Gun Tests has evaluated many bolt-action rifles in various chamberings over the last few years, and we’ve often NOT liked some market favorites because we’re able to shoot several side by side, which shows the deficiencies and strengths of each firearm.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled our Top 10 Centerfire Bolt-Action Rifles in the listicle below. We haven’t tested every rifle or chambering on the market, of course, so we’ll be interested to see which one is your favorite in the comments below, or what cartridges you’d like to see tests of. As always, prices reflect what we paid for the gun at the time of the test. Expect the prices of new or used guns to be different. — Todd Woodard
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Weatherby tried to use the best elements from the very popular Remington 700 design and correct its shortcomings. We think they did a great job on this new rifle line.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Well designed for positional shooting and easily folded for carry. Slightly heavier. Great for shooting from support, it might be a bit harder to carry.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
A hybrid tactical/hunting rifle. Offers an excellent stock with vertical grip, has a smooth-cycling action, is lightweight and accurate. Recoil was mild. Accuracy was less affected as the barrel heated up.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Outstanding accuracy. We loved the stock and the trigger on this great rifle.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Tikka rifles are one of the best production-class rifles and are a serious value. This version doesn’t provide all the features found on the Savage, but it will shoot head-to-head with it on accuracy.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The magnesium chassis and minimalist design combined to provide the lightest package with the best overall accuracy.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Slightly more accurate in our tests than the Christensen Scout, we liked the versatility of the stock. Known for the quality of the Accu-Triggers, this rifle came to us with the best trigger we’ve ever shot on a Savage.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Seldom has a rifle so easily overwhelmed the competition. And good competition at that. The Alpha is very smooth in operation and feeds well. The Alpha proved to be light kicking, accurate, and ergonomic. The CZ Alpha is a good introduction and among the best rifles we have tested in some time.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Offering good accuracy and a good trigger, we thought the rifle’s Accustock provided the best shooting foundation in this test group. The stock’s comb-height inserts and buttpad length-of-pull inserts allow for wide fit customization for many different sizes of shooters.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
A bit heavy for all-day carry in the field, the Tikka Varmint is perfect for a bench or tripod. We find their actions incredibly smooth with great factory triggers.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Winchester XPR 535700208 223 Remington, $640 (Oct-Nov 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Winchester XPR did a great job, especially for what we initially thought might be a more entry-level rifle. This Winchester would be light and handy to carry afield.
Ruger Hawkeye Predator 17122 223 Remington, $1125 (Oct-Nov 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Heavy, but well balanced, the Ruger Hawkeye Predator would be a great choice for the shooter who likes the traditional look of a laminated stock.
Savage Model 110 Varmint 57066 223 Remington, $775 (Oct-Nov 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The Savage 110 Varmint was the most accurate rifle in this test, but we had some problems with its feeding from a magazine, and it had a heavy trigger.
Colt CBX Tac Hunter CBX-SP20PGA-308 308 Winchester, $843 (January 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
We took off part of a grade for an adjustable trigger that didn’t adjust much. Once we were finished being very picky, we thought the Colt CBX shot very well and had some nice features.
Taurus Expedition 3-EXP308181 308 Winchester, $765 (January 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
We really liked the stock on the new Taurus Expedition and how well it was designed to mate up easily with the bipods and tripods. The trigger was great, though we couldn’t get the rifle to group under 1 inch, so we subtracted from the grade.
Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 BAW9247PRCCFGA 7 PRC, $2289 (December 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
This Waypoint 2020 easily beat Springfield’s sub-0.75-MOA pledge. Being extremely picky, we would like to see an adjustable length of pull and a magazine release that was a bit easier to depress.
Christensen Arms MPR 801-03016-00 7 PRC, $2499 (December 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
While the MPR was extremely accurate, the magazine fell out several times while we were shooting from a barricade. Function from all other shooting positions was perfect.
Ruger American Rifle Gen 2 46902 308 Winchester, $620 (August 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
This new generation Ruger American sports an upgrade to its aesthetics, and accuracy was great, as we expected. There was an issue with the magazine that cost this new rifle a letter grade.
Ruger American Ranch Rifle No. 26968 300 BLK, $502 (June 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The Ruger American is a reliable and affordable rifle. It handles well and is accurate enough for most chores. The price differential between the Ruger and the CZ rifle isn’t that great, and the CZ simply outperformed the Ruger. After some work that is rightly classified as elbow-grease gunsmithing, we were able to get the Ruger smoother.
Savage 110 Ultralite 57583 6.5 PRC, $1450 (April 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The 110 Ultralite was lightweight and offered good accuracy. The action was very stiff. Recoil was slightly more than mild. Accuracy deteriorated as the barrel heated up.
Browning X-Bolt Speed LR 035557294 6.5 PRC, $1280 (April 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The X-Bolt had an excellent trigger and a buttery-smooth action. Accuracy was stellar, and recoil quite manageable. Accuracy degraded as the barrel heated up.
Ruger American 6904 243 Winchester, $442 (March 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The most accurate rifle in the group by a narrow margin, the Ruger American performs at a level above what the price would suggest. It was the lightest in this group, so it would carry well. We would have liked for the rifle to have a threaded muzzle for attachment of a brake or suppressor.
Weatherby Vanguard First Lite VFP243NR63 243 Winchester, $923 (March 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Good accuracy with outstanding trigger. Balance was great, easy to carry. Upgrade the stock just a bit, free-float the barrel, and this could easily have been our winner. However, price is a significant downside, costing twice as much as the Ruger.
Stevens Model 334 18839 243 Winchester, $425 (March 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The trigger could be improved, capacity increased, and the lines made a bit more pleasing to the eye. That said, this inexpensive rifle with Turkish walnut furniture shot okay in the beginning and got better as it broke in. If you want a wood stock, then this isn’t a bad pick.
Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT TI 7 PRC, $3300 (November 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
A marvelously light, accurate rifle whose design lends itself well to those who must carry their guns a long way or up steep hills. However, we experienced some feeding difficulties.
Mossberg Patriot Predator 28171 7 PRC, $467 (November 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Also trim and relatively light, the Mossberg showed it was bit pickier about ammo. But it shot the best average groups in this test with what it did like.
Remington 700 Long Range R84158 7 PRC, $1000 (November 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
We wondered if we would be testing a Remington rifle that exhibited any of the problems that have plagued the company.
SIG Sauer Cross 65-18B-FLC 6.5 Creedmoor, $1840 (August 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
This rifle was easy to handle and shot extremely well. It is tailor-made for those who wish to use a suppressor or who must carry it a long way.
Savage Impulse Elite Precision 57888 6.5 Creedmoor, $2059 (August 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We think the Impulse Elite would make a great choice for PRS Production division and the mandated price cap of $2500.
Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 6.5 PRC, $2400 (June 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Great conventional stock with vertical pistol grips. Smooth bolt operation. We liked the little touches like the QD mounts making the rifle easy to sling.
Christensen Arms Model 14 Ridgeline Scout 6 ARC, $2100 (March 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Had an aggregate accuracy result within a hair of the Savage with a product 2 pounds lighter than the Tactical. Price and some modifications that came standard on the Savage pushed it to second place.
Ruger Precision Custom Shop 18084 6.5 Creedmoor, $2419 (August 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The cost reflects the price required to get the bells and whistles to shoot comfortably.
Savage Axis II Precision 57552 6.5 Creedmoor, $999 (August 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Excellent accuracy, a clean-breaking trigger, and a fairly comfortable stock. Needs a brake.
Mossberg MVP Precision Rifle 27962 6.5 Creedmoor, $1509 (August 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The Luth-AR stock is excellent, as is the trigger. Needs a muzzle brake.
Savage Axis II 18819 300 Blackout, $385 (March 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
While not as accurate as its Model 10 and 110 brothers, this Axis II performed well.
CVA Cascade SB CR3914R 300 Blackout, $621 (March 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The most accurate in the test, theCVA Cascade handles well and shoots well.
Tikka T3X Varmint JRTXH312 223 Remington, $999 (November 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The most accurate rifle and perhaps the most versatile, we’d buy the Tikka T3X Varmint.
CVA Cascade CR3907C 350 Legend, $658 (July 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Top-ranked straightwall selection. Outstanding trigger and tons of features. Tied with the Savage M110 Hog Hunter.
Masterpiece Arms MPA BA MPR PRO 6mm Creedmoor, $2499 (April 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Our Pick for this chambering. A heavy, yet graceful beast. The MPA is one of the most popular rifles on the PRS tour.
Christensen Arms Ridgeline 801-06015-00 6.5 PRC, $1793 (January 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Our Pick. Accurate with factory ammo, better with reloads. Carryover winner from Nov. 2020.
CZ Model 527 03019 223 Remington, $785 (November 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The trim receiver allowed the longest barrel, while maintaining a compact OAL. Outstanding trigger.
Ruger Hawkeye Predator 17122 223 Remington, $1359 (November 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
A brushed stainless finish, a gorgeous three-color laminate stock, and a great trigger.
Ruger Precision Rifle 18032 6mm Creedmoor, $1599 (April 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Good accuracy and dependability. We would have liked a crisper trigger and a wide, flat fore end.
Savage M110 Elite Precision 57558 6mm Creedmoor, $1999 (April 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Least accurate with the Federal ammo. Black Hills and Berger ammunition were much better.
Christensen Arms MPR 801-03035-01 6mm Creedmoor, $1799 (April 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Lightest sample in this group, tested for a sport that prefers heavy rifles, and it still almost won.
Savage Arms 110 Hog Hunter 223 Remington, $599 (February 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Oversized bolt, adjustable iron sights, adjustable LOP, a box magazine, and a threaded barrel.
Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 6.5 RPM, $2249 (January 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Beautifully put together, but downrange accuracy wasn’t up to what we saw with other rifles.
Bergara Premier M’tn 2.0 BPR28-65PRC 6.5 PRC, $1999 (November 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
100% carbon-fiber stock and trim 24-inch barrel make this a premier mountain rifle.
Browning X-Bolt Max LR 035438294 6.5 PRC, $1180 (November 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
A little longer and a little heavier than our other rifles. Beanfield rifle rather than a mountain rifle.
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Stainless 535234220 308 Winchester, $951 (April 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Smooth handling, very good accuracy and classical styling.
Remington Model 7 CDL 26423 308 Winchester, $798 (April 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
A nice piece of wood, a good trigger and a compact 20-inch barrel on a rifle that could really shoot.
Tikka T3x Lite Stainless JRTXB316 308 Winchester, $748 (April 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
With a very functional polymer stock, the smoothest bolt in the group of test rifles, and the best out-of-the-box trigger, we really liked this rifle.
Ruger Hawkeye Compact 37139 308 Winchester, $691 (April 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
This rifle has a short length of pull and a 16.5-inch barrel, this could be a great truck gun or an outstanding rifle for a smaller shooter.
