Lloyd Smale
Member
remington adl.
Another rifle I've been recommended is the Howa 1500.
I was so happy with my Edge (Axis) I bought a Model 10 in .223 thinking it would be even more accurate. I have to say that my Edge is still shooting better. I don't think it's just the caliber because my vanguard sporter .223 is giving me 1/4" groups with home loads. My best buddy has the newer Axis with the faster twist in 7mm-08 and I'm loading him 139 hornady SP's and he's been doing about 3/4" @ 100yrds BUT at 200 he's shooting about 3/4"...??? ok I'm confused too. But the Axis is a good platform to work with with just a little tweaking and very little extra money.That shows that all the hype I've been hearing about the Axis might not be hype after all!
How many hoops do you have to jump through in Denmark to own firearms? Just wondering how stringent the regulations are there.
Gotta love it when somebody wants feedback on a budget rifle and some posts up $800 guns.
Mossberg or Marlin for me. The Savage is a great shooter, but as you noted the trigger could be better (OK a lot better). If the Mossberg is the newer model with the LPA trigger they are decent, and have the stiffest stocks of any of the budget rifles. I don't suppose they sell the Ruger "American" in Denmark? Doesn't seem like that would be a big seller.
All my guns have been second hand, so the idea of a brand new rifle appeals to me. I've been mulling over the pros and cons of a few different ones, so I thought I'd post here to see if anyone could give me some info that would tip the scales in favour of one or the other.
Here are the rifles I've been thinking about (all in .308). I'm in Denmark, so the prices are somewhat higher than those you'll find at your local gunshop:
The Mossberg 4X4. I can get an older skeleton stock model for $513 (at today's exchange rates), or a new 2013 model for $708
The Marlin XL7 or XL7VH at $885 (I've only seen the VH for sale, but there standard version must be out there..) I hear that it should be very accurate, but apart from that very little either for or against.
The Savage Axis at $655. I hear it's very accurate, but that the trigger sucks and is non-adjustable. They seem to have a lot of loyal fans though, and I believe that there is an unofficial mod that can help the trigger?
I like the fact that the Mossberg and the Savage have detachable magazines, as it gives a fast unload, and you also have the option of buying a spare mag if you want a quicker reload.
The older Mossberg should be pretty good, but I'm not sure that I'm sold on the skeleton stock. Is there such a thing as an aftermarket plug for it?
Does anyone have any idea on what the updates on the 2013 4X4 are?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Regards
Jeff
+1 the X7 is a fine tool for the money, I had one in 308 and it was among the more accurate rifle I have owned, not as tight shooting as my Tikka but on par with my Savages. Only word of caution is that the finish on the X7 does not like a hot humid climate I did have to clean and oil mine on a very regular basis.Of the 3 you listed i would also go with the Marlin X7.
BUT, the suggestion of buying a Howa 1500 if you can is a very good suggestion. Like said above, it's the same exact action as the Weatherby Vanguard and a few others. I own 2X Howa 1500 rifles, one in .223 and the other in 30-06 and both are 1/2MOA rifles @100 yards. (with my handloads) If the Howa 1500 is available there I would look into it if the price is low enough.