Every hunter eventually learns which rifles can take the abuse of cold rain, heavy snow, and swampy duck blinds—and which ones can’t. Some rifles will keep running season after season with little more than a wipe-down, while others seem to rust, swell, or quit cycling the second they see moisture. It often comes down to finishes, materials, and design. Blued steel and wood stocks might look good in the safe, but in the field, they demand constant attention. Stainless and synthetic setups usually survive, but certain rifles are notorious for giving up before the hunt is over.
Outfitters and guides spot these problem rifles right away. They’ve seen clients show up with them, only to end the trip frustrated by rust spots, swollen stocks, or jams caused by mud and moisture. If you’ve ever spent a wet week in deer camp or slogged through a soaked marsh, you’ll recognize these rifles. They’re the ones that simply don’t last once the weather turns against you.
Remington 742 Woodsmaster
The Remington 742 has a long history in deer camps, but it’s one of the worst offenders in wet weather. Its semi-automatic action is notoriously finicky once moisture and grime set in, and hunters quickly found out the hard way that it doesn’t tolerate damp conditions. Add in shallow bluing that scratches easily, and it becomes a rust magnet the moment rain hits.
The receiver rails wear over time, and once rust starts forming, cycling issues pile on. Many hunters still own them as heirlooms, but those who’ve carried them on wet hunts admit it’s a losing battle. You spend more time oiling and cleaning than actually hunting. In humid or rainy climates, the 742 is one of those rifles that simply won’t survive the season without showing orange freckles all over its steel.
Remington 710
When the Remington 710 hit the shelves, it promised an affordable entry-level rifle. But hunters who took it into wet woods or damp fields quickly learned it couldn’t stand up to the elements. The finish was weak, and surface rust appeared with shocking speed if you didn’t clean it daily. The bolt also scratched easily, exposing bare metal that corroded almost instantly.
The rifle’s cheap construction made it worse. With little thought given to weather protection, hunters often found themselves frustrated after their first soggy season. Even if the 710 grouped decently, it looked worn and pitted long before other rifles showed similar damage. For anyone who hunts in rain or snow, the 710 is a rifle that simply doesn’t survive a wet season intact.
Remington 770
The Remington 770 carried on the same problems that plagued the 710. The blued finish was thin and wore off fast, leaving bare steel vulnerable to moisture. Hunters hauling it into deer stands during November rains often ended up with rust along the barrel before the season was done. Many called it a rifle you had to baby constantly in the field.
Beyond rust, the 770’s rough action didn’t handle dirt or water well. Once moisture worked its way into the chamber or bolt, cycling became unreliable. Hunters who used it in wet conditions often traded it away after a single season. While it was marketed as a budget-friendly hunting rifle, it became infamous as one that wouldn’t last through tough weather.
Winchester Model 94 (Older Bluing)
The Winchester 94 is legendary, but older blued-steel versions didn’t stand a chance in wet weather. With large sections of exposed steel and a finish that wore down quickly along sharp edges, rust seemed to form before you even made it back to camp. Hunters in rainy regions often carried an oil rag just to keep orange spots from spreading during the season.
Moisture wasn’t the only problem—wood stocks would swell when soaked, changing the rifle’s fit and sometimes affecting accuracy. The Model 94 remained reliable mechanically, but cosmetically, it aged overnight in damp environments. While hunters love the history behind the rifle, anyone who’s taken one on a rainy week-long hunt knows how quickly it shows battle scars.
Marlin 336 (Older Production)
The Marlin 336 earned its place as a classic deer rifle, but older blued models struggled in the rain. The finish wasn’t deep, and hunters saw rust creeping in along the barrel and receiver edges almost immediately after a wet hunt. The barrel bands and magazine tube were especially prone to spotting.
The wood stocks didn’t help either. When soaked, they swelled and sometimes threw off point of impact. Many hunters carried 336s for years, but every rifle that saw serious rain showed wear. Even well-maintained examples often developed a patina faster than comparable rifles. The 336 was reliable in function, but surviving a wet hunt without rust scars was almost impossible.
Savage Axis (Early Models)
The Savage Axis is a popular entry-level bolt gun, but early blued models developed a reputation for fast rusting. The finish simply wasn’t up to the task of resisting moisture, and hunters in humid or rainy climates often found orange spots after a single day in the woods. The bolts were particularly prone to pitting if not cleaned aggressively.
While the rifle is accurate and dependable in dry conditions, it’s one that requires constant attention in wet weather. Many hunters quickly realized the stainless versions were worth the upgrade. Those who stuck with the blued models often saw them scarred and rough-looking after only a couple of wet seasons.
Savage Model 110 (Older Bluing)
The Savage 110 has been a reliable rifle for decades, but older blued versions are notorious for not holding up in rain or snow. The finish wore quickly along the barrel and receiver, and once the steel was exposed, rust spread fast. Hunters often complained about spotting even when the rifles were cleaned and oiled regularly.
Moisture around the bolt handle and action also created headaches, with corrosion forming in hard-to-reach spots. While the 110 performed well mechanically, its older bluing meant hunters had to constantly babysit it during wet hunts. Many rifles from that era still function, but few survived damp conditions without showing heavy rust.
Ruger American Rifle (Blued Versions)
The Ruger American is one of the most popular budget rifles today, but the blued versions are known to show rust quickly in wet conditions. Hunters who carried them into rainy November hunts often saw surface rust form on the barrel and action before the season ended. Even light exposure to moisture could leave orange specks if the rifle wasn’t wiped down immediately.
While the rifle itself is accurate and dependable, it became high-maintenance in wet environments. Many hunters learned quickly to pay extra for stainless or Cerakote versions. For those who stuck with blued Americans, surviving a full season without corrosion was almost impossible without constant cleaning and oiling.
H&R Handi-Rifle
The H&R Handi-Rifle filled a budget niche, but its basic blued finish didn’t survive wet hunts. Moisture clung to the exposed barrel and action, and hunters saw rust after only a few trips in the rain. With little in the way of protective coating, the rifle demanded frequent upkeep that most hunters didn’t want to deal with.
The hinge area was especially prone to corrosion, and once pitting started, it was nearly impossible to stop. While the Handi-Rifle worked fine as a knock-around gun, hunters in wet climates often abandoned them after a couple of seasons. It was simply too much work to keep them looking clean and functional.
Stevens 200
The Stevens 200 was an affordable bolt-action rifle that never developed a reputation for handling wet weather. Its finish wore thin quickly, and rust appeared on barrels and actions after limited exposure. Hunters often bought them as entry rifles but discovered that a rainy season left them scarred with surface corrosion.
The rifle itself shot well enough, but cosmetically, it aged poorly in the field. Without protective coatings, the Stevens 200 became another rifle that demanded constant wiping and oiling to make it through wet hunts. Many hunters passed them down or sold them cheap once the upkeep became too much.
Stevens 320 (Rifle Patterned Shotgun Variant)
Though more known as a shotgun, the Stevens 320 in its rifle-styled slug configuration suffered the same rust issues. Its blued finish didn’t hold up to damp blinds or wet woods, and hunters often reported orange spotting before the season ended. The barrel and receiver, in particular, corroded quickly if not meticulously maintained.
For hunters who wanted a rugged slug gun, the 320 fell short. While it worked mechanically, surviving wet hunts without rust was nearly impossible. Most who bought one for deer seasons in rainy climates quickly moved on to something with better weather resistance.
Remington 788
The Remington 788 earned a reputation as an accurate budget rifle, but it was also known to rust quickly in the field. The finish was thin, and once moisture hit, surface corrosion showed up almost immediately. Hunters who carried them in wet woods often ended the season with rust scars on the barrel and action.
Despite its accuracy, the 788 simply wasn’t built for damp conditions. Without stainless steel or modern coatings, it aged quickly when exposed to rain or snow. Many hunters still swear by the model for performance, but those who hunted in wet climates remember how quickly it turned orange if not babied constantly.
Mossberg 464
The Mossberg 464 lever-action rifle brought back a classic style, but its finish didn’t hold up well in wet hunting environments. The blued steel rusted fast, especially along the receiver edges and barrel bands. Hunters who took them into damp deer woods often found themselves cleaning rust before the season was even done.
The wood stocks also swelled when soaked, throwing off fit and appearance. While the rifle functioned, its lack of resistance to moisture made it high-maintenance. Many hunters eventually left them at home during rainy seasons, knowing they couldn’t survive the conditions without showing serious wear.
CZ 527 (Blued Models)
The CZ 527 is a fine rifle in terms of accuracy, but hunters with blued-steel versions often found them prone to rust in wet conditions. The finish wore thin quickly, and the exposed steel along the barrel and action spotted fast in rain or high humidity. For hunters who carried them on multi-day trips, rust often became unavoidable.
The rifle performed mechanically, but cosmetically it suffered. Hunters in damp climates often traded up to stainless options or avoided taking their CZs into wet weather altogether. While accurate and well-built, the 527 in blued form was another rifle that simply couldn’t survive a wet hunt without showing the scars.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
