Hunting rifles are designed to serve a wide range of applications for pursuing game both big and small, and that’s why they come in such a wide assortment of flavors — pump actions, lever actions, single shots and MSRs, to name a few. But, perhaps, none are more popular than the bolt action. This tried-and-true platform made its first appearance in the early 1800s, and was quickly embraced as an effective and trustworthy infantry gun by armies worldwide. The combination of this durable and reliable action and centerfire cartridges allowed soldiers to sustain a high rate of lethal fire — something they couldn’t achieve with the muzzleloaders common to the period. By World War I, all Western nations had adopted the bolt-action rifle as the foot soldier’s instrument of war.
The attributes of these fine firearms — superior accuracy, reduced weight, fast rate of fire, controlled loading — were not lost on hunters, especially those who came home from war having fought with and even slept with these trusty rifles. And even with the rise in popularity of the AR-platform rifle for hunting — the guns modern-day warriors are most familiar with — the bolt action remains the choice of a good many hunters. But be aware, savvy salesperson: Many potential customers are brand loyal, which means if you don’t have what they want, they might very well take their money elsewhere. And that’s why it’s uber important to stock a wide selection of makes and models — to assure that no serious firearms shopper leaves your store or clicks off your website without making a purchase.
Make no mistake: While gun sales have softened somewhat in recent years, there is still a strong desire to own quality hunting rifles. So be sure you’re locked and loaded to capitalize on this market by stocking the latest and greatest in the bolt-action firearms category. Here are a dozen top-shelf examples your gun-buying crowd will want to check out when they come knocking on your storefront door or visit your website.
Benelli Lupo HPR
The Lupo HPR Bolt-Action Rifle from Benelli takes precision long-range shooting to new heights in a platform that is comfortably suited for big-game hunting — guaranteed to deliver five-shot ¾-MOA performance. To achieve this level of accuracy, the Lupo HPR addresses both the “hard” and the “soft” mechanics. The hard mechanics center on the rifle’s free-floating, heavy-contour, straight-fluted Crio barrel. Assisting the barrel’s accuracy enhancements is a robust receiver fitted with a stout, three-lug sculpted bolt featuring a quick 60-degree bolt throw. As for the soft mechanics, an all-new stock system developed specifically for the Lupo HPR takes many of the features typically found in a long-range precision chassis rifle system and employs them in a platform more suited to the hunter. MSRP: $2,949. www.benelliusa.com
Christensen Arms Evoke
The new-for-2024 Christensen Arms Evoke is the riflemaker’s first sub-$1,000 bolt-action rifle, making it an ideal onramp for those who aren’t familiar with Christensen’s quality and performance. Obviously, at this price point this isn’t a carbon fiber rifle; it has a 416R stainless-steel suppressor-ready barrel with an RFR-style brake and synthetic stock. But it has a lot of shooter-friendly features, such as a proprietary Christensen Arms action with a six-lug bolt and 60-degree bolt throw, detachable magazine, hybrid grip angle, premium adjustable trigger, integrated Picatinny rail, swivel sling studs and adjustable cheek riser and optics-ready base on select models. The rifle comes in four configurations, all of which feature CA’s sub-MOA guarantee and lifetime warranty. MSRP: Starting at $898.99.www.christensenarms.com
Faxon Firearms FX7 Pershing Bolt Action
Meticulously designed and crafted, the FX7 Pershing Rifle from Faxon Firearms redefines the standards of accuracy and durability in the world of precision firearms. These rifles find their home in an MDT/Faxon Firearms co-branded rifle chassis, accompanied by an MDT Skeleton stock finished in a gray Cerakote. Equipped with a honed and lapped 416-R 5R button rifled stainless-steel barrel and chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, the FX7 features a 70-degree bolt lift, integrated recoil lug, 20 MOA Picatinny rail and six-lug configuration arranged in two rings of three. It is compatible with Remington 700 short-action stocks and chassis systems, is equipped with a Triggertech Rem. 700 primary trigger and accepts AICS and AW magazines. MSRP: $2,600. www.faxonfirearms.com
Franchi Momentum Elite
The Momentum Elite, Franchi’s headliner bolt-action rifle for discerning big-game hunters, is now available in .30-06 Springfield and .450 Bushmaster chamberings, sporting a 22-inch free-float barrel dressed in Midnight Bronze Cerakote paired with a True Timber Strata camo Evolved Ergonom-X stock. Franchi Momentum series rifles feature an exceptional ergonomic fit, precision manufacturing and factory-guaranteed 1 MOA accuracy when used with premium ammunition. Franchi engineers developed the Ergonom-X stock for comfort and fit, making it the perfect bridge between the shooter and the barreled action. Additional features include the crisp and adjustable Relia trigger group, one-piece Dependa bolt with its short 60-degree throw, a free-floating, cold-hammer-forged chrome-molybdenum barrel, removable muzzle brake and TSA recoil pad. MSRP: $999. www.franchiusa.com
Howa Hera H7 Bolt-Action
Shooting enthusiasts will not want to miss Legacy Sports International’s addition to its firearms lineup, the Howa Hera H7. This affordable bolt-action rifle comes chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win., sporting three different color options — Tan, OD Green and Black — and is equipped with a modern and easy-to-use Howa short-action chassis system. Made from fiberglass-reinforced polymer, with aluminum V-block bedding and an aluminum fore-stock, this stock system comes with two spacers, a polymer cheek piece support and two AICS-compatible five-round magazines. The H7 stock system also has M-Lok mount points for attaching accessories. The Hera H7 is available with three different barrel options: 24-inch heavy, 24-inch carbon-wrapped and 22-inch standard. MSRP: $749-$1,219. www.legacysports.com
Mossberg Patriot LR Hunter
The Mossberg Patriot LR (long range) Hunter is available in four popular hunting calibers — .308 Win., 6.5mm Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC and .300 Win. Mag. It is based on Mossberg’s twin-lug, push-feed machined-steel action and features a standard contour, free-floating barrel with an 11-degree match crown with straight-edge fluting and is threaded for the addition of a suppressor. Its button-rifled barrel is constructed of carbon steel with a matte blue finish, and a top-mounted Picatinny rail accommodates mounting and repositioning optics. Completing the standard features of this classic bolt action are an oversized bolt handle, Mossberg’s Lightning 2- to 7-pound user-adjustable trigger and a stock designed for comfort and stability in the field or at the range. MSRP: $847. www.mossberg.com
Savage 110 Pro Pursuit
Designed with “Farming the Wild” host Mike Robinson and crafted for those who spend time chasing wild game, this specialized Savage Model 110 seamlessly blends precision and reliability to meet the demands of serious hunters. With nine carefully selected calibers and a 20-inch Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped stainless-steel barrel, it strikes the ideal balance between stopping power and accuracy. The lightweight Grayboe Phoenix 2 stock, fashioned from high-grade, weather-resistant materials, offers both durability and comfort, its ergonomic design accommodating diverse shooting positions. Other key features include an M-Lok bottom rail on the forend, lightweight stainless-steel receiver with Magpul OD Green Cerakote coating, one-piece flush AICS-style magazine frame and trigger guard, knurled bolt knob and much more. MSRP: $2,399.www.savagearms.com
Seekins Precision Havak Slam
Seekins Precision’s new Havak Slam Bolt-Action Rifle features the firearms maker’s proven Element barreled action mated to its new Slam hunting chassis — made from skeletonized aerospace-grade aluminum wrapped in hand-laid carbon fiber. The Havak Slam is a purpose-built rifle developed for extreme hunting environments that sacrifices exactly nothing. Key features include spiral-fluted 5R 416 stainless-steel Cerakote black barrel, TriggerTech Diamond trigger, anodized armorer black action, integrated recoil lug, 20 MOA rail, M16-style extractor, four locking lugs, 90-degree bolt throw and much more. Short-action models of this rifle start at only half an ounce over 5 pounds and come chambered in 6.5 PRC and .308 Win. A long-action version comes chambered in 7 PRC. MSRP: $4,650.www.seekinsprecition.com
Sig Sauer Cross-Magnum Sawtooth
Sig Sauer’s Cross-Magnum Sawtooth combines the one-piece Cross-Magnum receiver with a 24-inch Proof Research carbon fiber precision barrel to deliver lightweight performance and extreme accuracy in a high-country bolt-action hunting rifle. It is available in 7 PRC and .300 PRC calibers and features an ultra-light fully adjustable PRS stock, lightweight ARCA handguard with dual sling points and a Cerakote Moss finish. Other key components include a stainless-steel heavy profile radial brake that reduces felt recoil by up to 45 percent and a 2.5- to 4-pound adjustable match trigger. Every rifle ships with its sub-MOA target in the box. The Cross-Magnum Sawtooth weighs 8.5 pounds with the magazine. MAP: $2,699.99. www.sigsauer.com
Springfield Armory 2020 Waypoint Long Action
Springfield Armory’s Model 2020 Long-Action Rifles are precision manufactured in the USA, each one built to deliver exceptional accuracy and performance — with an impressive .75 MOA accuracy guarantee. The Cerakote finished action features an integral recoil lug and is machined from pre-hardened stainless steel with EDM cut raceways. The fluted bolt can be disassembled without tools and employs dual cocking cams. Other key features include a premium, hand-painted, 100 percent carbon fiber stock by AG Composites hand-painted in Ridgeline or Evergreen camo and the choice of carbon fiber or stainless-steel barrels. The Waypoint’s TriggerTech trigger features a low-profile, non-snag safety and employs the company’s Frictionless Release technology — adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds. Available in six popular hunting calibers. MSRP: $2,173-$2,670.
Stag Arms Pursuit
The Stag Pursuit Bolt-Action Rifle is the start of a new line of user customizable lightweight precision hunting rifles. With a completely custom Remington 700-pattern design and a tri-lug bolt, the rifle features an incredibly smooth action and 60-degree throw for lightning-quick follow-up shots. The chassis is a three-part modular design, enabling modification and customization with new stocks and handguards that will completely change the look and application of the rifle. The Pursuit’s barrel is made from 416 stainless steel with an interchangeable Picatinny rail. The rifle comes chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win., 18-, 20- and 22-inch Sporter fluted barrels and three finishes: Black, OD or Tan. MSRP: $1,899.99. www.stagarms.com
Weatherby Model 307 Alpine CT
An addition to the Weatherby Model 307 family of bolt-action rifles, the Alpine CT features a carbon fiber stock. The Model 307 is a two-lug design equipped with an M-16 style extractor for smooth and reliable cycling. The bolt has a unique toolless disassembly feature that makes it easy to break down for cleaning and field maintenance. The action’s cylindrical design accommodates Stiller/Savage scope mounts and comes equipped with Peak 44’s Picatinny rail . It sports a Peak 44 Bastion stock that weighs just 24 ounces and a rigid BSF 416R stainless-steel barrel sleeved with carbon fiber. The Alpine CT comes with an externally adjustable TriggerTech trigger and recoil reducing Accubrake DST. The metal work has a durable Cerakote coating. MSRP: $2,199. www.weatherby.com
