Hunting with a bolt-action rifle is a tradition that’s been carried out since the 1800s, when the platform was invented. Over the years, semi-autos seem to have taken the lead among many hunters, but there will always be a place for a good bolt-action. You’ll find many hunters will visit your store looking for a reliable entry-level bolt-action rifle, and although their motivations might vary, the result is the same: you need to have well-made options in stock.

 

Mossberg Patriot Carbine

Mossberg’s rifles are known for being reliable, and the Patriot family of guns is a stellar example of well-designed, entry-level firearms. The Mossberg Patriot Carbine with a suppressor-ready barrel is the latest addition to the lineup. This bolt-action rifle sports a synthetic stock — that’s great for durability and cost — and offers user-friendly features. It’s also available in a variety of calibers, including 6.5 Creedmoor, .22-250 Remington, .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, .350 Legend, and .450 Bushmaster. The 6.5 Creedmoor model is likely to be popular with a significant portion of hunters thanks to its ballistics — that and the fact that it enjoys a large following among gun owners in general.

The Mossberg Patriot Carbine’s suppressor-ready barrel ships with a protective cap on the threads. Threading and barrel length depend on the caliber. A Picatinny rail over the receiver makes it simple for hunters to add optics and gives you the ability to offer riflescope options as an add-on to the purchase of the rifle. Sling attachment points are placed at the buttstock and forend, so consider having aftermarket slings on hand as well. Other noteworthy features of this rifle include a spiral fluted bolt, oversized bolt handle, and a drop box magazine.

Visit Mossberg.com for further details.

MSRP $515

 

Howa Mini-Action

The great thing about the Howa Mini-Action rifle is its unique action, which delivers numerous benefits to hunters. The mini-action design is just shy of one inch shorter than a short-action, creating a lighter-weight rifle. That action also improves accuracy and speeds up cycling. The Howa Mini-Action is an affordable option for hunters that’s well-made and delivers a solid performance in the field. It’s also now available in .22 ARC along with the 6mm ARC, .223 Remington, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39mm, and .350 Legend. Thanks to the caliber options, the Mini-Action is a model that’s fantastic for everything from coyotes to deer.

Myriad features make the Howa Mini-Action a good fit for both seasoned hunters and newcomers to the sport. The one-piece bolt is forged and lightened, the firing pin can be removed without tools, and the synthetic stock is pillar-bedded. It’s made to be a sub-MOA rifle, something that’s helped along by the two-stage trigger. The rifle has a three-position safety, detachable box magazine, and swivel sling attachment points. Barrels are threaded, with length depending on caliber. This is a good bolt-action rifle for hunters interested in learning the platform, but it’s also a solid choice for parents who want to teach their kids to shoot (whether for hunting purposes or basic firearm skills).

Visit HowaUSA.com for further details.

MSRP starts at $529.99.

 

Savage Axis 2 Pro (with camo and Cerakote)

For hunters hoping for a camo finish on their entry-level bolt, there’s the Savage Axis 2 Pro. This rifle is the newest iteration of the Axis line and boasts many enhancements over previous models. The stock is redesigned for superior ergonomics, giving hunters a better cheek weld, and new texturing provides a non-slip surface. Ambidextrous palm swells in the pistol grip facilitate a solid hold during live fire. Even the bolt handle is remade for improved overall performance. Savage put serious effort into this new generation, and the result is a bolt-action rifle that checks all the boxes for entry-level shooters.

The Savage Axis 2 Pro is offered in more calibers than can be listed here, but some popular options are .223 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester. It’s always a good idea to have classic calibers in stock alongside the newer ones. Additional details worth relaying to customers include a user-adjustable AccuTrigger, threaded barrel, Picatinny rail over the receiver, and Cerakoted action. The box magazine is detachable. Barrel length and capacity depend on caliber. As for the aforementioned camo finishes, Savage is making the Axis 2 Pro in Savage Woodland, Savage Western, and Forest SP Camo. Left-handed models are available.

VisitSavageArms.com for further details.

MSRP starts at $599

 

RemArms Remington Model 783 LVX Freedom

RemArms brought back the Remington Model 783 in 2023, and now there’s a model available that includes an optic — the Leupold LVX Freedom. That makes this an attractive package for hunters because it’s ready to go out of the box. There’s no need to shop for or mount an optic, and that simplicity is a huge plus for many customers. The Leupold optic is also good quality, unlike the optics included with some rifles. This rifle is a fantastic value at a price point well under $1,000.

The Remington Model 783 is a field-proven rifle with an intelligent design. For greater accuracy, the rifle is dual pillar bedded with a free-floating barrel that’s button-rifled. The stock is black synthetic for durability and rigidity. The inclusion of the CrossFire trigger — which is user-adjustable — offers hunters greater trigger control and accuracy. Rifles chambered in standard calibers have a four-round capacity, while magnum chamberings have a three-round capacity. Available calibers include .243 Winchester, .350 Legend, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .223 Remington.

As for the LVX Freedom, it’s bore-sighted when the rifle ships. That makes zeroing significantly easier, especially for new shooters, because initial shots will be on paper. The Leupold 3-9x40 LVX Freedom is a second focal plane scope with a one-inch tube. It’s waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof. Zoom ratio is 3:1 and finger click adjustments are ¼ MOA.

Visit RemArms.com for further details.

MSRP $805.99

 

Rossi RB 22

It’s often best to get kids into hunting with rimfire bolt-action rifles, and the Rossi RB 22 is a good one to stock. The RB 22 is extremely budget-friendly — making it even more ideal for brand-new youth hunters — but still boasts useful features. It’s made in .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR, giving customers their choice of popular rimfire chamberings. All available calibers are great for hunting squirrels, rabbits and other small pests and varmints.

The Rossi RB 22 in .22 LR features an 18.5-inch barrel and overall length of 35.5 inches, keeping it compact enough for ease of use but large enough for superior ballistics. It weighs just over 5 pounds empty, and because it’s a rimfire, loading it doesn’t increase its weight excessively. The stock is black polymer, and the barrel also has a black finish to decrease glare and enhance resistance to wear. This rifle ships with a fiber optic front sight and adjustable rear sight, letting young hunters get used to iron sights before moving on to optics. The manual crossbolt safety is easy to operate without forcing the shooter to drastically change their grip. Overall, this is a great rimfire at a fantastic price, making it the ideal option for budget-minded hunters.

Visit RossiUSA.com for further details.

MSRP $209

 

Ruger American Ranch

The Ruger American family of rifles is known for versatility and consistent performance. For customers looking for a slightly more rugged entry-level bolt-action, the Ruger American Ranch is an excellent choice. This rifle’s Flat Dark Earth finish blends in with outdoor settings well and also helps hide dirt. Ruger offers it in 5.56 NATO, .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, 300 BLK, 7.62x39mm, .223 Remington, and .204 Ruger. The 5.56 NATO model is a familiar caliber for customers used to the AR-15 platform (possible cross-caliber compatibility is another selling point for this model).

Performance of the American Ranch is enhanced with Ruger’s Marksman Adjustable trigger that’s user-adjustable for pull weights between 3 and 5 pounds. A soft rubber buttpad creates a more comfortable shooting experience, and the synthetic stock is streamlined for easy handling. Accuracy is improved with patented Power Bedding. In addition, a Picatinny rail is installed at the factory to allow hunters to mount a scope with minimal hassle. Barrel length and capacity depend on caliber, but all models are reliable, accurate, and maneuverable.

Visit Ruger.com for further details.

MSRP with standard FDE finish is $669