I know, it�s like who knew?

But the "geometry" is a lot more complicated.

You are the one who brought on the debate with your original comment. Like I said, I don�t even own one anymore. I just have never understood why people start a thread bashing something that you know is going to bring an argument. And now you are acting like you are surprised that someone doesn�t agree with you.

I won't lie - looks are on the list of things I care about. Below reliability and accuracy, but it matters. Always liked the look of the Mini-14. Never cared for Savage or Remington looks. Browning has started making some nice-looking guns.

My Brand new savage had extraction problems right out of the box. Called Savage, and they mailed me a new extractor. The last brand new Ruger I bought had feeding problems right out of the box too. Ended up having to install a softer extraction spring to get that one to function right. Yeah, so Savage may have some extraction issues. Still shoots better than any of my other rifles.

To answer the original question, what really turns my head is a beautiful walnut stock with a shiny deep blue action and barrel. Brand isn't that important. Savage has an anniversary gun on thier website that looks very interesting to me...Savage 125 anniversary

The ugly part of Savage to me is the huge [censored]-end on the back of the bolt that looks like something off a cannon and requires a tooth-pick like pistol-grip area to clear it. It un-balances the look, IMO.

Lots of very nice looking walnut and deep blued classic style hunting rifles out there. I think a Hawkeye with the red pad is a very nice looking rifle for a reasonable price, and whether or not it�ll shoot bugholes it�ll be a reliable rifle that�ll last many years to come and be worth handing down to kids or grandkids.

I also like the looks of the Winchester model 70 supergrades, Kimber classic selects, and even the Remington model CDL and CDL SFs. Some nice looking rifles wearing laminate wood stocks also.

I also think a stainless rifle with a nice fiberglass or carbon stock can be very appealing, from a custom or factory rifle in a manners EH or McMillan stock to a higher end factory hunting rifle like a Kimber Montana or Barrett field craft.

Cheap to mid grade rifles in milk jug plastic stocks aren�t made with aesthetic value as a priority. They should be viewed as tools for utility. Some look ok to me (tikka, browning x bolt, some remington 700s) and some are pretty ugly (Ruger American, anything savage). All that said nearly all my rifles are of the utilitarian variety, but I really do want to start collecting some that I�d be proud to give my boys in a few years..

Weatherby Mk V
Rem 700 classic
Win M70 featherweight

Just to name a few

I can see that...but I do like my women with a little extra on the back end, so....

Only accurate rifles are interesting.

I read that somewhere but agree with it.

Meh...more to things than just accuracy.

The most beautiful rifles I own are Ruger #1's. It took some tinkering & tuning but they are very accurate too.

The ugliest rifles I own are AR's. What aggravates me is one of my AR's chambered in Six5 shoots as accurate as my custom ultra-accurate bolt gun! Now that just ain't right for a semi....

But if it�s not accurate...meh.

Factory guns for looks:

Wood/Blued- Supergrade Model 70

Synthetic- Remington Sendero SFII

I don't much care for the appearance of any bolt gun. If you want to talk pretty get a Winchester 1873 short rifle in 44-40. That's a pretty gun.

I think a reason most thing savages are ugly is because nobody buys the decent looking ones. I have a Stainless Model 14 American Classic savage and it is a good looking gun, nice wood grain on the stock and a rosewood (or some other dark wood) cap, looks good to me.

My best looking gun is a Weatherby Vanguard deluxe sporter, really pretty wood grain and great bluing. I think many of the 700 bdl's we have are fine classic looking rifles as well.

I had a M70 Super Grade in 280 and that was a sweet looking rifle. Had some of the best looking wood I've seen on a rifle in a long time. Could even get it out of the safe because I was afraid of scratching it up so I ended up trading it off for something I would use.

My collection ranges from picked up at garage sale beater shotguns to AR's to NIB M70 Supergrade. I am guilty of getting caught up in looks, accuracy, ballistics, etc. What I do know is any time spent outdoors with a gun in hand or at the range is a good time. That being said, a nice rifle or shotgun has a way of making a good time better.

Aesthetics have been an integral part of rifle making since the first matchlock weapons were built. Heck, they were a part of bow making before that.

I feel sad for members of the current generation who says they are all about function and can�t appreciate aesthetics.

I admire and hold with high regard the quality in terms of materials and craftsmanship of fine wood stocks, scrolling, inlays etc, Just not for me to own. It�s a tool, I�d take an ol� Lincoln Classic 300d welder over a fancy looking New Bobcat for the same reason. All my high end OU�s are even just base models also.

Fancy just means you have to work harder at keeping it fancy then actually doing the work itself.

My first bolt gun was a Ruger M77 Mark II. A very classic looking rifle and still is. Its the "Mary Ann" of hunting rifles.....Petite, Very Cute but not a knockout either. To me, Ruger has always been a rifle that should have gotten more accolades than they did. They are not known for accuracy, but send them to a competent gunsmith and they shoot great. Mine shoots cloverleafs with factory Hornady ammo after bedding, floating and trigger work. I rate them right up there with model 700 BDL's and Model 70's. To me, the current model 70's have some cheapy looking walnut they are being stocked with. Have not seen a BDL in some years now on the gun store shelves.


The one that always caught my eye, was the Weatherby Mark V's. That was the California Blonde Bombshell Beauty for me. The high gloss wood, the Monte Carlo Comb, the deep, shiny bluing.....son.....



They are now over $1500 but I had the chance to buy some off the shelf Mark V's for $1500 that I passed on and now regret.





Another one I really liked was the Browning A-Bolt White Gold Medallion. Very slick looking rig. The Regular A-Bolt Medallions were also very nice guns....I had one that was very pretty, it just kicked too much.



For what its worth, none of the above mentioned guns had outstanding accuracy. Savage combo guns would often outshoot them at the bench, but that was never what mattered.

Some of you guys make it sound like you look down at what firearm you're holding in your hands at the time and decide if you want to take care of it or not. I'm just as careful with my POS synthetic as I am with my custom Mauser. And vice-versa.

These threads always devolve into the "Son, I ain't got no use for good-looking guns. They're just tools. And I don't a-want no gun that I have to be keerful with. Nor a truck like it, either!".

There must be some utilitarian-looking spouses associated with THF members the way some of you guys talk.

But that old copper spun Lincoln welds better.

Bad comparison.

You pretty much nailed what I was thinking.

I do love a custom 98 though. I would say for me it�s the #1 aesthetically pleasing rifle I can think of.

Shush you are to young to actually know that.

It�s a looks anology