Rifle Opinions

[Dr Ray]

I cant see past Tikka, fantastic value for money IMO.

Yes I agree

 

[MS 9x56]

You're in the minority on this viewpoint, as am I. The mannlicher full length stock is inherently less accurate because of stock swelling, multiple and varied contact points, and the barrel bends (shot stringing) as heat builds up and cannot cool on the belly from shot to shot. For the accuracy-is-everything crowd, this is a dealbreaker. For the hunting crowd where form and function come together, it is a very comfortable gun to carry with a shorter barrel that allows easy shooting from thicker covert. The first shot, the only one that matters when hunting, can be as accurate as any other rifle if properly assembled and tuned.

Nonetheless, accuracy is the most overplayed obsession in rifles. It is subordinate to utility, carry ability, consistent function, and flawless feed. People think accuracy is what makes or breaks a rifle when in fact any reasonable 1 to 1.5 MOA rifle is good enough for most hunting if all the other parts are in place.

If I had a dollar for every time I have read this drivel about Stutzen stock swelling affecting accuracy I could buy another rifle. I have been shooting and hunting with full stocked rifles for over 40 years and not once have I ever noticed this effect on any of my full stocked rifles. I freely admit that yes if you fire more that 5 or 6 rounds in a short period of time you may see some stringing affect due to barrel heating up. Stutzen stocked rifles barrels follow the laws of physics and do take longer to cool. IMHO

 

[rookhawk]

If I had a dollar for every time I have read this drivel about Stutzen stock swelling affecting accuracy I could buy another rifle. I have been shooting and hunting with full stocked rifles for over 40 years and not once have I ever noticed this effect on any of my full stocked rifles. I freely admit that yes if you fire more that 5 or 6 rounds in a short period of time you may see some stringing affect due to barrel heating up. Stutzen stocked rifles barrels follow the laws of physics and do take longer to cool. IMHO

I said I agree that I like them. They do have cooling issues that cause stringing, however. When molecules are covered by the stock for a longer span, those molecules expand in relation to the uncovered, cooler top of the barrel. Thus, the barrel begins to string upward...because of physics.

 

[Fastrig]

I am amazed that people keep on going on about this rifle or that rifle which available on gunbroker or gunwhizzbang.com.......that is cheaper than what Petes dad was choosing from.....Try starting from the beginning.... Pete and his dad are in Zambia.... There aren't the massive choices you have in usa...but we are pretty lucky in the choices we do have... I know people are just trying to help but actually reading the thread and the relevant posts might help in formulating replies.... And the fact that the rifle has be purchased... I know I picked it up and took it up to petes dad when I was driving up there.....and it was the mauser as Pete said a few posts ago.....and a 243 is plenty for impala and others as well.....

Having said that, Mauser M12 Max in 7x64. Would think 7x64 ammo would be readily available in Africa and the cartridge is more versatile that the 243, IMO.

 

[Syncerus Caffer]

A useful video discussing the Sako 85 ejector issue and comparing bolts/ extractor methodologies with Mauser 98 et al.

 

[PeteG]

Having said that, Mauser M12 Max in 7x64. Would think 7x64 ammo would be readily available in Africa and the cartridge is more versatile that the 243, IMO.

The 243 fits better with our rifles compared to a 7x64 since I already have a 300wm.