The 10 Best All-Around Outdoor Guns

The default all-around hunting rifle. Sub-MOA out of the box more often than not, a glass-smooth action, and a trigger that needs no aftermarket help. Cold-hammer-forged barrel, modular stock, and a price that undercuts rifles that shoot worse.

Controlled-round-feed done right. The claw extractor is the reason guides still carry M70s in bear country — a short-stroked round gets pulled clear instead of jamming. Walnut and steel, but built to be used.

The wet-and-nasty rifle. Cerakote everywhere, a composite stock that ignores humidity, and a 60-degree bolt lift that clears a big scope. Detachable rotary magazine feeds without fuss in the cold.

Carbon-wrapped barrel and a user-adjustable trigger and length of pull. Six pounds means it is still on your shoulder on day five, and the accuracy penalty for that weight is close to zero.

The over/under that has outlasted trends. A low-profile action, honest walnut, and a lockup that shoots hundreds of thousands of rounds. Handles upland birds, clays and a box of buckshot with the same manners.

The gas gun that finally runs dirty. 1,500-round service intervals, an oversized bolt handle and safety you can work with frozen hands, and a shim system to fit the stock to you.

An inertia-driven autoloader under six pounds. There is nothing better for walking miles of grouse or woodcock cover, and the inertia system stays clean because it does not vent gas into the action.

Benelli's inertia system in a gun that swallows 3.5-inch shells and still weighs less than the competition. Fit shims, a real recoil pad, and an action that shrugs off marsh mud.

A 26-ounce .44 Magnum. It is unpleasant to shoot with full loads and that is exactly the trade — it is the trail revolver that never gets left in the truck because of weight.

The overbuilt do-everything revolver. Shoot cheap .38 Special all summer, load hard-cast .357 for the fall, and expect it to outlive you. Nothing about it is delicate.