Thread: Thoughts on top options for "value" centrefire?

I brought a savage model 11 lightweight hunter 5.5lb stated weight but actually 5.2lb bare so lighter than a tikka , wood stocked and they are cheaper than tikkas in a store.

I got a second hand Ruger M77 a few weeks ago but the Tikka T3's are reduced now with the t3x out $1399 including cheap scope at hunting and fishing

I've had a go with Savage, Howa, Tikka, Zastava and a couple of others and they all shot pretty good. The main one I went with was Savage as it fitted me better and I liked the safety and trigger. The best bet is to try them and pick the one you like the feel of the best.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

I've had a go with Savage, Howa, Tikka, Zastava and a couple of others and they all shot pretty good. The main one I went with was Savage as it fitted me better and I liked the safety and trigger. The best bet is to try them and pick the one you like the feel of the best.

That's it in a nutshell the one that fits you / you feel more confident with!!

Whats the go with the mossberg atr's? I see hardly anyone ever mentions them, I had one in 270 way back in the day but didnt really have it long enough to form an opinion. They seem like a pretty solid platform for a budget rifle? Im actually tempted to buy one in 308 and bush pig it, wouldnt get much use but would round out my rifle collection.

Second hand Tikka, there are always millions of them on Trademe so you should be able to haggle down the price a bit.
Just don't go for one that's got every single mod imaginable done unless you think you really need it.

Thanks for everyone's replies - appreciate your thoughts

Being a owner of 2 weatherbys that were purchased for less than 1k I can honestly say You WONT go wrong with the old HOWA, and +1 for buying a mans gun(NOT 7-08) hehehe

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Whats the go with the mossberg atr's? I see hardly anyone ever mentions them, I had one in 270 way back in the day but didnt really have it long enough to form an opinion. They seem like a pretty solid platform for a budget rifle? Im actually tempted to buy one in 308 and bush pig it, wouldnt get much use but would round out my rifle collection.

I had a mossberg 308 for a little while, sold it on when i got too good a deal on a new REM 700. It shot pretty good, just shot a few goats with it but for the budget price its underrated. The atr mossberg came about when Charter ARms sold the design and rifle on to Mossberg after the leading hand gun maker stopped producing its only rifle for the year 2000. Only pity was Mossberg cut even more corners and made it ever cheaper even thou it was produced as a budget rifle by Charter arms. The Charter arms one had a custom barrel(ERShaw), good S/S, better trigger and was just nicer all round.
I still have my Charter arms 243, its been great and certainly better than the re make by mossberg but for 599 the mossberg wasnt to bad. In saying all that i rather have a howa for the little extra or a good secondhand tikka etc than the mossberg unless price was a big factor then the mossberg be the best of the real cheap options, better than a axis or rem 770

I bought my first rifle a few months ago. Being a uni student I didn't have a lot to spend, & being a left-hander limited my options a bit more. Tried out my mates Howa & that was nice enough. Ended up buying a brand new Savage Model 16 in .270, popped a Bushnell Elite 3-9x40 & a Gunworks Spartan can on it. Shoots like a dream- was sub-MOA the first time I used it, & with the can & the recoil pad that the 16 comes with the recoil is extremely tame.

Have heard a lot of mixed reviews on the Savage Axis, but the Model 16 is fantastic.

Originally Posted by Pixie Z

I bought my first rifle a few months ago. Being a uni student I didn't have a lot to spend, & being a left-hander limited my options a bit more. Tried out my mates Howa & that was nice enough. Ended up buying a brand new Savage Model 16 in .270, popped a Bushnell Elite 3-9x40 & a Gunworks Spartan can on it. Shoots like a dream- was sub-MOA the first time I used it, & with the can & the recoil pad that the 16 comes with the recoil is extremely tame.

Have heard a lot of mixed reviews on the Savage Axis, but the Model 16 is fantastic.

116?

Short action = 10, 14, 16 etc

Long action = 110, 114, 116 etc

16 and 116 being stainless, agree that the savages are bloody good shooters, used a 116 for quite a few years and it was a bloody laser with damn near anything I fed it.

Do howa do a stainless left handed? Ideally 308? Am semi in the market for a new boom stick and have reloading dies and brass for 308

Originally Posted by 223nut

Do howa do a stainless left handed? Ideally 308? Am semi in the market for a new boom stick and have reloading dies and brass for 308

No, unfortunately not, we made some enquirers for my dad who wanted one but they don't make any left hand rifles. I was sure they used to but can't find any.

Found one on guncities site 308 savage model 16 stainless left handed $1300 though, not much less than a tikka

Originally Posted by 223nut

Found one on guncities site 308 savage model 16 stainless left handed $1300 though, not much less than a tikka

Less than a Tikka for a better rifle IMO, but you should be able to find one cheaper at another gun shop.