If you evaluate the rifles (not machine guns or SMGs) that were used by a large percentage of combat troops, common enough, thereby eliminating the G43, STG-44, then it has to be this in terms of major military powers.
1. M1 Garand - semi auto, accurate and reliable enough.
2. SVT-40 - semi auto. Some reliability issues though with the Russian troops.
3. Enfield No.4 - fast action, 10rds, accurate and reliable enough.
4. K98 - has everything (accurate, reliable) but I think 5rds is a big minus. 8mm is also overkill. Disclaimer - While they are beautiful rifles and well made, K98 aficionados tend to over value them for military purposes. You don't need such a heavy expensive rifle. In a firefight where seconds matter it's bolt action and 5rd limit is one world war too late.
5. Springfield 1903 - For a WW1 rifle made again for WW2 it is the best 5rd bolt action after the K98.
6. Arisaka type 38 - 6.5 was a caliber ahead of its time.
7. Mosin Nagant 91/30 - not exceptional in anything but did the job. Millions of dead/wounded Germans would agree.
8. Arisaka type 99 - Not the last ditch stuff rushed in production. I think the 6.5 of the 38 and its greater length beats the 7.7 and shorter barrel of the 99.
9. Carcano - Too bad the Italians were so poorly led - their rifles were not half bad. Not great, but not that bad. 6.5 is the best feature of it.
10. M1 Carbine - Using a pistol
ish round in a rifle is never a good idea. Had they made it into an SMG, like the M1A1 for paratroopers, it would have made more sense.
If you consider the STG-44 and G-43 then put them as 1,2 and put everything else down accordingly.
Not considering the Enfield No.5 or Mosin 44 as they came out too late in the war and likely not even in my top ten anyways.
Not looking at neutrals, or rifles that did not make it to mass production.
I considered putting the MAS 36 as #10, but I have fired it and thought it was an ackward action. Also. The greatest roll over, save perhaps Operation Desert Storm in 91', was the invasion of France in 1940. Despite the advantage of men, tanks, most everything, and being on the defense the Germans licked them in 6 weeks. I have to think this rifle had something to do with it. I consider it a curse to even own it!
