The Best Hunting Rifles for Your Christmas List This Year

Hunting rifles are the definition of the gift that keeps on giving, providing you and your family with sustainable meat, the opportunity to enjoy one of the most ancient and exhilarating activities, and a way to spend time outdoors with friends and loved ones. 

Today, we feature a range of hunting rifles to add to your list or to consider as gift ideas for hunters. Keep reading for insights into:

Why Hunt Deer With a Rifle

How To Choose The Right Rifle 

The Top 5 Hunting Rifles for Your Christmas List 

Why Hunt Deer With a Rifle 

When discussing the benefits of a rifle over other hunting methods, such as bows or primitive weapons, it's undeniable that the accuracy of firearms over long distances is superior.

Firearms benefit from a much greater feet-per-second projectile speed, which means a flatter trajectory over longer distances. The design features such rifled barrels and additions such as scopes further contribute to this precision, making them a superior choice for long-distance hunting in open terrain. 

The powerful rounds used in rifles can reach targets hundreds of yards away, giving hunters more flexibility in choosing where to set up. The range in caliber choice also means your firearm can reflect the hunting environment, whether dense woods, hilly terrain, or fields.

• A smaller caliber will be better suited to an enclosed, tight hunting space.
• A larger caliber will be more beneficial when taking a more extended shot over a flat, open agricultural field or opening. 

Smaller calibers, like .243, are ideal for lighter deer, while larger calibers, like .30-06, are used for more rugged environments and giant deer. This is important for ethical hunters, as it's essential to consider the impact on the target species.

As the power increases the chance of a quick, humane kill, it minimizes the animal's suffering.

How To Choose The Right Rifle

Choosing the right rifle involves considering a range of factors, including personal preference, style, and external requirements, such as minimum caliber requisites for specific game species. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering a rifle to add to your Christmas list (or for your next hunt).

Match The Rifle To The Game 

As we mentioned, large game require a larger caliber. This is essential to guarantee a kill and a fundamental principle of ethical hunting.

Always check local hunting laws, as some regions mandate minimum calibers for specific game. If in doubt, call your local game authority for insights or check with your hunting club for pointers. 

Consider Your Terrain and Hunting Environment and Recoil

Your rifle choice should reflect your knowledge and familiarity with your hunting environment.

As a general rule, opt for flat-shooting calibers like .270 Winchester or .300 Winchester for long-distance shooting and a lighter caliber such as a  6.5 Creedmoor or .30-30 Winchester for mountainous and forested locations where maneuverability and comfort are essential. 

Caliber, Recoil, and Weight 

Sometimes, it can be beneficial to shoot with a slightly smaller caliber that you are comfortable with taking an accurate shot. Rather than going with a higher caliber, you're more likely to shoot with error. Consider your comfort level with recoil and additions such as recoil pads, muzzle brakes, or lighter-recoiling cartridges if sensitive to recoil. 

On those long hunting pack-outs, every pound counts, including those in your rifle. Long-barreled, heavier rifles can provide longer-distance accuracy but can also add to hiking fatigue. 

Action Type, Fit, Comfort and Cost

Action type and comfort will depend on your personal preference and target game.

A bolt-action will be best suited to long-range shots requiring accuracy and reliability, whereas a lever-action will be best if you need consecutive follow-up shots, such as when hunting hogs in dense terrain. For close-range hunting, iron sights may suffice; however, for long-range, a high-quality scope is essential, and therefore, a rifle with a mounting system that supports your optics choice is necessary. 

When considering your budget, consider not only the cost of the firearm itself but also additions, including optics, ammunition, and accessories. 

The Top 5 Hunting Rifles for Your Christmas List 

So, without further delay, here are five of the best hunting rifles to consider (or to ask for) for your Christmas list this year!

1. Best Value: Stevens Model 334 Bolt-Action Rifle

For a solid entry-level rifle that won't break the bank, the Stevens Model 334 bolt-action is the stocking filler you're after. The gun is simplicity at its best, with an oil-finished Turkish stock offering an old-school feel and contemporary compounds such as a plastic-composed three-round detachable box magazine.  Regarding usability, the rifle bolt has a 60-degree throw, allowing for quick cycling. The rifle comes with a floating barrel to enhance accuracy. Recoil pads provide necessary comfort, especially for new shooters, and at 8.5 pounds, they shoulder nicely.  Regarding calibers, your options are .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .243 Win.

2. Best Mid-Priced: CVA Cascade XT Bolt-Action Rifle

Promoted as a precision-oriented rifle, the CVA cascade bolt is equipped with fluted #5 barrels constructed from 4140 steel, meaning a heavier design with improved stability. This further reduces heat buildup, allowing faster follow-up shots without worrying about functionality.  With the next shot in mind, they've included a radial muzzle brake that softens the recoil, allowing for consistent shooting and grouping in succession. Perfect for the field and the range, this rifle still comes at an affordable price and would make an excellent addition for a hunter looking for a reliable firearm that favors accuracy above all else.  Calibers include .300PRC and .300 Winchester magnum in a 3 +1 round capacity.

3. Best No Frills: Tikka T3X Lite 

Widely popular and highly regarded for quality, anything from Tikka is bound to be a winner.  The TX3 Lite is highly customizable, with everything from cheek risers to compatibility with various barrel constructions. The Tikka page claims there are over 300 variations. The rifle's standout feature is its portability. At around 7 pounds, it makes the perfect mountain or all-terrain option.  At a mid-range price, this is a reliable firearm made by one of the best manufacturers in the game.

4. Best for About $1,000: Bergara b-14 Timber

The Bergara B-14 Timber features a sleek, Monte Carlo-styled American walnut stock for those who appreciate a more traditionally styled firearm.  Regarding functionality, the 4140 chromoly steel barrel is honed over an intensive five-step process to guarantee accuracy and sub-MOA performance.  Available in barrel lengths varied by caliber (20", 22", or 24"), the rifle is available in popular calibers like .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, and .30-06, meaning you'll find the right rifle for the hunter who's got everything.

5. Best Overall: Sako 90 Adventure

To finish our Christmas list recommendations, we've got a highly customizable all-rounder that makes it a standout choice in various hunting conditions — the Sako 90 Adventure leverages a three-lug bolt with dual plunger ejectors, offering smooth and efficient cycling. While slightly higher on the cost scale, the rifle is durable and premium quality, making it a lifetime gun well suited to a range of big game.  The caliber options are 22-250 Rem, 243 Win, 6,5 Creedmoor, seven mm-08, 308 Win, 6,5x55 SE, 270 Win, 30-06 Spring., 8x57IS, 270 WSM, 300 WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag.

Make Christmas Memorable With HuntWise and a New Hunting Rifle

If you're looking for a rifle that blends precision, accuracy, and superior craftsmanship at differing price points, then you'll find the perfect Christmas gift from the list above. Getting a new gun is always an equally exciting and unsure time as you gain familiarity with it.

Want an extra holiday treat to improve your hunt? Treat yourself to a free trial of the HuntWise hunting app!

To get onto some game with your new hunting rifle, use HuntWise for state-of-the-art mapping insights, pro tips, landowner contact details, winding forecasts, and much more. 

Jump in with a trial of our Elite subscription, and you'll unlock access to Field Guide+, our exclusive content curated from HuntWise Pros featuring hunting tips, how-tos, and more insights to help you become a better hunter.

Enjoy complete and total access to the best exclusive content for hunters! Field Guide⁺ is curated content available only to Elite subscribers featuring hunting pros like RootedTV, John Dudley, Jeff Sturgis, and others — delivering their best insights into what makes them better hunters. 

You don't want to miss out on this! Upgrade your subscription to Elite and unlock immediate access.