTech trigger, and accepts AICS-style detachable magazines. It ships optic-ready, with no iron sights.
During testing, this rifle was paired with a Sig Sauer Tango Down 3-18x optic.
Street/retail pricing for the Evoke has generally landed around $899, depending on finish and barrel length, placing it squarely as a value-packed, modern hunting rifle.
The difference in final score between this rifle and the top rifle is so minuscule that you might want to think long and hard about the Evoke, especially if you want the hot new 7mm Backcountry.
WINNER: Mossberg Suppressor-Ready Patriot Carbine
Mossberg recently released dedicated versions of its popular Patriot bolt-action rifle with shorter barrel lengths, optimized for use with suppressors. This rifle, chambered in .308 Win checked all the boxes and came out on top as Ballistic’s Best Budget Bolt-Action Hunter. It was a pleasure to shoot and consistently produced tight groups. It is capable of putting five rounds inside ¾ MOA at 100 yards all day long. In fact, it was the most consistently accurate of any rifle tested regardless of price. Yep, it outshot a rifle nearly 10 times its price.
With 41 states allowing suppressor usage for hunting, their popularity with predator, deer, and big game hunters has grown significantly. So, Mossberg delivers a suppressor-ready platform with their Patriot Carbine bolt-action rifle series.
Key features include threaded barrels; compact barrel lengths of 16.25, 18, and 20-inches; a wide range of chamberings from 22-250 Rem to 7mm PRC; and durable black synthetic stock with complementing matte blue metal finish.
Mossberg’s Patriot rifles are built on a proven twin-lug push-feed machined-steel action that is fed from a flush polymer magazine. The free-floating, carbon steel barrel features an 11-degree match crown, is threaded, and includes a protective thread cap. For ease of adding optics, the Patriot Carbine is equipped with a receiver mounted Picatinny rail. Retail price is around $515.
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Hunting Bolt-Action Rifles over $1,000
Weatherby Model 307 Alpine CT
The Weatherby Model 307 Alpine CT is a lightweight bolt gun built on Weatherby’s new Model 307 action, blending a BSF carbon-fiber wrapped barrel with a PEAK 44 Bastion carbon-fiber stock for a carryable, adequately accurate hunting platform.
The BSF carbon barrel measures 20 inches for the 7mm Backcountry versiontested.
Measured weight and overall length put the Alpine CT squarely in the backcountry-able category at 6.2 pounds and overall length measuring 42 inches.Barrel length tailored for this hot new cartridge, it launched 170-grain bullets at an average of 3,028 fps. It can keep five shots sub-MOA, with the tightest group of 170-grain Federal Terminal Ascent measuring 1.025 inches.
Weatherby outfits the Alpine CT with practical, modern features: a TriggerTechfield trigger, Peak 44 Picatinny rail, Weatherby Accubrake / DST muzzle device options, AICS-style detachable magazines holding 4 rounds for this caliber configuration. The molded carbon-fiber stock with an ergonomic length-of-pull and adjustable comb geometry helps getting lined up with optics. Finishes range from Chocolate Brown Cerakote to field camo patterns.
The Alpine CT is positioned as a premium rifle with an MSRP starting around $2,249 for Alpine CT variants — a price that buys a modern carbon-barreled action, lightweight Peak 44 stock, and hunting-ready features straight from the factory.
“This rifle is capable of 5-shot sub-MOA groups,” Brent Spicer said, and carries well in the field.”
J.P. Sauer 505
The long-awaited Sauer 505 is now shipping in the United States after its impressive debut in Europe last year.
This bolt-action rifle from J.P. Sauer and Sohn is an engineering masterpiece, delivering timeless elegance, absolute accuracy, and exceptional versatility. It is available in four stock options – walnut (wood grade 5), traditional synthetic, synthetic thumbhole, or carbon fiber – and features a robust, lightweight skeletonized steel chassis.
Bolt cycling is silky smooth, and the interchangeable, cold hammer forged precision barrels allow for quick and easy caliber changes.
Hunters can select between four pre-set trigger weights from 0.77 lbs. to up to 2.75 lbs.
Sauer has adopted the proven Blaser saddle mount technology for easy and accurate optics mounting. This quick detach mount is designed to ensure the optic can be taken off the Sauer 505 and put back on while maintaining the precise point of aim without having to re-zero the scope.
Rifle weights range from around 6 pounds with the ultralight carbon fiber stock, and the .308 Win version tipped the scales at 6 pounds, 2 ounces. One the range, the best 5-shot group at 100 yards measured a whisker under 1 MOA at 1.037 inches.
Available in the U.S. in dozen calibers. MSRP starts at $3,200.
Savage 110 Pro Pursuit Rifle
The Savage Arms Model 110 Pro Pursuit Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor represents an impressive balance of hunting practicality and long-range capability. This rifle is purpose-built for the serious hunter who demands accuracy without unnecessary weight.
This version of the Pro Pursuit sports a 20-inch Proof carbon barrel with a matte finish that resists glare in the field. Savage’s AccuFit system is a standout feature, allowing shooters to customize length of pull and comb height with included spacers—ensuring proper fit for various body types and shooting positions. The synthetic AccuStock provides a rigid aluminum bedding block that free-floats the barrel, contributing to consistent accuracy.
The rifle’s AccuTrigger is adjustable and breaks cleanly, typically between 1.5 and 4 pounds. This user-adjustable trigger is a significant advantage, eliminating the need for gunsmith modifications. The detachable box magazine holds four rounds, providing adequate capacity while maintaining a sleek profile.
The 6.5 Creedmoor chambering is an inspired choice for this platform. Known for exceptional ballistics with manageable recoil, this cartridge extends effective range considerably over traditional hunting calibers. The Pro Pursuit is capable of delivering sub-MOA groups with quality ammunition. Evaluators found Hornady’s 143-grain ELDX loads could put 5 shots into groups as small as 0.890 inch at 100 yards.
Weighing 7.2 pounds before optics, the rifle remains packable for backcountry hunts while providing enough heft to mitigate recoil and steady your aim.
At its price point, the Model 110 Pro Pursuit offers remarkable value. It’s not adorned with luxury finishes, but it delivers where it counts: accuracy, reliability, and versatility. Whether you’re pursuing mule deer across open plains or setting up for a long poke at an elk, this rifle provides the precision and features modern hunters need. For those seeking a dependable, accurate hunting rifle without breaking the bank, the Pro Pursuit deserves serious consideration.
Springfield 2020 Heatseeker
The Springfield Armory 2020 Heatseeker represents a modern precision bolt-action rifle with a tactical edge, built on the proven Model 2020 action platform. Its stellar performance in this tight competition speaks volumes about its quality. Measuring an overall length of approximately 36.5 inches with its compact 20-inch barrel, the Heatseeker balances maneuverability with long-range capability. The barrel features a 1:8 twist rate, optimized for stabilizing a wide range of 6.5 Creedmoor loads, making it suitable for both target shooting and hunting applications. Weighing 7.6 pounds unloaded, the rifle remains portable without sacrificing stability or accuracy.
A key highlight is the partnership with industry leader MDT, as the Heatseekercomes equipped with an MDT Chassis system featuring a precision-machined aluminum V-block bedding surface. The chassis incorporates an ergonomic pistol grip, an adjustable cheek riser, and M-LOK attachment points along the forend for accessories. The stock’s finish combines a durable hard-coat anodized surface with a modern tactical aesthetic, ensuring both resilience in harsh conditions and a streamlined, professional look.
Feeding from AICS-pattern detachable box magazines, the rifle offers a standard capacity of 5 rounds. Springfield’s proprietary TriggerTech adjustable trigger delivers a crisp break and minimal overtravel, allowing shooters to fine-tune the pull weight to their preference. A Picatinny optics rail comes pre-installed for easy scope mounting, and the threaded muzzle (5/8×24) accommodates a wide range of muzzle brakes or suppressors.
Evaluator Rich Modzelewski said, “This rifle has good balance,” Evaluator Rich Modzelewski said. “It would be a great rifle for the tactical-to-practical shooter.” Accuracywise, the Heatseeker’s best 5-shot group at 100 yards measured 1.147 inches.
With a suggested retail price is $2,355, the 2020 Heatseeker sits in the premium precision rifle category, appealing to serious shooters demanding out-of-the-box performance and customization potential. If you hunt around, you can find this rifle selling for about $2,000 at places like Guns.com.
Combining Springfield’s renowned manufacturing quality with MDT’s chassis expertise, the Heatseeker delivers reliability, accuracy, and modularity in a modern precision rifle platform.
Cooper Montana Heritage
The Cooper Montana Heritage in 6.5 Creedmoor is a limited-edition, short-action bolt rifle that fuses classic styling with high-end modern materials. It is part of a 350-rifle run marketed by Nighthawk/Cooper to celebrate the legacy of Cooper Firearms of Montana.
This rifle missed the top spot by a fraction of a point. It was the most consistently accurate rifle in the test, but it came at a price… $5,000 to be precise. It’s high price and limited availability held it back ever so slightly.
This Cooper Rifle sports a 22-inch Proof Research match/precision carbon-fiberbarrel. The action is built with a Stevensville, Montana Cooper action (now under Nighthawk/Cooper Rifles of Arkansas) with a three-lug, spiral-fluted bolt. It is threaded 5/8×24 for muzzle devices. The twist rate for the 6.5 Creedmoor version is 1:8 inches. The action is constructed of 4140 chromoly steel and finished in a graphite black Cerakote finish.
The walnut and carbon barrel version is quoted at 7.4 pounds. Stock options are hand-checkered black walnut or gray/laminate, with hand-rubbed oil finish (for walnut) or laminate alternative. The version tested has a nice walnut handle. The stock is glass-bedded and the barrel is free-floated. Length of pull is 13 ¾ inches. There are two front sling studs but no open iron sights — it is optic-ready only.
The rifle is equipped with a TriggerTech primary trigger and ships with a 5-round AICS-style detachable magazine. It also includes Cooper-specific Talley bases and a one-piece Picatinny rail for optic mounting. Nighthawk/Cooper guarantees ½ MOA 3-shot accuracy at manufacture, and in testing all of our evaluators posted multiple sub-MOA 5-shot groups. The tightest 100-yard group measured 0.771. Overall length in the default 22-inch barrel configuration is typically around 43.25 inches. The action and bolt are steel (4140 chromoly) with a Cerakote finish, and the barrel may be carbon-fiber wrapped or carbon steel, depending on model choice.
In practical use, shooters praise the ergonomics, bolt smoothness, balance, and aesthetics. One of our reviewers noted the 60-degree bolt throw was an added bonus. The walnut + carbon barrel blend especially appeals to those wanting a “modern classic” look. The primary downside is limited production and premium cost.
In sum, the Cooper Montana Heritage in 6.5 Creedmoor is a highly desirable, premium rifle that combines traditional styling with modern precision performance. It may not be a workhorse budget option, but for those seeking a showpiece that can shoot seriously, it checks many boxes.
WINNER: Bergara B-14 Squared Cima CF
The Bergara B-14 Squared Cima CF .308 Win is a modern, lightweight hunting rifle that blends Bergara’s precision barrels with a carbon-fiber-reinforced sporter chassis for serious field performance. This rifle is the complete hunter’s package, which is why it narrowly beat out some truly fine competitors in Ballistic’s Best Hunting Rifle Roundup.
The model we reviewed ships with a 20-inch CURE carbon-wrapped barrel, threaded 5/8×24 and fitted with Bergara’s Omni muzzle brake—ideal for cutting weight while keeping recoil in check.
The factory twist is 1:10 inches, a good match for the .308’s typical bullet weights, and the action/barrel assembly promises Bergara’s hallmark precision (their barrels are honed for sub-MOA potential). The rifle is drilled and tapped for optics only, and the action accepts an AICS-style detachable magazine—common, serviceable gear for hunters.
Performance wise, this rifle averaged five shots into 1.077 MOA, with the smallest group of Federal Gold Medal Match printing a 0.992-inch cluster.
Physically the B-14 Cima CF is compact and maneuverable: overall length around 40.88 inches with a 20-inch barrel. It weighs 5.8 pounds, making it easy to carry all day. The stock is a molded carbon-fiber RTM sporter design with glass-bedded action and adjustable ergonomics on some variants, giving a trim feel without sacrificing stability.
The Bergara Performance trigger is adjustable and crisp at the factory, and the rifle comes with a 5-round magazine. MSRP for the B-14 Squared Cima CF is listed at$1,750, which positions it as a high-value, modern hunting rig rather than a boutique custom rifle.
In short, the B-14 Squared Cima CF .308 is an excellent option for hunters who want a compact, lightweight rifle with a carbon barrel and proven Bergara accuracy in a field-ready package.
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