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25 Greatest Deer Rifles Ever
Here are our picks for the greatest deer rifles ever made. Let the arguments begin.
 Winchester Model 76
Though the model '76 sold fewer copies than either of its predecessors (Models 1866 and 1873), it was the first to deliver Winchester's promise of a truly high-powered hunting rifle. Whereas the Models 66 and 73 had been chambered for what was essentially rimfire and centerfire handgun cartridges, the M-76 was available in the more powerful calibers, making it a truly legitimate deer rifle, even by today's performance standards, and paving the way for Winchester's coming successes with Winchester's lever-action big-game rifles. Teddy Roosevelt had three M-76s, and Buffalo Bill Cody liked them too. Fast Fact: The Model 1876 was also known as the Centennial Model, since its introduction coincided with the U.S. Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia in 1876. Photo by Outdoor Life Online Editor AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement |
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Photo Gallery Comments (37)
I agree. This is a hard gun to beat in the thick PA woods. At one point in time I had a streak of 11 shots fired with one of these (in .35 Rem) during consecutive deer seasons resulting in 11 dead deer. I still use it a lot.
The Winchester Model 86M on slide 3 is my all time favorite. It's sturdy, reliable and it's beautiful.
I have never had a problem with my Ruger M77. Started out using one and don't plan on changing. Very smooth bolt,reliable, and throws pretty good groups.
Just looking at these pic's makes my hunting fever rise greatly. All my life cept out west in Oregon -used a rem 270---I used 2 lever guns a 94 w/o scope and scoped 336 marlin 30-30 w/4xscope. In over 20+yrs never had a malfunction missed several times fm hurried shots but guns performed 100%! I have tried to pass this tradition of rifles to the g/kid's with great gusto. Carry ON!! YOC
I gave this gallery a thumbs-up because of the fun facts and the well written micro-descriptions of each model. HOWEVER where is the Remington model 725? That was a ground breaking rifle with calibers like the .280 and .244 Remington and the predecessor to the great model 700.
I am glad to see that the Remington 721,(page 19)is mentioned. I bought one many years ago, still it was used, that if I pay attention, I can put 3 holes under a nickel at 100 yds. Killed a bunch of deer with that gun. Gotta love it.
good gun
What an "antique" looking gun! One to OWN.
A great addition to the Sportsman's collection.
Great choice.
The Savage 99 is probably one of the most favorite hunting guns in the Great South.
Have not owned one myself, but know many that do!
The MARLIN 81 has to be the best for me. it is sofisticated, looks and feels great and above all ON THE MARK!
i drropewd my first deer and elk with this gun i had rechambered to 308 wincheste
impersonally think the win. odel 95 is a awesome gun for a backup on any hunt or as a due all deer season rifle out to 1oo yards iron sighted
my dad has an bar very accurate gun
I like the Remington 7400 carbine for the thick Maine woods...got to keep it clean, but its fast shooting and accurate!
THIS WAS AWSOM!!!!! I LOVE LEVER RIFELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great to see the old lever guns represented here though most of us have never or will never use one in the woods. I would be a fun to seek out each of the guns listed at your local range and fire each of them. Most of us have experience with the military guns - the 06 Springfield , the Mauser 98 in 7 and 8mm, the .303 British and maybe the old 30-40 Krag as starter rifles. They were often cheap though of good quality. Some with deeper pockets may have custom rifles using the Mauser action from one of these old war horses. Every kind of action from bolt, to pump, to lever and auto were represented in the top 25 which is as it should be. Good stuff!
Great to see the old boy,s again but no win 88,100, savage mod 170.BACK in 1964 just out of army I paid 125.00 for the win,mod 100, cal.243 and acouple of years later I picked up a savage mod. 170,pump cal.30-30 two great gun,s still got-em. GOOD HUNTING TO ALL
love the 300. savage great gun, just saw one at a pawn shop go for 800$!!!
My vote goes to savage, however I do enjoy the remington pump rifle
I've never shot any deer with my .303, but it sure has flattened plenty of black bears.
i personally like the winchester model 94 for deer and cougars and the remington modeal 721. i also have a sporterized .303 british which is alright.
My vote goes to the Winchester Model 70. It has an unfair advantage over the competition as it is chambered to many different calibers. I believe its bolt to be superior to the other bolt actions rifle in particular its mauser like extractor claw. Yes, the Ruger 77 has a good bolt of similar design but not the same quality barrel. While some may argue, I would say with confidence that it is a more consistently accurate rifle then most of the competition - I'm talking about comparing hundreds of guns in this model against accuracy of hundreds in other makes .. that would tell the story of accuracy overall. It's three position safety was miles ahead of the competition and its trigger good. Apart from these consideration, it is a beautiful looking rifle with fine lines- not that the deer care but it brings a smile to the guy who appreciates such things.
Like seeing all the lever guns represented. I enjoy hunting with my Marlin 336 and have had great success with it on whitetail. The new Hornady LEVERevolution have brought the performance of lever guns to a whole new level.
I like SKS...cause it is quick handling and more than enough knockdown juice without overdoing it.
The Savage 99 is easily the best-looking lever-action. With all those seductive curves, it is a 2-seat Jaguar among utilitarian station wagons. My son now has my Dad's 300 Savage. It has a custom Monte Carlo stock and a Zeiss sniper scope. Both were installed by my gunsmithing uncle, who had also been a sniper and who liberated that very scope personally.
i own or have shot most of these rifles man ill take them all.
i deer hunt in Pa and everyone who comes to our camp has a remington model 700 and i am posative that everyone love's them. This was the greatest deer gun every made.
Good selection for short list. I must have good taste and judgement as many of my favourite guns of my too big collection are listed. Reminds me that I need to dig some out of long term storage and shoot them again for old times sake. Have started handing some down to beginners, no use collecting dust and I only use a handful now.
Well, let's see. The M700, 740, M70, M77, M94, Marlin levers, Savage 99; I've owned (& own) these and others. No complaints at all. Though I now hunt exclusively with flintlocks, I have to say the Savage 99 is my favorite. I've two, .250/3000 & .308. They have taken more deer than I could ever count, especially my .250. There are a few I would add but can't really argue with this great list.
What have you guys got against browning? I think the A-bolt deserves aspot on this list,
I totally agree with scout,my Marlin 336 30/30 has never failed me after approx 30 yrs of service.I remember using pumpkin balls the first time I ever deer hunted,missed a doe and came home blaming it on the gun(yea right hard to hit the target with the eyes closed)my mom took out and bought me my first deer rifle.Paid around $146 approx 30yrs ago and it has never failed to fire or bring down what it was pointed at and the new Hornady's are outstanding.I use it here in Ky every year.
Got to love the old lever actions. How the west was won.
The rifle pictured as number 8 of 26 is not a Mauser Model 98. It appears to be a Yugoslav Model 48, 48A or 48B. This may be confusing to readers that are unfamiliar with military surplus rifles. I suggest a few minutes spent with "Small Arms of the World" to obtain clarity. All the best...
Gil
I like my 30-30. It works great in PA woods and i don't feel the need to go to a higher caliber
For my 14th birthday my dad gave me a win. model 70. I almost died when i opened that gun case. I have always thought that the model 70 is the best riflemans gun ever to be made. Just look at how many custom gun shops replicate the model 70.
I own #18!
this is still one of the greatest guns ever. my granpa has one and everytime i go over there i have to beg him to let me borrow it.
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Great to see the old boy,s again but no win 88,100, savage mod 170.BACK in 1964 just out of army I paid 125.00 for the win,mod 100, cal.243 and acouple of years later I picked up a savage mod. 170,pump cal.30-30 two great gun,s still got-em. GOOD HUNTING TO ALL
Like seeing all the lever guns represented. I enjoy hunting with my Marlin 336 and have had great success with it on whitetail. The new Hornady LEVERevolution have brought the performance of lever guns to a whole new level.
The Savage 99 is easily the best-looking lever-action. With all those seductive curves, it is a 2-seat Jaguar among utilitarian station wagons. My son now has my Dad's 300 Savage. It has a custom Monte Carlo stock and a Zeiss sniper scope. Both were installed by my gunsmithing uncle, who had also been a sniper and who liberated that very scope personally.
Good selection for short list. I must have good taste and judgement as many of my favourite guns of my too big collection are listed. Reminds me that I need to dig some out of long term storage and shoot them again for old times sake. Have started handing some down to beginners, no use collecting dust and I only use a handful now.
I agree. This is a hard gun to beat in the thick PA woods. At one point in time I had a streak of 11 shots fired with one of these (in .35 Rem) during consecutive deer seasons resulting in 11 dead deer. I still use it a lot.
The Winchester Model 86M on slide 3 is my all time favorite. It's sturdy, reliable and it's beautiful.
I have never had a problem with my Ruger M77. Started out using one and don't plan on changing. Very smooth bolt,reliable, and throws pretty good groups.
Just looking at these pic's makes my hunting fever rise greatly. All my life cept out west in Oregon -used a rem 270---I used 2 lever guns a 94 w/o scope and scoped 336 marlin 30-30 w/4xscope. In over 20+yrs never had a malfunction missed several times fm hurried shots but guns performed 100%! I have tried to pass this tradition of rifles to the g/kid's with great gusto. Carry ON!! YOC
I gave this gallery a thumbs-up because of the fun facts and the well written micro-descriptions of each model. HOWEVER where is the Remington model 725? That was a ground breaking rifle with calibers like the .280 and .244 Remington and the predecessor to the great model 700.
I am glad to see that the Remington 721,(page 19)is mentioned. I bought one many years ago, still it was used, that if I pay attention, I can put 3 holes under a nickel at 100 yds. Killed a bunch of deer with that gun. Gotta love it.
good gun
What an "antique" looking gun! One to OWN.
A great addition to the Sportsman's collection.
Great choice.
The Savage 99 is probably one of the most favorite hunting guns in the Great South.
Have not owned one myself, but know many that do!
The MARLIN 81 has to be the best for me. it is sofisticated, looks and feels great and above all ON THE MARK!
i drropewd my first deer and elk with this gun i had rechambered to 308 wincheste
impersonally think the win. odel 95 is a awesome gun for a backup on any hunt or as a due all deer season rifle out to 1oo yards iron sighted
my dad has an bar very accurate gun
I like the Remington 7400 carbine for the thick Maine woods...got to keep it clean, but its fast shooting and accurate!
THIS WAS AWSOM!!!!! I LOVE LEVER RIFELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great to see the old lever guns represented here though most of us have never or will never use one in the woods. I would be a fun to seek out each of the guns listed at your local range and fire each of them. Most of us have experience with the military guns - the 06 Springfield , the Mauser 98 in 7 and 8mm, the .303 British and maybe the old 30-40 Krag as starter rifles. They were often cheap though of good quality. Some with deeper pockets may have custom rifles using the Mauser action from one of these old war horses. Every kind of action from bolt, to pump, to lever and auto were represented in the top 25 which is as it should be. Good stuff!
love the 300. savage great gun, just saw one at a pawn shop go for 800$!!!
My vote goes to savage, however I do enjoy the remington pump rifle
I've never shot any deer with my .303, but it sure has flattened plenty of black bears.
i personally like the winchester model 94 for deer and cougars and the remington modeal 721. i also have a sporterized .303 british which is alright.
My vote goes to the Winchester Model 70. It has an unfair advantage over the competition as it is chambered to many different calibers. I believe its bolt to be superior to the other bolt actions rifle in particular its mauser like extractor claw. Yes, the Ruger 77 has a good bolt of similar design but not the same quality barrel. While some may argue, I would say with confidence that it is a more consistently accurate rifle then most of the competition - I'm talking about comparing hundreds of guns in this model against accuracy of hundreds in other makes .. that would tell the story of accuracy overall. It's three position safety was miles ahead of the competition and its trigger good. Apart from these consideration, it is a beautiful looking rifle with fine lines- not that the deer care but it brings a smile to the guy who appreciates such things.
i deer hunt in Pa and everyone who comes to our camp has a remington model 700 and i am posative that everyone love's them. This was the greatest deer gun every made.
Well, let's see. The M700, 740, M70, M77, M94, Marlin levers, Savage 99; I've owned (& own) these and others. No complaints at all. Though I now hunt exclusively with flintlocks, I have to say the Savage 99 is my favorite. I've two, .250/3000 & .308. They have taken more deer than I could ever count, especially my .250. There are a few I would add but can't really argue with this great list.
What have you guys got against browning? I think the A-bolt deserves aspot on this list,
I totally agree with scout,my Marlin 336 30/30 has never failed me after approx 30 yrs of service.I remember using pumpkin balls the first time I ever deer hunted,missed a doe and came home blaming it on the gun(yea right hard to hit the target with the eyes closed)my mom took out and bought me my first deer rifle.Paid around $146 approx 30yrs ago and it has never failed to fire or bring down what it was pointed at and the new Hornady's are outstanding.I use it here in Ky every year.
Got to love the old lever actions. How the west was won.
The rifle pictured as number 8 of 26 is not a Mauser Model 98. It appears to be a Yugoslav Model 48, 48A or 48B. This may be confusing to readers that are unfamiliar with military surplus rifles. I suggest a few minutes spent with "Small Arms of the World" to obtain clarity. All the best...
Gil
I like my 30-30. It works great in PA woods and i don't feel the need to go to a higher caliber
For my 14th birthday my dad gave me a win. model 70. I almost died when i opened that gun case. I have always thought that the model 70 is the best riflemans gun ever to be made. Just look at how many custom gun shops replicate the model 70.
I own #18!
I like SKS...cause it is quick handling and more than enough knockdown juice without overdoing it.
i own or have shot most of these rifles man ill take them all.
this is still one of the greatest guns ever. my granpa has one and everytime i go over there i have to beg him to let me borrow it.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)