Thread: Entry level rifle.

Yes. Actually I have.

Sounds like this lad is well sorted! Not trying to over reach a price bracket etc.

I would be recommending what a few have said and try and buy secondhand. This will free up some dollars to spend on some better glass.

Variable power scope could be worth considering (you never know when an opportunity will arise to hunt some new ground that may need it).

Originally Posted by Toby

Yes. Actually I have.

I can vouch for that. I let him loose on the mighty Savage 243, he let me loose on his Howa 6.5. I felt dirty and started looking at men, then I had a few shots with the Savage in 6mm and was much better and went back to looking at women.

The main thing is to try a few. Pick them up, sus out the safety, get the feel of them. Then buy whichever one 'floats your boat'. We're all built differently so get whatever feels right for you. As said earlier second hand can be a good option and leaves you more money from better glass. Would be a dull world if everyone had the same thing.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

I can vouch for that. I let him loose on the mighty Savage 243, he let me loose on his Howa 6.5. I felt dirty and started looking at men, then I had a few shots with the Savage in 6mm and was much better and went back to looking at women.

The main thing is to try a few. Pick them up, sus out the safety, get the feel of them. Then buy whichever one 'floats your boat'. We're all built differently so get whatever feels right for you. As said earlier second hand can be a good option and leaves you more money from better glass. Would be a dull world if everyone had the same thing.

You're just jealous cause you stacked them in the hole with my gun and yours looked like a shotgun pattern

Originally Posted by Toby

You're just jealous cause you stacked them in the hole with my gun and yours looked like a shotgun pattern

You can't prove that!

Someone pass us the popcorn and another coldy

Originally Posted by gadgetman

You can't prove that!

I knew I should have taken the target with me instead of leaving it with you!

Originally Posted by Toby

I knew I should have taken the target with me instead of leaving it with you!

I could see that as soon as you put it down.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

So tell us what the Howa does better, I can't think of anything.

Why do people not like the Howa? Is it because it is not made in the US as that seems to be where most of the opinions originate. Heads up- if you want the best, it aint made in the US.

I dont know that I can say for certain the Howa or the Savage does better. I can say the Howa's are very accurate, well built and represent very good value for money. They are underrated for what they are. And for around $995 you get an accurate Stainless rifle with a scope rings that is already threaded for a suppressor and a hard case. For a new rifle that sets a very hard to beat standard.

Both have adjustable triggers, Savage just gave theirs a fancy name. I suspect the Savage will also be accurate but as most rifles will out perform the shooter, that becomes a bit of a non starter.

I do prefer the contained internal magazine over the new plastic removable ones. But I guess spares can be handy. Personally I like the way the Howa bolt can be disassembled easily for cleaning without tools. Also if you look at the Howa bolt, in the unlikely event of a case failure, the gasses are vented through the exhaust holes on the bottom of the bolt directing the gas straight down through the magazine well. On most other rifles they are directed out the side which sucks if you have a face nearby. (I will admit I do not know where the savage vents at this point)

Howa did let themsleves down with some of their stocks but I have seen worse stocks on many other rifles. Upgrade to something like a Boyds later if they want. If you want the best stock, best accuracy and best glass, then I can tell you it wont be any of the brands mentioned so far....The ones on the Howa do work well.

I am not a fan of the cheaper Nikkos, But I am very happy with the Diamond ones I own and the Nighteaters and I happily use them myself over the likes of Leupold. And you can sometimes get the Diamonds or Nighteaters in the package deal and not just their basic Mount master range. Nikko make some cheaper scopes, but they also make some very good ones. If you want a good scope without breaking the bank, then I could also send you towards Sightron as an alternative (And "no," I do not stock, sell or have anything to do with Sightron apart from having a few mates who use them.) Good optics will improve accuracy, but how much? For a new hunter ?

Howa made the Vanguards for Weatherby for many years (and I believe the Smith and Wesson 1500 is also a Howa with a rebadge)

(I did have one person tell me his Weatherby Vanguard was much better than any Howa and it was a hoot when he pointed out all the reasons why- You should have seen his face when he found out his Vanguard was the same rifle, just a few cosmetic changes and a few hundy more expensive!!!!)

Oh don't get me wrong, I agree that they're good rifles for the money. I was replying more to the guy who reckoned they're head and shoulders above any competition, which just isn't the case - I'd say the differences between most of the rifles in the $8-1200 price range are more about personal preferences than being significantly better in measurable ways. And my preference is the Savage - excellent trigger and accuracy, nice 3-stage tang safety etc.

I've used an older example of the Weatherby Vanguard version which was a heavy clunky thing with a sloppy action, but it sounds like they've improved since then so probably isn't the best comparison.

I have a couple of Nikko Nighteaters too and they are decent solid scopes for the money, but certainly not in the same league as the Weaver and Nikons on my other rifles.

@Toby

As someone who owns a weather 'worrier' and had a lot of time behind a howa I'd take the howa any day. For those moaning about howa stocks have a peak at the savage Tupperware. On mine you can flex it maybe an inch either side of the barrel? Heavy, clunky, ugly. Accurate yes but that's all they have going for them. The howa light with the 20 inch barrel and lightened action is a much nicer gun. Triggers can be adjusted quite nicely, better than the savage accutrigger which becomes very sloppy after the 1500 round mark

I like them but since I have a penchant for my rifles being a bit like "grandfathers axe" or "big boys lego" there are not too many after market bit for them yet

@dansus check out the buy and sell section, there is a .308 Ruger compact just been listed for $600...

Originally Posted by Shooter

@dansus check out the buy and sell section, there is a .308 Ruger compact just been listed for $600...

http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...compact-22058/