Beretta’s BRX1 might just be the ultimate bear-hunting rifle. Originally designed as a unique bolt-action gun, the BRX1 combines the reliability of a traditional bolt-action with the speed of a straight-pull system, making it ideal for quick follow-up shots in critical moments. Its military-inspired design, sub-MOA accuracy, and ambidextrous features offer unparalleled versatility for hunters. Whether you’re tracking a wounded bear or setting up for a long-distance shot, the BRX1 ensures precision, power, and reliability. Let’s explore why the Beretta BRX1 stands out as a top contender for the best bear and deer gun on the market.
A bolt-action is undoubtedly the most reliable, hence its favor for dangerous game hunting. It is also the most accurate. Where a bolt-action lacks somewhat is the speed for a quick follow-up. This is where the Beretta BRX1 shines. It gives the reliability of a bolt-action, with quicker follow-up than a traditional bolt-action rifle due to its straight pull action.. The gun produces groups of less than a half-inch at 100 yards, which makes it ideal for long-distance hunting to give the best of both worlds. More on testing it shortly.
Why the Beretta BRX1 is unique
The Beretta BRX1 is a straight-pull bolt action, but one with a difference. The gun is packed full of innovations, from the ambidextrous bolt that is easily switched with no tools to the two-piece fully adjustable stock and the ability to switch calibers, this gun is unique. Originally introduced in 2022, the BRX1 was so popular in Europe that few guns made it to North America. For this reason, the gun was reintroduced in 2024. Starting at $1,599 USD, with a carbon model available for those wanting to pay $300 more for a lighter gun, the BRX1 is on the higher end of bolt-action prices. But when one considers that a caliber change kit can be purchased for $779 USD, suddenly that second gun isn’t as expensive. Currently, kits are available in .300 Winchester Magnum, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .243 Winchester.
I packed the BRX1 on a recent bear hunt in northern Ontario. The hunt was over bait, but I also packed my predator call and had plans to set up on power lines and try the gun at longer ranges for this quicker-paced hunt and longer shots. It ended up being the quickest bear hunt I ever had. I was hunting with Golden Eagle Camp and Outfitting, based between Elk Lake and Matchewan on the Montreal River. Owner Mike Young took me to my stand, and I settled in. I placed Hunter Specialties scent wafers around me to mask any scent that remained after scent preparation on my clothing. I loaded the BRX1 with Norma TipStrike bullets.
It was 3 p.m. and I figured I was in for a wait of a few hours before there was any action. Young baited the barrel with popcorn while showing me the stand’s location. This proved popular with the red squirrels, who frequented it, making all sorts of noise much beyond their size. I looked in all directions whenever a squirrel scurried or I heard any noise. After about 45 minutes, I looked intently to one side and was quite surprised when I looked back to the barrel to find a bear had crawled in it.
The bear came out and sat up, and I could see it was a decent size. When it crawled back in, I lifted the gun up, took the safety off, put the crosshairs on the vitals, and fired. The bear ran off. I contacted Young and waited. Bringing the recovery crew with him, we found the bear about 30 yards away.
During the ensuing week, one of the hunters learned how dangerous bears could be. He was walking into his stand when a one-year-old charged him. He scared it off, but it showed the potential danger of bear hunting and, again, the need for a quick follow-up shot if needed. It again made me think the Beretta BRX1 is the best bear gun. It’s also a candidate for best deer gun, where follow-up shots are not a matter of life and death but are sometimes needed.
Beretta BRX1 has Military Roots
While many would assume that since the Beretta Group owns Sako and Tikka, there would be some common elements to these rifles, there aren’t. The foundation is actually Beretta’s military rifles. “As you know, Beretta is also known for its military products around the world, its strict reliability and safety tests, and the amount of R&D that we put every day into our products,” Pietro Scovazzo, Beretta hunting and competition firearms product manager, said. “The ARX160, our assault rifle that we sell worldwide to various armies, has inspired the BRX1, and other proprietary designs have also contributed to the platform’s development. The guys are not the same as the designers of the ARX160, but they work pretty close, just a couple of desks one from the other.”
Straight-pull bolt actions, or linear action as Beretta calls it, are more common in Europe with Blaser being one example. “Other manufacturers in our group are making bolt action rifles with a lot of success,” Scovazzo said of the decision to go this way. “We wanted to be different and offer the market something different with better features. Something that could be recognized as innovative, easy to understand, and pleasing to the eyes of the consumer.”
Beretta BRX1 Action
With an eight-lug rotating bolt in standard calibers and 16 in magnum calibers, the BRX1 is a strong action. “The bolt uses a rotating bolt head that automatically locks it into the barrel extension,” Scovazzo explained. “You may want to think about this closing system as similar to an AR-15 or AR-10 without the gas system. So again, we took inspiration from the military world and standards to deliver the safest and most innovative product consumers can find into the commercial market.”
Switching the bolt from right to left-handed is simple enough I did it with a ball point pen. After removing the bolt from the gun while holding on to the bolt carrier assembly, the bolt carrier lock tooth is depressed with one finger while pulling on the bolt head group. When the bolt carrier is removed, the bolt head is turned 180˚. The bolt handle is subsequently released by depressing a button on the bottom of the assembly with a pen or screwdriver, the bolt is removed and inserted in the other side of the assembly. The bolt head group is then reinserted, and the gun is good to go for lefties.
The trigger is adjustable, but only to three different pre-set settings. The trigger group has to be removed to access the switch, and then it’s just a matter of sliding it to a different setting. I was impressed with the magazine’s two release clips on the top instead of the traditional spot on the bottom. This means it can be changed without reaching underneath. Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to this, but if extra shots are needed for a wounded bear, this works well.
Beretta BRX1 – Accuracy Guaranteed
The Beretta BRX comes with a sub-MOA guarantee. It also ships with a threaded barrel with a muzzle brake and cap. My test gun was a .308 caliber. I tested fired the gun with two types of Norma ammunition and Hornady Precision Hunter. My best three-shot groups were all under an inch. The tightest was Norma Tipstrike, at 0.578 inches for a three-shot group. My testing was limited to Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition with the muzzle brake installed, and my best three-shot group went from 0.903 without the muzzle brake to 0.510 with it installed.
Beretta BRX1 – Customization options
With a two-piece stock, the Beretta BRX1 has stock fit options like a shotgun. The pistol grip can be switched out for a more vertical option included, and spacers can be removed or added to the stock to change the length of pull. With its accuracy and quicker follow-up shots, the Beretta BRX1 is a contender for the best bear gun and, for that matter, the best deer gun.
