• Help Support TNDeer:

What is your worst rifle you ever owned?

A military surplus, sporterized Italian 6.5 Carcano....this was in the late 1980's and I was a teenager, just starting to deer hunt....I saw it at a pawn shop bought it for about $50.00...I even bought reloading dies for it since shells were expensive, and really almost impossible, to find. It was so shot out that at 50 yards the bullets were hitting the targets sideways!!! Thankfully, it got stolen! Haha
I bought one from a police auction in Jamestown when I was a kid for like $25. This was early 90s. I think a box of shells were twice that. I think I ended up throwing it out at the dump, never fired it.
 
I borrowed a remington 770 in .243. Its a budget rifle but worked well enough for me to kill a few deer. The barrel is accurate and consistent and the trigger and safety aren't great but are reliable. I'm not above using one, and it of course better with upgraded glass.

However, it has the worst feeling bolt I've ever felt. It's sloppy loose and sticky at the same time. Almost like you when you keep cross threading a really loose then really tight bolt. No amount of oil, cleaning or working it back and forth helped.
 
I had one in 270, until the handle sheared of the bolt and the bolt cam sliding down the side of my cheek
The same thing used to happen with the Rem. 788 sometimes. I could have bought a .243 Model 788 for a really good deal years ago. I was just stupid and didn't do it. I'm sure it could've been rewelded or another bolt handle put on.
 
The same thing used to happen with the Rem. 788 sometimes. I could have bought a .243 Model 788 for a really good deal years ago. I was just stupid and didn't do it. I'm sure it could've been rewelded or another bolt handle put on.
That broke me on cheap guns, took me years to get rid of that flinch from one accident!!
 
Easily a Remington 597 .17hrm I purchased for my son in 2008. He had two rounds explode, one of which totally destroyed the magazine. Lucky he didn't lose an eye or something.
 
Cva scout in 35 Whelen,scope never would stay set more than 2-3 shots, would kick your eye teeth out.
I have the 35 Whelen in a Scout TD, with the muzzle break on it, it's not bad at all. It is louder than all heck lol. Take the break off and it is something else. I have a vx3HD on it and never had a problem with it holding zero.
 
Daisy take down bolt action .22. I would sight it in and get 2-3 good shots then it was all over the place. Re-sight repeat.
Those things are worth way more than the original price.
 
I have another:
Bear Creek Arsenal .350 Legend upper. It literally wouldn't load a single round. I sent the upper back to BCA along with the mag & 3 different boxes of ammo I'd tried. They sent it back saying it was within spec.
You literally couldn't drop a loaded round in the chamber & have it seat all the way, it was so badly scored inside the chamber.

I polished the chamber myself until it was right at maximum spec. It'd still only load maybe 3/10 rounds.

In its defense, it was insanely accurate with the heaviest winchester loads, but it was a shotgun with anything else. I pretty much gave it away with full disclosure.
 
Mine was an older model Savage in 7 mm mag. It was the heaviest rifle that I had ever handled. Also, more times than not it wouldn't eject the spent round when working the bolt. It was the least accurate gun I have ever owned.
 
I had a NEF in 35 Whelen. Gun failed to fire on very nice deer. Gunsmith checked it out and said head spacing was too long. Can't really complain tho because NEF made it right after I sent the gun back with gunsmith letter.

I know it's not a rifle but without a doubt the Absolute worst piece of junk firearm I've ever owned was a Benelli M2 20 gauge. Gun would never cycle a shell and vent rib kept falling off gun. Sent it back to benelli 3 x's and on the 3rd time, they assured me the gun was fixed but then refused to disclose the issue. That was in 2005 and I swore I'd never own another benelli and so far, I've kept my word.
 
Another for me is a Winchester model 100. The myriad of problems would take a month to describe. It was a "gift" (read pawned off on me) that has now cost me half again what the rifle is worth.

I leave it in my gun cabinet along with a few other junkers in hopes that it'll satisfy anyone that chooses to break into my home, so that maybe they'll leave my safes alone.
 
Last edited:
One particular M16a2 I had while in the army. I consistently got 36-40 in every qualification shoot I've ever done. I got this one rifle and I scored a 29. I went to shoot again on the next firing line. 28. I was pissed. Went back and checked the rifle over real good. I looked down the barrel as best as I could and it seemed like the barrel was just worn out. I swapped with my buddy who already qualified and I got a 39. Range OIC asked how I did so much better. I told him. Two things happened. I got a counseling statement which is the same as getting written up at work, and the barrel on my rifle got replaced.
A counseling for reporting a worn out barrel?! Good lord. The US military is its own worst enemy most times. If they put as much effort into training as they did in trying to screw over their own they'd really get somewhere. I'm so glad I'm out and don't have to deal with that nonsense any longer.
 
Back
Top