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10 Rifles You Should Own Before You Die

April 04, 2013

In the introduction of “The Rifle Book,” Jack O’Connor wrote, “To me the rifle has always been the most romantic of all weapons, and of all rifles the one I love most is the rifle for big game… I like a handgun, I hold a shotgun in high regard; but rifles—well, I love the darned things.” Here you'll find a subjective list of the ones I believe you should own at some time in your life, and why.

Winchester Model 70	Winchester Model 94	Mannlicher/Schoenauer M1903 Carbine	Ruger No. 1
Savage 99	Remington Model Seven MS	Winchester 52C Sporting Rifle	Browning 22 Auto
AR-15	A Custom Rifle

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95 Responses to 10 Rifles You Should Own Before You Die

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LARRY wrote:
September 17, 2013

I have owned the browning 22 auto for a number of years, it has been a family favorite and a great training tool. I have a sporterized *mm Mauser and had the german tooling marks left in place some of which are swaztikas. I still want a sport model 5.5/223 with a synthetic stock for varmints before I check out and I compliment you on the ten suggested....there are just so many finely made weapons among which is the Henry arms guns and I have a 22mag Henry, great weapon...

Walt wrote:
May 12, 2013

I would prefer the following: M1 Garand, M1A NM, M1 Carbine, Colt Car 15,Thompson Center Encore, Shiloh Sharps .45-110, Ruger .22/77, H&H .500 Double Rifle, Rem. 788 .223, Rem. 700 STS HB .308 w/aftermarket stock & 8 to 32 scope (Homemade M-24)

fred wrote:
May 06, 2013

What about the Henry Rifle? Made in THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA by Americans with AMERICAN MATERIALS

Larry wrote:
April 23, 2013

The two 'funest' guns you could ever own, a 10/22 and a M1 carbine.

Ramon Angelucci wrote:
April 23, 2013

Wow, 8 of 10, if you count variations of the same design, like the Mannlicher-Schoenauer M1952 instead of the M1903, a Winchester M52 early target version instead of the sporter, and the Remington M241 instead of the Browning Takedown. I'd complain about exclusions, like the M1903 Springfield, but a "bucket list" is slightly different from a "keeper" list. The latter should be much bigger.

Matt Angelucci wrote:
April 23, 2013

The Remington 7S, although attractively stocked, is one full-length stock rifle too many for this list. Best replace it with either a M1903 Springfield or an M1 Garand, take your pick.

Tom wrote:
April 14, 2013

I have two M/S 1961 MCA models, one in 7 X 57 and one in 270 win. and absolutely love them both. The 7 X 57, which I have had since 1971, has taken many white tail deer and one elk in Montana and still handles and shoots like a new rifle. I keep looking for more M/S to collect. One of the the smoothest actions and magazines ever built and oh those set triggers. Sweet.

mitch wrote:
April 05, 2013

No 10/22? No Remington 700? No winchester 61 No Marlin 336?no winchester 92

Bob Glynn wrote:
April 03, 2013

I have shot the Colt's AR15 and it is very accurate for a semi-auto.

Bob Glynn wrote:
April 03, 2013

I have shot a few Browning .22 semi automatics and I agree that they are short range... very short range! I will admit that they are very attractive and well built.

Wes wrote:
April 02, 2013

Have a few of these. Used to have a 1956 M-S Carbine .257 Roberts but did the same stupid thing you did with the 99. Regretted that move ever since.

George Schuster wrote:
March 30, 2013

The 10 rifles that you showed are good, but I prefer an M14.

David wrote:
March 30, 2013

I don't see this as a serious list without the M1 and either a 10/22 or Marlin 60.

Tom Bosworth wrote:
March 29, 2013

Hard to beat the early Winchester Model 1894s. I used to have a 1920s vintage saddle ring in .32 WS, and it was a wonderful, gorgeous, sculpture in steel and walnut. The AR-15 is pretty hard to beat if you are looking for a good mouse gun, but I love the original Sharps Model 1863 SRC in either .52 percussion or rejiggered to 50-70 centerfire. I shot them backin the 1960s when if you wanted to shoot one, you had to buy the real thing. I'm sorry i let them go for I know not what.

Mack wrote:
March 29, 2013

AR 15's make great varmint rifles. I have 6 adult kids and 3 grandsons. We have many bolt action rifles and a few nice old classics. However, our primary coyote guns both for day and night hunting are AR 15's. They are plenty accurate, they hold up well to the abuse we put them through and they are impervious to bad weather. Ours have never failed us, even on those -40 degree nights in waste deep snow. I can not think of a better more accurate varmint gun. If you have never tried one for hunting you are missing out.

Andrew Bigelow wrote:
March 29, 2013

How on Earth did the Mannlicher Model 1903 make the list, but not the M1 Garand, any member of the Lee-Enfield family, or even the Ruger 10/22? You'd better pray for a range alibi on this string of fire!

charles butler wrote:
March 28, 2013

not a very good list imho granted the ar the win 94 nad the win 70 belong and the 99 savage BUT where is the m1 garand?k98 mauser? fn/fal or L1A1?sharps? remington rolling block?m1 carbine?swiss k 31?

J Philpott wrote:
March 28, 2013

No on the oddballs: Mannlicker, Rem Seven MS, Winchester 52C), and Custom. Should include 1903 Springfield, 30M1Carbine, Garand, and Winchester 22 pump. Might consider a tommy gun, and a BAR.

Mike Henry wrote:
March 28, 2013

My 1908 8x56MS shows workmanship beyond anything available on the market today, plus the wallop!! Name brand ammo is extinct, but quality rounds can be found at several custom suppliers. Claw-foot scope mounts are another thing altogether. About $1500 to mount a scope on the existing claws. Iron sights only for me. Going to try it on Elk this fall.