Overrated Hunting Guns
There are many guns design and specifically targeted for the hunting folks that are really good guns and are recognized as such.
However, on the other side there are also a number of highly overrated guns that do not live up to their reputations.
They used to be great but are now just trucking along on their past reputation or living off their fans nostalgia.
Here are the guns for hunting that we see as not measuring up to the media hype due to poor performances.
- Weatherby Magnum Cartridge
Weatherby has some fine high velocity magnum cartridges such as: .270, .300, .378 and .460 magnum.
The most popular among hunters were .257 Weatherby, .300 and .30-378 Weatherby. These cartridges provide a flat shooting cartridge that can still hit hard at long range. A necessary cartridge for hunting elk, mule deer, sheep and mountain goats.
However, it is also true that the gap in performance between the Weatherby magnums and their closest competitors is often overstated.
For instances, the .300 Weatherby Magnum shoots a 180gr bullet about 300 feet per second faster than the .300 Winchester Magnum. Yes, it shoots a little bit flatter and hit a little bit harder, but no elk will be able to tell the difference and I’ll bet that there isn’t much you can do with the .300 Weatherby that you can’t do with the .300 Win Mag. - Post-2007 Marlin 1895
This Marlin is a big bore gun commonly used by hunters going after large tough game in North America. This gun is also known as the “guide gun”, used to defend against an angry bear at close range is ideal.
That reputation helped Marlin sell guns in the market. However, since 2007 Marlin was acquired by Remington. The quality assurance declined, complaints of wood on the stock and feeding malfunctions reports begin pouring in.
If you’re looking to still get a lever action 1895 Marlin, get it before the 2007 production. - Holland & Holland Double Rifle
Double barreled firearms first became widespread during the days of the muzzleloader.
The ability to fire two shots quickly without the lengthy reloading process required by a muzzleloader is a great advantage for hunters.
Breech loading double rifles, chambered in big bore cartridges like the .450/400 and .577 Black Powder and Nitro Express rounds were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s among hunters in India and Africa hunting large species of dangerous game like tiger, buffalo, and elephant.
These rifles were a big deal to have and proved their worth during these close range encounters.
Holland & Holland rifles were (and still are) regarded as the the cream of the crop among double rifles. They were advertised as fully hand made by master gun makers that put in 850 man-hours of work that were put into each rifle.
One of the custom feature on their double rifles was the custom built size specifications this allowed the rifle to fit the shooter and points perfectly. Thus, this rifle became known as the most reliable and best “feeling” rifles available.
First downside to this rifle is its small magazine capacity.
A competent shooter with a bolt action can get off two shots no problem plus modern bolt-action rifle can hold up to 5 big bore cartridges in the magazine.
Second downside is that being a great equalizer at close range, its not that great at 50 plus yards whereas a different rifle can do a better job.
Third downside is the weight of this beast comes in at 13 pound. The heaviness was great for reducing the recoil, but when you have to lug it for 10-20 miles through the woods, its not likely for most hunters.
Last downside is the price unless you’re Bill Gates. Holland double rifle goes for $100,000 and every year the price keeps going up.
There you have it, a few overpriced hunting guns. What other overpriced hunting guns have you come across?