Dick's - Mossberg Whitetail Lightning Combo
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Maverick223
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I would avoid Mossberg RIFLES like the plague...they need to stick with budget shotguns IMO. There are plenty of budget rifles that are just fine...just not this one.
I would look at Savage 111 / 11, T/C Venture, Marlin XL-7 / XS-7, Stevens 200, Weatherby Vanguard, Remington 770 (roughly in order of my preference).
I would look at Savage 111 / 11, T/C Venture, Marlin XL-7 / XS-7, Stevens 200, Weatherby Vanguard, Remington 770 (roughly in order of my preference).
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Maverick223
Member
Hey at least the Rem. 770 won't kill/maim (remove face) you when you shoot it. 
rangerruck
Member
about 2 years ago, I would have said, that the mossberg would be a great starter rifle; they have some innovative things, going on with the 100 series and the 4x4. And they still do. They are kinda like Howa clones, with some design pickups in the bolt, ans especially the stock.
However, The Wetherby vanguard, called the 399Wetherby(and you can get it cheaper) the howa itself, and especially the new marlin and the new t/c, has just made leaps and bounds ahead of the mossberg.
I would not turn down a mossberg mind you, especially their superbantam line, in a nice 243 or 7.08 or 308, and then you add on buttstock pads till you get it how you like. This is the way I would do a mossberg; and then i would also not be afraid at all to beat the crap out of it, in the woods. And also the marine version would be good, nicely weather proof.
but the others, for quality fit, and finish, and innovations to the stocks, recoil pads, triggers, and bbls, are just ahead of the mossberg now.
So really get the mossy if you want a total beater, and build up a superbantam, or get the marine version.
Personally, for a 300 dollar rifle and scope, that is what it would be for me, a deff hunting rig, and supposedly the LBA trigger on the new mossy's is supposed to be pretty good, not great, but better than most hunting triggers, I don't know if you have to take it out of the stock to adjust the trigger though.
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/new_products/RS_biggame09_200910/index1.html
However, The Wetherby vanguard, called the 399Wetherby(and you can get it cheaper) the howa itself, and especially the new marlin and the new t/c, has just made leaps and bounds ahead of the mossberg.
I would not turn down a mossberg mind you, especially their superbantam line, in a nice 243 or 7.08 or 308, and then you add on buttstock pads till you get it how you like. This is the way I would do a mossberg; and then i would also not be afraid at all to beat the crap out of it, in the woods. And also the marine version would be good, nicely weather proof.
but the others, for quality fit, and finish, and innovations to the stocks, recoil pads, triggers, and bbls, are just ahead of the mossberg now.
So really get the mossy if you want a total beater, and build up a superbantam, or get the marine version.
Personally, for a 300 dollar rifle and scope, that is what it would be for me, a deff hunting rig, and supposedly the LBA trigger on the new mossy's is supposed to be pretty good, not great, but better than most hunting triggers, I don't know if you have to take it out of the stock to adjust the trigger though.
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/new_products/RS_biggame09_200910/index1.html
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Maverick223
Member
Good choice...the Marlin is an excellent deal for a nice rifle.
Arkel23
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Weatherby so late?
tango2echo
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Do any of you own a Mossberg White Lightning or have actual experience with one? I picked one up about a week ago in .30-06 for a cheap gun to let friends hunt with that may not own a rifle. (From Dick's) The adjustable trigger is excellent and the gun shot near MOA to 1.5 MOA with cheap ammo. I am in the process of bedding the rife and replacing the cheap glass. I own many rifles, from cheap truck guns to a few customs costing thousands. For $300 bucks the Mossberg is a damn fine gun.
t2e
t2e
Maverick223
Member
The Weatherby could go in front of the Stevens, but not my favorite rifle (just doesn't feel right to me)...not that it is a bad one...it made the list after all.
I do not own one, but I can attest to a pretty decent trigger, OTOH the action feels rough and sticky, and the whole issue about bolts "coming unglued" doesn't really make me want to go out and buy one.
Runningman
Member
Sounds like Mossberg has renamed their ATR due to all the bad publicity they got on it.
jpwilly
Member
I have an ATR 30-06 and for the $249 I paid for it, it's been a good rifle. The barrel is button rifled and free floated. The trigger is decent and stock is more solid than some other cheap synthetic stocks I've handled. Overall If I was buying a budget rifle today for hunting the Marlin XL7 or Savage, would be my pick. Although I'm very satisfied with what the Mossberg is delivering = 3 shot groups have been 3/4" @ 100yrds when I do my job and just over an 1" when I flinch (easy to do with this light rifle) :
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chevyforlife21
Member
get a savage 111 or 11 for the same price its awsome
rangerruck
Member
There may have been some bolt issues on the atr a few years ago, but I cannot see for the life of me, it still going on; they would be facing a huge class action suit by now.
Maverick223
Member
I don't know if the problem has been fixed, but there was no recall (that I know of), and the bolt was coming apart at the press fit connection...not good. If I were you I would take it to a smith and have him silver solder the connection or better yet sell it. Just my opinion, but it does not inspire confidence.
Runningman
Member
Most of that I have read about happened in 2007 to as late as Dec. 2008. Darn recent if you ask me. Not saying that they all are blowing up but I read enough threads on the Mossberg ATR to know I don't want that unit design near my face.
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.guns/browse_thread/thread/f626be868ed46bfd?hl=en#e01ed6255a2ddd18
Col. Plink
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Have to say my Mossberg ATR 100 in 30'06 has been very impressive for the money. $247 w/base and added a $56 Centrepoint illuminated mildot 3-9x40. Shoots w/in 1 moa w/cheap ammo (Federal powr shok 180 grain). Love the weight (synth stock), the kick not so much, but the thing's doing what's asked and apparently more than many here would expect. If anyone here had anything more than an internet hand-me-down story about its supposed malfunctions I'd listen. But as it is, don't see how anyone could complain.
tango2echo
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Ditto Col. Plink. So far all I've seen is internet hand-me-down BS without any pictures or proof of any kind. I researched these issues myself this morning and have yet to find one thread on any of the major forums that has any substance. Google it and you don't find anything either. The link Runningman posted seems doubtful as the OP in that thread has a total of 8 posts, two of which bash major gun makers, and the OP provides no pictures or proof. Plus, if it did occur it sounds like a case of an obstructed muzzle and not bolt failure.
Further, I just got off the phone with Mossberg. There are no recalls of any kind on the entire line of Mossberg rifles. The only recalls on any Mossberg product are for the 695 bolt action shotgun produced between 1995-1996, and some older Mossberg produced Howa rifles made between 1970-1993.
There have also been over 100,000 ATR 100 rifles made so far. I would think that if a problem existed there would be widespread information, photographs, and documentation of the problem.
I'm calling BS on this one until someone can come up with some facts and pictures.
t2e
Further, I just got off the phone with Mossberg. There are no recalls of any kind on the entire line of Mossberg rifles. The only recalls on any Mossberg product are for the 695 bolt action shotgun produced between 1995-1996, and some older Mossberg produced Howa rifles made between 1970-1993.
There have also been over 100,000 ATR 100 rifles made so far. I would think that if a problem existed there would be widespread information, photographs, and documentation of the problem.
I'm calling BS on this one until someone can come up with some facts and pictures.
t2e
Runningman
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Col. Plink
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same old bs...
Maverick223
Member
What more proof do you want? It has pictures and references a major forum...that is what you wanted to see...right? Also, there does seem to be a class-action lawsuit filed.
tango2echo
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1) The photo is of a bolt out of an unknown rifle. The OP just "happened" to be in a gun shop where the bolt was at, yet was able to take extensive photographs of it and post them. That sounds like bs to me. What gun store owner is going to wave around parts from a broken gun that he sells? ("Hey Yall, look how this Mossberg dun blew up! I'll sell ya one for $340." Why don't cha take a bunch of pictures and post them on the internet?)
2) The lawsuit mentioned is not class action, and has gone nowhere in court. ( I called the County Clerk of Court in Coeur d'alene this afternoon and there is no lawsuit on file by James Monnett) Either it was dismissed, dropped, or settled out of court.
3) There appears to be a TOTAL of THREE Mossberg rifles that have experienced a failure of the bolt, out of over 100,000 made. All three were from rifles manufactured by Raptor Arms, under license to Mossberg, and Raptor Arms closed its doors shortly after Mossberg parted ways with the company. From what Mossberg CS told me today the ATR100 series has been made in house since 2007, but some of the earlier ATR100's made prior to 2007 were made by "Other Companies."
4) The damaged to the bolt in the photos in the link above, and all three cases where there was a failure seem to suggest consumer misuse of the product to me. Gun makers and ammo makers are plagued with bs lawsuits in this country. It is one of the reasons we have to pay so much for our guns and ammo. There have been cases where people fired a .30-06 round from a .270 rifle or have chambered a 20ga shell in a 12ga and then chambered a 12ga shell behind that, and then filed lawsuits against arms and ammo makers.
5) The bolt in the link above separated at the bolt body/handle joint. The locking lugs would still be rotated into the receiver. Although some gas blow-back through the firing pin hole would exist (assuming a catistrophic failure of the case and or primer pocket as well), I seriously doubt the shooter would have been injured as the breech would have still been closed. Had the separtation happened PRIOR to closing the bolt it would have been obvious that something was wrong, as the bolt timing would have been off, and you would likely not be able to close the bolt. At the least the handle would be in the wrong position or not held to the bolt body at all.
6) Three out of 100,000 isn't bad odds to me. Most arms companies would be thrilled with those odds.
7) I don't follow the "if it is on the internet it must be true" way of thinking. Let's see some facts........
t2e
2) The lawsuit mentioned is not class action, and has gone nowhere in court. ( I called the County Clerk of Court in Coeur d'alene this afternoon and there is no lawsuit on file by James Monnett) Either it was dismissed, dropped, or settled out of court.
3) There appears to be a TOTAL of THREE Mossberg rifles that have experienced a failure of the bolt, out of over 100,000 made. All three were from rifles manufactured by Raptor Arms, under license to Mossberg, and Raptor Arms closed its doors shortly after Mossberg parted ways with the company. From what Mossberg CS told me today the ATR100 series has been made in house since 2007, but some of the earlier ATR100's made prior to 2007 were made by "Other Companies."
4) The damaged to the bolt in the photos in the link above, and all three cases where there was a failure seem to suggest consumer misuse of the product to me. Gun makers and ammo makers are plagued with bs lawsuits in this country. It is one of the reasons we have to pay so much for our guns and ammo. There have been cases where people fired a .30-06 round from a .270 rifle or have chambered a 20ga shell in a 12ga and then chambered a 12ga shell behind that, and then filed lawsuits against arms and ammo makers.
5) The bolt in the link above separated at the bolt body/handle joint. The locking lugs would still be rotated into the receiver. Although some gas blow-back through the firing pin hole would exist (assuming a catistrophic failure of the case and or primer pocket as well), I seriously doubt the shooter would have been injured as the breech would have still been closed. Had the separtation happened PRIOR to closing the bolt it would have been obvious that something was wrong, as the bolt timing would have been off, and you would likely not be able to close the bolt. At the least the handle would be in the wrong position or not held to the bolt body at all.
6) Three out of 100,000 isn't bad odds to me. Most arms companies would be thrilled with those odds.
7) I don't follow the "if it is on the internet it must be true" way of thinking. Let's see some facts........
t2e
If 3 out of every 100,000 commercial airliners crashed it would mean several major crashes every week. People would be screaming for something to be done and everyone would be afraid to fly.
Even without the bolts flying into peoples faces the Mossberg offers nothing that any other gun maker offers, nor any cheaper. The design has been plagued with problems since it's inception as the Raptor which went out of business. The design was taken on by Charter Arms who could not make the design work. Now Mossberg has a dud.
If the Mossberg offered a design feature that was innovative, or they sold for significantly less than the competion I could see taking a chance on one. I just fail to understand why someone would spend their money for such a troubled gun when they can get a proven, reliable gun for about the same money.
Even without the bolts flying into peoples faces the Mossberg offers nothing that any other gun maker offers, nor any cheaper. The design has been plagued with problems since it's inception as the Raptor which went out of business. The design was taken on by Charter Arms who could not make the design work. Now Mossberg has a dud.
If the Mossberg offered a design feature that was innovative, or they sold for significantly less than the competion I could see taking a chance on one. I just fail to understand why someone would spend their money for such a troubled gun when they can get a proven, reliable gun for about the same money.
If you never shot a atr-100 and don't own one don't say thier bad.
I love my atr-100 and shot a lot thew it .The new ones are nice wood and new trigger.I am going to get one in 243 for my wifes deer gun$299 with a 3-9 x 40 scope.not bad i have a mossberg 500 12ga mossberg 702 .22 mossberg 817 .17HMR and a mossberg atr-100 30-06.they are a working mans gun.rem 770 very nasty bolt on them
I love my atr-100 and shot a lot thew it .The new ones are nice wood and new trigger.I am going to get one in 243 for my wifes deer gun$299 with a 3-9 x 40 scope.not bad i have a mossberg 500 12ga mossberg 702 .22 mossberg 817 .17HMR and a mossberg atr-100 30-06.they are a working mans gun.rem 770 very nasty bolt on them- Status
