Plenty of rifles are advertised as “MOA accurate,” but in practice, not all of them deliver when you’re behind the trigger. Consistent one-inch groups at 100 yards sound great on paper, yet real-world shooting exposes issues like poor barrel quality, loose tolerances, or inconsistent ammo compatibility. Some rifles get close but fall short once heat builds up or conditions get rough. If you’ve ever wondered which rifles don’t quite live up to the accuracy claims, here are ten that hunters and shooters have found disappointing in the field.
Remington 770
The Remington 770 was marketed as a budget-friendly hunting rifle with MOA potential, but shooters often report groups opening up well past that. Chambered in calibers like .30-06 and .270 Winchester, it struggles to hold consistency beyond the first few rounds.
Loose actions, rough triggers, and mediocre barrels mean accuracy varies widely between rifles. While it can work for close-range hunting, calling it a true MOA performer is a stretch. Most hunters agree it’s a rifle you buy for cost, not for precision.
Mossberg ATR
The Mossberg ATR promised affordable accuracy, but in practice, it rarely delivers MOA-level performance. In calibers like .308 Winchester and .270, shooters often see groups in the 1.5 to 2-inch range.
Part of the problem lies in its inconsistent bedding and factory barrels that don’t always stabilize heavier bullets well. While it’s serviceable for deer at short distances, it doesn’t stand up to the precision expectations suggested in its marketing. For those chasing tighter groups, the ATR tends to leave you disappointed.
Ruger American Ranch (Early Models)
The Ruger American Ranch has become popular in calibers like .223 and .300 Blackout, but the early runs had real trouble with accuracy. Many rifles couldn’t stay near MOA with factory loads, especially when heat built up.
The lightweight barrels were part of the issue, causing groups to spread during longer strings of fire. Later versions improved, but the early rifles highlight how not every “MOA-rated” rifle actually performs in the field. It’s a reminder to test thoroughly before relying on claims.
Savage Axis (Non-AccuTrigger Models)
The Savage Axis gained attention for its price point, but early versions without the AccuTrigger struggled to produce MOA accuracy. Chambered in popular calibers like .308 Winchester and .30-06, groups often stretched past expectations.
The heavy, inconsistent trigger made precision shooting harder, and the thin barrels heated quickly. While later improvements helped, many hunters found these rifles better suited for short-range work than true precision shooting. Accuracy claims didn’t always match reality for those early Axis models.
Winchester XPR
The Winchester XPR entered the market with bold accuracy promises, but performance often falls short of MOA expectations. In calibers like .270 Winchester and .300 Win Mag, group sizes frequently push past an inch and show inconsistency across different ammo.
Part of the issue lies in the factory bedding system, which doesn’t always deliver a repeatable fit. While it’s a functional hunting rifle, precision shooters find the XPR struggles to live up to its accuracy claims when compared with competitors in the same price range.
Thompson/Center Compass
The T/C Compass was marketed as a budget rifle with MOA potential, but in the field, shooters often report groups hovering closer to 1.5 inches. Chamberings like 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester show this trend, especially with factory ammo.
The rifles can be accurate enough for hunting, but they don’t consistently meet the marketed precision. Bedding issues and barrel heating contribute to the problem. While affordable, the Compass has a hard time backing up its claim as a sub-MOA performer.
Howa 1500 (Factory Package Versions)
The Howa 1500 action is solid, but the lower-cost factory package rifles don’t always live up to the MOA claims. Chambered in calibers like .243 and .308, accuracy can suffer due to lower-tier barrels or stock fit.
Hunters often find that while the action is smooth and reliable, groups land closer to 1.5 MOA in these package setups. With aftermarket upgrades, the 1500 shines, but in stock form, it doesn’t always perform to the level the advertising suggests.
Marlin XL7
The Marlin XL7 was introduced as an affordable hunting rifle with MOA accuracy, but shooters often saw inconsistent results. In calibers like .30-06 and .270, groups sometimes pushed past 1.5 inches, especially with factory ammo.
Part of the issue came from the stock design and less-than-ideal bedding. While it could shoot acceptably for deer hunting, it didn’t always deliver the sub-MOA groups promised in marketing. It’s a reminder that claims on paper don’t always match field performance.
Remington 783
The Remington 783 was billed as an improvement over the 770, but many shooters still report accuracy shortfalls. In calibers like .308 and 7mm Rem Mag, the rifle tends to hover around 1.5 MOA, rather than delivering the consistent sub-MOA groups advertised.
The heavy trigger and occasional barrel inconsistencies make it hard to achieve the precision many expect. While it’s reliable for hunting ranges, it’s not a rifle that truly competes with higher-end precision builds when it comes to accuracy.
Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic
The Weatherby Vanguard action is strong, but the lower-cost synthetic models don’t always live up to the MOA guarantee. Chambered in calibers like .30-06 and 7mm Rem Mag, accuracy can vary from rifle to rifle.
Hunters sometimes see one-inch groups, but just as often get 1.5 inches or worse, depending on ammo. The stock construction and bedding play a role here, making consistency less than ideal. While the Vanguard can be upgraded into a tack-driver, the base synthetic version doesn’t always hit the MOA mark.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
