On May 30, 2024, the Supreme Court opted to allow the NRA free speech lawsuit to move forward. This lawsuit is against the former head of the New York State Department of Financial Services. It is alleged they pushed banks and insurance companies to sever ties with the gun rights group. Per capita, the stock of guns held by civilians in the United States doubled from 1968 to 2009. At that time, there were an estimated 310 million total firearms available, 110 million of which were rifles. Until the 1990s, rifles and shotguns outnumbered pistols and revolvers in production. And, while production may not be outpacing handguns currently, traditional rifles remain a popular choice of firearm for many.
Five of the 10 rifles on this list are bolt-action, and four are lever-action. Unlike MSRs and other semi-automatic weapons, these rifles have a repeating action that must be manually operated before each shot. Both lever- and bolt-action designs date back much further than semi-automatics and have long been popular with hunters and recreational shooters.
Using a report from Gun Genius, which analyzed sales data from the online firearm marketplace GunBroker.com, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 10 most popular rifles in America. Rifles are ranked on sales volume in the 2023 calendar year, though exact sales figures were not provided. Supplemental data on domestic manufacturing locations and production volume in 2021 are from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
It is important to note that this list was compiled using online gun sales only. Unlike most items purchased online, firearms are generally not shipped directly to your door. Typically, the process requires buyers to have their gun shipped to a Federally Licensed Firearm Dealer – usually a local gun store – which will run a background check before transferring the gun to the customer. Additionally, while the estimated base price of many of these firearms can be as low as a few hundred dollars, higher-end variations can sell for many times that amount.
Why Are We Writing About Popular Rifles?
Source: Sakkawokkie / iStock via Getty Images
Rifle owners list many benefits to owning this particular weapon. Hunting game to feed their families, protecting their livestock, protecting their own family and home, as a part of a collection, shooting guns at targets for sport or to relieve stress are among the top reasons for keeping a rifle, or rifles, on hand. Understanding which types of rifles are currently popular, their cost, and availability helps you find the right one for your collection.
These are the best-selling rifles in America.
10. Savage Axis Series
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The approximate base retail price of a Savage Axis Series is $270. Savage Arms, Inc. produced 392,880 (10 % of all U.S.-made rifles) in their Westfield, MA factory during 2021. Available chambering for this popular rifle include .223, .270, .30-06, .308, .350 Legend, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
9. Savage 10/110 Series
Source: FrankWilliams / Wikimedia Commons
The Savage 10/110 Series was produced by Savage Arms, Inc. in Westfield, MA. 392,880 (10% of all U.S.-made rifles) of these popular rifles were manufactured in 2021 and started out at the base retail price of $460. The available chambering include .223, .270, .30-06, .308, .450 Bushmaster and 6.5 Creedmoor.
8. Rossi R92 Series
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The approximate base retail price of a Rossi R92 Series is $620. Available chambering for this popular rifle include: .30-30, .454 Casual, .38, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45, and .45-70.
7. Browning X-Bolt Series
Source: Drassow / Wikimedia Commons
The Browning X-Bolt Series was produced by Herstal Group in Morgan, UT (Browning). 1 of these popular rifles was manufactured in 2021 and start out at the base retail price of $740. The available chambering include .223, .243, .270 WSM, .30-06, .308, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
6. Remington Model 700 Series
Source: Waltherppx / Wikimedia Commons
The approximate base retail price of a Remington Model 700 Series is $420. RemArms produced 23,444 (0.6 % of all U.S.-made rifles) in their Illion, NY factory during 2021. Available chambering for this popular rifle include .223, .243, .270 WSM, .30-06, .308, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
5. Marlin Model 1895 Series
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Marlin Model 1895 Series was produced by Storm, Ruger & Company in Prescott, AZ, Southport, CT, Mayodan, NC, and Newport, NH. 736,664 of these popular rifles were manufactured in 2021 (18.7% of all U.S.-made rifles) and start out at the base retail price of $1,280. The available chamberings include a .45-70.
4. Ruger American Series
Source: Sturm, Ruger & Co. Firearms / Wikimedia Commons
The approximate base retail price of a Ruger American Series is $480. Storm, Ruger & Company produced 736,664 (18.7 % of all U.S.-made rifles) in their Prescott, AZ, Southport, CT, Mayodan, NC, and Newport, NH factories during 2021. Available chambering for this popular rifle include .30-06, .243, .270, .308, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
3. Henry Side Gate Series
Source: 2017 Getty Images / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
The Henry Side Gate Series was produced by Henry Repeating Arms in Rice Lake, WI and Bayonne, NJ. 296,948 of these popular rifles were manufactured in 2021 (7.5% of all U.S.-made rifles) and start out at the base retail price of $870. The available chamberings include a .30-30, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45, and .45-70.
2. Henry Big Boy Series
Source: Picanox / Wikimedia Commons
The approximate base retail price of a Henry Big Boy Series is $850. Henry Repeating Arms produced 296,948 (7.5 % of all U.S.-made rifles) in their Rice Lake, WI and Bayonne, NJ factories during 2021. Available chambering for this popular rifle include .327 Mag, .41 Mag, .38, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, and .45.
1. Ruger 10/22 Series
Source: capcase / Flickr
The Ruger 10/22 Series was produced by Sturm, Ruger & Company in Prescott, AZ, Southport, CT, Mayodan, NC, and Newport, NH. 736,664 of these popular rifles were manufactured in 2021 (18.7% of all U.S.-made rifles) and start out at the base retail price of $270. The available chamberings include a .22 LR.
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