I'm kicking around the idea of picking up a new rifle sometime this winter. I am not a rifle expert by any means, so I'm appealing to the wisdom of the High Road and hoping some of you have experience with the rifles I'm considering. I'm open to other suggestions too.
There are 3 things would like to be able to accomplish with this new rifle:
1) Learn some practical marksmanship: Think Appleseed or the type of shooting associated with Jeff Cooper and his scout rifles. Obviously going to involve the use of a sling. I'm not looking for a bench rest rifle, but something to learn on that isn't going to hold me back. I would like to become a competent shot and am willing to seek out the coaching and practice to get there.
2) This one might sound strange, but my local shooting club runs an occasional "carbine night" event. They're relaxed informal shoots with IDPA style courses set up for long guns and longer ranges. Most people will run them with AR's. I like to be different. I see the videos of folks doing similar run-and-gun courses with old military surplus rifles or Clint Smith's "old rifle class" and want to try it. Bottom line, I want to have some fun moving and shooting with this rifle, not just poking holes in paper targets off a rest.
3) Appropriate caliber for hog hunting. Not sure I ever will, but I'd like to have a rifle that's good-to-go if the opportunity presents itself.
I'm considering three rifles but have little to no experience with any of them:
Mossberg MVP Scout in .308 - There's a lot to like here. Size, weight, ghost ring sights, picatinny rail, threaded barrel, detachable M14 magazines. I even like the small rails on the sides of the stock. The price isn't out of reach, but it's really pushing the upper end of what I'm willing spend. I'm concerned that the bolt design and action are up to the strength and smoothness of the other rifles I'm considering.
Milsurp Mauser - I like the historical aspect and the action's reputation for strength and durability. From the videos I've seen, they do well when run hard. The stripper clips look like fun. Prices are coming up a bit, but some nice Yugo models are available. I would prefer one chambered for .308, but it's not a deal breaker. The downsides I see are weight, sights, and having to add a padded butt pad. I owned a Turkish Mauser several years ago; did not like it. I don't think it was a very good example of the breed though.
CZ 527 carbine in 7.62 x 39 - I like the size, weight, and supposedly Mauser type action. Never seen one in person though. Supposedly they're designed to work best with the cheap steel cased 7.62 x 39 ammo.
Thoughts?
There are 3 things would like to be able to accomplish with this new rifle:
1) Learn some practical marksmanship: Think Appleseed or the type of shooting associated with Jeff Cooper and his scout rifles. Obviously going to involve the use of a sling. I'm not looking for a bench rest rifle, but something to learn on that isn't going to hold me back. I would like to become a competent shot and am willing to seek out the coaching and practice to get there.
2) This one might sound strange, but my local shooting club runs an occasional "carbine night" event. They're relaxed informal shoots with IDPA style courses set up for long guns and longer ranges. Most people will run them with AR's. I like to be different. I see the videos of folks doing similar run-and-gun courses with old military surplus rifles or Clint Smith's "old rifle class" and want to try it. Bottom line, I want to have some fun moving and shooting with this rifle, not just poking holes in paper targets off a rest.
3) Appropriate caliber for hog hunting. Not sure I ever will, but I'd like to have a rifle that's good-to-go if the opportunity presents itself.
I'm considering three rifles but have little to no experience with any of them:
Mossberg MVP Scout in .308 - There's a lot to like here. Size, weight, ghost ring sights, picatinny rail, threaded barrel, detachable M14 magazines. I even like the small rails on the sides of the stock. The price isn't out of reach, but it's really pushing the upper end of what I'm willing spend. I'm concerned that the bolt design and action are up to the strength and smoothness of the other rifles I'm considering.
Milsurp Mauser - I like the historical aspect and the action's reputation for strength and durability. From the videos I've seen, they do well when run hard. The stripper clips look like fun. Prices are coming up a bit, but some nice Yugo models are available. I would prefer one chambered for .308, but it's not a deal breaker. The downsides I see are weight, sights, and having to add a padded butt pad. I owned a Turkish Mauser several years ago; did not like it. I don't think it was a very good example of the breed though.
CZ 527 carbine in 7.62 x 39 - I like the size, weight, and supposedly Mauser type action. Never seen one in person though. Supposedly they're designed to work best with the cheap steel cased 7.62 x 39 ammo.
Thoughts?