Best Budget Hunting Rifles Tested

Best Value

Winchester XPR SR

See It

Affordable Magnum

Mossberg Patriot Carbine

See It

Best All-Around

Ruger American Gen 2

See It

At Outdoor Life, we appreciate top-end gear and innovation, but we also appreciate value and a good bargain — especially when it comes to budget hunting rifles. Hunting gear is expensive, and flagship model rifles like the Tikka T3X, Weatherby Mark V, Browning X-bolt,  and Nosler M21 will range in price from $800 to $2,000—and that’s without a scope. Although more-expensive rifles typically have appreciable value and quality, it’s bang-for-the-buck that resonates with many hunters. Knowing this, we put the following budget hunting rifles to the test.

My First Budget Hunting Rifle

Budget hunting rifles, affordable hunting rifles, or whatever you want to call them, have really come into their own in the past 20 years. The first one I recall reading about was the Remington Model 710. Economical materials and manufacturing allowed Remington to make and sell a bolt-action big-game rifle with a bore-sighted Bushnell scope for around $350—a fraction of the price of a Model 700 at the time.

The Model 710 was originally introduced in .270 Win. and .30/06, and reviews spoke of good accuracy and great value. I remember this vividly because in the summer of 2001 I was 15, and the image of that rifle in the turnstile at the local Wal-Mart played on repeat in my head. My summer job roguing seed potato fields paid about seven bucks-an-hour and I’d made up my mind to buy that rifle. I opted for the .30/06 and, despite all its ugliness, that rifle bought itself a special place in my heart.

Objectively, the 710 is an underwhelming rifle. One of its original trademarks was an aluminum receiver into which was fitted a nylon sleeve that acted as a bearing surface for the 3-lug bolt. They said that nylon sleeve would never wear out, and boy were they right—it’s as sticky as ever! In cold weather, the bolt feels like it’s been dipped in molasses.

My Model 710 always has had respectable accuracy, and I even used it with some success on coyotes with accelerator rounds I handloaded on a Lee Classic Loader. The following year, it came to Alaska with me, and it’s taken moose, bears, caribou, and several Dall sheep. Just for grins, I shot a caribou with it last October.

I’ve been a budget hunting rifle guy from the beginning, and many of them are perfectly capable hunting rifles in the right hands. After 20 years, budget hunting rifles have come a long way, and we think they deserve some attention too. So, here’s the skinny on four of the most popular budget hunting rifles on the market today.

Testing Budget Hunting Rifles

Despite their low price tags, we expect budget rifles to be accurate, reliable, and durable enough to rely on. Many hunters don’t mind a lack of finesse or features as long as a rifle can succeed in those categories. We test budged hunting rifles with the same protocol we apply to the finest precision rifle — both in accuracy and handling testing. To gather our accuracy data we shoot from bench top or prone supported positions, but also spend time firing each rifle from different field and improvised positions. We load mags fully to test cycling and function and make note of any positive, negative, or otherwise interesting handling characteristics.

Accuracy of Budget Hunting Rifles

There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding the accuracy of hunting rifles—especially budget hunting rifles. It’s common to see hunters boasting about the accuracy of their rifles, and claims of sub-inch, half-inch, and quarter-inch guns are thrown around like beads at Mardi Gras. Few rifles can produce that level of accuracy consistently, and it is beyond the capability of almost any budget rifle to do so. Even more misleading are claims that budges rifles are just as accurate as premium guns. This is generally not true.

The key to understanding a rifle’s realistic level of precision — whether that’s a budget rifle or a custom precision rig — is to use valid sample sizes. The OL gun team previously used average size of many five-shot groups to describe a rifle’s accuracy but, as pointed out by the Hornady crew in their podcast episode Your Groups Are Too Small, that doesn’t give us enough resolution to really see what the gun does. For example, we might be tempted to call a rifle that normally prints three shots under under one MOA at 100 yards a one-inch gun. But the truth is that when you use a valid sample size, it’s cone of fire will be much larger than one inch. It’s valuable for comparison too. A budget rifle that averages 5-shot groups of 1.2 inches might not seem that different than a more expensive gun that averages .9-inch groups. When we up the sample size to a 20-shot composite group size, considering mean radius — read more about mean radius here — we get a clearer picture both of the gun’s capability and how it compares to others.

While we will still present average 5-shot group size data, what you should really be paying attention to is the 20-shot data. You can learn more from a 20-shot sample compiled from four five-shot groups than you can from an average of many more five-shot group sizes. As we test new budget rifles and gather more valid data for rifles we’ve already tested, we will include it on our coverage.

Read More: How to Compile 20-Shot Groups from 5-Shot Groups

Best Budget Hunting Rifles: Reviews and Recommendations

Ruger American Gen 2

Accuracy

20-shot Accuracy Data:

Ruger American Specs

• Cartridge Tested: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Capacity: 3+1, detachable single-stack magazine
• Action: 3-lug bolt
• Stock: Synthetic, Gray, drizzle painted
• Weight: 6 pounds, 2 ounces
• Trigger: Adjustable, 4 pounds, 2 ounces (measured)
• Barrel: 20 inches, alloy steel, 1:8 RH twist, Gray Cerakote
• Length: 41.5 inches (with muzzle brake
• Optics: Single-piece rail installed
• Price: $580

Affordable Accuracy

The Ruger American is one of the most popular budget hunting rifles for a reason. Ruger has a reputation for producing dependable firearms, and the American is often lauded for its accuracy. The Ruger American Gen 2, introduced in late 2023, continues to uphold that reputation, bringing the customer an even better rifle.

The Gen 2 rifle has several key improvements over the original American. The most significant is a more rigid synthetic stock with improved grip panels that’s also adjustable for length of pull and includes a removable cheek riser. Next is an agressively fluted barrel that, along with the receiver, is finished in a tungsten gray Cerakote. Another nice feature is the use of AI style magazines, and I found mine to work well with polymer MDT AICS magazines. Bolt machine work is cleaner on this new gen American, and the bolt has a replaceable bolt handle. Finally, the barrel is shortened to 20 inches on the 6.5 Creedmoor version and threaded 5/8-24. This makes it ideal for a suppressor, but it does come with a radial muzzle brake installed.

The more robust stock material is nice, and you’re not as likely to get contact with the free-floated barrel when shooting from a bipod or improvised rest as you might with some other budget rifles.

I’ve tested three of the Gen 2 American rifles in total, and all three have been good shooters. The Predator model in 22 ARC has been most impressive, with 20-shot group sizes under an inch using factory 75- and 88-grain loads — that’s superb. The standard model in 6.5 creedmoor is a great shooter for the money, and certainly the best all-around budget-priced hunting rifle i’ve tested.

Winchester XPR SR

Accuracy

20-Shot Accuracy Data:

Winchester XPR Specs

• Cartridge Tested: 6.5 CM
• Capacity: 3+1, detachable single-stack magazine
• Action: 3-lug bolt
• Stock: Black synthetic
• Weight: 6 pounds, 12 ounces
• Trigger: 4 pounds, 1 ounce (measured)
• Barrel: 22 inches, steel, Perma-Cote finish
• Length: 42 inches
• Optics: Drilled and tapped receiver
• Price: $546

A Working Man’s Workhorse

Of all the budget hunting rifles, the Winchester XPR is one that I’ve had the most experience with. I shot my first whitetail with an XPR chambered in .300 WSM, and I’ve got one in 6.5 CM that has killed 7 Dall rams and north of a dozen caribou. In fact, the farthest shot I’ve made on a Dall ram was with that rifle at 465 yards. I can say with confidence that the XPR is one of the highest quality budget hunting rifles that I’ve used. The SR (suppressor ready) version adds even more value and versatility to the platform considering the popularity of suppressors. It offers some of the best all-around features and performance for the price.

The XPR is built around a 3-lug bolt that is very similar in appearance to the Ruger American’s bolt—but the bolt body is longer and larger in diameter. The 3-lug bolt allows for a short 60-degree throw that’s quick and crisp. The bolt is nicely finished with an absence of tool marks that you’ll see on some other budget hunting rifles. The rear of the bolt is covered with a polymer shroud that jiggles around even when the bolt is in battery, but functionally, it makes no difference. Around the bolt is a thick-walled tubular steel receiver.

The XPR is fed by a single-stack polymer magazine that protrudes slightly from the stock when fully seated. If there’s a downside to the XPR, it’s ammunition capacity. The .308 and 6.5 CM models only holds three rounds in the magazine while other models hold four or five. The magazines are easy to load and function very well—I can’t recall ever having a stoppage with the XPR.

The barrel and receiver of the XPR have a matte black finish, but it’s a weather-resistant coating rather than a traditional blued finish. The butt of the synthetic stock can be loud when scraping against brush, but overall, the stock is very durable with a rigid fore-end, good grip texturing, and a nice recoil pad.

The safety on the XPR sits along the starboard side of the bolt’s rear shroud. The safety is a little gritty and loud, but a nice feature of the XPR is a small button forward of the safety that allows the shooter to open the bolt while the safety is engaged. The Winchester XPR is the only rifle in this set that has a bolt-locking safety—and that can be very handy when carrying the rifle in your pack or any time the bolt might be inadvertently opened. It’s also nice to have the option of overriding it when necessary.

Read Next: The M1 Garand, the Greatest Generation’s Service Rifle

Read Next: The Ruger Mark IV Tactical: A Tactical Twist on a Classic .22 Pistol

Over the years, I’ve found the XPR’s to be generally accurate and dependable in inclement weather and sub-zero conditions. The .350 Legend XPR Stealth was exceptionally accurate. My XPR in 6.5 Creedmoor is accurate enough for any hunting I might do with it, and really liked both the Hornady Precision Hunter and Federal Fusion Tipped loads.

Accuracy

20-Shot Accuracy Data:

Mossberg Patriot Predator Specs

• Cartridge Tested: 7mm PRC
• Capacity: 3+1, detachable double-stack magazine
• Action: 2-lug bolt, fluted
• Stock: Synthetic, Black
• Weight: 6 pounds, 14 ounces
• Trigger: Adjustable, 2 pounds, 7 ounces (measured)
• Barrel: 20 inches, threaded 5/8-24
• Length: 41.5 inches
• Optics: Single-piece rail installed
• Price: $429

An Affordable Magnum

The Mossberg Patriot is one of the best budget hunting rifles out there. The new Patriot Carbine, which I tested in 7mm PRC, is a really affordable magnum that follows the current trend of using shorter suppressor-ready barrels. These shorter barrels accommodate the attachment of a hunting suppressor without making the overall length of the gun obscene. it’s got a pretty basic black synthetic stock that has grippy texturing molded into the fore-end and pistol grip. The soft recoil pad helps make the 7mm PRC recoil really manageable and, on non-magnum chamberings, the Mossberg Patriot rifles are pleasant to shoot. A common characteristic of budget rifles, the fore-end of the stock is too flexible for my liking, and it’s easy to get barrel contact which doesn’t help accuracy.

Like other Patriod models, the Carbine features a detachable double-stack box magazine that can be loaded from the top through the ejection port, and comes with a one-piece Picatinny optic rail installed. The bolt is fluted and has an oversized handle that’s helpful for running the bolt quick. In general, bolt operation is pretty clunky, and working the bolt to chamber a round sounds a bit like charging a Ma Deuce. That’s partly due to the thin-walled magazine amplifying sound, but it’s not quiet or slick. That said, I had no reliability or cycling issues with the rifle.

The Patriot Carbine has a two-position M700-style safety and Mossberg lighting adjustable trigger. One nice thing about budget rifle triggers like these is that they’re generally much better than production rifle triggers a couple decades ago. The trigger on my test sample broke cleanly at two pounds, seven ounces.

Accuracy

20-Shot Accuracy Data:

Remington 783 Specs

• Cartridge Tested: .308 Win.
• Capacity: 4+1, detachable single-stack magazine
• Action: 2-lug bolt
• Stock: Black synthetic
• Weight: 7 pounds, 12 ounces
• Trigger: adjustable, 4 pounds, 5 ounces (measured)
• Barrel: 22 inches, steel, matte black finish
• Length: 42.25 inches
• Optics: Drilled and tapped receiver
• Price: $409

Since bankruptcy and reformation, RemArms has gotten the Model 783 rifle into production and distribution. You might remember, from above, my sentimental attachment to my Remington Model 710. The 783 is Remington’s budget-priced hunting rifle, and in some ways it’s better than the old 710. The action, for starters is a lot smoother. The sleeved aluminum receiver was very sticky, but the 783 uses a steel tubular receiver with a two-lug bolt that’s more similar to the M700 than the 710. It has a sliding claw extractor and single plunger ejector, and the bolt head is removable. Though not meant to be readily interchangeable, this feature is likely to aid in production efficiency.

The bolt handle is cast, and somewhat difficult to manipulate smoothly. The handle is flat and thin, and I don’t care for it that much. The synthetic stock has modern lines and is more rigid than a lot of budget- and mid-priced rifle stocks, and it has molded-in sling swivel studs and trigger guard. The fore-end isn’t too flexible, and I like the width and contour, but it is a bit noisy — mine has a loose piece of plastic rattling around in it.

Fit and finish overall is a little rough, and things like a less pot-metal-looking bolt shroud would go a long way for the 783. That being said, it’s a very affordable rifle that would suit many hunters’ needs just fine. Accuracy isn’t stellar, and is at the looser end of the budget rifle spectrum, but it’s still good enough for most hunting applications.

Stevens 334 Walnut

Accuracy

Average 5-Shot Group Size: 1.233 inches (37 groups)

Stevens 334 Walnut Specs

• Caliber: .308 Win.
• Capacity: 3+1, detachable double-stack magazine
• Action: 3-lug bolt
• Stock: Wood, Turkish Walnut
• Weight: 7 pounds, 12 ounces
• Trigger: Adjustable, 5 pounds, 12 ounces (measured)
• Barrel: 20 inches, carbon steel, 1:10 twist
• Length: 41.25 inches
• Optics: Single-piece Picatinny rail installed
• Price: $430

The Stevens 334 Walnut is a deserving add-on to this round-up of budget-friendly hunting rifles. It was announced at SHOT show early in 2023, and we secured one chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor for our 2023 Outdoor Life gun test. We had meager expectations for the walnut-stocked Turkish import, but it blew us away. Despite a simply awful trigger, the rifle proved to be quite accurate, and shone bright in our handling drills and field position shooting. We are always rooting for the bargain gun. This one gave us smiles.

Our results seemed too good to be true, so later this year, I secured a 334 Walnut chambered in .308 Winchester to test myself. You can read the full review here. The conclusion is that the second sample held up to even more intense scrutiny. Given its humble price tag, the 334 Walnut is an excellent budget rifle.

Iron and Wood

The Stevens 334 is available in both walnut and synthetic versions—the walnut being a bit more expensive. The tolerances and checkering on the wood look good, though the finish might not be as durable as that of a premium wood stock. It has a flattened fore-end that mates well with a bipod or shooting bag, and the rubber recoil pad features a hardened plastic plate on the top corner to prevent snagging when shouldering the rifle. The stock isn’t a custom fit, but it has an aluminum block that the recoil lug sits in, and the barrel is fully floated.

The three-lug action is slick and easy to operate, though some users might find the style and location of the three-position safety awkward. The receiver and barrel have a simple matte finish, and the bolt has a stainless finish.

My Stevens 334 in .308 delivered good accuracy with hunting ammunition, averaging 1.4-inch 5-shot groups, and it showed stellar accuracy potential with match ammunition, averaging under an inch with two different match loads. The best was Freedom Munitions Pro Match 155-grain BTHP, which averaged .889 inches over 5 5-shot groups. This rifle is far-and-above more accurate than almost any other budget rifle i’ve tested.

Accuracy

Average Group Size: 1.902 inches (13 groups)

Savage Axis Specs

• Cartridge Tested: .308 Win.
• Capacity: 4+1, detachable double-stack magazine
• Action: 2-lug bolt
• Stock: Black synthetic
• Weight: 6 pounds, 5 ounces
• Trigger: 5 pounds, 15 ounces (measured)
• Barrel: 22 inches, carbon steel, 1:10 RH twist
• Length: 42.5 inches
• Optics: Drilled and tapped receiver
• Price: $395

Nuts and Bolts of the Savage Axis

The Savage Axis was the most affordable rifle in this lineup, and I bought mine—a left-handed model—for just under $400 here in Fairbanks, Alaska. I’m not a lefty, but that’s what I could find. The Axis does a great job at representing what a budget hunting rifle should be. It’s very affordable and remarkably accurate for the price. The quality of materials and handling of the Axis are way beyond that of my old Remington 710—for not much more than I paid for the 710 over 20 years ago.

The Axis is popular, and more affordable than Savage’s flagship Model 110 series. It uses similar steel detachable magazines as some M110’s but has a tubular receiver with an ejection port. The 22-inch barrel is threaded into the receiver and held in-place with a barrel nut. Under the hood, the Axis is fitted with a simple trigger and doesn’t have a recoil lug. Instead, there is a notch on the bottom-front of the receiver that nestles onto a recoil lug tab that’s embedded into the stock.

The rifle has a jointed two-lug bolt that features forward lugs that rotate 90 degrees to lock up, and stationary lugs immediately behind them that stay in the receiver raceway. Behind that is a spring washer, followed by the rest of the bolt body.

A Flexible Stock

The stock on the Axis is my least favorite of the test group, but Savage has made some improvements to their synthetic stocks in recent years. The Axis’s stock is slender with modern lines, and a comfortable grip. It shoulders and functions well, but the fore-end is more flexible than I like. I can slide a dollar bill with some resistance between the barrel and fore-end, but the inletting is uneven—a typical trait of these stocks.

The receiver of this budget hunting rifle comes drilled and tapped for scope bases but doesn’t include any. You’ll want to make sure to get the correct bases. Even on the short action model, simple Savage-pattern bases like the Weaver No. 46 will fit on the rifle but are too far apart for mounting scopes like the Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10×50 or the Leupold VX Freedom 4-12X40. I used Warne Vapor 2-piece bases.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

There is an argument to be made for saving your pennies for the best hunting rifle you can possibly afford. But there will always be a place and demand for budget-priced rifles too. They can accomplish most of the tasks that we need a rifle to handle, and do it at a much more modest price. Most hunters, in fact, would be better off purchasing a budget-priced rifle and spending a lot more on ammunition and time practicing than they would be buying a premium “dialed-i”n setup. We need to keep realistic expectations about budget rifle performance, but fact is, they are better than they’ve ever been.

 

The Best Deer Hunting Rifles

The OL editors pick the best deer hunting rifles on the market.