What bolt action rifle do you regret buying

[HWL]

Why the hell wasn’t Remington on the list?

The last couple Remingtons I bought (10years ago) we’re dog shit quality!

I never regret buying a Remington..... because I never bought one.

HWL

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

JimP,

I'm hearing you mate...
I had a Japanese Arisaka in .303/25 and it was without a doubt the biggest piece of garbage I ever bought - or laid my eyes on for that matter...
Just thinking of it hurts my soul...

Russ

@Badboymelvin
Great calibre, does everything the 243 does then some. Just wrong rifle.
Bob

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Interesting topic. Never really thought about it before but I've actually only bought two rifles in my life: a 40-60 Model 1881 Marlin when I was a teen and a Czech Mauser action with 30-06 barrel two years ago that I built into 404J. That's it for rifle purchases, though I was gifted a couple others. I've always been keenly interested in guns and hunting but never was really into gun trading. Strange.

 

[Muskox]

You asked a dumb question based on a half ass YouTube video. What kind of responses did you really expect? There are more than a few good answers though. Not sure why you are complaining?

It gave me 10 options not more.

The question is valid, what current production rifle do you regret buying?

How is that a dumb question?

There are tons of rifles, I didn't end up liking.

I had a Savage Impulse the first month out of release. Stopped firing, after 8 shots. Sent it back and it is one of my all time favorite rifles. Savage was very good on customer service.

Not everyone is buying 80 year old guns or even 30 year old guns most of the time.

 

[375Fox]

I don't actually know why I thought anyone would read the question fully.

1. Current production, this year 2025.

2. Available currently, meaning today in 2025. In your country.

3. Production rifle, not custom. Not your SMLE, that was built in 1939.

Jeeze Louise!

It gave me 10 options not more.

The question is valid, what current production rifle do you regret buying?

How is that a dumb question?

There are tons of rifles, I didn't end up liking.

I had a Savage Impulse the first month out of release. Stopped firing, after 8 shots. Sent it back and it is one of my all time favorite rifles. Savage was very good on customer service.

Not everyone is buying 80 year old guns or even 30 year old guns most of the time.

Quoting both your posts to not get taken out of context. I don’t know the specific posts you object to, but someone’s past experiences do influence their current choices. As I stated earlier, most hunters aren’t going to buy rifles and brands they already know they will regret.

 

[camperx]

I know I will probably be flamed, but I had a love/hate relationship with a Ruger 10/22. I loved to shoot it off the bench as it was super accurate.

However, when I took it off the bench, it was too light and didn't feel good in my hands and I had trouble hitting anything with it.

Sold it to a young man who just loved it!

 

[Badboymelvin]

@Badboymelvin
Great calibre, does everything the 243 does then some. Just wrong rifle.
Bob

Hi Bob,

You know, no one is a bigger fan of the .303 than me.

I've actually just bought an un-molested No.1 Mk. III that is complete and used to be one of the rifles owned by Geelong Grammer School, so it has an interesting history behind it.
I'll never sell this rifle - I just love them so much...

But the .303-25 just does nothing for me... never has.
Considering the size of the case I think it's ballistics are dismal...
I understand at the time when the .303-25 was in it's heyday it filled a need, but I honestly think that time is well and truly over...

The Arisaka's are known for their strength and even despite this, I loaded up my .303-25 shells to the point I got difficult bolt lift - and it could never match any of my .243's...
And loaded in a SMLE it's performance is even more abysmal...
I would choose a .243 over a .303-25 12 times out of 10.

But hey, if you like it - go for it! It would be very boring if we all liked the same stuff.

Russ

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hi Bob,

You know, no one is a bigger fan of the .303 than me.

I've actually just bought an un-molested No.1 Mk. III that is complete and used to be one of the rifles owned by Geelong Grammer School, so it has an interesting history behind it.
I'll never sell this rifle - I just love them so much...

But the .303-25 just does nothing for me... never has.
Considering the size of the case I think it's ballistics are dismal...
I understand at the time when the .303-25 was in it's heyday it filled a need, but I honestly think that time is well and truly over...

The Arisaka's are known for their strength and even despite this, I loaded up my .303-25 shells to the point I got difficult bolt lift - and it could never match any of my .243's...
And loaded in a SMLE it's performance is even more abysmal...
I would choose a .243 over a .303-25 12 times out of 10.

But hey, if you like it - go for it! It would be very boring if we all liked the same stuff.

Russ

@Badboymelvin
Russ loaded to MK1 pressure the old 25-303 equals the 250 Savage.
A mate in Glen Innes has one he uses on fallow and used to use it in sporting rifle comps at his local range. He go asked not to use it because of its accuracy. That thing shot sub half inch groups all-day.

The No4 can be loaded to equal the 257 Roberts
Whilst the P14 cab be loaded to plus P Roberts levels.
When the case is modified like mine it will give the 257 Weatherby a run for its money. A mate built one using my reamer on a P14 action with a Shiellen barrel. His favourite load is the 80gn outer edge mono at 3,900 fps with sub half inch groups.
Set up PROPERLY ithe old 25-303is an amazing and very versatile round.
I know you love your 243 and will never be swayed otherwise.
But
No matter what you do to the 243 it will always be just that, a 243.
Maybe if you had a better experience with the 25-303 first it may have changed your mind.
Yes the rifles the old cartridge is chambered in can be very ugly but as I said set up by someone that knows what they are doing they can be real tack drivers. There's no flies on mine when it will put 3 shots into 0.7" at 200 yds.
Congratulations on getting an unmolested No1. Nowadays that's almost impossible. Try some 215 gn Woodleigh RNSP in the old girl. Gary Walton loves that combination on sambar.
Bob

 

[Flbt]

I did not like the marlin x7
In 7-08 after 3 shots the barrel was hot and it started to spray bullets on the target.

But one of the cheapest rifles I ever bought turned out good.
A stevens 200 in 223.it was cheap like under 200$ if I remember right.
But it’s cheapness adds up to it shooting well
Cheap round action cheap stock so the whole barrel was free floting
It shot well even with a plastic trigger that at best was like a Glock New York trigger.

 

[jruby]

My first hunting rifle was a sporterized number 1 mark 3. I know nothing of the matk 4s. That hunting rifle never made want hot rod it. I did not feel it was safe to do so. There are much better rifles for pushing the limit. That 303 of mine made a fine Michigan rifle but it's performance never impressed me.i now wish I had kept it.

 

[Safari Dave]

I would say a Savage Axis, but since it had a Zeiss scope and the gun store only wanted $325, I really couldn't pass it up.


I never shot it, but removed the scope, replaced it with a Bushnell and gave the rifle to my brother for Christmas last year...

(His only centerfire rifle was stolen a few years ago)