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