There was a time when a long-range precision rifle was defined as just about any heavy-ish gun chambered for the .308 Winchester or the .300 Winchester Magnum. While those cartridges remain popular for going long, the rifles made for the job look very different. Today’s shooters demand a host of special features that were custom-only options just a few years ago, from stock adjustability and threaded muzzles to carbon-fiber-wrapped barrels and even AR-style handguards. Whether you’re looking to go long in the field or to improve your score in a PRS match—or both—there’s a rifle on this list that has everything you demand.
The Savage AXIS II Precision
The Savage AXIS II has a reputation as a budget-friendly rifle that doesn’t sacrifice accuracy or performance. For 2020, Savage partnered with Modular Driven Technologies to give the rifle a major upgrade. The new AXIS II Precision features an exclusive MDT Chassis with adjustable comb height and length-of-pull spacers, and a MLOK fore-end. The AccuTrigger is user-adjustable from 2.5 to 6-pounds; the 22-inch carbon-steel, button-rifled, heavy barrel is threaded with a muzzle cap; and the rifle comes with a detachable 10-round AICS Magazine. Maybe best of all, it still goes for under $1,000. The AXIS II Precision weighs just under 10 pounds and is available in .222, .243, .270, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, and even the grand old 30-06. $949; savagearms.com
Remington PCR E
“PCR” stand for “precision chassis rifle” and “E” means “enhanced,” which pretty much tells the story of this upgrade from Remington; it’s a chassis-stocked tack-driver built on the Model 700 action with some extra bells and whistles. The chassis and handguard are Cerakoted in a tungsten finish and the barreled action is Cerakoted in black. Because you’re apt to be shooting this rifle a lot from prone, the one-piece aircraft-grade aluminum-alloy chassis has a cut-out for easy insertion of the magazine while in that position. The PCR E has a 24-inch threaded barrel with 5R rifling and LTR flutes, as well as a X-Mark adjustable trigger. It also comes standard with an aluminum handguard that’s M-LOK compatible, a two-piece 20 MOA Picatinny rail, a tactical-style bolt handle, and an adjustable MDT SCS Lite stock. It’s chambered for the 6mm and 6.5 Creedmoor, and the .308 Winchester, with a surprisingly affordable price tag. $1,595; remington.com
Sig Sauer CROSS
Yep, this rifle is also listed as one of the best new hunting rifles for 2020. So why is it included as a top pick here too? Well, the name should say it all: The Cross is intended as a crossover rifle that’s ideally adapted for both hunting and long-range shooting. It has all the features that shooters now demand from a precision rig, including a two-stage match trigger, adjustable comb, adjustable length-of-pull, integral Picatinny rail, detachable magazine, and a free-floating barrel with an M-Lok compatible handguard. It’s also chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, and the brand-new SIG high-pressure 277 Fury cartridge. In addition to all that, it has a folding stock, a threaded muzzle, and weighs under 6-1/2 pounds. $1,799; sigsauer.com
Seekins Precision The Hit
The Hit is a new chassis rifle from Seekins Precision. It was designed with input from law enforcement, military, and PRS shooters—all folks who know what’s needed to shoot at distance. The all-stainless-steel rifle is built on a variation of the famous Seekins Havak action and features an action dust cover like you’d find on an MSR. It also has a unique four-lug bolt with an M16-style extractor and a plunger ejector, and it feeds from Magpul magazines. When I grabbed the rifle off the display rack at the Seekins SHOT Show booth, I was impressed with how handy this rifle is. The exact weight wasn’t available, but I’d put it at around 7-1/2 pounds, which means The Hit should prove excellent for both backcountry hunting and hitting targets way out there. Available in .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6.5 PRC. Starts at $3,600; seekinsprecision.com
JP Enterprises LRI-20
There are not a lot of new MSR rifles for 2020, but JP Enterprises has one that should appeal to anyone with any sniper DNA in them. JP claims their new LRI-20 upper receiver offers the most stable and repeatable platform for a precision gas gun on the market. It features a unique integral handguard nut, which counters the critical weak point of the standard AR design. Paired with the company’s MicroFit takedown pins, the LRI-20 has a fully unified chassis system and a JP Supermatch barrel. And the trigger…sorry to gush, but, oh my God! I’ll bet you’ve never pulled anything like it. The rifle also has a unique adjustable gas system so you can tune it perfectly for suppressed or unsuppressed fire. It’s available in 6mm and 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, and .308 Winchester, but you’ve got to pay to play. $3,499; jprifles.com
Bergara Wilderness Terrain
There are several cartridges that have become very popular for long-range shooting but are difficult to find chambered in factory rifles. Of course, you can find lots of guns chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester, but what about the even flatter-shooting 6.5 PRC., 300 PRC, and 28 Nosler? Well, the new Bergara Wilderness Terrain is available in all of these plus the 7mm Remington Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum. This rifle features a semi-heavy barrel with a 5.5 taper that’s threaded with an Omni muzzle brake. The metal is coated in sniper-grey Cerakote and the stock has a molded-in mini-chassis with QD flush cup sling mounts and an adjustable cheek rest. It’s also fitted with a Bergara Performance Trigger and feeds from an AICS-style magazine. But maybe the best part about this no-doubt tack-driver is the price. $1,300; bergara.online/us/
Weatherby Mark V Accumark Elite
Chambered for 18 cartridges including Weatherby Magnum loads and popular standard offerings, the new Mark V Accumark Elite gives long-range hunters everything they need to hit at distance. With an Elite Cerakote coating, the rifle is made to perform in harsh environments. Like all Mark V rifles, the Accumark Elite is guaranteed to deliver three-shot groups measuring 0.99-inch or less at 100 yards when used with Weatherby factory or premium ammunition. The rifle has a TriggerTech Field TM trigger that is externally adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds. It also has a 54-degree bolt lift and a STTM Slimline muzzle brake, and the adjustable-comb carbon-fiber stock built by AG Composites is ideal for perfect shooter interface. At a shade over 8 pounds, it offers a steady platform but isn’t too heavy to carry all day. $2,799-$2,999; weatherby.com
Browning X-Bolt Long Range Hunter
For 2020, Browning modified one of their best X-Bolt rifles to make it even more appealing for hunters who plan to shoot at extended distances. The Long Range Hunter is now offered in seven chamberings well-suited for tackling big game far past 300 yards. It has a matte-blue finish, extended bolt handle, influx recoil pad, and a heavy contour barrel that’s threaded and comes with a muzzle brake. It also has an eye-catching walnut stock, but the feature that sets it apart is the adjustable comb. Browning has very tastefully created an adjustable comb that allows you to perfectly align your eye behind the riflescope while maintaining a good check weld. Essentially, they have delivered a feature common on match rifles while managing to not destroy the look of a traditional sporting rifle. Combined with the short throw of the X-Bolt and Browning’s very well engineered detachable magazine, this makes for a long-range hunting rifle your grandfather would approve of. Starts at $1,299; browning.com