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Ranking every rifle under $1,000
Searching for a capable bolt-action rifle without breaking the bank? We ranked the best options under $1,000. Finding a reliable firearm in the $500 to $1,000 price point is often a gamble, so we put a variety of models through their paces, evaluating build quality and ergonomics to see which ones actually deliver.
How we test
Real-world shooting performance: how each rifle handles recoil, cycling and general accuracy.
Build quality and ergonomics: separating reliable platforms from ones that compromise too much.
Value: which models offer the most for your money.
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Saturday afternoon PSA deals are live at Palmetto State Armory: pistols, rifles, uppers, lowers, optics and bulk 5.56. Stock moves fast, so grab what you want now.
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The Ruger-57 with a suppressor
The Ruger-57, chambered in 5.7x28mm, gets even more interesting with a suppressor. In the video, we run this unique pistol setup at the range so you can hear how a suppressed Ruger-57 sounds.
Why the Ruger-57 stands out
Lightweight design: it is easy to carry and shoot for long sessions.
High-velocity cartridge: 5.7x28mm is a small, fast, flat-shooting round.
20-round magazine: plenty of capacity for range days. Keep it fed with ammo from True Shot Ammo.
What to expect from a suppressor
A suppressor cuts muzzle blast a lot, but it does not make a gun silent. Many 5.7x28mm loads are supersonic, so you still hear the crack of the bullet. That is why we still recommend electronic hearing protection even when shooting suppressed. If suppressors are legal where you live, Anechoic offers titanium suppressors. They are regulated under the National Firearms Act, and state laws vary.
Would you run a suppressor on your Ruger-57? Subscribe to Bullets4Bucks for more firearm reviews, range videos and outdoor gear content.
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Testing the Tisas PX-5.7
We take the all-new Tisas PX-5.7 to the range. At nearly half the price of traditional 5.7x28mm handguns, this optics-ready, 20+1 pistol aims to dominate the budget market. In the video, we test its reliability, check its accuracy, and see whether it is worth your hard-earned cash.
What to check on any budget 5.7x28mm pistol
Reliability: run several brands and bullet weights before you trust it. 5.7x28mm ammo is not cheap, so a reliable gun matters. Shop range ammo at True Shot Ammo or Natchez.
Accuracy: shoot groups at realistic distances, both with the iron sights and with an optic.
Optics readiness: an optics-ready slide lets you mount a red dot. You can compare red dots at OpticsPlanet.
Magazines and support: check that spare magazines and parts are available before you buy.
Total cost: include ammo, optic and magazines, not just the price of the pistol.
Watch the video above for how the PX-5.7 performed on the range.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an affiliate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Bonnie and Clyde and the short-barreled shotgun
Before the National Firearms Act of 1934, short-barreled shotguns were easy to get and easy to modify. In the video, we look at how Bonnie and Clyde used an illegally modified semi-auto shotgun to outgun the police.
The history
Gangster-era firepower: Clyde Barrow and his gang were known for sawed-off shotguns and stolen military-style rifles such as the Browning Automatic Rifle.
Police were outgunned: many officers carried revolvers, so a shortened semi-auto shotgun was a serious advantage.
The NFA of 1934: the law put heavy tax and registration rules on short-barreled shotguns, short-barreled rifles, machine guns and suppressors. It regulates them rather than banning them outright, and those rules still apply today.
Bonnie and Clyde were killed in May 1934, a few weeks before the NFA was signed, but their crimes were part of the public pressure behind laws like it. Always check federal and state law before you modify any firearm.
If you want to stay legal and still get a compact setup, shop gear from Brownells.
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Upgrading a Weatherby Vanguard with an MDT field stock
We are upgrading the Weatherby Vanguard .300 Win Mag with a new MDT field stock to improve stability and ergonomics. The rifle started with a standard synthetic stock, which we replaced with the MDT modular technologies field stock.
What the MDT field stock offers
Aluminum bedding block: a full aluminum bedding block gives the action a rigid, consistent foundation.
Polymer exterior: the polymer outer keeps the rifle lighter and easier to carry than a full chassis.
Better ergonomics: a stock that fits you well makes the rifle steadier and easier to shoot accurately.
In the video, we take the rifle to the range to see how the new configuration affects handling and overall accuracy on the target.
Before you upgrade
Check that the stock is made for your exact action and barrel contour, and plan to re-check your zero after the swap. Pair the rifle with a quality scope from OpticsPlanet, feed it ammo from Natchez, and find tools and cleaning supplies at Brownells.
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Palmetto State Armory
Tuesday Afternoon Deals: 13 Picks Worth Grabbing
Today’s PSA deals just dropped. Optics, rifles, pistols, ammo and parts. Stock moves fast on days like this, so tap what you want and check the current price at the cart.
Forget what you have heard about cheap bolt-action rifles. I took the rifles that sell for $500 or less and put them head to head so you do not have to. The results surprised me, and this article breaks down what I found so you can pick the best hunting rifle under $500.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an affiliate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Watch the video above for the range footage, then use this write-up to compare the rifles side by side. Looking for more options? Check out my guide to the best budget hunting rifles.
The best hunting rifle under $500: my ranked list of five
Right now there are only five bolt-action rifles that show up under the $500 mark on a regular basis: the Glenfield Model A, the Savage Axis II, the Stevens 334 Synthetic, the Mossberg Patriot Synthetic and the Savage Axis XP. Here is how I rank them from best to worst:
Glenfield Model A
Savage Axis II
Stevens 334 Synthetic
Mossberg Patriot Synthetic
Savage Axis XP
A quick note on fairness: I did not have a Stevens 334 on hand for the video, so that ranking is based on how it compares to the Savage Axis II rather than hands-on range time. Some of this also comes down to personal preference, and your experience could differ.
1. Glenfield Model A: the best hunting rifle under $500 in my book
The Glenfield Model A is made by Ruger. Glenfield is an old name that was once sold in department-store catalogs, and Ruger has brought it back so they can offer a rifle under $500. In practice it is essentially a Ruger American Gen 1 Predator, and I recently sold my own Ruger American Gen 1, so I know the platform well.
Here is why it wins for me:
70-degree bolt throw: This is the biggest advantage over the Savage Axis line. It is quicker to cycle and far easier to live with when you run a scope with bulky rings.
Huge aftermarket support: Because it is compatible with Ruger American Gen 1 parts, there is a lot of stocks, triggers, magazines and accessories to choose from.
Consistent accuracy and reliability: In my experience these shoot very consistently out of the box and are well made.
Better components overall: In my opinion it has a better recoil lug system, a better bolt throw, a trigger that is just as good, and slightly higher quality components than the Savage Axis rifles.
For reference, Field & Stream lists the Glenfield Model A at $499 with a 20-inch barrel and a weight of about 6.3 pounds. In their test it averaged just over an inch at 100 yards for five-shot groups across three loads. They also point out that the safety does not lock the bolt, which is worth knowing before you buy.
The Savage Axis II is my number two pick for the best hunting rifle under $500. It comes with a basic synthetic stock and a soft, pliable recoil pad, and its adjustable AccuTrigger with the center blade breaks crisp and clean, with only a little noticeable creep and a decent amount of overtravel. For a budget trigger, it is hard to complain about.
What I like and what I do not:
Magazine design: I really like the Savage magazine. The release is part of the magazine, which makes it very easy to operate.
Accuracy: These are generally very accurate rifles right out of the box.
Bolt: The bolt has a 90-degree throw and a noticeably hard lift compared to some other rifles. That 90-degree throw can also cause problems with bulky scope rings, since you can bang your hand on the scope or be unable to mount a larger scope low.
Build: The receiver is machined from bar stock, the recoil lug is a separate piece that sits in recesses in the receiver and stock, and the bolt head is free floated with two locking lugs. You also get a plastic trigger guard and a stamped metal magazine.
Reliability: Savage rifles are known for occasional extraction, firing pin and ejection issues, and I have personally had more component failures with Savage Axis rifles than with Ruger American rifles.
The Axis II also offers right- and left-hand options and chamberings from .223 Remington up through .30-06, along with 350 Legend and 400 Legend. It lists around $515 at retail but is often on sale for under $400, according to Field & Stream.
3. Stevens 334 Synthetic: close, but I would take the Axis II
I did not have a Stevens 334 to go over with you on camera, so I cannot give you range numbers. Here is why I would still pick the Savage Axis II over it. The Axis II has more features that truly matter in the field, and in my opinion a consistently better trigger. The Stevens trigger tends to be very heavy, at 5 pounds or more.
That said, you can split hairs. Some shooters like the 334 more than the Axis II, and if you want a walnut stock, the Stevens 334 is available with one. It comes down to personal preference.
4. Mossberg Patriot Synthetic: great when it is good
The Mossberg Patriot has a cheap polymer stock with a rubber recoil pad and a sling swivel stud. The trigger is similar to the AccuTrigger with a center blade, but I like the AccuTrigger a lot more because the Patriot has noticeably more creep, although it is not bad.
Bolt: A spiral-fluted bolt that rides a little rougher and sloppier in the receiver. The bolt throw is 90 degrees, but I find the lift and operation easier than the Savage. The bolt release is a simple tab on the left side, so you do not have to press the trigger and release at the same time like you do on a Savage.
Action design: The front recoil lug is sandwiched between the barrel and receiver, much like a Remington 700, and sits in a recess in the stock. I actually like this recoil lug design better than the Savage Axis.
Barrel: The barrel is free floated and the version I shot was threaded 5/8×24.
Magazine release: The release lever is part of the stock. I find the Savage magazine release works a little better.
The big issue is consistency. The Patriot I showed in the video was a 7 PRC that shoots sub-MOA easily with factory ammo and will knock your socks off, but these rifles are known for quality control problems and inconsistent accuracy. That is the main reason I would not pick it over the rifles above.
The Savage Axis XP is basically the Axis II with the same AccuTrigger, usually bundled with a scope, so I did not go over it separately in the video. Because it has the same rifle underneath and the same component issues I have seen with Savage, I put it last on the list.
If I were choosing the best hunting rifle under $500 today, I would pick the Glenfield Model A for its 70-degree bolt throw, huge aftermarket support, consistent accuracy and better overall components. The Savage Axis II is a strong second place, especially when it is on sale. Whichever rifle you choose, budget a little for good glass and rings, because a bargain rifle with a good scope will outshoot an expensive rifle with a bad one.
Prices and availability change often, so check the current price before you buy. Leave a comment on the video and tell me which one you think is the best hunting rifle under $500.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, Bullets4Bucks may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the channel and the content I create. I only recommend products I believe are worth your money. Prices and availability are subject to change. Always follow your local, state and federal firearms laws when purchasing a firearm.
Timeless craftsmanship meets modern design! The WOOX Vigilante brings a fresh look to this classic rifle, combining traditional character with beautiful wood styling. What do you think of this transformation? ??
Timeless craftsmanship meets modern design. The WOOX Vigilante gives this classic rifle a fresh look, combining traditional character with beautiful wood styling. A new stock is one of the simplest ways to change how a rifle looks and feels without changing the action or barrel.
Watch the transformation above, and let us know in the comments what you think of the finished rifle.
