5 Worst Hunting Rifles Ever Made

[358156 hp]

And, he finishes by continuing to spread the myth that late war production Arisakas are dangerous to fire. There were training rifles with cast iron receivers that were never meant to be fired are dangerous with live ammo, these are different than combat issued Arisakas.

“Last Ditch” rifles are very rough because unnecessary finish machining / fitting was skipped on these rifles. But they were still using good steel for the receivers and barrels, and they can shoot full pressure loads all day long safely.

I had a last ditch Arisaka for years. I asked the local military rifle Guru if it was safe to shoot and he asked if the bore was shiny. When I told him it was, he told me to go ahead and shoot it to my hearts content. The exterior metal finish was rough enough that it could have been cut with a horseshoe rasp.

 

[fiver]

probably was, they were down to basements hand tools and feet for vises at that point.

now i'm wondering if that guy i watched sit on a rock and blind me with his barrel during the deer hunt was carrying a wilton.
he was only 8-900yds away though, so maybe it was something else.

 

[BBerguson]

This is a good example of why I stopped buying gun mags 20 some years ago. The piece is pure, unadulterated crap based on nothing but fantasy and opinion, and poorly informed opinion at that. I swear most gun writers today are hired for their ability to take any gun subject and write a given number of words on said subject, with or without any actual knowledge of same, as long as they come to the conclusion the editor desires.

Back in the 80’s, I loved Shooting Times and Guns & Ammo. Couldn’t wait to get the new issues each month. Don’t need either one of them now and haven’t for probably 30 years…

I was also “unimpressed” with the Winslow rifle being selected as a top 5 worst, for it’s looks. Really? Stupid much…

Like Ian, I would have put the Rem 760 on the list, MY list. Had one and hated it for a number of reasons.

 

[Rushcreek]

I had a Ruger 44 carbine and a Super Blackhawk at the same time. Guess which one outshot the other at any range on any day?
A friend had a Win100 .308 that choked on factory ammo the first time we shot it. He traded it for a Remington 742 and was happy…..

 

[358156 hp]

And no mention is made of the Model 100s lever action "twin", the Model 88?

 

[RicinYakima]

And no mention is made of the Model 100s lever action "twin", the Model 88?
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Only played with two 88's. Both functioned very well if handled gently and not like a 94. Accuracy was poor, and trigger was terrible on both. Both were 308's by the way.

 

[fiver]

loved my win 100.
should have sent it in for the upgrade and kept it, it would put the first 2 touching and the third about a half-3/4" inch directly to the right.
every time all the time.

 

[RicinYakima]

loved my win 100.
should have sent it in for the upgrade and kept it, it would put the first 2 touching and the third about a half-3/4" inch directly to the right.
every time all the time.

If you are going to shoot two shots at a deer, it doesn't matter. Want to shoot 5-shot groups, it does.

 

[BudHyett]

I get emails from the online gun auction sites and the one that came in today included this article. I thought you might find it interesting.

The 5 Worst Hunting Rifles Ever Made

Our legendary rifles editor shares his picks for the five absolute worst hunting rifles ever produced.

www.fieldandstream.com

I think another dim-witted gun writer did not have anything to write about and is obviously lacking knowledge of hunting rifles. There are so many bad models, choosing only five would be impossible.

Added, many shooters learn how to make these "bad" rifles work and are happy with them. But I do concur with the observations on the Ruger .44 Magnum Carbine.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

We had a 88 that was excessively stiff. Polishing didnt help. It was traded for a Savage 99 thats butter smooth. My uncles both had 88's one had them in 243, 308 & 284 he loved them. All butter smooth.

CW

 

[Bret4207]

My father my uncle and many people I know have Ruger 44 auto's. They are, or were, still in high demand in Northern NY and don't last long on a shelf. I've never heard a single bad word about them till now.

 

[richhodg66]

Dad had a couple of the Ruger .44s at one point. I don't remember much about them and I'm sure he doesn't either at this point. I do remember he loaded them with gas checked cast bullets. Seems my Dad really liked that 215 grain Lyman gas check (can't recall the mold numbe). Since I got most of his stuff, I've been going through shooting up the various cast bullets he had (been several years and I'm just now beginning to see a dent in the number) but I have just about worn out a couple of .44 Specials with those things. Down to the last few now.

I can see the appeal of a short, fast carbine, seems now especially with the straight walled states, these would be in demand.

 

[L Ross]

probably was, they were down to basements hand tools and feet for vises at that point.

now i'm wondering if that guy i watched sit on a rock and blind me with his barrel during the deer hunt was carrying a wilton.
he was only 8-900yds away though, so maybe it was something else.

My first "out West" hunt with a good, but well to do Dr. friend, my Dad, and my brother. I had a Ruger M77 International in .250-3000, my Dad and Brother each had M77 tang safety regular rifles in .257 Roberts, my Dr. friend had a high grade Browning bolt gun in 7 m/m Remington Mag. We were in Wyoming hunting antelope.

That Browning was some sort of presentation grade with a high sheen finish and like you fiver, we could see our friend a mile away walking with the rifle slung and the angle right flashing in the sun with every step he took. We mentioned it back at the ranch that night. I never saw that rifle on a hunt again after that year.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

For the most part, none of our family had or used 44 autos. Until my cousin bought one, he was the oldest of our cousins and had a little more dollars to spend in the rest of us. He made good work of that rifle and I remember it shooting very well for him. Another good friend has one from his father in Michigan and it's not as good a shooter it's pretty reliable but it's a 3 + inch gun at 50 yards with pretty much everything. He shoots at it as much as we've tried different loadings podcast bulletin jacketed it really doesn't get much better. What sentimental value keeps it in his gun cabinet where it will stay. CW

 

[L Ross]

The Ruger .44 carbine, wow. Remember the old magazine ads with the mighty hunter with his Ruger carbine and some sort of huge mountain gorilla hanging on a game pole? Wouldn't that cause Gordian knots in the Vicky Secret's of animal rights 'warriors" around the first world today!?

My Dad had a Ruger carbine, my Brother has it now. I remember Dad brought it up to my far North deer camp late in his hunting career and killed a deer with it with zero drama. Bang, dead deer, factory jacketed H.P. 240 gr.

I doubt it will get used for deer again as long as my Brother is alive. Wisconsin threw up it's legislative hands after CWD and we can hunt deer with anything now State wide. Of course nothing happened. Well maybe fewer shots are expended and more deer are killed with fewer shots. My Brother is afflicted with the same virus most of us here have. WhatamIgonnausethisyearitis? He typically chooses a bolt gun, shooting jacketed hand loads.

 

[Missionary]

Now I like that 27 letter "big word" ! You could win Scrabble every time with that.

 

[300BLK]

Savage 170 could be at the top of this list, and sporterized military rifles shouldn't have been included.

 

[JonB]

I haven't owned enough huntin rifles to judge what's worst, but I've had two Mossberg 340 rifles and they were not something I would want to hunt with...mostly due to magazine fit and ammo feeding issues. I was never happier, than when I replaced the two 340 guns and bought a CZ.
But that's just my opinion.

edit: I meant Savage...not Mossberg.

 

[Bret4207]

Mossberg 340's or Savage/Stevens 340's?

 

[Bret4207]

Savage 170 could be at the top of this list, and sporterized military rifles shouldn't have been included.

Okay, there's another I've had experience with. Never heard a single bad word, or much praise either. They simply worked year after year after year. Charge the mag, pump it, set the safety and look for a deer. What problems have you had/heard of?