Best Long Range Rifle: Features, Price, Pros, And Cons
Accuracy over long range is key in long range rifle shooting. That’s true whether you’re a hunter, a hobbyist or amateur competitive marksman. You know that in order to succeed you need the best tool for the job.
Though for most tasks almost any rifle will do, when you’re shooting over long distances you need a rifle designed for that purpose. Just take a look at some of the best long range rifles on the market today.
Contents
Comparison Table
|
Best Long Range Rifle |
Price |
Warranty |
|---|---|---|
Ruger Precision Rifle |
Check Price! | Ruger does not offer a warranty |
Bergara B-14 HMR |
Check Price! | Limited lifetime warranty |
RISE Armament 1121XR |
Check Price! | Lifetime warranty |
Savage Model 10 GRS |
Check Price! | One-year warranty |
Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon SPEED |
Check Price! | One-year, limited warranty |
Product FAQ
1. What Is Long Range Shooting?
Long range is a term with a variety of definitions; however, most understand it to mean a shot at a target over 500 yards away. However long range shooting could be in any situation, and hunters do shoot over large distances especially when hunting big game.
Many people think the best long range rifle shooting is competitive target shooting, where accuracy is key.
2. What Is a Long Range Rifle?
A long range rifle is a rifle designed for or capable of shooting accurately at distances of over 500 yards. Long range rifles can be used for hunting, target shooting, or in competition. The best long range rifle should be accurate and easy to use and clean.
3. Where Can You Buy the Best Long Range Rifle?
The best long range rifles can be found at your local gun shop or online. The advantage of shopping at a gun shop is that you are able to test and feel each gun.
However, you will find a greater selection online.
4. What Is the Most Important Thing in a Long Range Rifle?
While many people think that you need to spend huge amounts of money and buy enormous scopes, in reality the most important thing about a long range rifle is the barrel. A long, well-crafted barrel will mean more than all the scopes and lasers and mounting tripods you can buy.
5. Long Range Rifle Shooting: Critical Aspects
Long range shooting is a science, and you need to match your gear to your goal. This means getting the right gun, but it also means mastering the basics. If you don’t have the fundamentals down, the best gun in the world won’t help you.
You need to practice, practice, practice your breathing, heart rate control, sighting, and trigger press discipline. These critical skills are even more important than the gun you’re carrying.
6. Which One’s the Best Caliber Gun to Use?
This depends on how far you’re shooting. Light bullets at lower calibers will be awesome until you start getting up beyond 750 yards. Then they’ll fail you. Some of the best guns run in the 6mm, 7mm, and .30 caliber range, but ask around among fellow shooters and you’ll find even more variety.
Once you’re used to the caliber you prefer, you’ll be able to shoot accurately. At that point it becomes a matter of wind conditions.
How We Reviewed
In our quest to find some of the best long range rifles, we took into account the product specs of the rifles and how well they were reviewed by their owners.
In order to help you decide if any of them might be the best long range rifle for you, we have provided you with a run-down of each rifle’s features, their Pros & Cons, Warranty information, and a rough guide to their price. We’ve also given you links to where you can buy them.
Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)
The price of long range rifles can be as high as $10,000 and go as low as $500. For $500, you’re not getting something that will last. You won’t be pleased with the action or the accuracy and durability.
For $10,000 you’re getting a lot of bells and whistles you don’t really need. The models we’ve looked at run between $1,000 and $2,500, which is a good range for this type of gun.
For the higher price you’ll be getting a better look and feel, better warranties, and in some cases better durability. All the guns on our list, however, are accurate and reliable.
What We Reviewed
- Ruger Precision Rifle
- Bergara B-14 HMR
- RISE Armament 1121XR
- Savage Model 10 GRS
- Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon SPEED
Ruger Precision Rifle
FEATURES
This Ruger is the gun that really began the recent craze for long range shooting, and despite the arrival of many competitors, it remains a strong contender in the field. The Ruger features American action, a 24-inch contoured barrel made of hammer-forged steal, and a free-floating barrel. The gun also features rifling to protect the bullets and a moly-steel alloy upper for strength and durability in the worst of weather.
This gun is a very accurate shooter and remains so despite being only in the mid-range when it comes to costs. Part of its accuracy is down to the excellent specs: hybrid muzzle brake that reduces recoil, soft rubber buttpad, adjustable pull and comb height, and even an ambidextrous manual safety so you can shoot just as well left-handed as right-handed.
When the barrel gets a bit old, replacing it is simple for any capable gunsmith. The gun is also easy to clean and comes with two magazines so you always have a spare ready to go.
Pros
- Accurate and adjustable
- Not overly expensive
- Durable gun from a good manufacturer
- Low maintenance
Cons
- The stock latches can come open, even with the tension tight
- The bolt can be sticky at first
PRICE
This product can be found for around $750, but it’s always possible to find deals at the right time and place.
WARRANTY
Ruger does not offer a warranty of the normal type because they do not wish to comply with the requirements of the Magnuson-Moss Act (Public Law 93-637) which require all warranties to be designated as either limited or full. However Ruger has always stood behind all of their guns.
Bergara B-14 HMR
FEATURES
Bergara is a Spanish firearms company long known by gun enthusiasts as one of the best barrel makers in the business. Nevertheless, you’re unlikely to have very many friends who own a Bergara rifle because of the high price tag commanded by this premium product.
You get a lot of bang for your buck however: Bergara rifles are not overrated. On the contrary, they are beautifully made and wonderfully accurate and probably some of the best short and long range rifles in the world.
This gun features both the power to stop the largest game and the accuracy of a long range rifle designed for shooting matches. The free floating barrel with proprietary rifling will please the picky shooter, and the threading on the muzzle will easily accept a suppressor.
The gun is accurate and is made to accept accessories easily and quickly. It is quite heavy, however, and some feel it makes a better match shooter than a hunting rifle.
Pros
- Highest quality manufacturing
- Highly accurate
- Beautiful to look at
- Powerful
Cons
- Heavy
- Can’t be adjusted for left-handed shooters
PRICE
This product can be found on Sportsmans.com for around $1,000.
WARRANTY
All their rifles come with a limited lifetime warranty against any manufacturing defects.
RISE Armament 1121 XR
FEATURES
If you’re in the market for a heavy caliber rifle with gas firing action, the Rise is the gun for you. For a gun that is so accurate over such long distances, it is surprisingly lightweight. A bolt action, it is highly accurate: but there is so little recoil that follow-up shots are quick.
The rail system is MLOK compatible and allows for plenty of customization and the Cerakote finish is made to hold up to the worst beating you can give it. The stock is adjustable and for the price it comes with a hard rifle case and two magazines.
The gun gives you almost no overtravel when firing and has a fantastically short reset. It comes in three different colors for the perfect match to your hunting gear and is backed up with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Light trigger pull
- Lightweight
- Very accurate
Cons
- Has a gritty pull
- Narrow trigger
PRICE
The RISE runs a hefty $2,500, but those who own one one generally seem to think it’s worth it.
WARRANTY
There is a lifetime warranty on this product.
Savage Model 10 GRS
FEATURES
This model boasts a lot of special features made by Savage for the purpose of enhancing your accuracy. The stock is made of a fiberglass-reinforced material that is designed to stay stable even in wet conditions and give you good grip no matter what. It has an adjustable pull length which makes it easy to customize for your preferred settings.
The gun has a slim grip and a heavy, fluted barrel that might not be for everyone: but for those who know it, it’s just the thing. The magazine holds four rounds and the gun can be mounted to a bipod easily.
Pros
- Easy to shoot
- Accurate and crisp
- Easy to modify
Cons
- Action could be smoother
- Doesn’t look as professional as others
PRICE
You can get this gun for about $1,230 on Sportsmans.com.
WARRANTY
Savage offers a one-year warranty for all their guns, but only to buyers who register with them within a month after purchasing their rifle.
Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon Speed
FEATURES
Browning is an old name in the gun world, and they have been producing quality rifles for a long time. This is factory produced, but one of the best you can buy. It is bolt action with a fluted barrel and threaded muzzle brake.
The magazine is detachable and rotary. The recoil isn’t bad with this model, and the flat finish and Cerakote mean that it will be looking great for a long time to come.
This rifle is lightweight and easy to carry. It is already tapped for scope mount attachment. This gun won the 2016 Outdoor Life Editor’s Choice Award and tests have shown over and over again that it is highly accurate.
Pros
- Easy to shoot
- Accurate and crisp
- Easy to modify
Cons
- Action could be smoother
- Doesn’t look as professional as others
PRICE
You can get this gun for about $1,000, though it’s often on sale. Buy it directly from Browning or from a reseller like Sportsmans.
WARRANTY
This gun comes with a one-year, limited warranty.
The Verdict
Any of these guns would be a great one to own. A gun is in many ways a personal choice, and you may have to go down to the range and hold a few before you get an idea of what you really want. That being said, it’s hard to beat the accuracy and dependability of the RISE.
It really is the rifle to beat. At $2,500, though, a lot of us are priced out of the market and need something reliable and accurate at a lower price.
Surprisingly, we get that with the X-bolt. This is a great gun at a good price. It consistently performs well in tests, and while it might not look as amazing as some of the others, if you’re going to be spending more than a $1,000 less, you can afford to give up the looks.
If you want an accurate, easy-to-shoot and easy-to-carry gun that will last and do the job, you can’t go wrong with the X-bolt.
My articles appear in Marketing Edge Magazine, on Gizmogrind, and with various Medium publications. But one thing hasn’t changed in all of my life: no matter where I was or what I was doing. I’ve always loved to be outdoors.
A man needs nothing more than a good flannel shirt, a well-worn pair of jeans, and comfortable hiking boots. I don’t go for all the fancy luxury stuff. Suits are uncomfortable and shaving sucks.
