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Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 2:52 pm
by wildrover77
I am in the market for a .300 WM, dont belive in spending a fortune. Have several options 1) A. Zoli 2) Spanish Mauser Santa Barbera 3) Krico 4) Howa

The Zoli is new at £600 the others are used. The Krico is £450 and looks unused, the SB is very good condition only £300 but certainly used and the Howa has a very low round count at £450

They are all good rifles but I am struggling to make a decision. What does abyone think?

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:29 pm
by kennyc
are you happy with the stocks and triggers on all of them? if you think you might change any of them are parts easily /economically available?

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:07 pm
by wildrover77
Only the Howa or the SB. Don’t know about zoli . Krico no longer in business

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:31 pm
by Sim G
I would think within the ballpark you're talking of, the Howa will be the hands down winner!

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 5:15 am
by wildrover77
Sim G wrote:I would think within the ballpark you're talking of, the Howa will be the hands down winner!
Why?

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:22 am
by kennyc
wildrover77 wrote:
Sim G wrote:I would think within the ballpark you're talking of, the Howa will be the hands down winner!
Why?
lots of aftermarket bits, solid construction, accurate as a breed, lots about (although 300 winmag may limit the choice)

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:29 am
by wildrover77
Howa is a bit like a skoda, techincally as good as the VW or even the Audi just a little less refined. I am tempted by the zoli or krico, especially the krico.

The SB is a beautful gun, a lot of parker hales were built on spanish actions, so it will be fine

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:44 am
by kennyc
wildrover77 wrote:Howa is a bit like a skoda, techincally as good as the VW or even the Audi just a little less refined. I am tempted by the zoli or krico, especially the krico.

The SB is a beautful gun, a lot of parker hales were built on spanish actions, so it will be fine
your money, your choice, slightly confused why you would put the Howa in the list if you consider it a lesser build ? sounds like you have already made up your mind ;)

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:45 am
by Chapuis
Krico made good rifles but obtaining spares especially magazines can be a nightmare.
Howa good basic rifles but forget it if it has a Hogue over moulded stock (too flexible) plenty of potential for improvement though.
Spanish 98 clone, Parker Hale used these actions for years to make cheap usable rifles. Good cheap rifle but rather dated and out of fashion now.
Depending on model the Zoli is a much underrated quality rifle, seems like a very good price. This is the one I would be thinking of buying.

Re: Zoli/Howa/Krico/Santa Barbera .300WM

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 9:11 am
by wildrover77
I haven’t made my mind. I already own a Howa and a Skoda! I am tempted by the refinement of the zoli/sb/Krico.

I think the zoli styling is very Italian, so am heading towards the sb or Krico