6 Best Used Hunting Rifles For Deer Season That Stand the Test of Time

The pre-dawn air is sharp, and the woods are still. You’re settling into your stand, a thermos of coffee steaming beside you, and the familiar weight of a rifle rests across your lap. For generations of hunters, that rifle wasn’t a brand-new, top-of-the-line model; it was a trusted, time-tested tool that had already seen many seasons. You don’t need the latest and greatest to fill your tag—you need something reliable, accurate, and proven, and the used gun rack is full of legends that fit the bill perfectly.

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Key Factors for Choosing a Used Deer Rifle

When you’re scanning the rack at a local gun shop, it’s easy to get distracted by fancy scopes or pristine wood stocks. But the core of a great deer rifle lies in three things: its action, its chambering, and its fundamental condition. For most North American deer hunting, a bolt-action rifle offers the best blend of accuracy, reliability, and simplicity. Lever-actions shine in the thick woods, while semi-autos can be great but often introduce more complexity and potential points of failure.

The caliber debate can be endless, but you can’t go wrong with the classics. Cartridges like the .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and the woods-friendly .30-30 Winchester have cleanly taken more deer than any others for a reason—they work. Don’t get hung up on the newest magnum. Instead, focus on finding a rifle in good mechanical shape chambered for a cartridge with readily available and affordable ammunition. A rifle that’s been hunted with will have dings and scratches; that’s character. What you need to avoid are signs of abuse or neglect, like deep rust or a damaged barrel crown.

The Remington Model 700: A Legacy of Accuracy

If there is one bolt-action rifle that has defined American hunting for the last 60 years, it’s the Remington 700. Found in countless hunting camps and pickup trucks, its popularity is a direct result of its performance. The design, centered on the "three rings of steel" that support the cartridge case head, creates a strong, rigid platform for exceptional out-of-the-box accuracy. This is the rifle that proved a factory gun could shoot just as well as a custom one.

On the used market, you’ll find Model 700s in every imaginable configuration and caliber, from the classic BDL with its glossy stock to the more utilitarian ADL. This ubiquity is its greatest strength. The aftermarket support is massive, meaning stocks, triggers, and other upgrades are easy to find if you want to personalize your rifle. Be aware that certain older models were subject to a trigger recall, so it’s wise to research the serial number of any potential purchase to see if it falls within the affected range. Even so, its legacy as a reliable deer-getter is undeniable.

Winchester Model 70: The Rifleman’s Rifle

Dubbed "The Rifleman’s Rifle," the Winchester Model 70 holds a special place in hunting lore. It’s a rifle built on a reputation for unyielding reliability, especially in the harshest conditions. The most sought-after versions are the "pre-’64" models, which feature a controlled-round feed Mauser-type action. In simple terms, the extractor claw grips the rim of the cartridge as it leaves the magazine, holding it securely until it’s ejected. This makes feeding and extraction virtually foolproof, a critical feature when a quick follow-up shot might be necessary.

While pre-’64 models command a premium, don’t overlook the rifles made after that date. Winchester eventually reintroduced the controlled-feed feature in its "Classic" line, and these later models represent an excellent value. A used Model 70 is more than just a tool; it’s a piece of history. Whether you’re hunting whitetails in a Michigan blizzard or hiking for mule deer in the Rockies, the Model 70’s three-position safety and rugged action provide confidence that is hard to beat.

Marlin 336: The Quintessential Woods Rifle

For the hunter who stalks through thickets, brush, and dark timber, the Marlin 336 is king. Where long-range shots are impossible and quick handling is everything, this lever-action rifle excels. Its simple, robust design and side-ejection port—which makes mounting a low-power scope easy—have made it a favorite for generations of Eastern and Midwestern deer hunters. It’s light, points naturally, and cycles faster than any bolt-action.

Most Marlin 336s you’ll find are chambered in .30-30 Winchester, a cartridge perfectly suited for deer-sized game inside 150 yards. It’s a mild-recoiling round that hits with surprising authority. When shopping for a used 336, many hunters look for models with a "JM" stamp on the barrel, indicating it was made by the original Marlin company in North Haven, Connecticut. While newer models are perfectly functional, the JM-stamped rifles are often lauded for their superior fit and finish.

The Savage 110: Unbeatable Used Rifle Value

Savage has built a reputation on making no-nonsense rifles that flat-out shoot, and the Model 110 is the cornerstone of that legacy. If you prioritize pure accuracy and performance over polished bluing and fancy wood, a used Savage 110 is one of the best buys in the hunting world. For decades, Savage rifles have incorporated features designed for precision, like a floating bolt head that ensures perfect alignment with the cartridge and a barrel nut system that allows for precise headspacing at the factory.

Many used Model 110s from the last 15-20 years will feature the revolutionary AccuTrigger. This user-adjustable trigger provides a crisp, clean pull that rivals expensive aftermarket options, dramatically improving a shooter’s ability to be accurate under field conditions. You might find a used Savage with a synthetic stock and a matte finish that looks all business, but it will likely outshoot rifles costing twice as much. It’s the ultimate working-class hero of deer rifles.

Ruger M77: Rugged Reliability for Any Hunt

Built like a tractor, the Ruger M77 is the rifle you grab when you know the hunt is going to be tough. Bill Ruger designed this rifle to be strong, simple, and utterly dependable. Its action is a modified Mauser design known for its strength and reliability, and many models feature a non-rotating, controlled-feed extractor similar to the pre-’64 Winchester Model 70. This is a rifle built for hard use in any weather.

Two of the M77’s standout features are its integral scope mounts and its three-position safety. The scope rings mount directly to the receiver, eliminating a common failure point (the scope base) and creating an incredibly solid foundation for your optic. The tang-mounted safety is intuitive, easy to operate with cold or gloved hands, and allows the bolt to be cycled while the rifle is still on safe. Both the older M77 Mark II and the newer Hawkeye models are fantastic finds on the used market, offering peace of mind when you’re far from civilization.

Weatherby Vanguard: Guaranteed Sub-MOA Value

While Weatherby is famous for its high-end Mark V rifles and powerful magnum cartridges, the Weatherby Vanguard offers legendary performance at a much more accessible price point. Made by Howa in Japan, Vanguards are renowned for their exceptional build quality and accuracy. In fact, Weatherby has long offered a sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) accuracy guarantee with these rifles, promising a 3-shot group of under one inch at 100 yards with premium ammunition.

Finding a used Vanguard often means getting a rifle that shoots like a custom gun for the price of a standard factory model. The action is smooth and strong, and the trigger is typically excellent. They are a bit heavier than some other mountain rifles, but that extra weight helps tame recoil and makes for a very stable shooting platform. For the hunter who might be glassing open country or taking shots across a beanfield, a used Weatherby Vanguard is a phenomenal choice that delivers guaranteed precision.

Before You Buy: A Used Rifle Inspection Guide

A great deal is only great if the rifle is in good working order. Before you hand over your cash, give any used rifle a thorough once-over. A small flashlight or bore light is your best friend here.

• Check the Bore: Shine a light down the barrel from the chamber end if possible. Look for clean, sharp rifling. Avoid barrels with dark rings, bulges, or significant pitting, which looks like corrosion or tiny craters.
• Work the Action: Cycle the bolt or lever multiple times. It should feel smooth, not gritty or loose. Test the safety to ensure it engages and disengages crisply and correctly.
• Inspect the Muzzle Crown: The very end of the barrel, or crown, is critical to accuracy. Look for any dings, dents, or scratches. Even a small amount of damage here can ruin a rifle’s potential.
• Examine the Stock: Look for cracks, especially behind the receiver’s tang and around the recoil lug area where the action meets the stock. Scratches and dings in the wood are cosmetic, but cracks are a serious structural problem.
• Look for Red Flags: Be wary of buggered screw heads, signs of a home gunsmithing job gone wrong, or excessive rust on any metal parts. Always have a qualified gunsmith inspect any used firearm before shooting it.

Finding the right deer rifle isn’t about chasing the most expensive or feature-packed model on the shelf. It’s about finding a reliable tool that fits you well and gives you confidence in the field. These classic rifles have proven themselves for decades, and a well-cared-for used model will serve you just as well as it did its original owner. The real work happens in the woods—scouting, practicing, and understanding your quarry. Your rifle is just a small part of that tradition, so find one that works, get outside, and make some memories.