5 Best Varmint Rifles in 2025: Expert Picks for Precision Hunting
Varmint hunting requires more than just patience it demands the right rifle for the job. Whether you’re targeting coyotes across wide fields, thinning prairie dog colonies, or handling backyard pests, accuracy and reliability are key. In 2025, hunters have more rifle options than ever, but a handful stand out for their performance, comfort, and value.
In this guide, we’ll break down the 5 best varmint rifles in 2025, highlight what each model is best for, and help you choose the perfect rifle to match your hunting style.
Quick Comparison: 5 Best Varmint Rifles in 2025
Rifle | Best For | Barrel Length |
|---|---|---|
Browning X-Bolt Medallion | Long-range coyotes & prairie dogs | 22" – 26" (varies by caliber) |
Remington 700 Varmint SF | Hunters who want a proven classic | 26" heavy barrel |
Winchester Model 70 Coyote Light | Mountain terrain & all-day hunts | 24" fluted barrel |
Ruger 77/22 | Backyard pest control & beginners | 20" barrel |
Savage Axis 2 Pro | New hunters & budget-conscious shooters | 22" barrel |
1. Browning X-Bolt Medallion – Premium Accuracy Pick
The Browning X-Bolt Medallion is a rifle built for shooters who demand exceptional precision and craftsmanship. Its short 60-degree bolt throw ensures fast, smooth cycling, while the adjustable Feather Trigger gives hunters a crisp, consistent break with no creep. Combined with a free-floating barrel and bedded action, it delivers reliable sub-MOA performance.
The walnut stock and gloss finish make it as attractive as it is functional, appealing to hunters who value both form and function. Chambered in calibers like .223 Remington and .22-250 Remington, it’s tailor-made for high-velocity, flat-shooting varmint cartridges.
Why It Stands Out: A combination of premium materials, elegant design, and unmatched accuracy. If you’re serious about long-range varmint hunting, the X-Bolt Medallion is a top-tier choice in 2025.
2. Remington 700 Varmint SF – The Reliable Classic
Few rifles have the legacy of the Remington 700. The Varmint SF (Stainless Fluted) version takes that tradition and adapts it for precision varmint hunting. Its heavy, fluted stainless barrel resists heat distortion and helps maintain consistent shot groups during extended sessions ideal when you’re shooting dozens of prairie dogs in one outing.
The rigid synthetic stock and pillar bedding improve stability, while the solid two-lug bolt action is one of the most proven designs in hunting history. Because the Remington 700 is one of the most widely customized rifles ever made, hunters can upgrade triggers, optics, and stocks to create a rifle that perfectly suits their needs.
Why It Stands Out: Time-tested reliability, huge aftermarket support, and accuracy that has earned its place in varmint hunting lore.
3. Winchester Model 70 Coyote Light – Best Lightweight Rifle
Nicknamed the “Rifleman’s Rifle,” the Winchester Model 70 has decades of history. The Coyote Light version modernizes that heritage with a focus on lightweight performance. A fluted barrel reduces overall weight and enhances cooling, while the composite stock with aluminum bedding block keeps it sturdy yet manageable.
The rifle also features Winchester’s renowned Controlled Round Feed (CRF), which ensures flawless feeding and extraction under any condition. Available in popular varmint calibers like .223 Remington and .243 Winchester, it balances accuracy with portability.
For hunters who trek across hillsides or need to carry their rifle all day long, the Coyote Light provides comfort without compromise. It’s easily the best lightweight varmint rifle of 2025, especially for hunters working rough terrain.
Why It Stands Out: Lightweight build with proven Model 70 reliability, making it a perfect companion for mobile varmint hunters.
4. Ruger 77/22 – Most Versatile Rimfire Option
The Ruger 77/22 is a bolt-action rimfire rifle that excels in versatility. Available in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .22 Hornet, it offers hunters flexibility depending on their environment and prey. Its compact design, lighter recoil, and quieter report make it especially useful for pest control in semi-rural or suburban areas where overpowered cartridges aren’t practical.
The build quality is all Ruger durable, dependable, and easy to maintain. With a cold hammer-forged barrel and rotary magazine, it balances old-school charm with modern engineering. For small varmints like squirrels, rabbits, and groundhogs, it’s accurate and humane.
It’s also a favorite training rifle for younger shooters, helping them learn marksmanship fundamentals without developing bad habits from heavy recoil.
Why It Stands Out: Quiet, accurate, and endlessly versatile ideal for both beginners and seasoned hunters in close-range scenarios.
5. Savage Axis 2 Pro – Best Budget Varmint Rifle
The Savage Axis 2 Pro proves that accuracy doesn’t have to come at a premium price. Designed for entry-level hunters and those seeking a dependable rifle under $650, it packs features normally found in more expensive firearms.
At its heart is the AccuTrigger system, allowing hunters to adjust trigger pull to their preference. Its factory blueprinted action and button-rifled barrel provide accuracy that rivals rifles twice its cost. In testing, the Axis 2 Pro regularly achieved sub-1.5-inch groups at 100 yards plenty precise for coyotes, foxes, and other varmints.
It’s also available in a wide range of calibers, giving buyers flexibility depending on what varmints they’re after. For those entering the hunting world in 2025, it’s hard to find a better value.
Why It Stands Out: Delivers reliable accuracy and performance at an unbeatable price point, making it the best budget varmint rifle of 2025.