What the most accurate rifle available to civilians?

Answer 1

This is a very broad question, many factors come into consideration here. Accuracy International makes a wide range of extremely accurate rifles available to the civilian world, and also military and law.
Blaser makes high end extremely accurate rifles strictly for the civlilian world. You can custom build an accurised rifle using Remington 700 actions, or Winchester model 70 actions, or even Ruger M77 actions, fit to any barrel, trigger and stock combination you can think of. Next comes ammo choices, there's entire books written concerning the right ammo for your rifle, start reading. Of course, 9 out of 10 rifles right off the shelf are more accurate than the average shooter is capable of. So consider the level of the shooter, then consider what level rifle you want for that shooter.
A firearm is only as accurate as the person behind the trigger.

Answer 2

Accuracy is a function of many factors but in a nutshell, ALL modern rifles are as accurate as the shooter. That said I'll only add that the most accurate (consistently putting bullets into the same point of aim) out-of-the-box rifle I have yet purchased is a my old .25-06 Remington 700 ADL bought new in 1974 for under $120. It has the 24" inch barrel and the only thing I've added to it is a sling and a 3x9 scope. This is the one that works just right for me. For you it may be another rifle/caliber combo.

NOTE: This makes what, three .25-06s? Could be just a coincidence.

Good luck.

H

Answer 3

Nothing much to add to the first answer really, except that the Savage rifles tend to be extremely accurate these days too. Their Accutrigger is very light but also safe. I agree the Accuracy International AWs are very hard to beat, their combination of ruggedness, accuracy and firepower (Royal Marines chose the 338 Lapua version) makes them about the best sniper rifles that money can buy.

At long ranges the ability of the shooter to estimate and allow for range and wind conditions is much more important than the fundamental accuracy of the firearm. That's not to say you don't need to start with something very accurate, but the major part of the equation at 1000 yards is the shooter. An expert thousand yard target shooter using my Savage 12BVSS would have no trouble beating me using their race gun.

Alchemist: if your AR-15 is tumbling bullets at 50 yards then you have a poor barrel/bullet match. To stabilize the heavier bullets you need a faster twist than the original military barrels had, something like 1:7 or 1:8. I am not a fan of Stoner's direct impingement gas system, but I do have four AR-15s. I use them for plinking cans and such. Even with a military chrome lined barrel they should be able to hit a man sized target at 300 yards with the iron sights.

Answer 4

For semi-automatic rifles, I would say the Ar-15 is a tackle driver. I was able to hit a tennis ball sized target at 300 yards. You should be able to hit a man sized target at 550 yards more than 80% of the time. I heard a 50 cal BMG is pretty accurate up to 1000-1300 yards. You can easily hit a man sized target with good penetration at those ranges.
For bolt action rifles, just about any bolt action rifle with a free floating and heavy barrel will do. I think you can split a telephone wire at 100 yards. You should be able to hit a man sized target 10/10 times at 800-900 yards.

Answer 5

The most accurate rifles in the world are owned by civilians in America. Variations of the Remington 700 have a good reputation for accuracy, and mine chambered for .308 will shoot 3/8 inch groups at 100 yards.

Answer 6

I'm sure there are plenty more accurate rifles out there but my Zastava M76 chambered in 7.62x54R is the most accurate rifle I own, or have ever shot. From a prone position I can shoot and hit steel plates at 800 meters 9 out of 10 times. And that's a semi auto rifle!Bolt actions deliver better accuracy than a semi ever will.

Answer 7

I don't know if this is the most accuarte rifle, but try a Browning 25-06 stainless stalker w/boss. Shoots like a 22 but had the knock down power for deer. My wife can get groups of 1 1/2" @ 250 yards.

Answer 8

So many rifles..... new civilian rifles from many companys.... I just got a new Savage 30-06 model 110 which is very accurate.... I also own a few old military rifles from Germany and Russia that are very accurate.... a very broad question.... my most accurate weapon I would say is my German 98K Mauser

Answer 9

There really is no way to determine the most accurate rifle. I'd have to really disagree with the guy that said the ar-15 while it is a nice rifle it isn't even close if you ask me. You are probably better off getting something custom if price isnt a consideration.

Answer 10

I wouldn't say it is the most accurate in the world, but I purchased a Remington 700 Sendero chambered in .25-06. I have often gone to the range and placed shot groups so tight that at a couple of times I thought I had missed some shots only to find a ragged hole where the bullets had passed through the same spot. It is a very heavy gun with a varmint barrel and is not meant for free-arm shooting. I carry shooting sticks or sit in a stand for long shots.

When I first bought it I shot a muley at 390 yards and only put about a 3 inch rise on the cross hairs of my Leupold 2.5X10.

I hear many police departments use the same gun in .308 for their SWAT and HRT guys.

As far as AR 15's I have one and wouldn't trust it for precision shooting. It's fun for plinking though.(I edited this part because I checked and my AR's barrel does have an old military twist .)