I've been bitten the "classic hunting rifle" bug I think - and am keen to add some to my gun cabinet.

I've never owned an older rifle so have some questions.

1) In the older rifle category (let's say 1930s - 1980s vintage) am I better off focusing on European or American rifles? Any significant difference in quality? How about access to replacement parts?

2) I'm primarily a hunter first and foremost - so reliability is paramount. Any reason to believe a well maintained "old" rifle wouldn't be just as reliable as a new rifle?

Apologize if these questions seem elementary - just trying to learn as much as I can before getting out my wallet.

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M70. Pre64 if you can find/afford one.

If your looking for a bolt action try a Pre64 Model 70.

American, I agree M70, or maybe Remington M30
European, Mauser or Mannlicher.

Then there are the American lever actions, older designs of the marlins and Winchesters.

Single shot, Sharps and Remington Rolling block as well as the Springfield trap-doors.

Here is a 56-year-old classic: a pre-64 Model 70 in .30-06 that I bought the year that I graduated high school. It saw a lot of hard use early in its life, so my gunsmith gave the old girl a face lift about 20 years ago. I carried it a few days hunting both whitetails and elk last fall, and will carry it again this fall. Once I get another rifle blooded, this one will be my primary hunting rifle from now on.

I'm often as impressed by commercial Mauser in that same period, and more so by the higher end versions such as Ferlachs, etc. I love 70s, though.

Check out the Browning Safari rifles, especially the early ones build on FN Mauser actions. In my opinion they are better rifles than the later pre-64 Model 70s. I know that statement is heresy in some circles, but I own both.

SR

mudhen, that is a beautiful example of a great classic hunting rifle. Very nice!!!

Beautiful rifle Mudhen!

I also vote pre 64 model 70 like some of the others have suggested. They are the epitome of the term "classic" American hunting rifle. There are also other old rifles that would also be 100% reliable as well as accurate. These rifles would include sporterized military rifles such as 1903 springfields, m1917 enfields, mauser 98's, and many many more. There are also factory sporters based off of these rifles as well. BSA built sporters from m1917's and p14's that were damn good rifles very similar to the pre 64 model 70. Remington also built rifles from this action. Those were the 30 express and model 720. Good luck trying to find the latter though: They are very rare. Mauser 98 derivatives built commercially, include the interarms MKx, Whitworth, FN, Husqvarna, JC Higgins and many others. I can go on and on about old rifles, but to say these are reliable and can be very accurate is a big understatement. The nice thing about these rifles can also be the price tag. If you are patient, you'll run across some excellent rifles at a hell of a bargain. I don't think you can go wrong buying an old rifle and they are a lot of fun to tinker around with...

Mudhen's rifle above is a damn nice rifle. I have one that is all original. His rifle probably looked more like this the first day he got it:


This rifle also shoots like a million dollars:



After shooting this rifle side by side with newer rifles, the newer rifles were sent packing. 4 other 30-06 rifles were kicked out of the safe because of this one..

The areas that I hunt on a regular basis has little chance for a large buck, so I enjoy hunting with rifles made in the 50's or before. Many times with open sights or receiver sights. It just seems to add a little challenge or excitement to shooting a deer for the pot instead of the wall.
There seems to be an endless supply of classic rifles available on the market today. Certainly the winchester model 70 made in the early years would be great, but there are many more styles to choose from that are fine rifles. Many rifle manufacturers in that time frame made their rifles from FN actions, Husqvarna, various Mausers and others.

The early Remington rifles are fine shooting rifles in bolt actions and pumps. My brother has a Remington 141 in 35 Remington that he has shot numerous .5 inch groups with. I just picked up a Remington 722 in 300 savage that will shoot a 1 inch group with an old weaver scope and a 6 lb trigger. I killed a nice buck this year with a Remington 14 1/2 in 44-40 and a receiver sight.

Just pick one with a clean bore, that you like and have fun. You might be surprised to find out that many of these older guns shoot better than the new rifles do. Don't forget to let us know what you end up with and how it shoots.
Way more fun than just buying a new rifle and scope.

There is hardly anything more classic or reliable than a properly done Mauser...

Sure it isn’t a beautiful old bolt action but my favorite Classic hunting gun is a Savage 99 in 300 Savage that was left to me by my late Uncle.

Beautiful....

Here is a classic custom built on an Interarms Mauser action for Ken Howell, chambered in .338 Howell (his "improved" version of the .338-06). This is the one that I need to blood. I promised Ken that I would take an elk with it, but haven't seen a bull yet that I thought was worthy. Maybe this fall...

To get your feet wet for a reasonable cost I'd vote for one of the commercial Mauser 98 derivatives. FN produced some really excellent ones for a lot of different manufacturers. Lots of them were in what we'd call budget rifles today so an awful lot of them are still undervalued or I should say underappreciated and can be found for very reasonable prices, sometimes little more than a new Ruger American.

Be careful, you might get hooked. We live in a golden age of accurate rifles but there's just something about those old milled steel and walnut creations that modern rifles don't have and can't duplicate...

The German chitt works too. My youngest with a Walther Mauser 7x57 bought in Canada.

What are you going to hunt and where?

In another post here you wrote:

"I am looking to add to my gun cabinet with a rifle that will be used for whitetail deer hunting at close range in thick cover. Think maximum of 75 meter shots and often at moving deer. The two I am considering the most are the Tikka Battue Lite and the Browning BLR. Caliber will be likely be 7mm-08 or 308 - both are offered in it.

Any and all opinions welcome. I have primarily been a bowhunter and am slowly transitioning into the rifle hunting world."


Go to gunshops and handle the guns they have both new and used.

Find one you like the best and buy one that's priced fair.

If you like a scope on a hunting rifle then add one.

Wow! Just wow!

Not sure what your point it - I ended up buying the Battue after doing my research and checking it out in my local gun shop - and it sits in my gun cabinet right now.

Older rifles have caught my attention just from an interest perspective and I don't know much about them - thus asking here.

Don't want to answer the post? Just ignore it - simple.

Unless an old rifle hasn't been maintained, or has been used really hard, or been messed with, I'd say they are, in general, more reliable than newer ones with plastic or MIM'd parts and complicated designs. Lots of new guns apparently are never function tested before leaving the factory. New guns are also often built to a price point whereas older ones, I believe, were priced based on what it cost to make them, if you get my meaning.

For over thirty years my primary hunting rifle was a pre64 M70 made in 1950. Never, in all that time did it give me a bit of trouble of any kind. I also have had a number of rifles built on commercial and one military Mauser action. Again, not one issue. Older Sakos are in the same category, although my experience with them is limited.

Ingwe, who built that rifle? 375HH?

Commercial version of the Mauser M 98. They can be bought for a good price.

Pay no attention to savage, he's strange... Putting it lightly..

Often times, too good of a price... Ran across a Whitworth 375H&H, that was beautiful, right after I sold my pre 64 H&H to Gunner. I told myself I was done with the 375, but that Whitworth was calling my name. They were asking $600.00 for it and it was well worth that. Had a pretty damn nice stick of wood on it too... I went back the next weekend, and she said it had sold. Didn't last long at that price!!!!

Paid $900 (IIRC) for my Whitworth .375 H&H. It was in the LGS for a few months when I seen it.



Need to take it to Africa now.

All of my bolt guns are modern, mostly stainless, and all with either factory or aftermarket synthetic stocks. Not interested in a Classic wood bolt rifle.

But I can appreciate them. I own a dozen Marlin and Winchester lever rifles. Most were made between the 1950's into the 1970's.

When I get the urge to hunt with a Classic walnut/blue rifle one of these 30-30's get the call. Both are 1958 production.

This defines "Classic" for me.

In my book nothing beats a nicely finished 98 Mauser sporter though I have always thought a Savage 219 single shot in 30-30 would be a fun deer rifle to hunt with.

Savage 99, screw all that Euro-trash.

Only get a Pre-64 Model 70 if your humor went out the window with your prostate.


Don't be afraid of a Remington 141, 760 or a Marlin 336.

I hate to recommend them, because I might want another and the prices are going up. I have two FN commercial Mausers and a semi custom built on a Zastava 98 action. Your best and cheapest way to go is probably a discontinued Remington 98 or Zastava 98. New or slightly used. They have hardly changed in almost 120 years. Captdavid

Pre-'64 M70 FWT in .30-06 for me.

H&R model 340,98 action, nice classic lines, and some were even made with Douglas barrels! If you can find one they usually bring a fraction of the price of a pre-64 Winchester,yet function and looks are every bit as good!Flame suit donned!

H&R model 340,98 action, nice classic lines, and some were even made with Douglas barrels! If you can find one they usually bring a fraction of the price of a pre-64 Winchester,yet function and looks are every bit as good!Flame suit donned!

Husqvarna 640 or 146 based on the FN 98 actions. Still under priced, but chamberings are pretty much restricted to 8x57, 30-06, 9.3x57 and occasionally 9.3x62.
Barrels are Swedish made and very accurate.

Built by Dennis Erhardt...7x57

Of course theres always a sporterized Enfield .303.....

Imho, the 146 and 640 are the most under-rated bargain available in the USA at this time! Most are A third of the price of a good pre-64 model 70. ( if money is a factor) And they are damn good rifles!

A man who sets out with a 640 In 8x57 or 30/06 would be classically outfitted for just about anything. Again JMHO

That is one ugly moose you killed Ingwe.

But,a fine lookin' rifle though.

Depending on how you hunt, a Marlin 336, Winchester 94, or a Savage 99 can be just about perfect. Unless rain is in the forecast, my old 336 is the only rifle that sees my N.C. mountain place. Grandpa's gun doesn't have to hunt in the rain anymore.

The Remington 721's are pretty nice "vintage" rifles. Also, commercial FN Mausers, I use my dad's old "Musketeer" in 30-06 on a regular basis.

Agree....

Burgess/Milliron



Maurice Ottmar



Jerry Fisher

I guess my cousin's 1947 Semi Custom FN Mauser (4 digit serial number) that I purchased from his estate qualifies? Mashburn Trigger, Jaeger Sling Swivels, Weaver steel tube scope with 2.25 minute dot reticle, custom stock with Point Protestus checkering panels.

If I were banking on build quality, dependability, and accuracy, I'd go straight to the Sako L61r.

The pics of rifles in this thread are great! A lot of beautiful rifles.


'06 pre 64 Featherweight


Customized Pre war model 70 in 270 WCF


Savage model 99 in 300 Savage

I vote for a pre-64 Winchester. I would get a 264 westerner

Broken record:
> American = Pre-64 Win Model 70 chambered .270Win or .30-06 Spfd.
> European = Mauser variant chambered 6.5x55 or 7x57. Extra bonus "cool" points for making it a full stock Mannlicher...

Man I like that rifle!

Whitebird, you and the others sure have some beautiful rifles Sir.

The Ruger #1s with sights can be a bit "classic" as well, esp the Lispeys offering of the 275Rigby with 24" bbl and express rear sight.

http://www.ammoland.com/2016/07/lip...no-1-rifle-configurations/#axzz4cGxOJv5h

The model 70's and Mausers are getting lot of recommendations and rightfully so. Don't overlook the custom Springfields. Sedgley, Griffin and Howe and number of other custom makers used the Springfield as a foundation for some very classy, classic rifles.

Yep. Just got one myself. Haven't hunted with one since I was a teen.

Agreed that the model 70 is the American standard, but I'm surprised to not see anyone recommend Winchester model 94 (pre-64). Either of these two will be suitable for most anything one could encounter. Caliber would be either 30-30 or 30-06. While 30-30 is somewhat looked down upon in todays day and age, it has perhaps put down more deer or medium size game than any other cartridge.

Hands down , I woud take a Brno M21 small ring square bridge mauser over a pre64 -M70.

In large ring, a Mauser model A or B,

for something more nimble, a Mannlicher Shonauer...or Kurz Mauser If you can afford it.

Some great advice here. If I were starting over I'd look at well done sporterized 1903 Springfields. Collectors are only interested in original military condition versions so you can buy a lot of quality for relatively short money. You said reliability was important to you, well world war 1 and 2 were pretty good proving grounds. Here's mine:

I'd say American for sure, that will give you many more options. I accumulate "vintage" deer rifles from the time frame you mentioned, and favor Winchester 88's and 100's, also Ruger red pad 77's, and most anything Marlin lever. Savage 99's would be another great option, along with Remington 721 and 722. Prices are down now on pre-64 Model 70's and 94's (compared to just a couple years ago), but are up on the 88's. Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

Got this last summer:

1916 Savage 1899 250-3000 Take Down

I would buy that Swede Mauser in 9.3x57 in the classifieds. If it was a mannlicher it would be on the way to Ohio.

Edit - if I was feeling feisty I would put a Williams peep on it

Yea, too small for bunnies.

This is one of my all time favorites.

Harumph,it's shot placement.

I like this one;

A '54 Winchester Super Grade in .257 Roberts.




donsm70

Hell of a gnu critter there too!

Your 1903 is an awesome rifle. The only downfall to those and my favorite's (m1917) is their heft. Built strong as a tank, but a little on the heavy side... Here's my 1917 for chits and giggles. Damn sure not as nice as most of these posted, but I really enjoy hunting with the old girl:




This is my no frills, get er done in any kind of weather rifle...

Me too.

Oooohhhhhh...dats about as classic as an American rifle gets!

I enjoy hunting with what I consider classic rifles. I can find myself on a deer stand with anything from a 94 Winchester made in 1897 to a Husqvarna in 30/06. With Marlin Texans, several Remington 141's and a 14, Savage 99's, Winchester 88's and 100's likely to show up too.

My current favorite is this 1903 Springfield that some guy, probably named Bubba, did a fair job on. It hasn't been drilled and tapped for scope mounts and I don't plan on drilling it. Seems to shoot just fine with the receiver sight if I limit my shots to 100 yards.

There are a bunch of good classics out there and they have many years of service left in them. To my way of thinking, I get much more enjoyment out of hunting with a "classic" than I do hunting with one of my fiberglass and stainless, modern, wonder rifles.

For a turn key classic its tough to beat a pre-64. I have been down the mauser road, but I feel by the time you add a trigger and safety you are money well ahead by just getting a M70. If I wanted a ready to go mauser, I'd go FN commercial like the Browning Safari or FN supreme. The husky's are the best bargain going, everyone Ive owned was super accurate with no fuss.

For rifles other than bolt, the Rem 14, 141, 760 are very "classic" imo. Ive just never been a gig level guy, but if it has 35 Rem on the barrel its good to go. The win 71 is about as classic as it gets, but pricey.

Now that's a classic. Very nice.

That 1917 is very nice. You're right though they do get kind of heavy. A little heavier every year infact.

My idea of "Classic" rifles.

Allow me, if you will, to make a humble suggestion...while there are many rifles that could be considered classics, I prefer rifles built back in the days when surplus military actions were cheap and plentiful. My preference would be a Mauser 98, but I've seen some very nice Springfields, Enfeilds, P17's and others. Here is the closest I have to fitting the bill...



Century Arms M98 I restocked in a NOS Fajen. First rifle I bought myself(I was 19) and the first rifle stock I did(not that I've done all that many). Killed my biggest whitetail buck with that rifle in 1996 when I was 21.

Good looking stock.

Well I feel no shame is saying that the pre-64 M70's are all that much. Nice rifles but my preference is something built on a proper 98 Mauser. My choice for doing a build is the J.C. Higgins M50 or 51 made for Sears using genuine FN Mauser actions, chrome lined barrels by High Standard. Every one I've shot has been accurate and the only changes I'd make would be to slim the somewhat clubby stock down some and add a Timney trigger. They come in 30-06 and .270 Win.
I did one build using an M50 rebarreling to 7x57 and a more European style stock. it's one of my favorite rifles. All my custom and semi-customs have been built on Mayser actions, some commercial and some military. The companion piece for the 7x57 is a .35 Whelen based on an Oberndorf military action and is tied for favorite rifle with the 7x57.
I have owned a few pre-64 M70s and they've all gone down the road. I don't miss them.
Paul B.

Classic rifles come in a wide variety.

Remington Model 8 25 Rem.


Winchester 1902 22 S and L single shot


Some domestic like the 64 and 71 Winchesters




Some foreign (from back to front WR Pape 256 Mannlicher, Husqvarna 46 9.3x57, Genschow 10.75x57.


And some sold in a momentary lapse in judgement - a Sedgley Springfield in 375 Whelen.

Think I paid about $40 for it on Ebay. It was a lot of work but, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Love the look of a vintage stock on a Mauser, someday I'll send it out and get it checkered.

Mart,some cool stuff there!

Thanks. Not much for standard stuff in my collection, or I guess I should say, accumulation. Collection implies some forethought.

1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer 6.5x54 built by Josef Mischitz,engraved by Albin Obiltschnig. [img:center][/img] [img:center][/img]

Now show your real cools ones with the bolt handles switched over to the other side...

Day-um!

Beautiful rifle!

The two conversions I have are this model 70 308 Norma Mag. Converted to left hand by the Kerr Sport Shop in Beverly Hills.





It has a little history.



And my model 70 converted to left hand by Bob West and rebored to 35 Whelen by Cliff LaBounty. I put it in a modern LH take off stock. It took a little work as the old actions are different than the new.





It gets hunted a little.

Man, that 256 Mannlicher is SWEET. I've always wanted one of those.

That's the coolest thing I've ever seen on this website.

I went the build route. Purchased an M38 Turkish Mauser action from a guy online. Because of it unique threading (large ring small threads), I sent it to Shaw to be barreled. They did a really great job. Can't thank them enough. Added a Houge stock, Timney trigger and safety.

Two things about this build I wanted to share with you in case you go the build path:
1) Its a Mauser so there is the hump on the receiver to deal with. Instead of grinding it down, I was able to source a base that went over the hump
2) She's old (1940'ish) and if I try to cycle the action too fast, I miss picking up the extractor groove; the round is pushed into battery; and the bolt won't close. I spoke to several smiths and was told that may not be a fixable situation.

Good luck in your quest.

HaYen