Thread: First Rifle Setup (need advice)

Originally Posted by Friwi

Be very very patient for a tikka second hand to show up, their owners seems to hide them away for ever.

lol, the only Tikkas I sell are then replaced by another tikka!
I got a 590 with a 308 trg barrel screwed on.
two 6.5x55 one for me and a lefty for my 15yo.
a 308 necked down to 7mm for the 17yo
and my trusty 22.250 varmint for daddy slaying goats and other vermin!

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@257weatherby

Originally Posted by northdude

nothing wrong with the nikkos I run 7 of them on rifles ranging from 22rf to 308 and had no problems with them but if you are going to compare them to the top of the line scopes well then yes they don't stack up so well but its not a very fair comparison I'm mainly running air kings and night eaters

Agreed. I would point out Nikko make a number of ranges of scope same as any other manufacturer. Leupold makes VX1, VXII, VX2, VX3 and VXR and they are not all the same. Nikko start with the Mount master and Gameking as their less expensive offerings, through to Air king for rimfire and Diamonds for centrefire, onwards to the Platinum and Diamond Target scopes. Night eaters fit there somewhere in the middle. Saying a Nikko scope is crap is like saying a Toyota is under powered for towing a caravan. A starlet and a corolla would struggle where a land cruiser would not, but you wont buy a land cruiser with the same money as a starlet.....

And for the Howa's, If you talk to the guys at gunworks and ask what they can do with the package with a better scope, I am very certain Robbie and the team will be able to sort you out. The Howa's are very well made capable rifles that while a little heavier than the Tikka, they can shoot every bit as well. You wont go wrong with the Howa. Don't buy into th1 MOA malarky. Almost every new rifle that is capable of that, it is usually the shooter that isn't.

Originally Posted by mikee

Hey if you have to have new then the Nikki would be ok until you figure out how much hunting you are going to actually do (please don't take that the wrong way"
Its infinity better than the "no brand name" scopes some retailers fit to their packages...

Yeah no worries, I get where you're coming from. I'd hate to dump a ton of money into buying new, only to find out its not for me. I originally wanted a Tikka but couldn't justify the cost, for something that I'm only just getting into. But I will keep a sharp eye out for any T3 308s going cheap second hand, thats for sure.

Originally Posted by timattalon

Agreed. I would point out Nikko make a number of ranges of scope same as any other manufacturer. Leupold makes VX1, VXII, VX2, VX3 and VXR and they are not all the same. Nikko start with the Mount master and Gameking as their less expensive offerings, through to Air king for rimfire and Diamonds for centrefire, onwards to the Platinum and Diamond Target scopes. Night eaters fit there somewhere in the middle. Saying a Nikko scope is crap is like saying a Toyota is under powered for towing a caravan. A starlet and a corolla would struggle where a land cruiser would not, but you wont buy a land cruiser with the same money as a starlet.....

And for the Howa's, If you talk to the guys at gunworks and ask what they can do with the package with a better scope, I am very certain Robbie and the team will be able to sort you out. The Howa's are very well made capable rifles that while a little heavier than the Tikka, they can shoot every bit as well. You wont go wrong with the Howa. Don't buy into th1 MOA malarky. Almost every new rifle that is capable of that, it is usually the shooter that isn't.

Thanks for the advice, that makes a lot of sense. I think if I do decide to buy new, i'll go with the Howa and ask Robbie about a scope upgrade like you suggested (they seem to have really good customer service). However if i can find a good deal for a second hand T3 or Howa package i'll take it for sure. Still gotta wait for my license to arrive in the mean time, so I've got plenty of time to think

But once cry once
You have your budget which always gets superceeded
Go around a couple of gun shops and look at different rifles. Find one that you like and are comfortable with as this is what you will be carrying and shooting with. Nothing worse than spending all your money on a rifle then every time you pick it up or are about to pull the trigger thinking about what you should have bought. This will lead to shooting disasters
Optics are paramount and should not be overlooked. Spend a little more on a quality scope. Leupold VX1 3-9 is a good start but again you have to be comfortable every time you shoulder your rifle and look thought the scope.
But once cry once

All very good answers, and if I was to do it again I would probably do the same as I did. I just don't get out enough with the .308 to be honest. I wish I did but that's life at the moment. I got a Marlin X7 from H&F for $600 with a whatever scope on it. It shoots well and the deer that I have shot with it... died. I did get a DPT suppressor for it after shooting it for the first time though If I got out more I would probably get a better scope if I thought I needed it. I have shot more paper with it than anything else
Your budget is better than mine and you sound like you are on the right track.

Before you buy new or second hand go into the shops and see what brands you like most eg what they feel like in the shoulder
I would suggest howa for your budget


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Originally Posted by Smiddy

Before you buy new or second hand go into the shops and see what brands you like most eg what they feel like in the shoulder
I would suggest howa for your budget

Are most gun shops cool with you doing that? Asking to shoulder a rifle?

In Auckland you have Reloaders, Serious Shooters and Gun City all in Onehunga/Penrose
Go into each one, say you are in the licence process and your budget limit.
There should be no pressure sales as they cannot sell you a rifle there and then.
Don’t buy on impulse. Go away and think about your choices then when your license comes through go back and see if the same deal is valid then get out there and learn to hunt

Originally Posted by Ben.NZ

Are most gun shops cool with you doing that? Asking to shoulder a rifle?

Yip, and if they won't let you then go somewhere else and get better service.

How a gun fits you and feels to you personally is a big part of the decision, I would definitely advise against choosing what you want before handling a few options.

Savage are the pick of the bunch in that price range for me, as long as it isn't the budget 'axis' model. Some good deals around on the 'trophy hunter' package under $1k with a weaver scope.

Don't forget to factor in cleaning gear, a bag and ammo into the equation too. Really easy to spend a exrra couple hundy sorting out the extra bits and pieces

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Yip, and if they won't let you then go somewhere else and get better service.

How a gun fits you and feels to you personally is a big part of the decision, I would definitely advise against choosing what you want before handling a few options.

Savage are the pick of the bunch in that price range for me, as long as it isn't the budget 'axis' model. Some good deals around on the 'trophy hunter' package under $1k with a weaver scope.

Yeah these are bloody good value

A-rule of thumb is that the Scope can be the same cost as the rifle.
I would go for the Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 and try to economise on the gun.

Good mounts are also essential so budget $100-200 for some. Leupold.

Best value for a gun will beif you can, get a Secondhand one with Suppressor on it already. Check that the suppressor was'bought and fitted to that gun not an old spare that was lying arroUnd.

To get beTter value on the gun see ifyou can get cleaning gear like a rod pull thru oil etc and some ammo thrown in or for a Small price extra You'll need to buy them anyway..

stick to your budget we're not all made of money. Some people on this forum are real enthusiasts. would rather shoot than eat

Managed to pick up a cleaning kit pretty cheap from bushbuck, seems like it'll do the job.

Edit : https://bushbuckoutdoors.com/product...-most-calibers

Is this all i need?