Advice on new .308 Remington ,Savage, Mossberg, Other ??

I am new to the site and appreciate the input from everyone, its great to have such a wealth of knowledge in one place.

Im about to buy my first new rifle, I have done a fair bit of shooting with .22 to 8mm rifles so am not a complete kook but have limited knowledge of the finer aspects of selecting a rifle.

I have decided to go for a .308 as I will be hunting relatively heavy bush on the west coast when I head home and the selection and cost of rounds is a bonus because I plan to spend a fair bit of time on the range prior to going bush, although I will be buying quality rounds for hunting.

If you own or have owned a Mossberg .308, Rem 700 .308 or a Savage .308 I would appreciate your opinion, what you liked, what you didn't like and would you buy another one?
Or if you know of another rifle that ticks all the boxes any suggestions are welcome. Sub 1k price range.

Also I would prefer to put a few rounds through the rifle I am buying prior to see if it feels good and fits, its a long shot but is there anywhere that I can go in Christchurch to do this?

Thanks in Advance

Definitely handle a few and see what fits you, if you can't test fire then at least hold a few in gun shops to get a feel for them.

I like the Savages personally (Mod 10/12/14/16 family rather than Axis) - best factory trigger I've used, nice strong action, 3-stage tang safety, generally regarded as one of the better brands for accuracy (though any modern rifle should be fine for hunting accuracy really).

Also worth considering Howa, Tikka, Ruger, Marlin, no shortage of options.

I use a Ruger M77 308. It will cost a bit more than your current options but for me better value for money.

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Originally Posted by Strider B

I am new to the site and appreciate the input from everyone, its great to have such a wealth of knowledge in one place.

Im about to buy my first new rifle, I have done a fair bit of shooting with .22 to 8mm rifles so am not a complete kook but have limited knowledge of the finer aspects of selecting a rifle.

I have decided to go for a .308 as I will be hunting relatively heavy bush on the west coast when I head home and the selection and cost of rounds is a bonus because I plan to spend a fair bit of time on the range prior to going bush, although I will be buying quality rounds for hunting.

If you own or have owned a Mossberg .308, Rem 700 .308 or a Savage .308 I would appreciate your opinion, what you liked, what you didn't like and would you buy another one?
Or if you know of another rifle that ticks all the boxes any suggestions are welcome. Sub 1k price range.

Also I would prefer to put a few rounds through the rifle I am buying prior to see if it feels good and fits, its a long shot but is there anywhere that I can go in Christchurch to do this?

Thanks in Advance

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Shooters supplies in Riccarton has weather warriors which are the model 16 savage new for $799, I have a 270 and rate them accu stock and trigger

I would look at a "as new" barely used rifle. You can get a much better deal on a more or less new gun, and get a better quality rifle than if you bought new.

For cheap rifles, Howa seems to get a good review but many folk here.

I like Tikka rifles, nice and light for carrying around. Will find heaps of second hand ones on Trademe some already suppressed for a good price.
Savage would be my next choice, not as many second hand ones, but they do come up.

Never used a Howa, but between them and a Remington, would be a toss up.
If a Remington model 7 came up on trademe would go for that instead of a 700.

Some folk say you don't want a a removable magazine for a bush gun.
But other than my shot gun, every rifle I have owned or used extensively has had a detachable mag and I have never lost one.

I used a Savage axis and have looked at the Mossbergs and personally rather buy something second hand, but not knowing your history or intended use wouldn't go as far to suggest you not go for either. The Ruger American seems to have some positive reviews too.

As far as calibre, .308 or 7mm08 would be my choice, I think ammo price would be much the same, but may find bulk .308 easier and/or cheaper.

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Originally Posted by nelpop

I use a Ruger M77 308.

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Funny enough so do I (wood/blue hawkeye version) - I really like the shape and fit of the stock and after a bit of fettling the trigger is excellent, but I like the Savage action and accuracy better and the accutrigger is good enough not to need tweaking. Personal taste though!

Out of your selection I would have to agree with the Savage weather warrior as first choice if you have to purchase new. Heard lots of good things about Howas but never fired one. A second hand Tikka T3 for under a grand would be my pick if you can wait and find one.

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Originally Posted by 6mm ackley

Shooters supplies in Riccarton has weather warriors which are the model 16 savage new for $799, I have a 270 and rate them accu stock and trigger

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This would be my pick, fantastic price, good accuracy, I really like the fit and safety. There are a few in the safe here.

I have two m700s & a weatherby/howa 308 like them all but the wby just seems to be more slick in the action, they all shoot well. The wby holds 5 + 1 where as the rem 4 + 1 rounds. The loading port on the wby is larger and does make loading easier. A friend has a new ranchland howa 308/suppressed and he likes it. That's mu 2c worth.

marlin would be an option x7 is supposed to be good

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Originally Posted by Beetroot

I would look at a "as new" barely used rifle. You can get a much better deal on a more or less new gun, and get a better quality rifle than if you bought new.

For cheap rifles, Howa seems to get a good review but many folk here.

I like Tikka rifles, nice and light for carrying around. Will find heaps of second hand ones on Trademe some already suppressed for a good price.
Savage would be my next choice, not as many second hand ones, but they do come up.

Never used a Howa, but between them and a Remington, would be a toss up.
If a Remington model 7 came up on trademe would go for that instead of a 700.

Some folk say you don't want a a removable magazine for a bush gun.
But other than my shot gun, every rifle I have owned or used extensively has had a detachable mag and I have never lost one.

I used a Savage axis and have looked at the Mossbergs and personally rather buy something second hand, but not knowing your history or intended use wouldn't go as far to suggest you not go for either. The Ruger American seems to have some positive reviews too.

As far as calibre, .308 or 7mm08 would be my choice, I think ammo price would be much the same, but may find bulk .308 easier and/or cheaper.

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I agree. I normally recommend buying a good condition, better quality rifle second hand rather than a "cheap" new one. If you look around there are some real good buys to be had out there.

Generally speaking, its pretty easy to tell if a rifle has been used and abused just by looking at it. I've yet to buy a real dud second hand, but am cautious about what I buy.

Any of the "common" calibres will be fine for what you are doing, 243, 308, 6.5x55, 7mm-08, 270, etc.

Always buy a rifle that fits you. It'll make everything easier down the track. To try the fit of rifles in Chch, go to Guncity, Hunting and Fishing or Shooters Supplies. Don't be pressured into buying something.

Tikka T3 243. | Trade Me

Tikka 270WIN M695 | Trade Me


Even putting a WTB in the buy sell section may pull out a nice rifle sitting in someone's safe. There's been a few Model 7 Remington's pop up in the last wee while that have caught my attention!

This above^

I went the cheap route to start with, sold em eventually for the same price I paid for a Brno ZKK600 in mint condition, BIG step up quality wise from a budget rifle.



If you going to go new, stay away from the Rem 770, Savage Axis, the others are not bad.

My pick of the budget range would be the Howa followed by the Savages (not the Axis) and the Ruger American.

Tikka T3s are good but their pricing is getting above what I would call budget rifles!

So in summary first choice is a quality second hand bang stick, if you go new spend over $800 and you should be fine!

I reckon you'd have to be a bit of a retard to spend $1k on a second hand T3 when you can buy a brand new Weather Warrior on sale for $800 (if they both fit you). If both were brand new at the same price... I'd still take the Savage tbh.

I have had two mossbergs in 308 at different times got rid of the pair of them due to having trouble with ammo jamming in the mag while cycling the bolt forget about them not worth the dollars especially when you can get a marlin X7 (I owned one in 7mm08 and regret selling it before I went to aussie for harvest) or a howa which are far more superior than those junky mossberg rifles. I currently own a remington 700 sps with detachable mag and I like the way it shoulders for me so definitely do not strike the remington 700 off the list, another one to consider is the thompson ventura they are very nice to shoot.

Howa's are great for the money, made by the Japanese using equipment bought from Sako which is going to be better than anything made in the USA (IMO)

The only thing to be aware of is the slight flex in the forend of the standard Houge stock, but you can always upgrade that at a later date. .But other than that they're great, mine will put 5 shots in a half inch at a hundred yards with the right ammo no problem.