Let’s face it—choosing a hunting rifle is a personal decision. It’s not just about specs or brand names. It’s about trust, comfort, and knowing your rifle will perform when it counts. Whether you’re a weekend hunter chasing whitetail or a seasoned backcountry trekker after elk, the right rifle becomes an extension of you. After years of real-world use, range time, and actual hunting, here are nine of the best hunting rifles to look at in 2025, across a range of prices, styles, and requirements.
9. Weatherby Vanguard – A Reliable Classic
Consider the Vanguard to be the no-frills workhorse in your toolkit. It’s a tank-built rifle featuring a rugged synthetic stock and Cerakote coating that will withstand wet, cold, or nasty weather. Though its design does stem from the Howa 1500, it also has its own personality and good accuracy. It’s not flashy—but it gets the job done every time, and that’s all that truly matters in the wild.
8. Bergara B-14 Ridge – Virtually Silent Excellence
This rifle is not the loudest mouth in the room, but it’s certainly one of the most reliable. With its smooth action, tight trigger, and well-crafted barrel, the B-14 Ridge is on target and will shoot right out of the box. It doesn’t attempt to revolutionize the wheel—it simply does its job, and does it effectively. Take it on a few hunts and it’ll likely be your new favorite.
7. CVA Cascade – Excellent Performance, Improved Price
The Cascade demonstrates that good things come to those who wait, or those on a budget. It shares major design traits with much pricier rifles, delivering smooth action, reliable accuracy, and a rock-solid build. Choose the Cerakote version for added protection from the elements. Great introduction for new hunters or an excellent backup rifle for experienced shooters.
6. Sako S20 Hunter – Sleek, Modular, and Extremely Accurate
Sako introduces a sleek mix of contemporary aesthetics and top-shelf performance with the S20 Hunter. The ergonomics are simply superb—partially due to its thumbhole stock—and the modularity allows you to tailor it to your shooting technique. If you are looking for a rifle that feels wonderful in the hands and hits precisely where you aim, this is it.
5. Springfield 2020 Waypoint – Futuristic Shape, Custom-Level Function
With its carbon-fiber stock and futuristic looks, the 2020 Waypoint is a head-turner. But it’s more than just appearance—it has actual performance to back it up. Crafted with care, its sub-MOA accuracy promise is true, and many shooters have seen even better results.
The action is silky smooth, and the setup feels top-of-the-line from end to end. It’s a rifle that feels like a custom setup without the typical wait of the custom shop.
4. Sig Cross – Light, Foldable, and Surprisingly Versatile
If you enjoy shooting a lot of distance—or want a rifle that’s equally comfortable on range days as it is for hunts at high altitude—the Sig Cross gets the job done. It’s light, adjustable, and folds up to a small footprint to make it easy to haul around. All in all, it might look tactical, but it’s a serious hunting rifle at its core with consistent accuracy and ergonomics that are a pleasure to shoot all day long.
3. Tikka T3x Lite/Superlite – The Smooth Operator
The Tikka T3x has earned a reputation for offering one of the smoothest bolt actions available. Whatever you choose between the Lite and Superlite models, you’ll find tight tolerances, consistent accuracy, and a trouble-free trigger.
The recoil pad might be a bit softer, and the stock a bit stiffer—but those are minimal sacrifices for such a light and reliable rifle that shoots well under all circumstances.
2. Ruger American Gen 2 – The Daily Champion
Don’t let the price tag fool you. The second-generation Ruger American delivers features typically seen on rifles nearly twice the cost. With its fluted barrel, Cerakote finish, improved stock, and reliable action, it’s a great choice for beginners and budget-conscious hunters alike. It consistently shoots tight groups at 100 yards and holds up well under rugged conditions. This rifle proves that value and performance aren’t mutually exclusive.
1. Custom Tikka Build – Tailor-Made Excellence
If you’re the kind of hunter who likes to fine-tune every part of your gear, starting with a Tikka T3x and customizing from there is a rewarding route. Pair a high-end barrel with an upgraded trigger and drop it into a lightweight chassis, and you’ll end up with a rifle that competes with or outperforms much more expensive factory options.
The outcome is a custom precision rifle constructed just as you desire—and still frequently less expensive than many “premium” versions sitting on the shelf.
From budget-friendly workhorses to deluxe custom constructs, the rifles out in 2025 are more varied, better, and more innovative than ever before.
Whether you appreciate lightweight build, precision accuracy, or simply a trusty companion for your next adventure, there’s something on this list that will fit your niche. The ultimate rifle isn’t always the prettiest—it’s the one you feel comfortable carrying and can depend on to hit true in the wild.