Bolt action guns have been in steady use for more than a century, which is a testament to their value. They tend to be both more reliable and more accurate than semiautomatic guns, as well as cheaper. The best bolt action rifle under 1000 dollars will offer better performance than most guns of a comparable price, especially for hunters and others who need both precision and power. There are still quite a few options on the market, so we picked ten of the best based on their accuracy, reliability, and value in order to narrow down the options.
10. Savage B17 F Compact
| Manufacturer | Savage Arms |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Caliber | 17 HMR |
| Barrel Length | 18’’ |
| Weight | 5 |
| Price Range | $300-$400 |
The B17 F Compact is a light rifle with minimal recoil, which makes it a good choice for small shooters. It does not have a huge amount of stopping power, but it is a highly accurate weapon, which makes it ideal for teaching new shooters at the range. It holds more ammo than most bolt guns, which is convenient but not necessary at the range, and excellent ergonomics make it a joy to shoot. Get this rifle if you need a compact and comfortable weapon for use at the shooting range. Also, when hitting the shooting range make sure you have with you the best ear protection.
9. Mossberg MVP Scout Rifle
| Manufacturer | Mossberg |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Caliber | .308 Win |
| Barrel Length | 16.25’’ |
| Weight | 6.75 lbs |
| Price Range | $700-$800 |
The MVP Scout rifle from Mossberg follows the classic pattern for scout rifles, which makes it a good choice for both survival and defensive purposes. The factory sights are fairly good, and the barrel includes a flash suppressor, so it performs well in mediocre lighting. This model is compatible with AR-10 magazines, which makes it very easy to find spares at an affordable price. This rifle itself is easy to modify because it has plenty of Picatinny rail space, but the stock model works perfectly well. Use this model if you need a solid survival rifle at a low price.
8. Mauser M18
| Manufacturer | Mauser |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | .308 Win/.30-06 |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs |
| Price Range | $600-$700 |
Mauser produces the M18, which is one of the best-dedicated hunting rifles at this price point. The craftsmanship on this rifle is excellent, which makes it highly reliable and ensures accuracy in the hands of a good shooter. The stock stands out for its combination of sturdy synthetics with a softer grip that strikes a balance between comfort and durability. The rest of the gun uses simple parts that are built to perfection, which keeps it cheap and easy to maintain. Consider this gun if you want a simple and potent hunting rifle. In case you are really on a budget you can also check out our list of the best 308 bolt action rifles under 500 dollars.
7. Marlin XT-22MR
| Manufacturer | Marlin Firearms |
| Capacity | 4/7 |
| Caliber | .22 WMR |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 6 lbs |
| Price Range | $200-$300 |
The XT-22MR is a good hybrid of a plinking rifle and a varmint gun. It uses small cartridges that have very little recoil but are powerful enough to deal with small prey animals. The sights are adequate for that type of use at close range, and the gun can accept a scope for use at longer distances. A red cocking indicator makes this slightly safer than many comparable rifles, which combines with its price to make this a good choice for new shooters. Use this if you want to casually dabble in a shooting, or if you want an effective hybrid rifle.
6. Remington 700 BDL
| Manufacturer | Remington |
| Capacity | 3/4 |
| Caliber | 243 Win/270 Win/30-06 Sprg/7mm Rem Mag |
| Barrel Length | 22’’ |
| Weight | 7.25-7.5 lbs |
| Price Range | $900-$1000 |
The Model 700 BDL is one of the most expensive options, but it can be a good investment. It has an attractive wooden stock, which is rare in guns at this price point and makes it look better on the rack. The mechanical components also stand out, including a hammer-forged barrel and a trigger that accepts external adjustment. This rifle performs well in most areas, but not massively better than the cheaper options. Use this gun if you are open to making a large investment, but consider cheaper models if you don’t need to optimize your performance.
5. Savage 110 Brush Hunter
| Manufacturer | Savage Arms |
| Capacity | 3 |
| Caliber | 338 Win Mag/375 Ruger |
| Barrel Length | 20’’ |
| Weight | 7.38 lbs |
| Price Range | $700-$800 |
The 110 Brush Hunter is the best bolt action rifle under 1000 dollars for hunting big game in rough terrain. The rifle’s bolt handle is much larger than average, which makes it easy to operate in poor lighting or with gloved hands. It has a good set of iron sights, which allow for reasonably accurate shooting at hunting ranges and are sturdier than most scopes. This model uses the AccuTrigger system to ensure a light pull and easy adjustments. Dedicated hunters should use this model, but casual shooters can get away with something even more affordable.
4. Remington Model 783 Synthetic
| Manufacturer | Remington |
| Capacity | 4 |
| Caliber | 243 Win/308 Win/270 Win/30-06 Sprg/7mm Rem Mag/300 Win Mag |
| Barrel Length | 22/24’’ |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs |
| Price Range | $300-$500 |
The Remington 783 is a simple and effective working gun. It lacks the special aesthetic touches found in more expensive guns, but the mechanisms are excellent. It uses a button-rifled barrel, a good, adjustable trigger, and a comfortable stock to make it easy to shoot properly. The stock is remarkably sturdy and resists most forms of damage, which combines with the reliable bolt mechanism to make this a good choice for use in the wilderness. These features make this the best bolt action rifle under 1000 dollars for people who need something simple, cheap, and rugged.
3. Browning AB3 Micro Stalker 7mm-08
| Manufacturer | Browning |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 7mm-08 Rem |
| Barrel Length | 20’’ |
| Weight | 6.43 lbs |
| Price Range | $500-$700 |
The AB3 Micro Stalker from Browning is the best bolt action rifle under 1000 dollars for shooting small targets at long ranges. It is a highly accurate weapon, and it comes with a good recoil pad to help retain accuracy after multiple shots. This model is also highly compact, which makes it comfortable to transport over long distances. Consider using this model if you need a high level of precision combined with ease of transportation and storage.
2. Mossberg Patriot Youth .308 Bantam Rifle
| Manufacturer | Mossberg |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | .308 Win |
| Barrel Length | 20’’ |
| Weight | 6.75 lbs |
| Price Range | $300-$600 |
The Patriot Youth from Mossberg is one of the top picks for younger or smaller shooters. It is lighter and more compact than most other .308 rifles, but that cartridge still gives it enough stopping power for young hunters. The rifle absorbs recoil fairly well, so it remains easy to shoot despite its high power and low weight. It is designed to accept a scope for improved accuracy, and the trigger pull is adjustable within a wide range to suit the needs of growing shooters. This is the best bolt action rifle under 1000 dollars for young people who are just learning to shoot.
1. Ruger American Rifle Magnum
| Manufacturer | Ruger |
| Capacity | 3 |
| Caliber | 300 Win Mag |
| Barrel Length | 24’’ |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs |
| Price Range | $700-$800 |
The American Rifle Magnum is the best bolt action rifle under 1000 dollars for shooters who need an all-purpose gun. It uses a caliber that is appropriate for hunting most prey animals, and it has enough accuracy for target shooting. The trigger is light and easy to adjust, so shooting this model is always easy and comfortable. The stock is fairly light and offers decent ergonomics for improved comfort and accuracy. Specialized rifles will perform better than this one in their roles, but this one is ideal for shooters that need versatility.
Pros And Cons Of Bolt Action Rifles
Although bolt action rifles are a favorite among hunters, there are always pros and cons to every weapon. We’ll discuss the pros first:
Simplicity
One of the primary advantages of using a bolt action rifle is its ease of use. You don’t need to be a professional with weapons to figure out how a bolt action works, which is great for shooters at different levels. Plus, it’s easy to keep up the maintenance on bolt action rifles. There also isn’t a lot of parts on this kind of gun, so it’s lightweight and easy to carry with you. Not to mention, a lighter gun makes it a breeze to put the rifle in a firing position.
Precise Accuracy
There’s a debate as to whether the bolt action rifle is more accurate than other weapons, but generally most shooters choose the bolt action. Primarily, this decision is based on the fact that it has a simple design that improves the bullet trajectory. Furthermore, bolt action rifles include a one-piece stock that better assists the barrel and action more than a two-piece stock.
Versatility
You can find a bolt action rifle in just about every caliber and ammo to go along with it. They can work within a broad range of ammunition from slow to dense or quick and light. In addition to good ammo and multiple caliber options, bolt action rifles also provide better scope. Lastly, this type of rifle also offers flexibility between close or long-range shooting, which allows you to free float the barrel.
Easy Purchasing Process
Another huge benefit of choosing to get a bolt action rifle is how simple it is to buy one. You can find them at a local gun shop, and they generally cost less, which is great for rookie shooters.
Cons
As with anything, there are disadvantages to bolt action rifles. Here are a few:
Rate Of Fire
Unfortunately, no matter how experienced you are with using bolt action rifles, it’s not easy to get the same rate of fire as with semi-automatic rifles.
The majority of hunters don’t have to fire a second or third round after shooting a high-powered weapon, which makes the bolt action a good choice for hunting. However, it might not be the best for other firing needs.
Recoil
Depending on your shooting preference, the recoil of a large caliber bolt action rifle is a lot to handle for some shooters. However, despite the recoil, bolt action weapons are the best for hunting.
Bolt Action Rifle Safety Tips
Whether or not a bolt action rifle is your primary firearm or not, it’s important to be careful with any weapon you operate. Even if you’re an expert, you can’t be careless with your actions. Hopefully, the tips below will remind you of how important it is to be safe while shooting. Check them out below:
Always Point The Muzzle In A Safe Direction
One of the most basic rules to follow is how you handle a firearm. It’s imperative that you never point the muzzle at anything or anyone that you don’t intend to shoot. This bit of advice is especially important to follow when you are unloading a gun because if there’s accidental discharge, no one gets hurt. As a rule of thumb, a safe direction means any direction that could potentially strike a person if a bullet ricochets or pierces through a wall or ceiling. The right position to hold your weapon could be up or down depending on your environment. Lastly, make sure you know the direction that the muzzle of your gun is pointing at all times.
Be Cautious Even With The Gun Safety On
Even if the safety is on your weapon, it should be handled as if it could fire at anytime. The safety is a mechanical tool which could potentially malfunction and cause an accident. Furthermore, if you think that the safety might be off when it’s on, that too could be catastrophic. The bottom line is you should never be reckless with a gun and assume that it won’t fire.
Keep your fingers away from the trigger unless you intend to shoot and don’t rest the weapon on anything it might become jarred on, causing an accident.
Unload The Rifle When It’s Not In Use
This option might seem like a hassle, but it’s worth it if it means avoiding an accident. Your gun should only be loaded when you are in a shooting range or in the range of your target. Also, your ammunition should be stored in a place that’s separate from one another. Be sure to unload the weapon as soon as you’re done firing the rifle. Also, before you hand someone a gun, check the chamber, receiver, and magazine to make sure there’s no ammo.
Furthermore, never go over a fence or do any awkward physical movements while handling a gun. While you’re in the field, it’s easy to forget the rules or that the gun is even on you. So, unload the weapon anytime you’re not shooting if need be.
Be Sure You Know What’s Beyond Your Target
It’s not enough to know where your target is and aim towards it. You should also know what’s located past your mark. You should never shoot unless you know exactly what the bullet will strike. It’s never a good idea to fire towards noise or a movement without knowing what it is. Even a short bullet can travel more than a mile, and a high-velocity cartridge can make it go more than three miles. Therefore, it’s also important to know how far your bullets might go in case it misses your target.
Use The Proper Ammo
Speaking of bullets, it’s imperative that you use the right ammo for your rifle. Make sure you read all warning labels and instruction manuals on the ammo box before loading your weapon. Using the wrong ammunition might damage your gun or cause you personal injury. It doesn’t take much to wreck your rifle, so make sure you use ammo that matches its exact specifications.
Firearms are tested based on the designs and of factory loaded ammo, and using anything other than what’s been tested can be dangerous to the shooter. Furthermore, don’t use and sprays or solvents on your weapons or place ammunition in lubricated guns. Make it a habit of looking inside the cartridge inside of your gun and don’t use any bullets that are damaged.
Wear Eye And Ear Protection When Shooting
Every shooter needs to wear protection for your ears and eyes while firing your gun. Listening to shooting noises can damage hearing over a long amount of time. Also, wearing glasses helps to shield against target chips, twigs, or a firearm malfunction. Furthermore, protective glasses when disassembling or cleaning a weapon helps to shield against spring tension parts, solvents, and regular springs.
Luckily, there are lots of eye and ear protectors on the market, so you can count on having lots of gear to choose from. Shielding yourself will help you feel better about your shooting experience, knowing that you are protecting yourself.
Making The Right Choice
Investing in the best bolt action rifle under 1000 dollars will give you a powerful and precise rifle for hunting, target shooting, and general recreation. Some models will do better with some sports than others, so you should keep your personal needs in mind when you make the choice. If you end up with one that we overlooked, leave a comment about it in case other people want to check it out!
