20 Rifles That Every Gun Owner Should Shoot at Least Once

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Some rifles are worth owning. Others are worth shooting at least once simply because they show you something different. A good lever gun teaches you about handling. A smooth bolt rifle changes your standards for what an action should feel like. A heavy battle rifle makes recoil and weight real in a way specifications never can.

That does not mean every rifle here is the best choice for every shooter. Some are expensive, some are outdated, and a few are far more practical as experiences than everyday rifles. The point is that each one offers a shooting experience that is memorable enough to broaden your perspective. If you spend enough time around rifles, these are the kinds of guns that are worth putting a few rounds through at least once.

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand is one of those rifles that feels important the moment you pick it up. The weight, long action, and substantial wood stock all remind you that this was built as a military service rifle rather than a lightweight sporting arm.

Shooting one is even more memorable. The recoil is firm but manageable, the sights are excellent, and the rifle has a mechanical rhythm that modern semiautomatics do not duplicate. Loading the en bloc clip and feeling the action cycle gives you a much better understanding of why the rifle earned such a reputation. Even if you prefer modern ARs, an M1 Garand is worth experiencing because it shows how capable a battle rifle could be decades before lightweight polymer and aluminum designs took over.

M1A Standard

The M1A gives you the feel of a traditional full-power semiautomatic rifle in a way most modern .308s do not. The wood stock, iron sights, long operating system, and substantial weight create a very different shooting experience from an AR-10.

The first thing most shooters notice is how stable the rifle feels from supported positions. The second is the recoil impulse, which is heavier than 5.56 but smoother than many lightweight .308 rifles. The sights are excellent once you understand them, and the whole rifle rewards deliberate shooting. It is not the easiest platform to mount optics on or carry all day, but that is part of why it is worth trying. It shows exactly what an older-generation service rifle does well and where modern rifles improved.

FN SCAR 17S

The SCAR 17S has a reputation that is hard to separate from its military image, which is exactly why it is worth shooting for yourself. It is light for a .308 semiautomatic and handles far differently than traditional battle rifles.

The recoil impulse is sharp but controlled, and the reciprocating mass gives the rifle a very distinctive feel during rapid fire. The controls are familiar enough that most shooters adapt quickly, and the folding stock makes the rifle feel surprisingly compact. Whether or not you think the price is justified, shooting one gives you a much better sense of why the platform earned such a devoted following. It is one of the more unusual modern .308 rifles and absolutely worth experiencing at least once.

HK91

The HK91 is a perfect example of a rifle that feels completely different from an AR-based design. The roller-delayed action, charging handle placement, and heavy construction give it a very mechanical personality.

Recoil is noticeable, and the rifle is not especially gentle on brass, but that is part of the experience. The action runs with a kind of brutal confidence, and the rifle feels like it was designed to keep functioning regardless of elegance. The trigger is nothing special, but the platform is historically important and mechanically interesting. Shooting one teaches you why roller-delayed rifles built such a strong reputation and why so many people still admire them even though newer designs are lighter and easier to configure.

Steyr AUG

The AUG is one of the rifles that makes the bullpup concept immediately understandable. The overall package is short while still retaining a full-length barrel, and the balance feels very different from a conventional carbine.

The trigger takes some adjustment, but the compactness is hard to ignore once you start moving with the rifle. The magazine sits behind the grip, reloads feel unfamiliar at first, and the rear-heavy balance changes how the rifle transitions between targets. You may leave loving the layout or deciding you strongly prefer traditional rifles. Either way, it is worth shooting because the AUG shows the strengths and weaknesses of bullpup design more clearly than almost anything else.

IWI Tavor X95

The X95 offers another take on the bullpup idea and feels more modern in the hands than the classic AUG. The controls are easier to understand, and the rifle is extremely compact without giving up barrel length.

What makes it worth shooting is the way the weight sits close to your body. The rifle feels short and maneuverable, but the rear-heavy balance is very different from an AR. The trigger is usable rather than excellent, and reloads still require a different rhythm. The X95 gives you a useful comparison point against more traditional carbines. Even if you never buy one, it is worth a range session just to understand why some shooters love bullpups and others cannot warm up to them.

Daniel Defense DDM4 V7

The DDM4 V7 is worth shooting because it gives you a good benchmark for what a refined modern AR-15 should feel like. It is not exotic, but that is part of the point.

The rifle is light, balanced, and predictable. The controls are familiar, recoil is mild, and the handguard gives you excellent support-hand placement without unnecessary bulk. Shooting one after spending time with basic entry-level ARs makes the differences in fit, barrel quality, gas tuning, and overall refinement easier to appreciate. It also shows you that a premium AR does not need to feel flashy to feel better. If you are trying to understand what you actually gain when you move up from budget rifles, the V7 is a useful reference point.

Colt CR6920

The 6920 is worth shooting because it represents the classic AR carbine formula in a very recognizable form. Fixed front sight, traditional handguard, and a straightforward carbine setup give you a baseline for how millions of rifles were configured for years.

Compared with newer free-float guns, it can feel dated, but that is exactly what makes the experience useful. The rifle is light, quick, and easy to understand. You also get a better sense of how much the AR platform has evolved in rail systems, triggers, and ergonomics without changing the basic operating system. A 6920 may not be the most advanced rifle on the rack, but it remains a great reference point for understanding the modern AR.

Ruger Mini-14 Ranch

The Mini-14 is one of those rifles that everyone has an opinion about, which makes shooting one yourself worthwhile. The Garand-style action, traditional stock, and compact dimensions give it a very different feel from an AR.

The rifle points naturally and carries well, especially if you are used to sporting rifles. The trigger and accuracy may not impress you the way a good AR does, but the Mini has a mechanical character that is easy to appreciate. It also shows why the platform remained popular for so long despite obvious competition. Shooting one helps separate the rifle’s real strengths from the myths surrounding it, and that alone makes it worth a few magazines.

Marlin 1895 SBL

A .45-70 lever gun is something every rifle shooter should experience once, and the 1895 SBL is one of the most recognizable modern versions.

The first thing you notice is that recoil changes dramatically depending on the load. Mild ammunition can be very manageable, while heavy hunting loads remind you quickly that the cartridge has serious authority. The lever action also forces a slower, more deliberate rhythm than a semiautomatic. The rifle is short, handy, and satisfying to run. Even if you never hunt anything large enough to justify a .45-70, shooting one gives you a much better appreciation for why big-bore lever guns still have such a strong following.

Winchester Model 94 .30-30

The Model 94 is worth shooting because it defines what a classic lightweight lever rifle should feel like. The slim receiver, narrow fore-end, and compact balance make it almost disappear in the hands.

Recoil from .30-30 is mild, and the action encourages a natural cadence that feels completely different from working a bolt or pressing a semiautomatic trigger. The rifle is especially enjoyable from standing or field positions where its handling really shines. Shooting one makes it obvious why generations of deer hunters carried these rifles through woods and mountains. It may not dominate ballistic charts, but it teaches you how much handling matters in a hunting rifle.

Henry Big Boy .357 Magnum

The Big Boy in .357 Magnum is one of the most enjoyable centerfire rifles you can shoot. The cartridge becomes noticeably more energetic from a rifle barrel while still producing very manageable recoil.

That makes it easy to spend an entire range session running the lever without getting beaten up. The action is smooth, the rifle has enough weight to feel stable, and .38 Special can make the experience even softer. It is also a great way to understand why pistol-caliber carbines remain so popular. You get centerfire performance, practical short-range utility, and an easy shooting experience in one package. Few rifles are as immediately fun without requiring much adjustment.

Ruger No. 1

The Ruger No. 1 is worth shooting because it forces you to slow down and pay attention. The falling-block action is strong, compact, and completely different from the repeating rifles most people use today.

There is something satisfying about loading one round, closing the action, and making the shot count. The rifle also shows how compact a full-length barrel can feel when there is no conventional bolt action behind it. Depending on chambering, recoil can range from mild to substantial, but the experience is always deliberate. Even shooters who would never choose a single-shot for everyday hunting usually come away appreciating the mechanical elegance.

Sako 90 Hunter

The Sako 90 Hunter is worth shooting because it gives you a clear example of what premium bolt-action refinement actually feels like. The action is smooth, the trigger is excellent, and the stock feels carefully shaped rather than simply molded around the barreled action.

The difference is subtle until you compare it directly with an ordinary production rifle. Bolt lift is lighter, cycling feels cleaner, and the trigger gives you more confidence during precise shots. The rifle is not radically different in concept from a basic hunting bolt gun, but execution matters. Shooting a Sako helps reset your expectations for what a factory hunting rifle can feel like when machining and fit are given more attention.

Tikka T3x Lite

The T3x Lite is worth shooting because it proves a relatively simple hunting rifle can feel remarkably refined without becoming expensive or complicated.

The bolt is famously smooth, the trigger is clean, and the rifle usually delivers excellent accuracy with very little fuss. The light weight makes recoil more noticeable in larger chamberings, but it also demonstrates why so many hunters are willing to accept that trade for a rifle that carries easily. The Tikka is a good lesson in efficiency. There is not much excess weight or visual drama, yet almost everything that matters to shooting is done well.

Weatherby Mark V Deluxe

The Mark V Deluxe is worth shooting because it represents a very different philosophy from modern lightweight rifles. The glossy stock, deep bluing, and substantial action make it feel like a premium sporting rifle from another era.

The short bolt lift is immediately noticeable, and the action has a strong, solid feel. Chambered in one of the classic Weatherby magnums, the rifle also gives you a real sense of what high-velocity hunting cartridges feel like from a traditional wood-stocked platform. Recoil can be significant, but the experience is memorable. Even if you prefer lighter synthetic rifles, the Mark V shows why classic premium hunting rifles still have such a loyal following.

Ruger Precision Rifle

The Ruger Precision Rifle is worth shooting because it introduces you to a completely different kind of bolt-action experience. The rifle is heavy, adjustable, and built around stability rather than easy carry.

That weight makes recoil feel mild and allows you to focus on trigger press, position, and spotting impacts. The chassis setup also shows how much adjustability can help when you are trying to build a consistent shooting position. It is not a rifle you want to carry through the woods all day, but from a bench or prone position it is exceptionally easy to shoot well. A few rounds through one can make the appeal of precision rifles immediately obvious.

Barrett M82A1

The M82A1 is not practical for most shooters, but it is absolutely memorable. The sheer size of the rifle, the .50 BMG cartridge, and the massive semiautomatic action create an experience unlike almost anything else.

The recoil is surprisingly manageable for the cartridge because the rifle is so heavy and the action soaks up part of the impulse. The blast is another story. You feel the shot through the air around you, not just through the stock. It is expensive to shoot and requires a proper range, but that is beside the point. If you ever get the chance to fire one safely, it is the kind of rifle experience you will remember for years.

Browning BAR Mark II Safari

The BAR Mark II Safari is worth shooting because it shows how a semiautomatic hunting rifle can feel very different from a tactical platform. The wood stock, traditional controls, and substantial weight give it the character of a classic sporting rifle.

The gas system softens recoil noticeably compared with many bolt actions in the same chambering. That makes cartridges like .30-06 or .300 Win Mag much more comfortable to shoot. The rifle also stays planted during follow-up shots, which helps explain why the BAR earned such a strong reputation among hunters. It is heavier than many modern deer rifles, but the smooth recoil impulse makes that weight feel useful.

Anschutz 1710

The Anschutz 1710 is worth shooting because it can completely reset your expectations for what a .22 LR rifle should feel like. The trigger is exceptionally clean, the action is smooth, and the accuracy can make ordinary rimfires feel crude by comparison.

The cartridge produces almost no recoil, so you are left focusing entirely on fundamentals. That makes it easy to appreciate the rifle’s mechanical precision. Small mistakes become obvious, but so does the rifle’s ability to stack shots when you do your part. It is expensive for a .22, but that is exactly why shooting one is useful. You get to see what happens when rimfire design is treated with the same seriousness as a premium centerfire rifle.