Perhaps it’s the adventure accompanying a hunt
that leads us to dream about one gun that can do it all, or at least
one that would satisfy us forever. Perhaps it’s a keen sense of our
own history that leads us to pick a favorite and declare, “The Model
Such-and-Such is the best rifle of all time.” The words are spoken
with authority, as if there can be no debate. But of course there
is always debate. Which is a good thing, for without debate life
would be dull indeed.
At about this point in the conversation someone declares, “Okay,
pick three rifles... .” So folks begin to agonize over historical
significance, innovation and memories. Such is the dilemma facing
anyone who dares to make a list of the “best” rifles
of all time.
But we had to draw a line somewhere, so we drew
it at 10. But even a list of 10 isn’t without debate, as the disparate
opinions on the three lists herein prove. Something tells me we haven’t
heard the last of this.
Winchester Model 70
In 1936, Winchester “Americanized” and sporterized the bolt-action
of Paul Mauser’s military-inspired Model 1898 with, among other
things, a safety that operated smoothly underneath the telescopic
sights then becoming vogue. Now, 71 years after its creation, and
after fits and starts have interrupted production of the venerable
controlled-round-feed design, it is still the American bolt-action
that defines an archetype.
Remington Model 700
The gun that came along at precisely the right moment—about the time the Pre
’64 Model 70 was discontinued—is today probably present in more homes than
any other American bolt-gun. It’s widely considered the action to start with
in any custom-rifle project and is produced in more iterations than any other
bolt-gun.
Kimber 84M
At the end of the 20th century, Kimber engineers took a combination
of design cues from the Mauser 98, Winchester 70 and Remington
700 to new heights, and today the 84M is likely the best factory-produced,
most accurate out-of-the-box bolt-action made in America; if this
list is reproduced 10 years from now, a Kimber could top it.
Marlin 336
In 1936, Marlin improved on lever-action designs of the Winchester
94, Marlin 1895 and others. It’s true the 94 holds special places
in hunters’ hearts, but 71 years later, the 336 is still produced
in great numbers, and still the deer gun most Americans buy first.
Holland & Holland Royal Double
Rifle
Compared to other designs, few doubles have ever been sold, but this
list wouldn’t be complete without at least one: Holland & Holland’s
Royal is the archetype. If Purdey comes to mind first when thinking
shotguns, H&H is foremost when it comes to British custom rifles.
The H&H sidelock pattern set such a standard for shotguns and
rifles that makers today refer to an “H&H-type.”
Browning BAR
This is probably the most accurate semi-auto sporter ever produced
in America, and 41 years later it’s still popular in hunting camps
across the nation.
Ruger 10/22
Though there are plenty of rimfires to choose from, Ruger’s is surely
one of the most popular plinkers of all time—and a fine platform
for customization, too; everyone needs a .22, and this is the one
with which to start.
Knight MK-85
Tony Knight’s groundbreaking muzzleloader ushered in an entirely
new era in “primitive” sporting arms.
Mauser Model 98
The bolt-action that launched the 20th century—in 1898—with controlled-round
feed and other desirable features (notably a “pressure-proof” design)
is still revered and copied today.
Hawken Rifle
This is the gun Americans think of when they think of their forefathers
on the Western frontier, and a reliable design that still defines
sidelock muzzleloaders today.
Bryce Towsley’s List
1. Remington 700
I think it’s a law that every gun writer must pick
the Winchester Model 70 as the No. 1 rifle in history. But then,
I have never been much of a crowd-follower. At the risk of being
blackballed out of the gunwriting guild, I am going with the Remington
Model 700. It is the best-selling bolt-action rifle of our times.
It’s the foundation for the majority of custom rifles I see these
days, and in my lifetime the Model 70 has never come close to matching
it for consistent, out-of-the-box accuracy.
2. Winchester 1894
The 1894 introduced smokeless powder cartridges
to the masses and it became the gun of choice for them. The Model
94 is probably the most popular rifle ever made for hunting the most
popular big game God ever created, the whitetail deer.
3. Winchester Model 70
I had to put it in here someplace; after all,
it is the “Rifleman’s Rifle.” The Model 70 is a great rifle and one
of significant importance. You didn’t really think I would ignore
it, did you?
4. Mauser 98
This is the bolt-action that even today, well over a
century later, is the baseline of comparison for all other rifles.
It’s the basic design still used in most modern bolt-actions. Peter
Paul Mauser got it right.
5. Remington 760/7600
I believe each of us should include a surprise.
This Remington pump-action is the unsung hero of hunting rifles.
Infinitely popular in the Northeast where whitetail hunting has its
deepest roots, the Remington pump is fast, accurate and points like
a shotgun.
6. Colt AR-15
Ten years ago I would not have included this rifle,
but the day of the black gun has arrived. In many ways, the AR platform
is the perfect rifle. It’s tough as nails, accurate enough for long-range
target shooting, fast enough for close-range defense and versatile
enough to be called the “ultimate kit gun.”
7. Ruger No. 1
Without this gun, single-shots would be dead and buried.
Bill Ruger defied the naysayers and built a gun they said would never
sell. Today, 42 years later, it’s still making a profit for the shareholders.
8. Savage 99
While the Model 94 was the deer rifle of the masses,
the Model 99 was the “thinking man’s” deer rifle. In the formative
years of modern whitetail hunting, gun guys picked this lever-action.
9. Winchester Model 1873
Hey, it’s “The Gun that Won the West.” It
was the first practical, high-capacity, repeating rifle using a reloadable
cartridge.
10. Ruger 10/22
I’ll bet you have one. Everybody does. It makes the
list by volume alone. It has to be great, because no shoddy rifle
could fool that many people.
Ron Spomer’s List
1. Winchester Model 70
Doctor Olmsted hit this nail. The Win. M70 it
is. I’d like to give the nod to the Mauser 98, but it was too long
a military configuration. Since Winchester had the smarts to sporterize
it in an elegant, durable, accurate package, here’s your prize. Kimber
may overtake the M70 with its sleeker 84M and 8400s, but for now,
it’s Winchester.
2. Remington Model 700
I tried, but couldn’t justify bumping the Remington
M700 from second. It’s just too consistently effective and popular.
Custom gunmakers love to tailor it into some of the most accurate rifles
on the planet. Controlled feeding is the only reason Winchester gets
top spot.
3. Ruger No. 1
This rifle is too elegant, smooth, tough and durable
to ignore. Once you get over the idea you need three follow-up shots,
the No. 1 is an obvious winner. The Dakota Model 10 is more elegant,
but not quite as durable.
4. Winchester Model 52
This accurate, “real” bolt-action rimfire brought
the .22 LR up to standards long established for quality centerfires,
making it not only a plinking rifle but also a true practice rifle
for anyone hunting with a bolt-action centerfire. The M52 set the stage
for today’s quality rimfires like Kimber, Cooper and New Ultra Light
Arms.
5. Winchester M94
Yes, you could argue for the Marlin, but Winchester
started the lever-action repeater, and the 94 epitomizes the slab-sided
efficiency of this action type. Trim, quick, open sights. In .30-30
it’s an American classic, even though the Savage M99 is a more modern
lever-action design.
6. Ruger 10/22
This is not the classic all-steel hunting rifle, but
you can’t argue with success. The 10/22 can be dressed up or down,
take a licking and keep on shooting quickly and darned accurately.
7. Mauser 98
The only problem with the Mausers was inconsistent sporter
designs. There was never one definitive manufacturer. Today firms like
Empire Rifle are manufacturing Mauser-design actions that could propel
this classic to the top.
8. H&H Royal
We do need a double rifle in the group, considering
how important it was/is in dangerous-game hunting, so the H&H gets
the nod.
9. New Ultra Light Arms Model 20
One of the most significant, lasting
trends in hunting rifles is lighter weight, and the M20 set the standard.
At roughly 5 pounds, these push-feed actions do everything the 8-pound
standard rifles do with less sweat.
10. Kentucky Long Rifle
The Hawken was a refinement of the early flintlocks
that evolved in the original American wilderness as an awakening nation
discovered its identity.
