Americans Are in a Rush to Buy These Rifles

The word “rifle” has a complex etymology; it comes from the Old French word rifler or the German riefe, which roughly translates to “grooved.” Rifles have grooves on the inside of their barrels that, when shot, give the bullet a bit of a spin to improve accuracy and power. In fact, early hunters and shooters appreciated rifles for shooting longer distances. This allowed them to hunt from farther away, reducing the need to scare animals and making it easier to see; prior guns had emitted large clouds of smoke that made it difficult for hunters to zone in on their targets. While the rifles introduced in the late 17th century and beyond are interesting to look back on, modern rifles have far exceeded the capabilities of their historical counterparts. Rifles remain incredible accurate. But they also have low recoil (making them great for beginners), are lightweight and easily portable, are ineffective, and can be used in many different scenarios. Still, gun owners tend to stick to buying their favorite rifles. (Power and reliability keep these ten hunting rifles as America’s most popular.)

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. We compiled this list using online gun sales only. The online buying process requires buyers to have their firearms shipped to a Federally Licensed firearm dealer. Federally Licensed dealers must run background checks before giving the gun to the customer. Also note that we’ve estimated base prices of the rifles, which can be as low as a few hundred dollars. However, higher-end variations may be much more expensive.

Why We’re Covering Rifle Popularity

When it comes to owning rifles, many rifle owners love these guns for their versatility. They cite several top reasons for keeping a rifle, including hunting game to feed their family; protecting their livestock; protecting their home or family; shooting guns for sport; stress relief; and adding to a gun collction. If you’re a gun owner searching for a new rifle, understanding which rifles are popular, how easily available they are, and how much they cost helps you identify the perfect fit. But knowing this information can also help you if you’re looking to invest in any publicly traded gun companies.

These are the 10 best-selling rifles in America:

10. Savage Axis Series

Approx. base retail price: $270
Available chamberings include: .223, .270, .30-06,.308, .350 Legend, 6.5 Creedmoor
Parent company: Savage Arms, Inc.
Savage U.S. rifle production in 2021: 392,880 (10.0% of all U.S. made rifles)
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Westfield, MA

9. Savage 10/110 Series

Approx. base retail price: $460
Available chamberings include: .223, .270, .30-06,.308, .450 Bushmaster, 6.5 Creedmoor
Parent company: Savage Arms, Inc.
Savage U.S. rifle production in 2021: 392,880 (10.0% of all U.S. made rifles)
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Westfield, MA

8. Rossi R92 Series

Approx. base retail price: $620
Available chamberings include: .30-30, .454 Casull,.38, .357 Mag,.44 Mag, .45, .45-70
Parent company: Rossi
Rossi U.S. rifle production in 2021: 0
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: None

7. Browning X-Bolt Series

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Approx. base retail price: $740
Available chamberings include: .223, .243, .270, .270 WSM, .30-06, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor
Parent company: Herstal Group
Browning U.S. rifle production in 2021: 1
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Morgan, UT (Browning)

6. Remington Model 700 Series

Approx. base retail price: $421
Available chamberings include: .223, .243, .270, .270 WSM, .30-06, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor
Parent company: RemArms
Remington U.S. rifle production in 2021: 23,444 (0.6% of all U.S. made rifles)
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Ilion, NY

5. Marlin Model 1895 Series

Approx. base retail price: $1,280
Available chamberings include: .45-70
Parent company: Sturm, Ruger & Company
Ruger U.S. rifle production in 2021: 736,664 (18.7% of all U.S. made rifles)
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Prescott, AZ, Southport, CT, Mayodan, NC, and Newport, NH

4. Ruger American Series

Approx. base retail price: $480
Available chamberings include: .30-06, .243, .270, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor
Parent company: Sturm, Ruger & Company
Ruger U.S. rifle production in 2021: 736,664 (18.7% of all U.S. made rifles)
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Prescott, AZ, Southport, CT, Mayodan, NC, and Newport, NH

3. Henry Side Gate Series

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Approx. base retail price: $870
Available chamberings include: .30-30, .357 Mag,.44 Mag, .45, .45-70
Parent company: Henry Repeating Arms
Henry U.S. rifle production in 2021: 296,948 (7.5% of all U.S. made rifles)
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Rice Lake, WI and Bayonne, NJ

2. Henry Big Boy Series

Approx. base retail price: $850
Available chamberings include: .327 Mag, .41 Mag, .38, .357 Mag,.44 Mag, .45
Parent company: Henry Repeating Arms
Henry U.S. rifle production in 2021: 296,948 (7.5% of all U.S. made rifles)
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Rice Lake, WI and Bayonne, NJ

1. Ruger 10/22 Series

Approx. base retail price: $270
Available chamberings include: .22 LR
Parent company: Sturm, Ruger & Company
Ruger U.S. rifle production in 2021: 736,664 (18.7% of all U.S. made rifles)
U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Prescott, AZ, Southport, CT, Mayodan, NC, and Newport, NH