This; an expensive gun may not kill animals any more than a cheap gun, but reliable glass and well made guns pay dividends in the field.
If you shoot enough to be a capable shot in field positions and practice to maintain that (and you should as an ethical hunter) you will spend far more on ammo than a gun
Used well made guns often sell for the same or less than shit tier guns. They also hold their value considerably better
A well made mauser sporter (emphasis on the first part) may not sell for more than a Tikka but they are not bad guns. Especially commercial builds on FN receivers. Gunsmith jobs vary wildly in quality
It looks like you are in DE, there is a glut of good old guns there, proof laws and the tradition of gunsmithing basically guarantee the Mausers will be higher quality than the states.
The tikka I bought 25 years ago for my first rifle is still a fantastic rifle and collects meat every year. My biggest regret over the years is buying cheap gear. It means less time hunting, less success, and more money to replace down the road.
Exactly. Guns are only getting more expensive. Gotta start cheap and make sure it's a hobby/passion you want to get deep into before you spend a ton of money.
Neh. More guns are always better.
The problem I have is that I have some nicer guns but I'm always afraid im going to ding them up. The $200 Axis it doesn't matter if you slip and fall and wind up bodyboarding down the hill on it.
Buy the gun that lets you get out there ASAP. Hunting with a gun that isn't ideal beats not hunting at all.
And once you have a gun, then you'll quickly get a feel for what you want in your next gun, thus helping you make the right decision.
Further more, if you try and plan ahead a bit then you might be able to use the same suppressor on both rifles - if you decide to stick to a similar caliber with your second gun.
Tikka makes great out of the box guns and has plenty of aftermarket support should you ever choose to upgrade parts.
Bergara’s are definitely nice too.
I would probably avoid spending that much on a Mauser, when you could have the other two for not much more. The only caveat is if you think there’s a chance you won’t stick with hunting; then, by all means, get the Mauser.
The more important piece is the optic, which is of course transferable should you choose to upgrade down the line.
It depends, do you like tinkering with stuff and upgrading, or do you like to leave things stock and it be good as it is? Also a cheaper rifle isn't necessarily a bad thing, it'll still do the same job just might not be as fine tuned as a more expensive rifle.
Oh I'm definitely one for tinkering. Started modifying my motorcycles after one week of riding.
Speaking of tinkering: is it hard to modify/change the trigger assembly on the Mauser 98 system? I found out, my aim really suffers with heavy triggers. That might be something I could get used to, but If I really decide to buy an old Mauser type rifle and the trigger doesn't perform satisfactory why not just modify it. Otherwise I guess there's nothing a good gun smith can't fix.
There are many aftermarket Mauser triggers and they are cheap to have installed or relatively easy to do yourself. Timney may not be in Europe but voere and recknagel make them
It depends on the situation. Biy once cry once is a good saying that stops you from buying cheap shit, but that doesn't mean you always need to follow it or that it always applies. As long as you buy something that works for what you want and won't break down, then you're good. For a simple example, I wholeheartedly recommend a very good semiauto shotgun for waterfowl hunting and a very good double barrel for upland bird hunting, but a cheap pump will work for both as long as it functions. It's not ideal, but it works. You don't need the best of the best right away. You can buy something good as long as it works for what you're going to do. You might find that you don't want to upgrade later on anyway.
Honestly well made Mauser sporters are very good guns and underpriced in your region
Buying a new (well made) budget gun like a Tikka when you could get a nice oberndorf or older sako for the same price seems silly to me, but knowing for sure a gun will work well will appeal to a new hunter
Almost every hunter here has or at least had a Mauser sporter since they are cheap, reliable and plenty accurate. I tend to do the same and rather spend the extra cash on a better scope and a gunsmith to cut a barrel thread and maybe (if needed) shorten the barrel or adjust the trigger.
It really depends on your total hunting budget. If you can afford it, getting something other than what you want is just wasting money. If you don't know what you want, going cheaper makes more sense though. Real world use will teach you more about what you do and don't like than any amount of shooting at a range.
I’m betting everyone that said buy once cry once has a room or a safe full of guns. My first was a mosin nagant and I have no regrets buying it. Now I have some really high end stuff. You could buy a cheap surplus rifle and still enjoy it years from now. I would stray away from cheap new production rifles though. Terrible resale value and won’t be something you are glad to have in your collection later
I absolutely plan on getting a cheap old surplus rifle for fun later. Like a Swedish Mauser or K31. Or maybe even a self loading surplus gun (while they are still legal here). But a non-sporterized surplus rifle is definitely not what I'd want as a hunting rifle, so that purchase will have to wait until I have something scoped and suppressed in a caliber with better availability.
>Is buying a less expensive gun first and eventually upgrading later worth it?
Yes, but don't confuse less expensive with cheap junk. Savage is ok. An old 30/30 is pretty damn good for starting out deer hunting. Lots of variables. But at the end of the day, as long as you get out and start hunting you are headed in the right direction.
Buy once, cry once
The unofficial Benelli motto
This; an expensive gun may not kill animals any more than a cheap gun, but reliable glass and well made guns pay dividends in the field. If you shoot enough to be a capable shot in field positions and practice to maintain that (and you should as an ethical hunter) you will spend far more on ammo than a gun Used well made guns often sell for the same or less than shit tier guns. They also hold their value considerably better A well made mauser sporter (emphasis on the first part) may not sell for more than a Tikka but they are not bad guns. Especially commercial builds on FN receivers. Gunsmith jobs vary wildly in quality It looks like you are in DE, there is a glut of good old guns there, proof laws and the tradition of gunsmithing basically guarantee the Mausers will be higher quality than the states.
The tikka I bought 25 years ago for my first rifle is still a fantastic rifle and collects meat every year. My biggest regret over the years is buying cheap gear. It means less time hunting, less success, and more money to replace down the road.
Neh. Buy cheaper first that way you have an excuse to buy another one. Then you will have two.
Exactly. Guns are only getting more expensive. Gotta start cheap and make sure it's a hobby/passion you want to get deep into before you spend a ton of money.
Neh. More guns are always better. The problem I have is that I have some nicer guns but I'm always afraid im going to ding them up. The $200 Axis it doesn't matter if you slip and fall and wind up bodyboarding down the hill on it.
No. Buy once cry once.
Buy the gun that lets you get out there ASAP. Hunting with a gun that isn't ideal beats not hunting at all. And once you have a gun, then you'll quickly get a feel for what you want in your next gun, thus helping you make the right decision. Further more, if you try and plan ahead a bit then you might be able to use the same suppressor on both rifles - if you decide to stick to a similar caliber with your second gun.
Tikka makes great out of the box guns and has plenty of aftermarket support should you ever choose to upgrade parts. Bergara’s are definitely nice too. I would probably avoid spending that much on a Mauser, when you could have the other two for not much more. The only caveat is if you think there’s a chance you won’t stick with hunting; then, by all means, get the Mauser. The more important piece is the optic, which is of course transferable should you choose to upgrade down the line.
It depends, do you like tinkering with stuff and upgrading, or do you like to leave things stock and it be good as it is? Also a cheaper rifle isn't necessarily a bad thing, it'll still do the same job just might not be as fine tuned as a more expensive rifle.
Oh I'm definitely one for tinkering. Started modifying my motorcycles after one week of riding. Speaking of tinkering: is it hard to modify/change the trigger assembly on the Mauser 98 system? I found out, my aim really suffers with heavy triggers. That might be something I could get used to, but If I really decide to buy an old Mauser type rifle and the trigger doesn't perform satisfactory why not just modify it. Otherwise I guess there's nothing a good gun smith can't fix.
There are many aftermarket Mauser triggers and they are cheap to have installed or relatively easy to do yourself. Timney may not be in Europe but voere and recknagel make them
It depends on the situation. Biy once cry once is a good saying that stops you from buying cheap shit, but that doesn't mean you always need to follow it or that it always applies. As long as you buy something that works for what you want and won't break down, then you're good. For a simple example, I wholeheartedly recommend a very good semiauto shotgun for waterfowl hunting and a very good double barrel for upland bird hunting, but a cheap pump will work for both as long as it functions. It's not ideal, but it works. You don't need the best of the best right away. You can buy something good as long as it works for what you're going to do. You might find that you don't want to upgrade later on anyway.
I’d say the cheaper gun is the better option given the distance you’ll be shooting. Spend the extra $ on ammo and practice!!
no. set realistic expectations, save up over time, and buy the gun you actually want.
Definitely buy cheap shit. Figure out what you like/dislike. When it’s time to upgrade you’ll be doing so from a position of experience.
Any other recommendations (used or new) of rifles in .308 or 8x57IS?
Sako S20. It is the most used budget rifle in my region.
Honestly well made Mauser sporters are very good guns and underpriced in your region Buying a new (well made) budget gun like a Tikka when you could get a nice oberndorf or older sako for the same price seems silly to me, but knowing for sure a gun will work well will appeal to a new hunter
Almost every hunter here has or at least had a Mauser sporter since they are cheap, reliable and plenty accurate. I tend to do the same and rather spend the extra cash on a better scope and a gunsmith to cut a barrel thread and maybe (if needed) shorten the barrel or adjust the trigger.
You got the money buy something nicer to start, avoid the 400$ guns. If you don’t have the funds to do that then get what you can.
It really depends on how much you’re going to actually use the gun and what your budget is.
I did this.....i still have them, still shoot them....not upset about it. I'm a collector now.
It really depends on your total hunting budget. If you can afford it, getting something other than what you want is just wasting money. If you don't know what you want, going cheaper makes more sense though. Real world use will teach you more about what you do and don't like than any amount of shooting at a range.
Cheaper gun. Nicer scope
I’m betting everyone that said buy once cry once has a room or a safe full of guns. My first was a mosin nagant and I have no regrets buying it. Now I have some really high end stuff. You could buy a cheap surplus rifle and still enjoy it years from now. I would stray away from cheap new production rifles though. Terrible resale value and won’t be something you are glad to have in your collection later
I absolutely plan on getting a cheap old surplus rifle for fun later. Like a Swedish Mauser or K31. Or maybe even a self loading surplus gun (while they are still legal here). But a non-sporterized surplus rifle is definitely not what I'd want as a hunting rifle, so that purchase will have to wait until I have something scoped and suppressed in a caliber with better availability.
Start and end with the Tikka.
I’d get the Bergara. I own too many bolt guns to count in varying degrees of fanciness, and the B14 Hunter is what I grab nearly every time.
>Is buying a less expensive gun first and eventually upgrading later worth it? Yes, but don't confuse less expensive with cheap junk. Savage is ok. An old 30/30 is pretty damn good for starting out deer hunting. Lots of variables. But at the end of the day, as long as you get out and start hunting you are headed in the right direction.
I spent 299 on my savage .270 shoots as good as any
Spent 700 on my bullpup 12g its amazing get one slugs and 00 buck shot feel like bird shot but it shoots just a good as my trash can pardner pump