Best Bullpup Rifles

A bullpup is a firearm with its action behind the trigger. This configuration permits a shorter overall weapon for a given barrel length. This maintains better maneuverability in confined spaces and reduces weight and size without sacrificing range or power.

Bullpups have been around since 1901 but didn’t make a splash until the 1990s, and only recently have they gained popularity in North America.

The Steyr AUG, FN PS90, FN F2000, and Tavor are a few of today’s most popular bullpup rifles.

So, what are the best bullpup rifles of 2023? Keep reading to find out.

What is a bullpup rifle?

A bullpup rifle is a type of firearm that has its action and magazine located behind the trigger, allowing it to be shorter than traditional styled firearms with the same barrel length.

The advantages of bullpup rifles have led to their adoption by military and police forces worldwide. One of the most noteworthy modern examples is the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) adoption of the Tavor rifle, which features an advanced modular design that allows for quick disassembly and easy maintenance in field conditions.

Additionally, due to its compact size and unique loading system, this type of rifle offers superior accuracy compared to other types of long guns.

The best bullpup rifles of 2023

Here are a few of the best bullpup rifles on the market today.

Steyr AUG

The Steyr AUG is an excellent choice for 2023 due to its long track record of success and its ability to accommodate both right-handed and south-paw shooters.

The gun offers an easy-to-use safety mechanism located above the grip, as well as the ability to switch bolt sides for right or left-handed shooters. Additionally, standard models come with a 1.5x optical sight and carrying handle which makes them even more versatile in various environments.

Furthermore, the Steyr AUG has been around since 1974 and continues to be used by militaries across the world due to its reliability in any situation.

Finally, it has plenty of accessories available so users can customize their weapon according to their needs in order to maximize performance on any mission they take on in 2023 or beyond!

IWI Tavor X95

The IWI Tavor X95 is a great bullpup rifle of 2023 because it offers a sleek, compact design, ambidextrous controls, ample optics rail as well as rails at 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions.

The trigger breaks at a crisp 5 to 6 pounds which is ideal for Bullpup fans.

Additionally, the rifle’s ergonomics are top-notch, making transitioning between targets quick and easy.

The long-stroke operated X95 weighs in at 7.9 pounds making it extremely manageable, especially when shooting multiple rounds.

Finally, the price point is reasonable considering all of its features, making it an excellent value for your money.

Springfield Hellion

The Springfield Hellion is probably the best bullpup rifle of 2023 due to its innovative design, outstanding shooting ability, reliability, ergonomics, and accuracy.

Its 16-inch barrel provides excellent performance in a compact package that weighs only 8 pounds unloaded.

The Hellion also has an ambidextrous charging handle and safety, an adjustable stock with a cheek riser, and QD sling points on both sides of the rifle’s stock and handguard.

Additionally, it has M-LOK slots on the handguard for mounting accessories or optics and flip-up iron sights built into the design for quick target acquisition.

Furthermore, its case ejection system is reversible, which makes it suitable for lefties as well.

FN FS2000

The FN FS2000 is a semi-automatic rifle produced by FN Herstal. It was designed for military and law enforcement use and is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge.

The FS2000 is a bullpup design, which means that the action is located behind the trigger group, allowing for a shorter overall length without sacrificing barrel length.

This makes it more compact and easier to handle in confined spaces. The FS2000 has a polymer stock and a cold hammer-forged barrel, and it can be equipped with a variety of optics and accessories.

The FN FS2000 has been featured in several video games. It is possible that it has appeared in others as well, but I don’t have a complete list. Here are a few examples of video games in which the FS2000 has appeared:

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
• Battlefield 4
• Sniper Elite 4

It is common for video games to include a variety of real-world weapons for players to use, and the FS2000 is just one example of a weapon that has been included in some games.

Kel-Tec RDB

Kel-Tec RDB (Rifle, Downward-ejecting Bullpup) is a semi-automatic rifle designed and manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc. It is a bullpup design, meaning the action is located behind the trigger group, allowing for a shorter overall length without sacrificing barrel length.

The RDB is chambered for a variety of calibers, including 5.56x45mm NATO, .223 Remington, and 7.62x39mm.

It has a polymer stock and a rotating bolt system, and it is designed to be ambidextrous, with the ability to eject spent shells downward rather than to the side.

The RDB is intended for civilian shooters, law enforcement, and military personnel. While it may not be the most high-end bullpup on the list, it still is a solid gun that is a lot of fun to shoot.

FN PS90

The FN PS90 is a great bullpup rifle of 2023 due to its innovative design and high-quality construction.

Its 5.7x28mm cartridge offers reduced recoil compared to other handgun rounds, making it easier for shooters of all sizes to handle. It’s arguably still one of the best guns that shoot 5.7.

The PS90’s ambidextrous design makes it easy for both righties and lefties to use without any modifications needed.

Furthermore, the magazine sits on top of the barrel rather than underneath which prevents accidental discharges if dropped or bumped into while loading or unloading ammo.

Finally, the PS90 has an ergonomic build that is lightweight yet durable enough to withstand regular use in various environments without compromising on performance or safety standards.

Conversion Kits

The best conversion kits for bullpup rifles in 2023 are the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine Kit from Manticore Arms and the DIY Conversion Kit for Mossberg 500s from Bullpup Unlimited.

Both kits are relatively easy to install and can turn your standard rifle into a compact, maneuverable bullpup rifle.

The Manticore Arms kit is more expensive than the Bullpup Unlimited kit but offers higher-quality components and better performance.

What to consider when buying a bullpup rifle?

Design

When considering which bullpup rifle to buy, it is important to consider its design features.

Most modern bullpup rifles have an action located behind the trigger, which allows for a shorter overall length than a traditional rifle.

They also typically feature detachable magazines for easier loading and reloading.

However, some older models of bullpup rifles, such as the Thorneycroft Carbine from 1901, do not have these modern features and can be harder to find today.

Due to their unconventional design, some newer models may be less reliable or require more maintenance than traditional rifles.

Caliber

When selecting a bullpup rifle’s caliber, it is important to consider the type of shooting you will be doing.

For example, if you plan on using your rifle for long-range shooting or hunting, then a larger caliber such as .308 would be ideal.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a firearm for home defense purposes, something smaller like 5.56 NATO or 9mm may be more suitable.

Another consideration is how much recoil you can handle since most bullpup rifles have more recoil due to their compact design and longer barrels.

Therefore it is important to research the different calibers available and find one that suits your needs while being able to handle any added kickback from firing it regularly.

Trigger pull

It is important to consider a bullpup rifle’s trigger pull because it can affect accuracy and performance.

A heavier or inconsistent trigger can lead to inaccurate shots, which is something you want to avoid when hunting or shooting targets for sport.

If you are new to shooting with a bullpup design, you may find its heavier trigger difficult to adjust to at first.

Muzzle rise and recoil

A bullpup rifle has higher muzzle rise than a traditional rifle or shotgun. This is due to the fact that the magazine and action are located at the back of the barrel, making it back heavy and increasing the force of recoil when shooting.

However, you can mitigate this effect by using muzzle devices and training techniques.

Unlike traditional rifles or shotguns, a bullpup’s ejection port can be switched from right to left depending on whether it’s being used by a right-handed or left-handed shooter.

This helps reduce potential injury caused by spent shell casings flying out of one side of the rifle toward one shooter’s face in particular.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics considerations are similar when comparing a bullpup rifle to a conventional rifle.

Both rifles should have a comfortable stock, adjustable sights and sling mounts, and be easy to handle.

The main difference is in how the two types of rifles are designed: conventional rifles have the action located behind the trigger, whereas bullpup rifles have it located in front of it.

This change impacts how you hold and aim the gun, so it is important to ensure that you understand how this will affect your shooting before purchasing one.

Sights and optics

Sights and optics are available for bullpup rifles, including red dot sights, magnified scopes, and reflex sights.

These provide a variety of options for different shooting contexts and applications.

Ammo selection

There are various types of ammo available for bullpup rifles, depending on the caliber and purpose. Rifle cartridges include:

1. Centerfire rounds – These are typically used in hunting and target shooting, as they have a center primer located at the center of the cartridge case.

2. Rimfire rounds – These are generally less powerful than centerfire rounds and can only be used in rifles that have a rimmed cartridge case design.

Configurations

There are various configurations for a bullpup rifle, depending on the caliber and needs of the shooter.

The most common configuration is an assault rifle, which features a long barrel and detachable magazine.

Other configurations include sniper rifles, pistol grip models, and shotgun variants.

The compact design of a bullpup rifle makes it ideal for these different configurations as it provides increased maneuverability without sacrificing firepower or accuracy.

Magazine compatibility

When selecting a bullpup rifle, it is important to consider how it will fit into your magazine compatibility.

Most bullpup rifles use standard AR-15 magazines and can hold up to 30 rounds, which is more than enough for most shooting contexts.

However, some bullpup rifles may not be compatible with all types of magazines due to their design or caliber restrictions.

It is important to check the specifications of any potential purchase before buying in order to ensure that it will meet your needs.

Trigger group

When buying a bullpup rifle, it is important to consider the quality of the trigger group.

Some bullpups have bad triggers due to their design, but there are aftermarket triggers available that can remedy this issue.

The cartridge ejection location is another consideration when buying a bullpup rifle.

The rounds eject close to the face and cheek, which can pose an issue for left-handed shooters. Some manufacturers have remedied this issue though, so it’s important to research before making your purchase decision.

Barrel length

When buying a bullpup rifle, it is important to consider the barrel length as this will affect the overall length of the firearm.

The minimum overall rifle length under United States federal law is 26,” and the minimum barrel lengths are 16″.

Bullpups let you push these limits, with Tavor XB95s having 16.5″ barrels and an overall length of 26.125″, for example.

Having a short-barreled rifle can be quite the process if you’re just starting out, but they do offer a number of benefits compared to having a longer rifle.

These include better balance due to being back heavy, faster shoulder positioning due to grip position, increased maneuverability in close-quarters situations and looks cool AF (just kidding on that last one).

Barrel twist

The barrel twist is an important factor to consider when buying a bullpup rifle.

It determines how fast the bullet will spin as it travels down the barrel, which impacts its accuracy and distance.

A faster twist rate will result in a more accurate shot at longer distances, while a slower twist rate will be more effective for close range shooting.

The optimal twist rate varies depending on the type of ammunition you are using, so it is important to check with your manufacturer before making a purchase decision.

Receiver mounting

The receiver mounting of a bullpup rifle is similar to that of a standard layout rifle.

It requires the appropriate hardware, such as scope rings or rail attachments, and can be done either by the owner or a gunsmith.

The main difference between receiver mounting a bullpup rifle and a standard layout rifle is that with the former, there are additional considerations to consider due to the firearm’s unique design.

For example, when selecting optics for use with a bullpup rifle, it is important to consider how they will interface with its unique ejection port location and downward ejection pattern (if present).

Additionally, owners should be aware that clearing complicated malfunctions from these types of rifles can be more difficult than from standard layout rifles due to their closer proximity between shooters face and action components.

Accuracy

Bullpup and traditional rifles have similar grouping performance when using the same ammunition.

However, the compact design of a bullpup rifle provides advantages in maneuverability over traditional rifles. This can make up for any potential drawbacks in accuracy or range.

Bolt release and ejection

For many bullpup rifles, the bolt release and ejection can be switched between the right and left sides of the rifle.

This allows left-handed shooters to avoid having spent shell casings ejected out the right side of the rifle, hitting them in the face.

However, not all bullpup designs offer this feature, so it is important to check before making a purchase decision.

Additionally, many bullpup rifles have higher muzzle rise due to their back-heavy design, which may make shooting more challenging for inexperienced shooters or those unfamiliar with such a design.

Size

Bullpup rifles offer a unique combination of size and capabilities. They have full-size 16″ barrels in a smaller overall length than most SBRs, making them more compact and easier to maneuver.

Gas system

When buying a bullpup rifle, it is important to consider the gas system.

A good gas system will ensure smooth operation and accuracy, as well as prevent fouling of the barrel. It also helps reduce recoil and increase reliability.

A bad gas system can cause problems such as excessive recoil or failure to cycle properly.

It is important to research the different types of gas systems before purchasing in order to find one that best fits your needs.

Rifle butt contact point

When buying a bullpup rifle, it is important to consider the rifle butt contact point.

This is the point where your shoulder meets the stock of the weapon, and it will determine how easily you can maneuver the rifle in tight spaces.

A good bullpup rifle should have a stock that is long enough to provide ample support for your shoulder and ensure that you are able to hold it tightly against your body while still being able to maneuver smoothly.

Look for models with adjustable cheek rests that allow you to customize your shooting position for maximum accuracy.

Cost and value

The cost of a bullpup rifle can vary depending on the model and features but typically ranges from $1,000-$5,000.

FAQ

What are the advantages of a bullpup rifle?

The advantages of a bullpup rifle include:

• Compact design without compromising barrel length, which provides more velocity and longer effective range.
• Lightweight, compact, and maneuverable compared to standard rifles with the same sized barrel.
• Balanced weight distribution closer to the body near the stock for easier handling.
• Ability to hold steady on a target longer with less fatigue when compared to standard rifles.
• Easier to handle while on the move compared to standard rifles with similar features and benefits.

What are the different types of bullpup rifles?

There are several types of bullpup rifles on the market, ranging from shotguns to rifles. They can be classified based on their uses and calibers:

• Shotguns – These are designed for close-range hunting and home defense purposes. They are typically chambered for 12-gauge shells and can fire up to 3 shots per second.
• Rifles – These come in a variety of calibers including 5.56mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, .308 Winchester and more. They offer greater range than shotguns while still being compact enough for maneuverability in tight spaces or urban settings.

What is the range of caliber available for bullpup rifles?

The range of calibers available for bullpup rifles includes:

• .22 LR: Low-recoil cartridge ideal for target shooting, plinking and small game hunting.
• .223/5.56mm: Popular rifle ammunition used in many modern sporting rifles. Good balance of accuracy and power.

What are the recoil and trigger pull like for a bullpup rifle?

The recoil and trigger pull for a bullpup rifle is similar to that of a conventional firearm.

Both types of rifles have the potential to have a heavy trigger pull, which can be replaced with an aftermarket replacement or adjusted by a gunsmith.

Additionally, both types of rifles can experience muzzle rise due to their design and magazine placement.

However, the main difference between the two is that bullpup rifles tend to have more recoil due to their compact size and magazine being located behind the trigger.

Furthermore, it may be harder for left-handed shooters to reload since most are configured for right-handers with spent brass ejected in that direction; however some newer designs have dealt with this issue by angling ejection upwards, away from the shooter or downward.

What are the best accessories for a bullpup rifle?

When it comes to accessories, there are many options available for bullpup rifles. The following is a list of some of the most popular accessories:

• Suppressors – With a suppressor, the Jard J68 is incredibly quiet.
• M-Lok Rail System – The modern M-Lok rail system allows you to attach accessories of all kinds easily.
• Pistol Caliber Rifles – The Jard J68 is an excellent option for pistol caliber rifles due to its compact design and downward ejection pattern.
• 308 Caliber Rifle – For long range hunting or survival purposes, the Kel Tec RFB offers 308 caliber semi-automatic rifle with an 18 or 24 inch barrel and 26 to 32 inches overall length .
• Ambidextrous Design – Many modern bullpups are now ambidextrous making them more versatile for left handed shooters .

What are the pros and cons of bullpup rifles?

The advantages of bullpup rifles include being compact without sacrificing barrel length, having lighter weight and greater maneuverability than standard rifles with the same sized barrel, and better balance of weight distribution closer to the body near the stock.

The main disadvantage of bullpup rifles is that they may have reduced accuracy due to their shorter barrels.

Additionally, they can be easier to handle while on the move due to their increased weight in rear of rifle.