My absolute no go items on a hunting rifle.

LIke I said I like 4 power even at 15 yards. I hunt 30-75s. Most people around here sight in at 25 yards. But I like checking out loads and turning it up. Maybe you get a better FOV with 1-5, which is something to consider. But my 3x15, I can turn down to 4 power.
 
Assuming the gun is reliable (which all guns SHOULD be anyway) for the hunting that I do I would whittle the list down considerably to the short list below. In general, I don't like or buy firearms that are low quality (bad triggers, poor accuracy, bad stock fit, mechanical issues, etc.), so what's on the OPs list is a lot of things I don't generally put up with in the first place.

So my lists of "no-gos" would be

1. Excessive weight of any kind. (I don't need any more gizmos or gadgets on the firearm than what's needed for the hunt. For example, if I'm not doing long distance shooting, I don't need a scope.)

2. No safety. (I may be climbing, traveling over rough or dangerous terrain, etc. Having a manual safety is a must for me.)
 
I have saying I should own one nice gun. even though I really don't need it. I was going to buy a SAKO black bear, but then dog got sick. I have motely collections 70 and 80s. I did buy Christian Arms Mesa, maybe dissapointed in finicky it it, likes barnes. I am going to try some more.

I bought a Ruger American predator cause I wanted an 18" 308. Not smooth, but seems to shoot great, and I like feel. Plus who cares what happens to it, I hard on things. Want to play with that in some other bullets

One of my goals is two loads per gun, in case of shortages, and just cause fun to do.
 
My only real "no gos" are a bad trigger and unreliability. These days, I just assume I'm going to get both, so budget for a trip to the gunsmith along with any new gun.

Most other things I can work around. I've hunted with 18" barrels and 28" barrels, and all kinds of safeties, and had no significant complaints. I really do not like massive scopes and high mounts, but have been successful with both. And yeah, I'd rather not climb mountains with a ten pound rifle, but have survived that too.

Come to think of it, though, I'll add one other absolute no-go: muzzle brakes. If I'm at an outdoor range with doubled-up ear protection, OK, but even a single braked shot with exposed ears is enough to do real damage.
 
The only one I disagree with is the last one # 10. I have set triggers on 4 of my rifles and have used them all. They are only used when the animal is still and unaware of my presence and I have a solid rest. They do serve a useful purpose and do it well. One other caveat, I never wear gloves when utilizing the set trigger.
 
I mostly agree!
I do like my rifles light. But it’s a function of how I hunt. Stalk, still hunt mid day, portable folding chair for morning and evening.
Good triggers are a MUST. I’ve muffed my share of shots due to poor triggers.
I’ve had a few occasions of bolts opening, too, but it’s something I frequently check out for.
Good dependable safety’s are a must!
Balance and handling are a big deal to me.
I’ve killed a few deer with an AR, but much prefer a conventional style, preferably a lever action in traditional deer calibers. Though I’ve killed dozens with .22 center fires. (And some unmentionable with .22lr and .22wrm).
My M336C in .35Rem, M30 Glenfield short magazine.30/30, and Marlin M338MX lead the pack. All three are 7-8lb and have excellent triggers. Accuracy is above par, but are NOT long range target rifles.
But inside 200yds they’re deadly. Between the aforementioned three rifles, I’ve taken over 50deer in the past 24yrs.
Got one hanging out back just now. Got him with a Howa M1500 mini in 6.5Grendel.
And, BTW, the Grendel wears a 2” linear muzzle brake that dramatically reduces perceived muzzle blast!
 

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Different terrain can have an effect on what I want. Now, there are some common denominators. To me, the model 70 or model 77 bolt saftey are all there should be. Haha. I hunted for a long time with a Mauser that had a habit of turning its safety off. And the 20 mile 20 pound trigger pull was what saved incedent.
That said, there is NOTHING more frustrating than a tool that doesn’t work properly. I have a grudge against the 770 as I borrowed one from my brother to work on a few years back; long story short it TOTALLY wouldn’t work and it cost me one of the biggest WT bucks I’ve ever seen(first shot caught a sapling, he stood still another 10 seconds and the bolt wouldn’t move!!!)
I don’t mind going down to a 16 or 18 inch barrel, and a routinely carry a 26. I also think where I’m hunting affects weight preference. I shot a 5ish lb 7 REM mag sheep rifle once… that was not an enjoyable experience. Dunno that I wanna lug my 18 lb rifle into the mountains either…
Scopes… I like 4 power for a lot of things. I often hang out right about 6-8x, but that depends on where I’m at. I did shoot a buck this year at like 20x at 75yds. Basically picked which hairs to part😁, but that’s NOT in the brush in NW Pennsylvania I used to hunt either. I like the IDEA of a 4-32 scope, but not the weight.
I’m getting more and more of the mindset that what works for you won’t for me and vice versa, but it also gets more and more fun to compare notes.
 
Growing up dirt poor in a large family where everybody hunted, I hunted with any firearm available. Triggers, sights, accuracy, capacity, weight, none of which was as important as having a usable hunting weapon in my hand. Many were hand me downs or what was left in the closet after others got to choose. At times our deer hunting party numbered 15 or so. Most of us had smoothbore grouse guns with slugs or some foreign bolt action where the only ammo available was Norma. Buying decent hunting firearms was one of the first investments I made, once I started to work. Bought a Ruger 10/22 and an MilSurp M1917 before I was old enough to drive. Still have them both. Even tho I haven't hunted deer with a long gun for almost 20 years, I took the old M1917 with me to the deer blind this year just for old times sake. Even though it's heavy, swings like a tree trunk, has a mushy trigger that has a mile long pre-travel and carries a 1970s Tasco scope on it, it's still accurate as 'ell. Didn't shoot anything with it, but was surprised at how it still felt right at home in my hands even though it had been a couple of decades since I have used it. Over the 6 decades that I have been blessed to hunt, most of my deer hunting was at distances of well under 100 yards. Most of my bird hunting was done at close range, over good dogs, as was the majority of my rabbit hunting. Having a capable gun was all I needed, even though it would have been nice to have the "perfect" gun. Once I got to the point where I could afford any gun I wanted, I realized I didn't need it.

That's not to say I don't have some.;)
 
No goes in a hunting rifle? 🤔
There are things that I don't like but, they won't stop me from trying different platforms.

1) 3 position wing safeties. I don't like them. I would like to try a Ruger guide rifle in 375 Ruger. It has a 3 position wing safety.
2) 22 caliber center fire cartridges. With so many better bullets available. I may consider trying one. Just no reason to do so right now.
3) Ruger #1 rifle. They are beautiful rifles and have my favorite 2 position top mounted safety. I had one in 25-06 and knocked the safety off a couple of times. It was located in a spot that was easy to do. If I found a deal on a #1 I would give it a try again.
4) Right handed rifles. As a lefty I prefer a Left-handed bolt action. I own a 243 right handed bolt???

Nothing is dead in the water as I have enjoyed trying different cartridges and platforms.
 
1. Erratic or constantly poor accuracy.

2. lousy, heavy, creepy or crunchy trigger that can’t be easily adjusted. Yes. I am a trigger snob

3. Too heavy to comfortably carry, too light to easily shoot. Ultralight rifles are a pain in the buttocks generally speaking.

4. Weird or difficult scope mounting options. Like the old Sako proprietary bases.

5. Non sear blocking safety. AKA a safety that can allow the weapon to fire if dropped.

6 Non bolt lock down safety, unless I can carry the rifle in a scabbard the freaking bolt can and will come open and the action will fill with dirt, pine needles etc. I hate that and welcome to my life!

7. Horrible stock fit, too low or too high of a comb or a ridiculously short length of pull.

8. Poor feeding or ejecting issues.

9. I am not a fan of overly long or overly short barrels. Something between about 20” and 26” is what I prefer on a bolt gun.

10. Set triggers, they just Don’t belong on a hunting rifle IMO.

I understand that most of these issues can be fixed with aftermarket parts but these are some issues that will keep me away from certain brands/ models of rifles.

I can’t disagree with any as well. However, it should be noted that most of these criteria are subjective to the individual. Every individual should look at these criteria and at least understand them when selecting a hunting rifle.

Such as:

1. Consistent accuracy is indeed important however mechanical accuracy is either acceptable or unacceptable based on the individual.
2. Once again, a good trigger is universally better than a bad trigger. Everyone has a preference though.
3. Everyone needs to find their sweet spot. Personally and for my kind of hunting, I like a sub-8lb rifle scoped and loaded.
4. Objectively, weird or proprietary scope mounting is a nuisance. Ruger 77 rifles generally work well for me all around but I could do without the proprietary rings. Scope mount height varies as well. My scope mounts are generally higher than most folks because my morphology will not allow a shorter height.
5. I’ve never put much thought into safeties. Perhaps, I should think on it more.
6. I have grown to agree with this. It is one of the primary reasons I want to change my 1st gen Ruger American 450 BM to the 2nd gen.
7. This is a given and a very good reason for due diligence in trying out a rifle before you buy one or just become familiar with many different types. I have had the fortune to be able to thoroughly try many different types of rifles out through buying and selling them and keeping the ones I like and moving the ones I don’t. I never understood why someone would never sell a gun.
8. Absolutely an uncontested must.
9. To each their own. I generally agree with 22-26 barrels but I do like 18 for ARs and 20 for larger bore bolt actions.
10. Me either. I barely tolerate the double set triggers on many Hawkens and prefer the singles on most ALRs.

Good list of criteria. Really gives someone something to ponder and improve upon.

For fun, here is my quintessential hunting rifle. Not ideal but pretty simple in form and function.

IMG_3876.jpeg

Ruger 77 Hawkeye Stainless 270 Win Laminate. Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 in Ruger rings. You cant really notice the height of the scope in this picture. The LC9 trigger has been tuned to a hair under 3lbs. It wasn’t “easily adjusted but the LC9 trigger is easy to work on once you know the procedure. Sear blocking and bolt locking safety. 22” barrel and I would prefer it to be 24” for the 270 cartridge.

It shot patterns shown in the big circle and three individually circled shots when I first got it but after free floating the barrel and glass bedding the action and first 1.5” of the barrel they shrunk down to the smaller group shown on the right.

IMG_3885.jpeg

This just goes to show that a little time and elbow grease can produce good results as well as trigger time and trying different loads.
 
7. Horrible stock fit, too low or too high of a comb or a ridiculously short length of pull.
I think you could have summed this one up by saying a stock that is not user friendly. There are many rifles with original equipment stocks that I wouldn't be caught dead with but other people like them. It's totally in the eye of the user. The worst stock for me is one that has a length of pull that is too long. I am so particular that I will cut a stock by 1/8 inch if needed. Also, I personally don't like large cheek pieces and when Weatherby rifles came out I just had to have one, and after awhile I realized why I didn't like it. I grew up as a wing shooter with an 870 Remington shotgun and the cheek piece hampered my ability to get off a quick shot. I got rid of it after I started using the Model 70 stocks.
 
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My biggest problem with plastic stocks other than their wretched ugliness, is they are all too short for my frame. There is no easy way to remedy the issue, other than a slip over recoil pad which further contributes to their wretched ugliness.
 
My biggest problem with plastic stocks other than their wretched ugliness, is they are all too short for my frame. There is no easy way to remedy the issue, other than a slip over recoil pad which further contributes to their wretched ugliness.


In a hunting rifle, how they pretty they look is the last thing in my order of priorities. same went for tools I used when working in construction. The real beauty in them was the finished product. I've cut down stocks, added larger pads to several rifles/shotguns without once looking at how they changed their appearance. It was how they felt when they touched my cheek and the way they sent bullets or shot downrange that was what I considered "pretty".
 
After several decades deer hunting (over five) i put everything away and only hun with my 243 H&R single shot Hani-Rifle.
I hunt Upstate New York.
Most of my shots are fifty to seventy-five yards so my scope stays on three power 90& of the time.
If i see a deer out in a field up to about two hundred yards i can turn the scope up a little.
I have a lot of good bolt rifles that will be leaving home here shortly, i have mo use for them any more. Here shortly my deer hunting days will be done and my 243 can go too.
 
After several decades deer hunting (over five) i put everything away and only hun with my 243 H&R single shot Hani-Rifle.
I hunt Upstate New York.
Most of my shots are fifty to seventy-five yards so my scope stays on three power 90& of the time.
If i see a deer out in a field up to about two hundred yards i can turn the scope up a little.
I have a lot of good bolt rifles that will be leaving home here shortly, i have mo use for them any more. Here shortly my deer hunting days will be done and my 243 can go too.
Hold on to your 243! My Dad says that he may give it up each year. Then I convince him to go. For the 2025 season I told him we are going to buy a couple of doe tags. He needs to shoot something with the 243 he has been using. He turns 85 in March....
 
He has got a few years on me.
I will be going through the cabnets and start disposing of a bunch of stuff i will never use. If i kick the bucket the old lady will haul it all off to cabelas, so might as well get a bunch of it gone.
There is a two ace piece of property close to were we hunt i will buy with the proceeds.
I will be listing the stuff on here and a couple of other forums here shortly.
 
He has got a few years on me.
I will be going through the cabnets and start disposing of a bunch of stuff i will never use. If i kick the bucket the old lady will haul it all off to cabelas, so might as well get a bunch of it gone.
There is a two ace piece of property close to were we hunt i will buy with the proceeds.
I will be listing the stuff on here and a couple of other forums here shortly.
I understand.
If something isn't being used, or you
can't recall the last time you used it
and it's a cobweb farm you might as
well convert it into usable cash.
I've sent a few unused expensive
firearms and pieces of cutlery to
new homes.
Just make blankety blanking sure
that you won't have the re-re's when
it leaves. I regretted letting my first
444 Marlin lever go away not long
after we said goodbye.
Replacements weren't that hard to
find at the time, and weren't a quarter
of what they go for now.
The rest of it, nah
 
Come to think of it, though, I'll add one other absolute no-go: muzzle brakes. If I'm at an outdoor range with doubled-up ear protection, OK, but even a single braked shot with exposed ears is enough to do real damage.
Isn't the news heard more by the people around you than you? I have one gun with a break, and with old sloppy ear plugs it is still not bad.
 
I lived and hunted in Colorado. I have had only one hunting rifle in my life. For deer and elk, it took a 1-1/2 hour hike in and I toted a Win 70 with BOSS muzzle brake attachment and a Trijicon Accu-Point scope I usually set at 6x. The rifle has a synthetic stock and a stainless barrel. Sling and all, it weighs 10 lbs unloaded. I didn't fuss too much at first about the bolt locking feature until I noticed my bolt was pulled back after hiking in and that I had lost a round of 7mm Rem Mag ammo on the trail. 160gr. Nosler Partitions as loaded by Federal were/are not cheap ($91.00 list for 20 rnds today). :what:

The safety is very quiet and the trigger is adjustable, so I easily set it where it was nice, but not scary. It was perpetually accurate. It let me believe that if I could see an animal, I could get it. Antelope? Routinely, much more open ground to the animal and I sadly discovered I was not the marksman I imagined I was.

I once began thinking about getting another hunting rifle, but I got too old for the territory. Why didn't I try hunting other units with easier terrain? My buddy had a cabin with a full-sized propane refrigerator, a wood kitchen stove, a wood heating stove, a propane water heater, bunks with mattresses galore, and a deep well with an electric motor for running water. My interest in going back to a tent hunting camp inexplicably eluded me.
 
I understand.
If something isn't being used, or you
can't recall the last time you used it
and it's a cobweb farm you might as
well convert it into usable cash.
I've sent a few unused expensive
firearms and pieces of cutlery to
new homes.
Just make blankety blanking sure
that you won't have the re-re's when
it leaves. I regretted letting my first
444 Marlin lever go away not long
after we said goodbye.
Replacements weren't that hard to
find at the time, and weren't a quarter
of what they go for now.
The rest of it, nah
I have a few that will stay in the family, there is a whole lot that has no meaning to me or the kids.

The only gun that i traded off was when i was around 14 maybe 15, over fifty yeats ago.
My father bought my oldest brother a old used J.C.HIGGINS 12 gauge bolt action for his first gun.
He gave it to me for my first gun, well stipidly i traded it off for wjo knows what. I have no idea.
Well he died ten years ago, i feel so bad not keeping that shotgun to pass down the line.
I did buy another old J.C.HIGGINS 12 gauge bolt action to replace it, but its not a family hand me down just a replica.

I have guns i bought from money i recieved when my father and then when my mother died that the kids will get.

I did buy two Ruger Blackhawks i bought from my oldest brother decades ago. A 357 magnum with the 9mm cylinder convertable, the other was a 44 magnum.
When my oldest brother died i gave them to my sons so they will remain in the family.
I have a Mossberg model 340 KC that my mother bought me new for me for Xmas right after my father died when i was eleven. I need to get it reblued and it needs a new stock.
I want to get it redone to give it to my grandson.
I will be going through the stuff and designate who gets what and the rest will be sold to finance that piece of property that the kids will have, when the deal goes through the property will be in their name so that won,t have to dead with the state BS when i cash in my chips.
Its all good.
 
I'll hang on to the Marlin lever that my
mother bought for my father when they
were still a young married couple.
Killed my first gun wt deer with it years
ago
Purely sentimental value and not a
remarkable example in any way.
It is a tack driver
 

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Reliability is number 1. I bought a savage 10 years ago, had some issues with it. Sitting in basement for years now. Don't know what to do with it. Can't ethically sell it.
Oh come on. What was it doing
 
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