We shoot a variety of ammo, bullet styles, and bullet weights. One reason we shoot that much is that we want each rifle to shine as brightly as possible. The five shooters on the team spent days shooting a collective 375 five-shot groups for record. It takes a long time to gather that much accuracy data.

(And, incidentally, is a much tougher standard than you’ll see in other gun reviews.) The Stevens 334 Walnut was a standout in the accuracy test. While it is fun to highlight some of the smallest groups in the test-which we do as well-this 10-group average is much more meaningful with respect to a rifle’s true in-the-field performance. Our published accuracy results are the averages of the 10 best five-shot groups for each rifle. We go over each with a critical eye to pick apart their construction and evaluate workmanship. We shoot the hell out of each rifle for accuracy and practical field handling. The testers shot a total of 375 five-shot groups while evaluating rifle accuracy. Unlike other awards you see touted, our Editor’s Choice and Great Buy honors are not for sale. We pit the entries head-to-head and when the dust settles we tabulate the scores and whoever wins, wins. This test is different, and always has been. How We Tested the Best RiflesĪs I alluded to above, Outdoor Life’s gun testing protocol is unlike any other in the outdoor industry. We were so smitten with the Marlin 336 Classic that it was the unanimous selection as this year’s Editor’s Choice. 45/70-the Marlin 336 Classic cements the iconic brand’s comeback. In conjunction with the Marlin 1895 SBL we tested and the Marlin 1895 Trapper we’ve been using-both in. The new Marlin 336 Classic we evaluated is the latest in a string of fabulous lever actions that have been rolling off the production line at Ruger’s facility in Mayodan, North Carolina. Scott EinsmannĪnother takeaway from the gun test is that Marlin’s resurrection by Ruger can now be deemed a complete and legitimate success. The new Marlin 336 Classic earned the 2023 Editor’s Choice award. In 2023, bargain-minded shooters have some good options to pick from. We also gave high marks to the CVA Cascade XT for the value it represents. The Stevens 334 Walnut and Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical both distinguished themselves in that light and earned this year’s Great Buy awards. One dominant theme among the best rifles of 2023 is budget guns that punch above their weight class. (The bursting of the post-Covid bubble accounted for the unusually large number of introductions in 2022.) But it still included an interesting variety of long-guns spanning a spectrum of price points and uses. This year’s rifle field was smaller than last year’s. Best Rifle of 2023: Stevens 334 Walnut (Great Buy, Hunting Rifle).Best Rifle of 2023: Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical (Great Buy, Precision Rifle).Best Rifle of 2023: Marlin 336 Classic (Editor’s Choice).

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