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!