Most Americans Could Never Afford This Rifle

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By Jessica Lynn Published
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Most Americans Could Never Afford This Rifle

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Although they may not be as popular as other guns, rifles are a great option for a wide variety of users. Rifles are versatile. Some people use them for sport shooting, others for hunting. These guns also offer reliable self-defense, should you need it. While some people might believe that buying a gun is always a huge investment, there are many high-quality, yet affordable, rifles available. If you’re in the market for a rifle, you’re in luck. You can find some that suit your needs, most likely for between $400 and $1,000. Of course, certain add-ons or features may have you shelling some extra bucks. But you can still usually get them without breaking your wallet too badly. (If you hunt with a rifle: here are the sights that every hunter should visit.)

That being said, there are extremely pricey rifles out there that represent the highest quality, best materials, and most advanced features you can find. These rifles are often rare, challenging to get your hands on, and out of the budget of most Americans. In fact, the most expensive rifle on our list is about six times more expensive than the median American salary (as of 2022). Here, 24/7 Wall St. wanted to find the rarest, most expensive rifles out there. We chose the top 20 based on recent sales prices from what we could find online, on auction, or from various forums. In some cases, these rifles are only available at auction so prices may vary. Be sure to read all the way to the end for the most expensive rifle!

Why We’re Covering This

Upland bird hunter in field with his dog
Robb Reece / The Image Bank via Getty Images

Firearm companies can make surprisingly popular investments. For instance, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) produces firearms in the US and is a popular dividend stock. Knowing which guns are currently selling for the most can also help you determine which companies are best to invest in. Plus, if you’re in the market for a rifle and happen to have a spare thousand to hundreds of thousands laying around, you too might want to grab one of the guns on this list.

These are some of the rarest and most expensive rifles you can find: 

20. Barrett MRAD

MathKnight / Wikimedia Commons

  • Price: $4,000 to $8,000

The Barrett MRD was designed for very long-range shooting and is made in the USA. While it isn’t the most expensive rifle on this list, it can easily cost thousands of dollars. It’s a very beautifully crafted rifle, with plenty of engravings. It’s simply a gun that’s made very well, hence the much higher price.

19. Sako 85 Carbon Wolf

gun Alabama | Blond Mother with Rifle Walking in Field with Child Running Ahead
Sean Murphy / Stone via Getty Images

  • Price: $4,000 to $7,000

The Sako 85 Carbon Wolf is the last rifle on this list that is within reach for the average person — after this, expect to have a little more trouble purchasing your gun. At around $4,000 to $7,000, this Finnish-made rifle is still not cheap by any means. The Sako 85 Carbon Wolf is designed to be one of the most accurate hunting rifles money can buy while still being exceptionally lightweight. Its carbon fiber stock and fluted barrel play a huge role in the price.

18. Suhl Drilling

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  • Price: $11,200

A Suhl drilling is an interesting combination gun that’s designed for “drilling.” It has two shotgun barrels and a rifle barrel, allowing hunters to easily switch between the two. When hunting, this allows the hunter to engage with a wide variety of game without having to carry around several guns. This all-in-one system is surprisingly practical, but it’s also very expensive.

17. FN M249S Para

hectoralejandro / Flickr

  • Price: $11,200

This rifle is the semi-automatic version of the M249 SAW. It’s designed for both civilian and law enforcement markets, and contains many of the core features you’d find in its military counterpart. However, it is restricted to semi-automatic fire for legal reasons. This version is also a bit shorter than the standard M249 to improve maneuverability.

16. B&T APR338

Sniper+Scope | Marines Sniper Rifle Aiming Scope 2660088 Edited 2020
Pat WilsonCZ75 / CCBY 2.0 / Flickr

  • Price: $12,300

This precision rifle is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. The B&T APR338 is extremely accurate and designed for long-range use, making it a popular rifle for military and law enforcement precision shooters. Like many expensive guns, this one uses high-end materials to deliver a consistent performance.

15. Cadex Defense CDX-50 Tremor

Pete_Flyer / iStock via Getty Images

  • Price: $13,300

The Cadex Defense CDX-50 Tremor is another long-range bold rifle. Chambered in .50 BMG, this firearm is regularly used as a sniper rifle, though it isn’t necessarily as popular as some other options. It uses advanced engineering and materials to help mitigate recoil and provide some extra shooter comfort.

14. G-Series FN FAL

Utah+gun+shop | Sniper rifles
Orbitallens / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

  • Price: $13,500

The G-series is a highly sought-after version of the FAL battle rifle. For the most part, this gun can be considered a collector’s rifle. Since the G-Series FN FAL is extremely rare and desirable, it obviously pushes the price up high. The regular FAL is legendary in itself, but the G-series is even more sought after.

13. Barret MK22 Model O

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

  • Price: $14,000

The Barret MK22 Model O is a sniper rifle that is typically chambered in .300 Norma Magnum. This high-end bolt-action rifle is extremely accurate and perfectly designed to perform at long ranges. While it is a popular choice among military and law enforcement, many competitive shooters use it, as well.

12. Winchester Model 1873

vasnic64 / Flickr

  • Price: $15,000

The Winchester Model 1873 is a legendary lever-action rifle that’s often called “The Gun That Won the West.” It was a groundbreaking firearm when it was created, as it offered rapid-fire capabilities that were not previously heard of.

11. Barrett M107

玄史生 / Wikimedia Commons

  • Price: $16,000

The Barrett M107 is a very popular rifle that’s known for its stopping power and extreme ranges. This gun chambered in .50 BMG, which is a very powerful cartridge. It’s often used as a very long-range sniper rifle, and its extreme accuracy is one reason it is so costly.

10. Azur Safari Luxe

gun Idaho | Bird Hunting Series
DIGIcal / iStock via Getty Images

  • Price: $16,000

The Azur Safari Luxe is another high-end rifle, produced by the French gunmaker Verney-Carron. It was originally produced for large games, but most people keep it as a collector’s item today. Collectors know this gun as being exceptionally crafted and incredibly high quality.

9. Krieghoof Classic

A Hunter Relaxing During Hunting Trip Drinking Coffee From His Metal Made Mug
Virrage Images / Shutterstock.com

  • Price: $16,500

The Krieghoof Classic is a luxury double rifle that is renowned for its performance. It’s produced by the German gunmaker Krieghoof and is considered one of the best higher-end hunting rifles. Unlike some other rifles on this list, this is one that actually gets used when it’s purchased. Most people purchase this rifle for hunting purposes, though it can also occasionally be bought as a collection piece.

8. Barrett M107A1 Rifle System

MathKnight / Wikimedia Commons

  • Price: $17,300

The Barrett M107A1 is a very powerful gun that is chambered in the .50 BMG cartridge. It’s a refined version of the original M107 and includes several improvements to the overall design. This rifle is used by all sorts of people, including military and law enforcement.

7. Blaser R8 Ultimate

big-ashb / Flickr

  • Price: $17,000 to $25,000

This isn’t a rifle you really use all that much. It’s one you collect — and that you’ll feel pretty amazing about displaying. After all, this German-made rifle is extremely accurate and unbelievably beautiful. This gun is made from very high-grade materials like carbon fiber and titanium. There are several models and finishes available, and they can vary in price a bit. But when you’re already spending this much, why not splurge?

6. Ohio Ordnance M2-SLR Belt Feed

M2+Browning | UA M2 Browning 1
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - Генеральний штаб ЗСУ / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

  • Price: $19,200

This is the civilian-legal version of the iconic M2 Browning machine gun. It’s the only way to own the iconic “Ma Deuce” legally. For the most part, this is a collector’s gun. However, it is often used for target practice and sometimes even hunting.

5. Deutsche Waffen 1902 Luger Carbine

Christopher Capozziello / Getty Images News via Getty Images

  • Price: $24,000

This firearm is another historically significant gun. It’s a longer version of the Luger pistol and comes with a wooden stock to help improve accuracy. Produced by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM), a prominent German arms manufacturer, the Deutsche Waffen 1902 Luger Carbine wasn’t made for a long time. Models are relatively rare, hence the cost.

4. Original 1864 Henry Repeater

National Shooting Sports Foundation Hosts Annual Trade Show In Las Vegas
2018 Getty Images / Getty Images News via Getty Images

  • Price: $44,000

An original 1864 Henry Repeater is a highly sought-after and valuable firearm. This lever-action rifle was revolutionary for its time period, allowing for rapid-fire capabilities that were unheard of previously. As you might expect, it’s mostly expensive because it is rare and is largely a collector’s item. You probably won’t see this rifle being shot.

3. Just Drilling

NRA Gathers In Houston For 2013 Annual Meeting
2013 Getty Images / Getty Images News via Getty Images

  • Price: $175,000

A Just Drilling is a very interesting firearm. It is a combination gun, which means it has two shotgun barrels and one rifle barrel underneath. They’re very popular with hunters who might encounter different game on their trip. You can switch between the shotgun and rifle depending on your target. While the price may be a bit extravagent, many people find this versatile weapon to be a helpful tool.

2. Holland & Holland Royal Double Rifle

Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

  • Price: $200,000

According to Holland & Holland, the “Royal” Double Rifle represents the pinnacle of hunting rifles. This handcrafted gun is made with only the best materials — hence the high price. Most also come with fancy engravings, which are also hand-done. Each rifle has individually regulated chopper-lump barrels, a time-proven side lock mechanism, bolts, and ejectors. As you may imagine, with guns crafted one at a time, this rifle is somewhat hard to come by. Expect a long waiting period.

1. Rigby Rising Bite

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  • Price: $250,000

The most expensive rifle money can buy is the Rigby Rising Bite Double Rifle. This meticulously crafted gun, made with the finest materials, will cost you around a quarter of a million dollar. Each gun comes with specialized engravings and impossibly intricate designs. The Rigby Rising Bite also includes a unique vertical-bolt locking system and custom fitted stock made with minimum Grade 7 Turkish Walnut. It isn’t hard to see why this rifle comes in at #1.

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