Some rifles hang around forever. Others hit the shelves, make a name for themselves, then quietly disappear—either discontinued, priced out, or swallowed up in collector circles. If you’ve ever hesitated on a rifle thinking you’d circle back, you already know how fast the good ones go. These are the rifles folks still talk about years later, wishing they hadn’t passed them up. If you see one of these in good shape at a gun shop or gun show, think twice before walking away. You might not get another shot at it.
Remington Model 700 BDL
Back before things got spotty with Remington’s quality control, the Model 700 BDL was a rifle you could count on. The blued steel and high-gloss walnut gave it a classic look, but it was more than pretty—it shot well and held up season after season.
Now that older Remingtons have become harder to find in clean condition, especially the BDL models, a lot of hunters are kicking themselves for not picking one up when they were everywhere. You find one now, you better hope it’s been well cared for.
Browning A-Bolt II
The Browning A-Bolt II was one of those rifles that did everything right—smooth bolt, crisp trigger, and solid accuracy straight from the box. It didn’t scream for attention, but it earned a reputation for being one of the most reliable rifles you could bring into the woods.
Since Browning moved on to the X-Bolt, the A-Bolt II has slowly become more of a sleeper. Those who have them tend to hang on tight, and the used ones don’t last long when they show up. You’ll wish you had one in the safe.
Winchester Model 70 Pre-64
The pre-64 Winchester Model 70 isn’t just a collector’s favorite—it’s one of the most respected bolt actions ever made. The controlled-round feed, smooth cycling, and classic build made it the go-to for serious hunters who needed something they could rely on no matter what.
Prices on clean pre-64s have been climbing for years. If you had a shot at one before the market woke up, you’re probably still thinking about it. You don’t see many of these sitting unsold. When they show up, they tend to disappear fast.
Ruger M77 Mark II
Before Ruger switched over to the Hawkeye, the M77 Mark II filled that “do-it-all” role for a lot of hunters. With its controlled-round feed and no-nonsense design, it was rugged, accurate, and dependable in rough weather. You could count on it to take a beating.
It’s one of those rifles that quietly built a reputation for being rock solid without needing bells and whistles. Now that they’re out of production, clean ones are getting harder to track down. If you passed on one years ago, it might not be so easy to find now.
Savage Model 99
The Savage 99 wasn’t your typical lever gun. Chambered in hard-hitting rounds like .300 Savage and later .308, it offered a rotary magazine, slick lever action, and enough range to handle serious big game. It stood apart from the Winchesters of its day.
Now it’s one of those rifles folks hunt for—not game, but on classifieds and at gun shows. You’re not going to find new ones, and good-condition rifles are getting picked over. If you ever held one in your hands and didn’t buy it, there’s a good chance you still think about it.
Marlin 336 (Pre-Remington)
When Marlin was still Marlin, the 336 was a workhorse of a lever gun. Whether you hunted thick woods or rode trails, it was handy, accurate, and built to take abuse. Then Remington got involved, and the quality dipped hard enough to scare off buyers.
The old JM-stamped rifles are still out there, but they’re climbing in price every year. If you see one that hasn’t been rode hard and put away wet, don’t hesitate. These rifles still have years of hunting left in them, and they’re only getting harder to find.
Tikka T3 Lite (Original Version)
The original Tikka T3 Lite earned a cult following for a reason—it shot incredibly well for the price. Lightweight, smooth, and ridiculously accurate with factory ammo, it was an easy rifle to love. You could take it straight from the box to the blind.
Since Tikka moved to the T3x, the original T3 Lites have started to disappear. Some folks prefer the old feel and swear they grouped better than the newer ones. Either way, if you ever passed on one thinking you’d get it later, you might not get that shot again.
Weatherby Vanguard Series I
Before the Series 2 upgrade, the original Vanguard rifles were some of the best bang-for-your-buck bolt actions around. Built in Japan by Howa, they came with great barrels, smooth actions, and dependable accuracy in a wide range of calibers.
These early models didn’t come with all the upgraded triggers or bedding of the newer versions, but they shot well and held up season after season. Now that they’re out of production, they’re not something you’ll stumble on every day. If one crossed your path and you didn’t snag it, that might’ve been a mistake.
Remington 7600 Pump
The Remington 7600 is one of the few pump-action centerfire rifles that caught on with serious hunters—especially in areas like Pennsylvania where semi-autos were once restricted. It offered fast follow-up shots without giving up accuracy, and it handled like a shotgun.
It’s not flashy, but it’s been reliable in all sorts of terrain and weather. Now that fewer are being made, and older ones are drying up, it’s not something you’ll run into regularly. If you ever passed on one because it wasn’t your usual style, that might come back to haunt you.
CZ 550 American
The CZ 550 American had a loyal following for its Mauser-style action, set trigger, and classic wood stock. It wasn’t lightweight, but it balanced well and handled recoil better than you’d expect. It was especially popular in larger calibers like .375 H&H.
CZ eventually discontinued the 550, and since then, demand has crept up. A lot of hunters who used to see them regularly now say they regret not picking one up when they were easy to find. If you liked the idea of a controlled-feed bolt gun with classic lines, this was one to grab.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
