Choosing a hunting rifle is more than selecting a product you enjoy or that looks cool—it’s about finding a gun you can rely on in the field. Reliability, accuracy, and how well it suits your style of hunting are most important. Chasing elk in the mountains or needing something light for deer season, there are plenty of good choices out there. Having sifted through field testing, expert reviews, and hands-on experience with these rifles, here’s a countdown of today’s greatest hunting rifles—each one bringing something unique to the table.
9. Citadel Levtac-92 – Tactical Lever-Action Flexibility
Believe lever-action rifles are relegated to the Old West? The Citadel Levtac-92 says otherwise. It takes an old design and gives it a modern tactical spin with M-LOK slots, a 16.5-inch threaded barrel, and a lightweight synthetic stock.
Available in .357 Mag., .44 Mag., 45LC, and .410 Gauge, it’s built for versatility—whether you’re running a suppressor for hog hunts or adding a green light for night work. While it’s not the last word in long-range precision, its ability to take modern accessories and its budget-friendly price make it a great lever gun for today’s hunter.
8. Henry Classic .22 LR – Affordable Precision for Small Game
When it comes to plinking or casual small game hunting, the Henry Classic .22 LR is hard to match. At slightly more than five pounds with a 15+1 capacity, it’s fun to carry into the woods or bring to the backyard range. The blued receiver and American walnut stock provide a classic appearance, while the action is as slick as silk. Along with the proper ammo and a decent scope, it can shoot one-inch groups at 50 yards—a miracle for a rifle priced under $400.
7. Winchester Model 94 Trails End Takedown – The Timeless .30-30
The Winchester Model 94 is a legend, and the Trails End Takedown model continues the tradition while incorporating contemporary convenience. Chambered in .30-30 Win., it’s immediately iconic and carries a hunting heritage dating back more than a century.
Takedown configuration makes it simpler to carry and clean, and hammer-block tang safety provides a contemporary safety feature without sacrificing its old-school appeal. Others might call the .30-30 antiquated, but its popularity in the deer woods says all it needs to.
6. Weatherby Vanguard – Rugged Reliability and Accuracy
The Weatherby Vanguard may not always share the limelight, but it’s designed to deliver. Fitted with the tried and true Howa 1500 action, it has a rugged synthetic stock, Cerakoted barrel for battle against the elements, and sub-MOA accuracy straight out of the box. With an abundance of chambering choices, it’s just as at home stalking whitetail as slaying elk in the high country.
5. Bergara B-14 Ridge – The Quiet Performer
Bergara’s B-14 Ridge is not flashy, but it performs when it counts. Smooth cycling, tough barrel, and reliable performance year in and year out—this is a rifle you can trust to get the job done season after season.
The trigger is sharp, the construction is tough, and though its aesthetic is unassuming, the Ridge is designed for hunters who don’t want frills, just facts.
4. Tikka T3x Superlite – The Light Weight Workhorse
If ounces count in your backpack, the Tikka T3x Superlite is difficult to ignore. Its action is one of the smoothest around, and the rifle’s modular design means it’s simple to swap out new barrels, stocks, or triggers. Recoil can be slightly stiffer with magnum cartridges because of the light stock, but its accuracy and dependability more than compensate.
3. Sako S20 Hunter – Accuracy and Versatility
The Sako S20 Hunter is designed for hunters who need one rifle to do everything. Its thumbhole stock and modular design enable it to adapt quickly from hunting to target shooting.
With outstanding accuracy-even with mass-produced ammunition-the S20 feels just as comfortable in the field as on the target range, and it’s designed to grow with your needs.
2. Sig Cross – Next-Gen Engineering, Maximum Adjustability
The Sig Cross combines the accuracy of a chassis rifle with the portability hunters demand. Its folding stock, light weight, and sub-MOA accuracy make it an ideal choice for backcountry hunts or constricted areas. Short overall length provides easy carry, yet retains the accuracy to take shots at distance with confidence.
1. Ruger American Gen 2 – The Greatest Value Modern Hunting Rifles
Coming in first is the Ruger American Gen 2—a rifle that proves you don’t have to break the bank to receive serious performance. With a Cerakote finish, spiral-fluted barrel, adjustable stock, and reliable feeding, it includes features you’d find on rifles priced double its current price point. Its accuracy stands out, and the modular design allows you to adjust it for any hunt.
From heritage-rich lever guns to high-tech precision rifles, today’s hunting market offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for tradition, innovation, or pure value, there’s a rifle here that’s ready to become your go-to in the field.