Just for the fun of it (old codgers thread)

[Tentman]

So last year my youngest lad completed a Limited Service Volunteer course with the NZDF (which I have to say do an excellent job on these, I attended the graduation and it was impressive in both what the young people were doing/had done, and in the attitude of the course staff).

I wanted to get him a graduation present and figured a rifle might be nice, he has his F/A licence had but no $$ for a rifle - so he sometimes borrowed one of mine but as we all know there's no substitute for your own gear!

So a plan was hatched with a very limited budget . . . I wanted him to have a choice but marching into a gunshop wasn't a goer. I already had an as new fast twist blued Savage Stevens 223. When Headcase from the other forum offered a standard stainless Howa 223 in the Houge stock with the 10 shot mag I pounced on that too.

So today was "choice day" and we went over both rifles strong points/weaknesses, explored likes and dislikes and threw them around quite a bit (both had scopes mounted for the play).

On the assumption that they both shoot about the same (I know the Savage shoots very nicely, and the Howa, although having done a lot of work will be fine) and subject to an actual test fire he made his choice . . . what would you chose and what do you think he carried off with glee to show his mates!

[johnd]

The shiny one with the larger mag capacity.

[gadgetman]

I'd go for the Savage. I like the tang safety on them and they're more of a no frills option.

[gadgetman]

Just to note: I'm not an old codger but thought I'd chip in my 2c anyway. @TimeRider, you can just keep quiet.

[nor-west]

I am an old codger and I need pictures please, I had a Howa 1500 in 25:06 that was damn accurate I would probably go down the Howa route, sort of almost a Sako

[jakewire]

The shiny one with the larger mag capacity.

This.

[StrikerNZ]

I think I've shot a few roos and rabbits in the past with that Howa..

[veitnamcam]

Does he hope to hunt small game or big game or both with it?
If big game I think he would have chosen the fast twist if given advice and the big mag if small game.

[Rushy]

I am a Savage fan. So th Asavage for me.

[GravelBen]

I am a Savage fan. So th Asavage for me.

So am I, but I don't think the Stephens has the accutrigger so it might depend how good/bad that old trigger is.

[Tentman]

Well my first thought was the same as JohnD's _ I figured I'd get to keep the Savage for all the reasons folk have posted BUT I was wrong, he mentioned that lots of his mates were shooting at longer ranges so the 1:9 barrel was a big attraction for him and that's what he chose.

I do take some satisfaction from it, he must have taken some notice of the things I've said about the non - necessity of stainless rifles, and he clearly feels 5 shots is plenty (which unless you're culling it is).

So I'm left with the Howa and I'm not crying, I have a 1:8 223 set up for FTR so the Howa will be a medium range bunny/wobbly/goat rifle.

Sorry about the lack of photo's but they are both pretty common rifles. The Howa was just a bit special in that when I cleaned it about half the MacKenzie country (in the form of fine dust) can out from under the stock - thanks Headcase!