Most ergonomic rifles

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Redlich

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I was thinking about different rifle designs, and how they feel different in the hands and when you shoulder them. There is quite a following for the Rem 7600 pump action rifle in some circles, it's a bit of a niche but those that like them, like them alot. I assumed it was mostly just individual preference and the fast follow up shots, but I actually had the opportunity to fondle and shoulder a friend's 7600 today, and I was impressed with how it felt, very slim, quick and lively feeling with a great cheek weld. I came to the conclusion that the good ergonomics of this rifle for alot of people is what makes them like it so much.

So here's the question, which other rifles are known for their great ergonomic qualities? Not benchrest accuracy, not reliability or durability or marketing, but how comfortable they are for many people to shoot and use. A few others come to mind besides the Rem 7600, off the top of my head I can think of:

The AR15 and the Winchester 94

Can you think of any other rifles known for their comfort and good ergonomic design?
 
Puma 92 carbine, cz 858-2 fit me like a glove. I buy other rifles yearly for hunting and always end up selling them and sticking to the puma and cz. I've tried tikka, savage, stevens, rem, husqvarna.
 
Personally, I find the Remington pumps have poor ergonomics. The forend/pump wobbles when trying to hold the gun steady and everything is pretty crude. And ,like the Win 94 and Marlin levers, they are first and foremost inexpensive. That's the main thing that makes them so popular I think, and the fact some people get confused when their rifle doesn't handle like their pump shotgun. :)
As to ergonomics, I've always found rifles with a palm swell handle nicely along with those that are well balanced.
 
It is very hard to answer this question in general... Ergonomics are a very personal thing... For me personally, my favorites are the Ruger #1 standard, Henry Big Boy & Frontier (heavy but feel oh so good), H&R Ultra Short barrel (weight perfectly between the hands and exceptional carry feel), Ruger 77 Hawkeye compact (perfect at the shoulder). In ergonomics I include carry feel, ease and fluidity of mounting, shouldering feel, and cycling and/or reloading mechanics (which might seem odd, since I have two single shots in my picks, but they excel in other attributes).
 
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Ergonomics will be different for everyone based in your build, arm length, etc.
When you find a gun that just points naturally for you when you pick it up you will know, it's like an extension of your body.
For me it's my Marlin guide gun.
 
For me, the two most natural rifles I own are a Mauser Type B Oberndorf commercial sporter, it swings up to the shoulder and points in a way that's beyond natural, and my RSM. My RSM, by most definitions including my own when I first bought it, swings like a club. For some reason, it has really, really grown on me and now feels solid and "just right". Steady to point, sights go on target immediately, etc. I'm very familiar with, and find the M77's controls perfect as well, best mag release in the business for instance, and the Model 70's great safety on the Mark II. Ruger No.1 RSI is pretty superb in handling and layout too.

Guns that with zero introduction however felt like magic to me generally involve those designed for iron sights shooting, as that's all I hunt with to date. The Type B mentioned, the AR-15A2 (everything's in the right place controls wise too), some fine side by side shotguns in particular as well. I have a single shot Holland & Holland that is so slim, trim, and sleek it's also just beyond natural, balances perfectly and sights right on target on coming to the shoulder. Winchester 94 as you mentioned is no slouch.

I'll have to try a 7600 in earnest myself one day.
 
Tavor. Honestly after picking it up for the first time it made me feel silly for dealing with these awkward long sticks all these years. I'm not saying it replaces my other rifles, but from a ergonomics standpoint, bullpups are king. In my opinion.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
Anschutz biathlon rifles, come on!
Click to expand...

Hah yeah, that's a good point! :)

I know that it's a very personal and subjective thing to define something as "ergonomic", and this definitely wasn't a "what should I buy" thread :) I just thought it'd be a fun discussion. No rifle will be comfortable for everyone of course, but as I mentioned some have a reputation for better "fit" and ergonomics than others, in qualities like grip shape, control positions, carry comfort, and cheek weld etc. Other rifles may compromise the comfort and fit principles in order to meet other criteria (not always a bad thing) such as safety, or the design may not be as intrinsically balanced, or what have you.

As I said no one rifle will fit everyone, but there is a bell curve in which some rifles will fit more people than others, and as mentioned above some prioritize fit over other criteria. I'm liking the responses so far, and I'd have to agree that many double rifles in general would doubtless score high on the comfort side. The comment about a palm swell I think may be right on too... a few weeks ago I shouldered a Howa with a very prominent palm swell and it really let my hand take a more natural position when reaching for the trigger without having to raise my palm away from the stock, thereby giving me a more firm grip.

The way I think of it, making a rifle fit is sort of like a puzzle, with so many different factors that can affect things, and it's a subject I want to learn more about.
 
Marlin 336A rifle model. I have a deluxe model with a cheekpiece and it lines up very nicely.
Sako AIII. I found with low rings, that stock just lines my eye up perfectly with the scope, with a good cheek weld.

And the winner.....you said it, the Winchester 94 carbine. I have never, ever seen a piece of wood and steel that swings into place and points itself like a 94.
 
I haven't shot a bullpup yet but for me my a shorter barreled AR15 with a SOPMOD stock fits me the most comfortable and if I do my part the bullets go where I want them to when shooting fast and moving. You will find that because of your body shape a particular rifle that is popular may not feel right in your hands. Spend some weekends at the range and attend a military day (like they have at East Elgin Sportsmans Association) and put some rounds through a bunch of different ones. You will know when you get the right one. It's kinda like my 1911 pistol, it has the most kick out of all my pistols, so you might think it would be harder to handle, but because it fits me so well I'm faster and more accurate with it than my Sp01 shadow 9mm which is a very popular IPSC firearm.
 
My Brno 21H has no effort finding my cheek and line of site.
I didn't think ths straight rear grip BLR would do if for me,
but another cheek weld.
The Schultz does well too.
 
Some that work very well for me: Remington 700 classic with low mounted scope, Brno 22F with irons, Ruger RSM with low mounted scope, a Krieghoff trumpf drilling with irons, and a Browning T2 with the original peep sights.
 
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