Thread: First rifle advice

Good evening all,
I have decided after much debate that my first rifle will be a .270WIN, I like the flat shooting aspect out to 300 yards, living in Hamilton and being a university student I imagine I’ll be hunting mainly in the Waikato where 100m is a long shot. The only thing I’m left wondering is what rifle do I get, looking between the Howa 1500, the Browning X-Bolt (Both of which are towards the top end of my budget) or the Mossberg Patriot which is considerably cheaper and seems to have decent reviews, and I wanted some thoughts on this from you obviously very qualified individuals.

Now to keep waiting on the FSA to get my license processed

Cheers!

I’d go for the Howa 1500. It’s modeled off one of the earlier Sako actions, and has been used by a number of other manufacturers such as Weatherby.

Between the howa and the Browning. Whichever fits you best is the one to buy.

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by stug

I’d go for the Howa 1500. It’s modeled off one of the earlier Sako actions, and has been used by a number of other manufacturers such as Weatherby.

I’ve been keeping an eye online coz it’s still gonna be a few months until I have enough to buy it, but Gun City has a Howa 1500, 3-9x42 scope and silencer combo for $1699, I’ve been in to look and it does feel nice


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Yep go and handle both.

I was looking for a new rifle earlier this year, was leaning towards a Tikka but then son left one in my safe for a few months. Handled it heaps and hated the feel it just wasn't right for me.

Ended up buying a Mauser M18 possibly not as good as the Tikka action but just felt right the moment I picked it up.

stay clear of the missberg. any "reviews" that paint that piece of garbage in a favorable light can be considered bought...

Just have a look at its "bedding" system...

https://youtu.be/mwveO_8Df5U

Howa 1500s are cheap, abundant and tend to shoot well.

I would recommend a stainless version.

As for caliber, out to 300 yards, any of the common calibres will be absolutely suitable. 270 tends to kick a bit more if that is a concern for you. Test shoot one before you commit.

Originally Posted by STC

stay clear of the missberg. any "reviews" that paint that piece of garbage in a favorable light can be considered bought...

Just have a look at its "bedding" system...

https://youtu.be/mwveO_8Df5U

Howa 1500s are cheap, abundant and tend to shoot well.

I would recommend a stainless version.

As for caliber, out to 300 yards, any of the common calibres will be absolutely suitable. 270 tends to kick a bit more if that is a concern for you. Test shoot one before you commit.

Thanks mate. I grew up in the Boy Scouts and in school Clay bird teams, been off a few years now but I was used to the 12ga kick so a 270 should be right


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Happy Jack touches, on an important point. Pick one that feels right.

Keep an eye out for a Weatherby Vanguard, same thing as the Howa as its just a rebranded Howa 1500, but for some reason even cheaper than Howa.

On second thought - howas in 270 is priced pretty sharp. Get one and head for the hills.

Originally Posted by Jaco Goosen

Happy Jack touches, on an important point. Pick one that feels right.

Keep an eye out for a Weatherby Vanguard, same thing as the Howa as its just a rebranded Howa 1500, but for some reason even cheaper than Howa

Ooooh I’ll check it out. Thanks mate.


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Where do you intend to go hunting from Hamilton? King Country, South Waikato and Pureora?

When I was living in Hamilton and hunting those areas, average shooting distance would have been 30m, if not less. My go to rifle was a 223, which I found to be plenty adequate. A 270 will no doubt do the job, but can you justify burning so much powder at such close range? IMO a short action (243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm08, etc) is a more suitable choice. Less recoil, less noise, easier to shoot, and does the job just as well.

However if you plan to drive all the way down to the Kaimanawa and Ruahine to hunt the open tops, it might be a different story. I'm sure those that are more experienced at long range sniping can offer some good advice.

Originally Posted by Synthetic

Where do you intend to go hunting from Hamilton? King Country, South Waikato and Pureora?

When I was living in Hamilton and hunting those areas, average shooting distance would have been 30m, if not less. My go to rifle was a 223, which I found to be plenty adequate. A 270 will no doubt do the job, but can you justify burning so much powder at such close range? IMO a short action (243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm08, etc) is a more suitable choice. Less recoil, less noise, easier to shoot, and does the job just as well.

However if you plan to drive all the way down to the Kaimanawa and Ruahine to hunt the open tops, it might be a different story. I'm sure those that are more experienced at long range sniping can offer some good advice.

My girlfriend farms out Pirongia way, so I’d be up there a bit I’d imagine, Kaimais, Mamakus


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Good on you mate for getting into the hunting and getting a rifle to kick start your journey.

Don't be afraid to look at second hand rifles as well.
Your budget can sometimes allow you to go higher/better quality for the same price and still get a gun in good well maintained condition.

For the areas you're going to hunt, a medium action rifle vs the long action of a 270 would be good options to look at as mentioned above by Synthetic although the 270 is a great choice if that's what you've got your heart set on.
Ammo is sometimes a bit cheaper to.

Originally Posted by 9STAGS

Good on you mate for getting into the hunting and getting a rifle to kick start your journey.

Don't be afraid to look at second hand rifles as well.
Your budget can sometimes allow you to go higher/better quality for the same price and still get a gun in good well maintained condition.

For the areas you're going to hunt, a medium action rifle vs the long action of a 270 would be good options to look at as mentioned above by Synthetic although the 270 is a great choice if that's what you've got your heart set on.
Ammo is sometimes a bit cheaper to.

As much as my heart is set on a 270, I could still be persuaded by a 243. Ideally I need to make some friends at a local range and try some shots on both


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6.5cm, 7mm08, .308 can all reach out to 300 yds without really trying. .243 can too but it is starting to get a bit marginal by then. As has been touched on a 300yd shot is an infrequent event in the bush. With the calibres listed, you also get a shorter action = less weight, less overall length, and less recoil.
Of the three listed, the 6.5 and.308 have a few advantages over the 7mm08.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a .270 hater and granted they do shoot flattish out to 300 yards, but a .270 works better with a longer barrel and a higher magnification scope. Neither of which are easier to hunt with than a shorter barrel and lower magnification scope in the bush.


At the moment it’s rather difficult to sell a second hand rifle, if I was buying right now, I would just put a wtb up in the BuySellSwap.

Also know that the GC package deals might look like a simple foolproof option at a glance, but they leverage this image as a marketing tactic to include knockoff components that you wouldn’t buy if you looked into it. If you do want to buy new, you’re better off buying bare rifle and then choosing the scope/rings/suppressor yourself.

As far as answering your actual question, my vote would be for the Howa if it fits you. I don’t have one myself but I know a few people that do and they all seem to be able to shoot reliably. Also since it is a common rifle, it is easy to source things like scope bases and after market stocks etc.

Originally Posted by longshot

6.5cm, 7mm08, .308 can all reach out to 300 yds without really trying. .243 can too but it is starting to get a bit marginal by then. As has been touched on a 300yd shot is an infrequent event in the bush. With the calibres listed, you also get a shorter action = less weight, less overall length, and less recoil.
Of the three listed, the 6.5 and.308 have a few advantages over the 7mm08.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a .270 hater and granted they do shoot flattish out to 300 yards, but a .270 works better with a longer barrel and a higher magnification scope. Neither of which are easier to hunt with than a shorter barrel and lower magnification scope in the bush.


At the moment it’s rather difficult to sell a second hand rifle, if I was buying right now, I would just put a wtb up in the BuySellSwap.

Also know that the GC package deals might look like a simple foolproof option at a glance, but they leverage this image as a marketing tactic to include knockoff components that you wouldn’t buy if you looked into it. If you do want to buy new, you’re better off buying bare rifle and then choosing the scope/rings/suppressor yourself.

In terms of scope rings, does anything fit on anything, or does it depend on the rifle and / or the scope, that’s my current understanding of it at least.


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