The variety and quality in modern rifles for hunting can seem overwhelming. In the majority of cases rifles are simply tools for my eyes, they’re easy to get. There’s one rifle I regretted selling — it was a barreled heavy Howa 1500 in .308.
Every hunter should have at least one antique hunting rifle in order to keep that spirit of nostalgia. However, how do you decide on just one? The truth is, I’m not sure however, should I have to limit it to an order of the top four classic rifles that would be my choices.
Springfield Armory Model 1903 Sporter
Many, if certainly not all of our modern bolt-action hunting rifles can trace their origins in the military rifles of the late 19th and the early 20th century. Following wartime World Wars, an abundance of surplus rifles was utilized by hunters. It was 1903 and the Springfield was typically “sporterized” by pulling the action, and then putting it into the shorter, more nimble “sporter” stock. However, these were frequently modified, re-chambered, or re-barreled. modified for hunting use and all built around the powerful 1903 action.
It was typical that gunsmiths would “sporterize” surplus rifles for customers, making them an heirloom hunting rifle. If I were planning to buy an old rifle, it would choose one with the initial .30/06 chambering, though they were frequently re-barreled with different calibers such as .270 Win. Its 1903 action was made to fight, and it’s stronger and heavier than many of our modern-day hunting rifles. It’s clear that it could make an outstanding hunting rifle in the present. The family has an impressive 1903 model that my grandfather had builtand chambered with .270 Win. It’s a great rifle, and one day I’ll hunt a moose using it.
Winchester Pre-64 Model 70
If there’s a universal American hunter’s rifle which transcends space and time It’s an earlier version of the Winchester Model 70. When it was introduced in 1937 this Model 70 became known as “the rifleman’s rifle,” and was a favorite for long-time Outdoor Life editor Jack O’Connor.
Model 70 Model 70 was more refined than the earlier copies of Mauser-style controlled-feed mechanisms and came with a three-position security. A re-design of the Model 70 in 1964 -which included a change to a push-feed mechanism and a push-feed action — was fast enough to make the Model 70’s pre-64 collectibles. Even now, pre-64 action are well-known for custom hunting rifles and authentic rifles are more collectible than ever.
While O’Connor pointed out in the introduction of his introduction of the “new” Model 70 in the March 1964 edition of OL that the “new Model 70” featured an improved action, stronger support for the case head, and many other features he saw as improvements, he thought that the Model 70’s made before World War II “were probably the best factory-produced big-game rifles ever turned out.”
I’d like to take one of the earlier Model 70-in .458 to win into the Alders to hunt brown bears or even a model that is .220 Swift, like the one that the famous Alaskan Wolfer Frank Glaser was so enthralled to. If I was to recreate an action, I’d opt for the .375 Ruger. No matter what it will be an exclusive rifle.
Savage Model 99
If I were to go into the realm of legendary deer rifles how could I possibly overlook Savage Model 99? Savage Model 99? A little odd, this model was among the most well-known American hunting rifles of the beginning of the 20th centuryit still has an impressive following.
It was a lever-action gun that had an exclusive rotary magazine that allowed spitzer-style bullets to be fired — which tube-fed lever guns could not do. It was available with a wide range of cartridges. If I had to pick just one I’d pick that of .250/3000 Savage. It was a blazing-fast cartridge when it came out in 1915, and it doesn’t fall much behind the .25/06.
In virtually any model it is you can find the Model 99 would be a excellent rifle for black bear or deer and Frank Glaser said it with .250/3000 Savage, it was his most popular all-purpose marketplace hunting gun.
Ruger No. 1
Single-shot hunting guns aren’t the type we have in our thoughts as we consider classics However, this Ruger No. 1 is one that has been through the ages. It was launched in 1967, and is a single hammer-free, falling-block hammerless shot that was modeled on those of the British Farquharson rifles. It came in a wide range of chamberings. It has also developed an unofficial following.
In an article that introduced Ruger M/77, O’Connor introduces Ruger M/77, which appeared in September’s issue in OL, O’Connor says the following regarding the yet-to-be-released Ruger No. 1:
“The single-shot big-game rifle was an big gamble by Ruger. I’m certain that 9 of 10 market analysts would have predicted there was a demand single shot rifles for centerfire cartridges was a thing of the past thanks to the mustache cup and the Stanley Steamer. In spite of all that and also despite it being true that Ruger receives a premium price for the no. one single shot rifle, it seems that his (Bill Ruger) only problem is producing the rifles in a timely manner.”
My cousin Travis -who was killed during combat in Iraq nearly 20 years ago – was an incredible coyote hunter. His guns of choice comprised the Ruger No. 1 in .22/250 and M/77 in .25/06. if I had to choose one, I’d take the compromise and go for an number. one in .25/06. This would be an excellent rifle for a variety of applications.
Marlin 336
Another iconic deer rifle everybody should know about is the Marlin 336. It was introduced in 1948. Marlin 336 was first introduced in 1948, and continued to be manufactured up to the moment of its release. It’s among the most sought-after lever-action rifles for deer and usually used in .30/30 as well as .35 Remington.
The way deer hunters conduct their business has evolved in a variety of ways throughout the years, however, there’s still a need for the sharp-pointing, fast-hitting close-range woods gun that The 336. From a perspective of availability it’s sensible to buy one in .30/30 and that combination has been responsible for an uncountable amount of game, but in the ideal world, I’d prefer a .35 Remington.
It is unclear what the future holds for Marlin 336 is a bit uncertain however, after having seen what Ruger’s ownership over Marlin has done to models like the Model 1895 in .45/70, when they begin manufacturing of 336 they’ll likely be among the best produced to date.
Ruger 10/22
The stainless-steel Ruger 10/22 became my very first rifle, and one I had longed to own for quite a while. The 10/22 is probably the most effective .22 LR design ever made. It’s a recoil-operated semi-automatic weapon with a chambered .22 LR that’s still in production today in full. The standard 10/22 carbine features the smooth appearance of the .30 calibre M1 carbine, and is equipped with the 10-round magazine that rotates.
Due to its popularity over time and ease of use the 10/22 has become an extremely flexible and customisable .22’s ever made, even the most. Ruger has made takedown models available but there is also a market with accessories and parts from the aftermarket. Stocks with extended magazines barrels that are suppressed in the integral part, triggers, and much more are readily available.
