How would you prioritise?

How would you prioritise?

I am just getting into hunting and bought a very basic .270 Mossberg ATR100 package, it came with a Kilwell 3-9x40 scope and seems to shoot okay.

I am really looking at trying to improve my shooting and have noticed that the trigger is very heavy, it is a 7lbs pull on it and I feel it is too heavy.
My rifle doesn't have the adjustable trigger so I cant do it myself.

I'm not that impressed with the Kilwell optics, they dont dial or adjust that well and I would like to upgrade these at some stage.

As I am the only income earner and have two kids at home under three I have to prioritise my spending.

What would you do first? Would you upgrade the scope or get the trigger lightened?

Should have jumped on here and asked for direction prior to going to the shop! Sort the trigger.

I appreciate that and I did ask for direction on another forum, I got the rifle for a pretty reasonable price so I am happy about that. It is a starting point.

You are looking at spending $600 at least for a good scope.
I am not sure if timney makes a trigger for the atr, but if they do it would probably be a few 100 s to get it here and installed.
Maybe a talented gunsmith could look at you gun and reduce the original trigger pull down to say 3 or 4 pounds. You would be looking at 1 to 2 hrs of work I guess.
I would upgrade the scope first if it was me.
Because your cheap scope might let you down at the most critical moment, not your trigger.
And if you end up selling the gun, you can keep your good scope for the next gun.

See what the others have to say.

Thanks Friwi that makes sense, Im really lucky that in Timaru I have Laurie Bradley who is an excellent gunsmith so I should probably go and talk to him.
Ill keep saving for a scope if thats the case!
Cheers

Mate - I moved from a 303 LeeEnfield to a second hand Mossy ATR .308, filled the butt with expanding foam, and the 'honeycomb' plastic under the barrel with builder's bog, then proceeded to shoot my first 2 deer within seconds of each other on my first outing with it!
Over the next 5 years that rifle accounted for over 20 deer and hundreds of goats.
Only issue I ever had was that it got fussy in the throat with certain ammo - so learnt to stick with same brand and everything was peachy.

As for the triggers, I just put up with mine, but there is a very solid step by step guide on how to modify them in one of the American forums - you'd have to search it out.
Basically there are a couple of screws that are glued in that need replacing - and a spring swap out. I looked at it and chickened out.... but I'm sure any competent gunsmith could sort that.

I'm sure someone with lots more knowledge than me will give you more info!

cheers
@

Edit: I was using a 4x40 Nikko Stirling I brought online secondhand, because that's what I could afford at the time.....
Wise comment below about spending time behind the gun.

I would do neither for a start, get a heap of ammo and practice your shooting. You can "learn" to use a bad trigger.
Not seen a killwell scope so cant comment on that but if it holds zero will be OK for a start.
Just my 2 cents worth. Make the best of what you currently have.

If you can consistently hit an A4 page at 200 then that all you need for a start, or even ever. That will be a dead deer.

People forget long range shooting is a learned skill, not the 1,2,3 process your local gunshop will try and tell you. Good gear helps mind.
What else do you need??

If you're hands on, I'm sure you could polish the trigger yourself. I'd look for a secondhand vx1 Leopold for about $200 and you're sorted.

Kj

@Camgibbler - found the info:
If you've a later model ATR - the trigger is adjustable from factory per here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnfnbXwiklI
If you've one of the earlier ones like me, its a bit of work per here:
Mossberg ATR100 & 4X4 Trigger Fix w/Pictures | Rifles, Shotguns & Handguns | Texas Hunting Forum

I have a Bushnell elite 2.5-16 in mint condition, you can have for $700
It is worth a lot more but in the spirit of the forum I will let it go to you for that. I was not intending to sell it and will not sell it in the near future. It is dialable and works perfectly.


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Remember firing 1 shot at an animal is different to firing 1 at a piece of paper
A shit scope on a rifle will always have you struggling. Sort the scope then work on the trigger

Have a look a Burris Fullfield 2 scope. they are getting quite cheap and work well, lifetime warranty. I had a 270 Mossberg so I know what you mean about that trigger. it is manageable though, I shot 1" groups with mine with an old 4x40 scope. what ever you do, don't give up on the rifle, it is cheap but they are solid and work well. underrated for their price I believe.
Burris Fullfield II 3-9X40 (Balistic Plex) | Trade Me

I'm with miles on this one, get some decent time behind it a learn to work with it for now. Save your money for some nice glass that you can then transfer on to another setup later on down the track... I personally wouldn't be "over capitalizing" paying for trigger jobs and the likes on this particular rifle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shooter

I'm with miles on this one, get some decent time behind it a learn to work with it for now. Save your money for some nice glass that you can then transfer on to another setup later on down the track... I personally wouldn't be "over capitalizing" paying for trigger jobs and the likes on this particular rifle.

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I meant "with Mikee", damn auto correct.

I am pretty new to this.... I have a cheap rifle with a shit scope and have shot two deer within probably an 80m range, so depending on what you are wanting to do or where you go to hunt, you maybe OK for a while with what you have until funds permit, so no need to rush. I have spent lots of $ in my head but not sure I actually need to... just yet. I would definitely like a better scope on mine but so far two from two is ok. If I was shooting and I wasn't comfortable I would want to upgrade things but depends on your situation. For me, being new, having time on the trigger hitting paper or gongs at different ranges is what I feel is important, and when my funds permit I will spend it. In saying all that I am not sure on your situation so you may have shot and hunted a bit and are now ready to change things.

Cheers
Daniel

A few hundred $$ will get a decent 2nd hand scope, no need to pay heaps to get a brand new one. Look for 2nd hand Leupold VX1, Burris Fullfield II, Burris E1, Bushnell 3200, Vortex Diamondback/Crossfire or similar scopes.

I see @Full noise has a burris fullfield II for $200 listed in the buy and sell section, worth a look.

http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...-4-16-a-22195/

Id look for a new scope first, a Burris Fullfield 2 or a Leupold VX1 should be obtainable for under $200.

A decent scope makes a huge difference.

Thanks everyone for your input, I think Ill just start putting a little bit away each week and then once I have made a decision regarding the next steps just pick the priorities when i can.
That includes a few more rounds of ammo to really work on my shooting and get comfortable with my rifle.

The rifle works though as I have knocked over a tahr and a fallow deer with it!
Its probably more the user and nothing wrong with the rifle

Yep Burris for sure. Also try to get into reloading, or get someone to show u. Save money buying premium ammo. Unless you buy budget stuff....

To be brutally honest the "time behind the gun " would be the only real suggestion I would recommend. The ATR is a budget rifle for a reason Better optics may or may not help, though I will concede better optics than the kilwell should not need to be too pricey. $200-$400 would see you getting a reasonable one for what the rifle is built for. As for overall improvement, If you are looking at say $300 for a new scope, and up to $200 for a new trigger or trigger job, then think to yourself, If you traded / sold it how much better could you get for the rifle +$500. If the rifle is worth about $400 or so then you are looking at $900. That is a decent 2nd hand rifle and scope (Husqvarna, Carl Gustav, Alpine, Sportco, etc) , or even something like a new Howa package. (Or similar) Hell I even have a second hand Remington pump action 308 here for around the $550 mark.

If you can improve it by not spending money then that is what I would look at. Get someone who knows what they are doing to help adjust the trigger, or get used to it as it is.

I had a good run with a Nikko Mount master scope (around $150) on one of mine as well as an older N C Star and even though they are basic, they work well enough. Sightron do a nice 3-9x40 new for around the $300 mark from memory, too. You can transfer a better scope to a better rifle later on. so if you feel the need to "buy" then the scope would be next.

Finally, the ATRs are fine for what they are. They are not junk or rubbish, and they are safe and basic rifles. Just bear that in mind.

Get a different scope would be my first option, then the trigger as soon as you can. I thought those ATR had adjustable triggers? Got my Rem 700 adjusted by the local gunsmith down to 2lbs for 30 dollars and all safetys etc all checked out and was well worth it.

If I have no idea what the trigger on your Mossberg is like as a unit having never owned nor fired one.

But, if it is able to be adjusted and if your scope will hold a zero, no matter whether it moves correctly per click or not, but if once it is set it will hold, and your going to keep the rifle, then I would get the trigger done first.
Decent trigger job by a professional shouldn't set you back any more than 80 odd dollars.

Some triggers are harder to work with specialy on the cheaper rifles. Those are cheap for a reason.
Some time it is cheaper to change the trigger with a timney than mucking around for hours....