Editor’s Choice: Bushmaster Firearms BA30

The firearm industry is flourishing and has great things to offer the many millions of armed citizens all across our land.

by
posted on May 2, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Bushmaster Firearms BA30

Bushmaster Firearms' BA30, despite looking similar to a .308 AR semi-automatic rifle, is actually a straight-pull design with a few enhancements that make it a fast-shooting, versatile platform that’s legal to own in all 50 states. An ambidextrous bolt handle that can be installed onto either side of the upper receiver must be pulled to load each round.

Despite its single-shot action, though, the BA30 is built with spring-assisted loading, so once the user pulls the bolt fully to the rear, spring pressure chambers the next round and drives the bolt into battery without additional manual assistance. Also, Bushmaster builds the BA30 with its XM-10 bolt-and-barrel design, which offers cartridge interchangeability between 6.5 mm Creedmoor and .308 Win.

At the rear of the receiver is a Picatinny rail for attaching compatible folding stocks. As configured, the rifle ships with a D2MS match trigger, but all AR-pattern triggers are compatible. For more information, please visit bushmaster.com.

Latest

Armscor Tm22 S 18 Gotw F
Armscor Tm22 S 18 Gotw F

Gun Of The Week: Armscor TM22-S-18

We're on the range in this video to get a closer look at an affordable plinker imported by Armscor. Whether you’re training on a budget or just want a rimfire for plinking, the TM22 is a proven platform worth investigating.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 22, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Winter Warrior: The Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG

A little-known light machine gun from the inter-war era, the Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 garnered a poor reputation during its service in World War II, but a closer look and some context reveals how innovative it was for its time.

Federal Ammunition Honored By National 4-H Shooting Sports

Federal Ammunition was recently honored with the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals or companies that have made significant contributions to the 4-H Shooting Sports program at a national level.

I Have This Old Gun: Polish Vis 35 Radom

One of the lesser-known designs from the 1930s, the Vis 35 Radom is widely considered to be one of the best of the pre-World War II handguns.

Rifleman Q&A: Colt 1860 12-Notch Conversion

"At a gun show, I saw a Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion with 12 cylinder notches instead of the usual six. The dealer was not sure whether this was original to the gun. Were these extra notches a factory variation or just some frontier gunsmith’s backroom project?"

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.