Rifles old-timers swear by that still earn their place on modern land

There’s a reason some rifles keep showing up decade after decade. Old-timers liked them because they worked—simple, reliable, and accurate enough for real jobs on real land. The nice thing is, those same traits still matter today.

Here are the classics that still pull their weight on a modern homestead.

Winchester Model 94 in .30-30

The Winchester 94 in .30-30 has probably seen more deer woods and back pastures than almost anything else. Light, handy, and easy to carry in a truck or on foot, it’s still a very practical woods rifle.

Inside normal ranges, .30-30 has plenty of punch for deer and larger predators. Lever guns ride nicely in scabbards and behind seats, and older folks knew that matters as much as raw power.

Marlin 336 in .30-30 or .35 Remington

The Marlin 336, especially in .30-30 or .35 Rem, is another lever gun that’s earned its place. Side ejection makes it easier to scope than some older Winchesters, and the rifles tend to be accurate and rugged.

For thick cover, timber, and general farm use, they still make a lot of sense. Plenty of old-timers carried one for everything from deer to hogs, and they still work fine for the same roles.

Ruger 10/22 in .22 LR

Ask almost anyone who’s lived on land for long and they’ll have a story about a Ruger 10/22. Cheap ammo, semi-auto action, and endless parts make it the go-to .22 for many families.

From knocking down cans to dealing with small pests around barns and feed, a 10/22 is still one of the most useful rifles you can own. Old-timers liked them for practicality; nothing about that has changed.

Remington 700 in .30-06, .270, or .243

The Remington 700 in classic calibers like .30-06, .270 Win, or .243 Win earned its reputation through years of hunting seasons. Smooth actions, good barrels, and wide parts support made them a favorite.

Even with newer designs on the market, a well-kept 700 is still an excellent choice for deer and larger predators. Many older rifles in these calibers are still going strong and see regular use on farms.

Winchester Model 70 in standard hunting calibers

The Winchester 70, especially in .270, .30-06, or .243, is another rifle old-timers trusted. Controlled-round feed models are known for feeding reliably in rough conditions.

For open pastures and timber edges, they still do the job just as well as when your granddad carried one. A solid Model 70 doesn’t feel outdated; it feels broken-in.

Savage 99 and other classic lever rifles

The Savage 99 in .300 Savage or .250-3000 was ahead of its time and still makes sense today. Internal magazines and pointed bullets gave it better ballistics than some older lever guns.

They’re not as common now, but if you have one in good shape, it’s still a very usable homestead rifle for deer and general work.

Simple bolt-action .22s from older lines

Old bolt-action .22s from Savage, Marlin, Winchester, and Mossberg—often with tube magazines—look plain, but they still knock down rats, snakes, and small pests just fine.

Old-timers liked them because they were accurate enough, cheap to feed, and easy to maintain. On a modern homestead, they’re still exactly those things.

Any rifle that’s been carried and trusted for years

The real common thread isn’t just model names; it’s history. If an older rifle has been carried for decades, holds zero, feeds correctly, and still does what it’s supposed to, it’s earned its place.

Modern options are great, but there’s nothing wrong with a “granddad gun” earning another generation of hard use—especially when you already know exactly what it will do from your porch to the back fence.