Every hunter has made the mistake of bringing the wrong firearm into the woods. Sometimes it’s a case of trusting an old favorite that doesn’t match the hunt, and other times it’s a shiny new purchase that falls apart under pressure. Guides and seasoned hunters alike will tell you that more hunts are ruined by poor firearm choices than weather or luck. A gun that looks fine on the bench can quickly reveal flaws when you’re cold, tired, and staring down a once-in-a-season shot. From rifles that don’t group to handguns that choke on feeding, these are the firearms many hunters end up regretting once the hunt is over.
Remington 770
The Remington 770 is one of those rifles that looked appealing because of its price, but it’s earned a reputation for disappointment. Hunters often discover its bolt is rough and prone to binding, which slows follow-up shots. Add in a heavy, inconsistent trigger, and accuracy suffers quickly in the field.
Guides see these rifles more often than they’d like, and the story rarely ends well. Scope mounts can come loose, groups open up, and feeding isn’t always reliable. While it may serve as a budget rifle for someone just starting out, most hunters regret bringing it along for serious hunts. Confidence in your firearm matters, and with the 770, too many find themselves doubting their gear when they should be focused on the animal. It’s a rifle that’s better left in the safe once you’ve experienced it firsthand.
Winchester Model 100
The Winchester Model 100 holds nostalgic charm, but hunters who bring it out into the field often wish they hadn’t. This semi-auto is notorious for reliability problems, especially when conditions turn cold or wet. Malfunctions and sluggish cycling are common complaints, and parts are hard to replace when something goes wrong.
Accuracy isn’t much better. Many rifles in this line simply don’t deliver the consistency needed for ethical hunting shots beyond modest distances. Hunters may convince themselves they’re carrying a classic, but when a malfunction costs them an animal, regret sets in fast. The Model 100 is an interesting piece for collectors and range use, but its track record in the field makes it one firearm many hunters eventually leave behind. It’s a reminder that nostalgia doesn’t equal reliability when it comes to filling tags.
Remington 742 Woodsmaster
The Remington 742 Woodsmaster was marketed as a semi-auto hunting rifle, but it’s one firearm guides often groan about when they see it in camp. Cycling issues plague this model, and jams are especially common once the action starts to wear. Hunters who don’t clean them meticulously find malfunctions multiply.
Accuracy is another problem. Past 100 yards, many 742s won’t keep groups tight enough to inspire confidence. Extractors are prone to breaking, and those parts aren’t easy to source today. Hunters who bring one often learn the hard way that it’s not a rifle you can trust when the pressure is on. It may still show up in deer camps because plenty of them were sold, but for most, it ends up back in the safe after one too many hunts gone wrong.
Ruger Mini-14
The Ruger Mini-14 is a handy rifle for ranch use or predators, but it’s not suited for serious big-game hunting. Many hunters who try it quickly realize its limitations. Accuracy is spotty, and beyond 150 yards, it’s common to see groups spread wide enough to miss entirely.
The 5.56/.223 chambering only adds to the disappointment for those who think it can double as a deer or elk rifle. Guides often see hunters struggle with poor shot placement and underpowered performance when using it outside of its niche. It’s a firearm that excels for coyotes and varmints, but bringing it into elk camp usually ends with frustration. Most hunters who try it once quickly learn it belongs on the ranch or at the range, not in the woods chasing big game.
Remington 710
The Remington 710 is another model that seemed like a good deal but fell short in the field. Known for its rough action, flimsy stock, and poor accuracy, it’s a rifle that causes regret after a single season. Hunters frequently report feeding problems and bolts that bind at the worst times.
Guides often see 710s in camp and immediately anticipate issues. Some rifles can be tuned to shoot acceptably, but many aren’t consistent enough for ethical shots beyond close range. Combined with cheap scope mounts that don’t stay tight, it creates a frustrating experience. The 710 may have been meant to introduce hunters to centerfire rifles, but most quickly upgrade and never look back. It’s the kind of firearm that’s better left in the safe once its flaws are exposed.
Mossberg 464 Lever Action
The Mossberg 464 was introduced as a budget-friendly lever gun, but it’s rarely praised by hunters in the field. Feeding problems are a common complaint, with the action sometimes failing to cycle smoothly under stress. Add in mediocre accuracy, and it quickly falls short compared to proven lever guns from Winchester or Marlin.
Hunters who bring it often find themselves missing or wounding animals because the rifle simply doesn’t deliver when it counts. While it might serve for short-range work, its lack of dependability makes it a poor companion in serious hunting scenarios. Most hunters who experience its shortcomings once decide it belongs back in the safe. Guides frequently mention that when a Mossberg 464 shows up in camp, odds are high the hunt will be harder than it needs to be.
Century Arms C308
The Century Arms C308 looks rugged, but hunters who bring one into camp quickly discover its shortcomings. As a budget copy of the HK91, build quality is inconsistent, leading to malfunctions and reliability issues. Feeding problems, stiff triggers, and spotty accuracy are all common complaints.
In the field, the rifle is heavy, awkward, and doesn’t inspire the kind of confidence hunters need when taking shots on game. While it may look the part of a tough battle rifle, its lack of precision makes it ill-suited for hunting. Guides often see them choke in cold or dirty conditions, costing hunters opportunities. Most who try it for hunting end up retiring it quickly, realizing that cheaper isn’t better when reliability is on the line. The C308 is one rifle many regret carrying into the woods.
Kel-Tec SU-16
The Kel-Tec SU-16’s lightweight build and folding stock catch attention, but in the field, hunters often regret bringing it. The 5.56 chambering leaves it underpowered for anything beyond varmints, and accuracy is inconsistent. Past 150 yards, groups can open wide enough to make hunters question their zero.
Reliability is another issue. Feeding and ejection problems are reported frequently, and in cold conditions, malfunctions become even more likely. While it may serve as a packable survival rifle, it’s not the gun you want in your hands when a big mule deer or elk steps out. Hunters often leave the SU-16 in the safe after realizing it’s better suited for range fun than serious hunting. Guides who see one in camp rarely expect it to perform without issues, and their skepticism is usually proven right.
Rossi R92 in .44 Magnum
The Rossi R92 lever-action has fans, but hunters who take it after big game often come back disappointed. Chambered in pistol calibers like .44 Magnum, it lacks the power and reach for reliable performance on deer, elk, or bear. Close-range shots may work, but beyond 100 yards, bullet drop and energy loss become major problems.
Feeding can be hit or miss depending on the rifle, and guides often see hunters struggle with the action cycling smoothly. While it’s fine for hogs or range shooting, it’s not the kind of rifle you want to rely on when opportunities are few and far between. Many hunters retire it to the safe after one season, realizing it isn’t versatile enough to trust in the woods. It’s a classic example of a firearm that looks good in theory but disappoints in practice.
Remington 597 (Centerfire Conversions)
The Remington 597 was designed as a rimfire, but some centerfire conversions ended up in hunting camps. Hunters who brought them usually regretted the choice. Reliability was poor, with frequent feeding and ejection issues, and the rifle simply wasn’t built for the abuse of field use.
Accuracy varied widely, but most rifles weren’t consistent enough for ethical hunting. Guides often mention seeing hunters waste time clearing malfunctions instead of focusing on the hunt. While the idea of a budget semi-auto sounded good, the execution was lacking. Hunters who tried it quickly learned it was better left in the safe after a season of headaches. It’s a firearm that failed to deliver on its promise and is remembered more for ruining hunts than for success stories.
Browning BAR Safari (Older Models)
The Browning BAR has its share of loyal fans, but older Safari models are often a source of frustration. Semi-auto rifles need careful maintenance, and when neglected, malfunctions are common. Guides frequently see them fail to cycle properly in cold or dirty conditions.
Accuracy can also be hit or miss with older BARs, making them less dependable at ranges beyond 200 yards. While the rifle has a reputation in some circles, those who actually rely on it for elk or mule deer often end up regretting it after missed opportunities. The weight doesn’t help either, especially on hunts that involve covering miles of rough terrain. After one season of struggles, many hunters choose to leave these older BARs in the safe, realizing they’re too unreliable for demanding hunts.
Savage Axis (First Generation)
The Savage Axis line eventually improved, but the first generation rifles left many hunters frustrated. The biggest issue was accuracy—some rifles shot decently, but many didn’t. Flexible plastic stocks and rough triggers made consistent shooting difficult.
Hunters who brought them out often ended up doubting their equipment, which is the last thing you want on a hunt. Guides reported seeing missed shots on otherwise straightforward opportunities, often because the rifle simply wouldn’t group. Later models corrected some of the problems, but the early Axis rifles have a reputation for being rifles hunters regret using. They might work in the right conditions, but most are left in the safe after a single disappointing season. Confidence in your firearm is everything, and the first Axis didn’t deliver it.
Armalite AR-180
The Armalite AR-180 has some historical interest, but in the field it’s more liability than asset. Chambered in 5.56, it’s underpowered for big game and often unreliable compared to other semi-auto designs. Feeding and extraction problems are common, particularly in rifles that haven’t been well maintained.
Accuracy is another limitation. While acceptable for plinking or range use, it doesn’t hold up when ethical hunting shots are on the line. Hunters who brought one into elk or deer camps often left with regret, realizing it wasn’t built for the task. While collectors may value it, guides consider it one of those rifles that should stay in the safe rather than in the woods. It’s not that it never works, but when it fails, it often costs hunters the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come twice.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
