A bolt action rifle is usually 42 to 44 inches (107 to 112 cm) long overall, with a 22- or 24-inch barrel (56 to 61 cm), and it weighs about 6 to 7.5 pounds (2.7 to 3.4 kg). That is the size of a full-size hunting bolt action rifle — the kind most hunters carry.
But “bolt action rifle” covers many models, and the length changes from one model to the next. The five most popular models below run from 42 inches (106.7 cm) to 43.6 inches (110.7 cm) overall — a difference of only 1.6 inches (about 4 cm) — yet their barrels run from 22 inches (55.9 cm) to 24 inches (61.0 cm).
All five models in the table are shown in .308 Winchester, the most common chambering for these rifles, so the lengths compare fairly. Exact figures vary by chambering, stock and barrel option — check the maker’s spec sheet for the exact version you are looking at.
Bolt Action Rifle Length by Model
The table below gives the barrel length, overall length and weight of five popular bolt action rifles. Overall length is measured from the end of the barrel (muzzle) to the end of the buttstock.
| Model | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remington 700 SPS (.308 Win) | 24 in (61.0 cm) | 43.6 in (110.7 cm) | 7.25 lb (3.3 kg) |
| Tikka T3x Lite (.308 Win) | 22.4 in (56.9 cm) | 42.6 in (108.2 cm) | 6.4 lb (2.9 kg) |
| Ruger American Rifle (.308 Win) | 22 in (55.9 cm) | 42 in (106.7 cm) | 6.1 lb (2.8 kg) |
| Savage Axis II (.308 Win) | 22 in (55.9 cm) | 42.5 in (108.0 cm) | 6.3 lb (2.9 kg) |
| Winchester XPR (.308 Win) | 22 in (55.9 cm) | 42 in (106.7 cm) | 6.75 lb (3.1 kg) |
Remington 700 SPS — 43.6 Inches (110.7 cm)
The Remington 700 is the longest of the five. The SPS model in .308 Winchester has a 24-inch (61.0 cm) barrel and measures 43.6 inches (110.7 cm) overall — about 3.6 feet — and weighs 7.25 pounds (3.3 kg). The 700 has been made since 1962 and is one of the most popular bolt action rifles in the United States. Its barrel is offered from 16.5 to 26 inches depending on the version, so the overall length changes with the barrel you choose.
Tikka T3x Lite — 42.6 Inches (108.2 cm)
The Tikka T3x Lite in .308 Winchester has a 22.4-inch (56.9 cm) barrel and measures 42.6 inches (108.2 cm) overall — about 3.55 feet — and weighs 6.4 pounds (2.9 kg). Tikka prints the barrel as 570 mm, which is 22.4 inches. In a long-action chambering such as .300 Win Mag the same model grows to 44.5 inches overall with a 24.3-inch barrel, which shows how much the chambering changes the length.
Ruger American Rifle — 42 Inches (106.7 cm)
The Ruger American Rifle in .308 Winchester has a 22-inch (55.9 cm) barrel and measures 42 inches (106.7 cm) overall — exactly 3.5 feet — and weighs 6.1 pounds (2.8 kg). It is the lightest of the five and shares the shortest overall length with the Winchester XPR.
Savage Axis II — 42.5 Inches (108.0 cm)
The Savage Axis II in .308 Winchester has a 22-inch (55.9 cm) barrel and measures 42.5 inches (108.0 cm) overall — about 3.54 feet — and weighs 6.3 pounds (2.9 kg). A shorter 20-inch barrel version of the Axis II measures 40.5 inches overall, which is 2 inches shorter.
Winchester XPR — 42 Inches (106.7 cm)
The Winchester XPR in .308 Winchester has a 22-inch (55.9 cm) barrel and measures 42 inches (106.7 cm) overall — exactly 3.5 feet — and weighs 6.75 pounds (3.1 kg). The XPR is also sold with a 20-inch barrel, which measures 40 inches overall, and a 16.5-inch barrel version that measures 36.5 inches overall.
Barrel Length vs Overall Length
The barrel is only part of a rifle’s length. The overall length is the barrel plus the receiver (action) and the stock — roughly 20 inches of action and stock on a full-size hunting rifle. Check the numbers: the Tikka’s 22.4-inch barrel plus 20.2 inches of action and stock gives 42.6 inches overall, and the Ruger’s 22-inch barrel plus 20 inches gives 42 inches overall.
That is why a longer barrel makes the whole rifle longer by almost the same amount. Change a 22-inch barrel to a 24-inch barrel on the same model and the overall length grows by about 2 inches (5.1 cm). The Savage Axis II shows it clearly: the 22-inch barrel version is 42.5 inches long, and the 20-inch barrel version is 40.5 inches long — exactly 2 inches shorter.
So when you compare two rifles, always compare the barrel length as well as the overall length. Two rifles with the same overall length can have different barrel lengths if one has a longer stock.
Short Action vs Long Action — How Action Length Changes Rifle Length
A bolt action rifle is built around a “short action” or a “long action”, and the action size changes the rifle’s length.
A short action is made for shorter cartridges up to 2.75 inches (69.85 mm) long, such as .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor. A long action is made for longer cartridges up to 3.34 inches (84.84 mm) long, such as .30-06 Springfield, 7mm Remington Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum.
Because the long action receiver is longer, a long-action rifle is usually about 2 inches longer overall than the same model in a short-action chambering. The Tikka T3x Lite is a clear example: the .308 Winchester (short action) version is 42.6 inches (108.2 cm) long, while the .300 Win Mag (long action) version is 44.5 inches (113.0 cm) long — a difference of 1.9 inches (4.8 cm).
How Barrel Length Affects Length (and Velocity)
Most hunting bolt action rifles use a 20-, 22- or 24-inch barrel. A 22-inch barrel is the most common choice on the models in the table above, and 24 inches is common on magnum chamberings such as 7mm Rem Mag and .300 Win Mag, where the extra barrel helps the cartridge reach its full velocity.
A longer barrel gives the bullet more time to speed up. A common rule of thumb for .308 Winchester is about 25 fps (feet per second) per inch of barrel, so a 24-inch barrel can be roughly 100 fps faster than a 20-inch barrel — 4 inches times about 25 fps per inch. That is an approximate rule, not an exact figure, and it varies by cartridge and ammunition.
The trade-off is size and weight. Every extra inch of barrel adds about an inch to the overall length and makes the rifle harder to carry through thick brush or move inside a vehicle. That is why many hunters choose a 20- or 22-inch barrel even though a 24-inch barrel gives a little more velocity.
Everyday Size Comparisons
A bolt action rifle is hard to picture from inches alone. Here is how the Tikka T3x Lite — 42.6 inches (108.2 cm) long — compares with everyday objects.
Yardstick — 36 Inches
A yardstick is 36 inches (91.4 cm) long. The Tikka is 6.6 inches (16.8 cm) longer than a yardstick — hold a yardstick in your hand and add about a hand’s width.
Downhill Ski — 170 cm
A typical adult downhill ski is about 170 cm (about 67 inches) long. The ski is about 62 cm (about 24 inches) longer than the rifle — roughly 2 feet longer.
Fishing Rod — 6 Feet
A common fishing rod is 6 feet (72 inches / 182.9 cm) long. The rod is about 29 inches (about 75 cm) longer than the rifle — more than 2 feet longer.
Pool Cue — 57 Inches
A standard pool cue is about 57 inches (144.8 cm) long. The cue is about 14.4 inches (about 36.6 cm) longer than the rifle — hold the rifle next to a cue and the cue sticks out by more than a foot.
Curtain Rod — 48 Inches
A standard curtain rod is 48 inches (121.9 cm) long. The rod is about 5.4 inches (about 14 cm) longer than the rifle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a typical bolt action rifle?
A full-size bolt action hunting rifle is usually 42 to 44 inches (107 to 112 cm) long overall. The five popular models in this guide measure 42 to 43.6 inches (106.7 to 110.7 cm).
What is the most common barrel length on a bolt action hunting rifle?
22 inches (55.9 cm) is the most common barrel length on a hunting bolt action rifle. The Remington 700 SPS in this guide uses a 24-inch barrel, and the Tikka T3x Lite uses a 22.4-inch barrel.
Does a longer barrel make a rifle longer overall?
Yes. Every extra inch of barrel adds about an inch to the overall length, because the action and stock stay the same size. A 24-inch barrel version is about 2 inches (5.1 cm) longer overall than the same rifle with a 22-inch barrel.
How long is a Tikka T3x Lite?
The Tikka T3x Lite in .308 Winchester is 42.6 inches (108.2 cm) long overall, with a 22.4-inch (56.9 cm) barrel, and it weighs 6.4 pounds (2.9 kg).
How much does a bolt action rifle weigh?
The five models in this guide weigh 6.1 to 7.25 pounds (2.8 to 3.3 kg) without a scope. The Ruger American Rifle is the lightest at 6.1 pounds, and the Remington 700 SPS is the heaviest at 7.25 pounds.
What is the difference between a short action and a long action?
A short action fits cartridges up to 2.75 inches (69.85 mm) long, such as .308 Winchester. A long action fits cartridges up to 3.34 inches (84.84 mm) long, such as .30-06 Springfield. A long-action rifle is usually about 2 inches longer overall than the same model in a short-action chambering.
Conclusion
A bolt action rifle is 42 to 44 inches (107 to 112 cm) long overall, with a 22- or 24-inch barrel and a weight of 6 to 7.5 pounds (2.7 to 3.4 kg). The exact length depends on the model, the barrel and the chambering: the Ruger American Rifle and Winchester XPR are the shortest of the five popular models at 42 inches (106.7 cm), the Savage Axis II is 42.5 inches (108.0 cm), the Tikka T3x Lite is 42.6 inches (108.2 cm), and the Remington 700 SPS is the longest at 43.6 inches (110.7 cm).
If you want the shortest rifle, look for a 20- or 22-inch barrel and a short-action chambering such as .308 Winchester. If you want the most velocity, a 24-inch barrel adds about 2 inches of length and roughly 100 fps — a fair trade for open country, but a burden in thick brush.
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Hi, I’m Michael Carter, I write simple, everyday size guides so you can picture any measurement in seconds.
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