Bolt-Action vs. Lever-Action: U.S. Buyers Favor Classics in Top 10 Rifle Rankings

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• 24/7 Wall St. identified the 10 most popular rifles in America using a report from Gun Genius.
• Five of the 10 rifles on our list are bolt-action, whole four are lever-action.
• Rifles are ranked on sales volume in the 2023 calendar year.
• Also: 2 Dividend Legends To Hold Forever

We can trace the history of rifles back to the 16th century when they were used by a very small number of people in Europe. Even into the 18th century, rifles were relatively uncommon, with smoothbore muskets dominating the battlefield. Widespread use of rifles didn’t occur until around the 19th century, especially with the adoption of the Minié ball in the 1840s–50s. Today, modern rifles are used by the military and law enforcement, and by civilians for sport, target shooting, and hunting. What rifles are the most popular among Americans?

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.

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.

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.

This post was updated on August 31, 2025 to clarify the historic timeline of rifle usage and to reflect the most up-to-date prices.

Why Are We Writing About Popular Rifles?

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 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 (Rossi rifles are made in Brazil by Taurus)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: None

7. Browning X-Bolt Series

• 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 (most Browning rifles are produced overseas)
• 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: $1,400+
• 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

• 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: $300-350
• 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