Key Highlights:
- The Bolt Action Rifle is hidden in an eastern cave near a large lake at the snowy mountain’s base.
- You’ll need the Rebreather to swim through an underwater passage.
- It has high damage and long-range accuracy but slow reloads and scarce ammo.
The Bolt Action Rifle is one of the strongest weapons in Sons of the Forest, offering long-range precision and heavy stopping power. It’s a scoped firearm that rewards patience and positioning, though like all bolt actions, it’s slower to handle than the pistol or shotgun. I went for it as soon as I felt geared enough because it can make mid-to-late game fights against mutants far more manageable, especially when ammo is conserved carefully.
The rifle is found in a cave on the east side of the island, close to a large lake below the snowy mountain. Break the wooden boards covering the entrance, then push through.
Following Update 13, the rifle’s location shifted to Cave D, which has been completely overhauled.
This cave is now the largest and most complex system on the island, so expect a tougher and more confusing run compared to earlier versions.
The cave has several chambers with landmarks you’ll need to follow. At first, you’ll pass a boat and then squeeze through a narrow crevice. Ahead, a cave painting lit by a lamp marks the path. Head right at the painting, then left, climbing over rocks into a larger room.
This is where things get more dangerous. Mutants patrol here, so it’s best to hug the right-hand wall to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. On the left, enemies gather in groups, and they can overwhelm quickly if you wander into them. Keep to the right, and soon you’ll find a tunnel lined with glowing Solafite Ore. Follow it until you reach a pool, then equip the Rebreather and dive in.
The underwater section is straightforward: a single tunnel with skeletal remains scattered along the way. Keep swimming until you surface in another chamber.
Mutants often lurk here, sometimes even in the water. I’ve seen Fingers mutants spawn in this spot, and a reliable trick is to aim for their knees, a well-placed shot drops them to the ground, opening them up for melee finishers. Clear them carefully, as more mutants and even infant creatures wait ahead.
When the coast is clear, continue deeper until you spot a cluster of hanging skulls lit by torches.
Just before passing through them, look left. You’ll find walls coated in slime, with bodies fused into it. Hanging upside down here is a soldier clutching the Bolt Action Rifle. Take it, and be sure to collect the ammo on the ground nearby, since spare rifle rounds are rare across the island. The weapon excels at long-distance combat, offering high damage and accuracy that outpaces every other firearm.
Its drawback is the slow cycle, every shot must be chambered manually. It’s not ideal against fast-moving enemies up close, but for scouting caves or thinning groups from a distance, it’s unmatched.
Ammo scarcity also means it’s best treated as a precision tool rather than a go-to weapon for every encounter.
Stuck on what to do next? The Ultimate Sons of the Forest Guide has the quick links you need.