[Midas]

What, in your opinion, is the greatest rifle ever? In my book, it is the Pre-64 Winchester Model 70. This can either be a sporting, or military rifle.

[SilverRun]

Tough call - I can think of at least a half dozen top contenders. Your choice would likely be among them. My choice - is the Not prettiest or even my favorite rifle, but given the impact it has had on the modern world, I would have to vote for the AK-47.

[Dallas]

Are you talking military or civilian? Or either?

[ArkansasHunter]

It's got to be the Mauser 98 HANDS DOWN !!! A.H

[bigandrich44]

Pre-64 Model 70. Own one in .300 WBY.

[troylaplante]

AK-47. Military Channel :: Top Ten Combat Rifles

[littlejoe872]

Mauser 98. The basic design of many military, and almost all civilian hunting bolt action rifles ever since.

[BFRANKlin]

There is only one logical choice in military rifles, and that is, hands down, the M1 Garand. The Ak-47 may be the most produced, most used, but It's not the best. It's good at what it does, no doubt. I like mine just fine. But it just can't compare to a Garand and I don't really need to explain why. It can speak for itself. To try to compare a Garand and the AK is unfair to the AK. That's all I have to say about that.

[Despoiler]

Because I am a history buff, I am going to say the Henry repeating rifle.

[tbonecpk]

I agree with Franklin Garand hands down. the Garand was the very first effective semi-auto main battle rifle ever produced. the french made the first semi-auto but it had major problems like jamming and that sorta thing (if I remember correctly)

[.22guy]

I'd have to say the M-1 Garand also.

[Thunder-223]

Military : 7.62 L1A1 SLR
Civilian : Winchester model 62

[Johnny_Revolver]

Pre `64 Model 70. If I had infinite wealth, its the first rifle I`d buy. If I could find and it exists, a 1963 300 win mag Model 70, in left handed maybe, be okay if not.

[billy]

Quote:       Originally Posted by 338WinMag

What, in your opinion, is the greatest rifle ever? In my book, it is the Pre-64 Winchester Model 70. This can either be a sporting, or military rifle.

+1

[Bravo]

I'd have to go with the AK-47 and give the M1 Garand a close 2nd. The M1 Garand has a few weaknesses, while the AK-47 only has range as a weakness.

[bigandrich44]

AK-47 is inaccurate. Don't forget that. I've never heard of an AK being used at Camp Perry........

[JoeLee]

The 98 Mauser & AK47.

[Johnny_Revolver]

I said the pre `64 mod 70, but thats really the rifle I WANT the most. The criteria for the greatest ever rifle need to be spelled out, I think.

Most usefull?

Most copied?

Biggest impact when introduced?

It`s true, the model 70 is the BOLT ACTION HUNTING RIFLE benchmark.

[Bravo]

Anyone saying the M70 should probably go farther back to the 98 Mauser for its main influences.

The AK47 isn't that inaccurate in the right hands. Fired from the hip in a spray in pray method, any gun is inaccurate. But I can knock down coffee cans at a rapid rate at 75 yards.

As I said before, the AK's only drawback is it's lack of range. Used in the proper setting, it is very accurate and ungodly reliable.

[bigandrich44]

Sheesh, 75 yards is NOTHING to a Pre-64 M70. 450 yards is where it starts becoming challenging. Heck, i can hit Soda cans at 75 yards with my Ruger 10/22 with a 3-9x40mm Tasco scope. The AK is inaccurate. It was made to conform with Russian Doctrine about massed infantry fire.