20 Forgotten Rifles That Are Still Excellent Shooters

Photo credit: VS Shooting Channel/YouTube

Some rifles disappear because they were bad. Others disappear because the market simply moved on. Newer cartridges arrive, synthetic stocks replace walnut, detachable magazines become fashionable, and perfectly good rifles get pushed onto the used rack where younger shooters barely notice them.

That is a shame, because plenty of older rifles still shoot extremely well. Some have smooth actions, excellent barrels, or balance that newer guns struggle to match. Others were simply overshadowed by more famous models from the same manufacturer. These 20 rifles may not dominate current conversations, but they are still more than capable of putting tight groups on paper and game on the ground.

Remington Model 788

The Model 788 was built as a cheaper alternative to Remington’s more prestigious bolt rifles, yet it developed a reputation for accuracy that far exceeded its original market position. Its rear-locking bolt design was unconventional, but that did not stop many examples from shooting exceptionally well.

The rifle is plain by modern standards, and the trigger is not luxurious, but the basic accuracy potential is very real. Clean 788s in chamberings like .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and .30-30 can still surprise shooters who assume an old budget rifle should perform like one.

Sako L579 Forester

The L579 Forester is one of those older Sako rifles that experienced shooters still speak about with real respect. The action is smooth, the machining is excellent, and the rifle has the kind of fit and finish that feels distinctly old-school in the best way.

What really matters is how well they tend to shoot. The barrels were high quality, the triggers were excellent, and the rifles balance beautifully. Newer Sako models may get more attention, but a good Forester can still compete with plenty of expensive modern hunting rifles.

Husqvarna 1640

Husqvarna built some remarkably good sporting rifles, and the 1640 is one of the more overlooked examples. It used a strong action, classic stock proportions, and traditional hunting chamberings that made it a serious field rifle rather than a collector-only piece.

The 1640 also has a reputation for very good accuracy when paired with ammunition it likes. These rifles tend to feel slimmer and livelier than many newer hunting rifles. If you stumble across one in good shape, it can be a far better shooter than the price might suggest.

BSA CF2

The BSA CF2 rarely comes up in American rifle conversations anymore, but it was a well-made British bolt-action with a smooth action and surprisingly good accuracy.

The rifle had a proper hunting feel, with a stock that points naturally and a trigger that can be quite good. It never achieved the name recognition of Sako or Winchester, which is one reason it remains overlooked. That does not mean it cannot shoot.

Parker-Hale Model 1200

Parker-Hale built a number of sporting rifles around proven Mauser-style actions, and the Model 1200 is one of the more practical examples. It has traditional lines, solid construction, and a reputation for being dependable in the field.

Accuracy is generally better than many shooters expect from a rifle that now looks dated. The action may not be as slick as the newest premium bolt guns, but the rifles were made to shoot. A clean example can still be an excellent deer rifle today.

Tikka M595

Before the T3 became the Tikka most shooters knew, the M595 earned a reputation for smooth operation and impressive accuracy. It was a compact short-action design with a very good trigger and excellent barrel quality.

The rifle feels more substantial than some later Tikkas while still carrying well. Many examples are still capable of shooting tight groups with modern factory ammunition. It is one of those rifles that faded mostly because a newer generation replaced it, not because the design stopped being good.

Steyr Mannlicher Model M

The Steyr Mannlicher Model M has the kind of European refinement that made it stand out when new. The action is smooth, the stock is distinctive, and the overall quality feels much more premium than many modern production rifles.

The barrels also tend to shoot extremely well. It is not always the easiest rifle to scope or accessorize compared with current designs, but as a pure hunting rifle, it remains a very capable piece. The shooting experience is far better than its low profile in today’s market would suggest.

Ruger Model 77 RSI

The RSI version of Ruger’s Model 77 is easy to remember for its full-length Mannlicher-style stock, but it deserves credit for more than looks. The compact barrel and handy dimensions make it a quick, pleasant hunting rifle.

Some shooters assume the full-length stock must hurt accuracy, but good examples can shoot surprisingly well. The rifle is especially enjoyable in moderate-recoil chamberings. It is one of the more distinctive older hunting rifles that still performs far better than people expect.

Winchester Model 670

The Model 670 was positioned below the Model 70, which meant it never enjoyed the same prestige. It was simpler, plainer, and built to hit a lower price point.

That does not mean it was inaccurate. Many examples use good Winchester barrels and shoot very well with basic hunting ammunition. The rifle is not glamorous, but it can still make an excellent field gun for someone who cares more about groups than collector appeal.

Savage Model 110E

The 110E was one of the more basic versions of Savage’s long-running 110 platform. It had little in the way of cosmetic refinement, but the underlying action and barrel system were capable of very good accuracy.

Savage built much of its modern reputation around rifles that simply shot well for the money, and the 110E fits that history perfectly. Older examples may need trigger work or a better stock, but the core rifle can still be a very strong shooter.

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Voere 2165

Voere rifles never became mainstream in the United States, but the Austrian company produced some excellent sporting bolt actions. The 2165 combined solid machining with a smooth action and a traditional hunting stock.

These rifles are especially interesting because they tend to feel far more refined than their current obscurity suggests. Accuracy is often very good, and the build quality can surprise shooters used to more familiar American brands. Parts availability is the biggest drawback, not the way the rifle shoots.

Remington Model 600

The Model 600 was compact, lightweight, and visually unusual, which made it stand out when it was introduced. Its vent rib and short barrel gave it a very different look from a conventional hunting rifle.

What tends to get forgotten is how handy and accurate these rifles can be. The short overall length makes them excellent in thick cover, and good examples shoot well enough for serious hunting. The design feels odd until you actually carry and shoot one.

Schultz & Larsen Model 54J

Schultz & Larsen rifles have long been respected for barrel quality and precision, yet many older models are almost unknown to modern American shooters.

The 54J is one of those rifles that rewards anyone who appreciates careful machining and excellent barrels. It may not have the accessory support of newer platforms, but the accuracy is the reason these rifles developed such a loyal following. A clean example is still a serious shooter.

Interarms Mark X

The Mark X was built around a Mauser-style action and offered in a variety of sporting configurations. It never had the prestige of some premium European rifles, but the design was strong and dependable.

Many examples shoot very well, especially after a proper bedding job or trigger tune. The action is solid, the barrels are capable, and the rifles have enough traditional character to feel different from modern budget guns. They are still worth watching for on the used market.

Browning BBR

The Browning BBR is one of the company’s more forgotten bolt rifles. It was large, strong, and built with a multi-lug action that gave it a very solid lockup.

The rifle is heavier than many modern hunters want, but that weight can make it extremely stable from a rest. Accuracy is often excellent, and the build quality is unmistakably Browning. The BBR is a great example of a rifle that disappeared mostly because tastes changed.

Krico Model 600

Krico rifles are not common in the United States, which is part of why they remain forgotten. The German-made Model 600 offered a smooth action, quality barrel, and a level of fit that immediately separated it from cheaper sporting rifles.

These guns tend to shoot very well and feel excellent in the hands. The downside is limited parts support and unfamiliarity. If you are comfortable owning something obscure, the rifle itself can be extremely rewarding.

Mauser Model 66

The Mauser 66 is one of the more mechanically interesting hunting rifles of its era. Its telescoping bolt system allowed a relatively short overall rifle while still using full-length cartridges.

The design is unusual, but the accuracy is serious. These rifles were built to a very high standard and often have excellent triggers. They are not simple by modern standards, yet a good Model 66 can still be one of the finest-shooting older hunting rifles you are likely to encounter.

Anschutz Model 1532

Anschutz is best known for rimfire precision, but the company also produced excellent centerfire sporting rifles. The Model 1532 is one of the lesser-known examples.

The trigger quality is a major strength, and the barrels are exactly what you would expect from Anschutz. These rifles can shoot extremely well despite receiving almost no attention in modern hunting conversations. They are ideal for someone who values accuracy more than brand recognition.

Colt Sauer Sporting Rifle

The Colt Sauer is one of those rifles that feels premium the moment you cycle the action. It used a complex multi-lug bolt and extremely smooth operation that made it stand out from more conventional sporting rifles.

It also shoots extremely well. The barrels were high quality, and the rifles were built with the kind of precision you would expect from a premium European design. They are not especially common today, but they remain excellent shooters for anyone willing to own something a little unusual.

Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model 1952

The Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles have a reputation for incredibly smooth actions and beautifully balanced stocks. The Model 1952 continued that tradition in a more modern sporting form.

These rifles are heavier and more old-fashioned than current hunting guns, but the quality is hard to ignore. The rotary magazine feeds smoothly, the action feels almost effortless, and good examples are capable of excellent accuracy. It is the kind of rifle that reminds you older engineering did not automatically mean inferior performance.