Probably the single most important thing about any hunting rifle is that it be reliable and fit the owner. A prospective buyer should make a list of the models he or she finds appealing and then visit a local gun shop and try each. Throw the rifle to your shoulder, operate the action, switch the safety on and off and dry fire the rifle. Then buy the one that fits best. Stock fit and ergonomics are important, so if a recommended rifle does not fit you, don't buy it.

Over the years I have formed opinions about the various brands and models of hunting rifles and this is an opinion piece. These recommendations were not handed down to me by God, engraved on a stone tablet. I have not used every brand and model of rifle in the world and particularly not models seldom seen in the U.S. However, at one time I did sell rifles for a large gun retailer and I have been a fairly active recreational shooter for my entire adult life and a gun writer for about two decades, so I have come into contact with most of the well established models.

Like all shooters I have personal likes and dislikes. These preferences are reflected in my recommendations. If I don't list a particular rifle that you cherish, if does not mean that it is no good; it merely means that either I am unfamiliar with it or I find the features of the rifles I did list more desirable. There are few really bad rifles in the marketplace.

Also note that only currently produced rifles as of the time of this writing are included in the lists below. I admire many discontinued rimfire rifles, such as the Browning A-Bolt Medallion, Winchester Model 52B Sporter and Model 9422 lever action, but they are not included here.

I have grouped my recommendations into categories, which you will find below. These categories are intended to group rifles of similar type, application, grade and general price class. To facilitate comparison I have listed more than one choice in each category, in alphabetical order. There is often little to choose between the rifles in a given category. The rifles I'd recommend to left handed shooters are the left handed models of the rifles listed below, when available.

• Anschutz Model 1710 series, 1712 series, 1727 series
• Cooper Arms M57-M series

• Anschutz Model 1416 series
• Browning T-Bolt series
• Ruger Model 77/22 series

• CZ Model 455 series
• Marlin XT-22 series
• Ruger American series
• Savage Mark II series

• Browning BL 22 series
• Henry Lever Action and Golden Boy series
• Marlin Golden 39A

• Browning SA .22 series (auto)
• Remington Model 552 BDL Speedmaster (auto)
• Remington Model 572 BDL Fieldmaster (pump)

• Henry Pump Action Octagon (pump)
• Marlin Model 60, Model 795 series (auto)
• Remington Model 597 series (auto)
• Ruger 10/22 series (auto)
• Savage Model 64 series (auto)

• Dakota Model 10
• H&R Sportster (break-open)
• T/C Contender G2 (break-open)
• Winchester 1885 Low Wall (falling block)

• Browning BL 22 Micro
• CZ 455 Training Rifle, Scout Rifle (bolt)
• H&R Sportster Compact (break-open)
• Henry Lever and Golden Boy Youth (lever)
• Henry Mini Bolt Youth (bolt)
• Marlin 915Y, 915YS (bolt)
• Ruger American Compact (bolt)
• Savage Mark I Youth (bolt)
• Savage Mark II Youth (bolt)
• Savage Rascal (bolt)

• Browning T-Bolt series
• Cooper Arms M57-M series
• CZ 455 series
• Marlin XT-22 series
• Ruger Model Model 77/22 series
• Ruger American series
• Savage Model 93 series

• Henry Golden Boy and Lever Action series

• Henry Pump Action Octagon (pump)
• Savage A22 (auto)

• Dakota Model 10
• H&R Sportster (break-open)
• Winchester 1885 Low Wall (falling block)

• Anschutz Model 1717 series, 1727 series
• Cooper Arms M57-M series

• Anschutz Model 1517 series
• Browning T-Bolt series
• Ruger Model K77/17 series

• CZ 455 series
• Marlin XT-17 series
• Ruger American series
• Savage Model 93R17 series

Lever Action Rifles

• Henry Golden Boy series
• Henry Varmint Express

• Savage A17 series

• Dakota Model 10 (falling block)
• H&R Sportster (break-open)
• Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall (falling block)

• Ruger 77/17 series (bolt)
• Savage B.Mag series (bolt)
• Volquartsen 17WSM (auto)
• Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall (falling block)