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Time to dig deep in the savings account and fork out for a first rifle to be used at Bisley 100-1000 yd (although I do have a licence slot for a .223 for 100yd, this will most probably be bought somewhat later).

I've been using the club Lee Envoy in 7.62, no problems with that, but I've also been looking at .308, as I can get either.

Options being looked at now are How 1500 with 24" varmint barrel, or Tikka T3 varmint (both blued barrel with synthetic stock). Given the additional cost to convert the Howa to magazine for McQueen, the lowest new prices I can find are £760 for the Howa with magazine, or £830 for the Tikka.

Is the Tikka worth the extra, and are there any other options around the £800 mark that I should be considering? I'm far from averse to buying something second hand, but have no experience in knowing how to judge the quality of a second hand gun beyond the obvious. Also, if I get it wrong, and buy a pup that is shipped to my local RFD, returning it seems to 'close' that slot on my licence and require a variation to buy a replacement in the future, unless I've misunderstood how the arrangement works.

£800 seems a bit rich to me for a blued Howa, although the varmint barrels may take the price up a bit, the conversion costs around £90-100 for a 10 round mag, you also need to look at what stock comes with it, the Hogue overmoulded are not usually considered "target grade" although my Howa shot just fine with one. for the money you are looking at Stainless should be an option rather than blued, I am a Howa fan however there is also the Remington 700 to consider as well as rifles from Ruger, Browning, savage etc do you need or just want new? there are quite a lot of used rifles around and in .308 most are going to still have life in them. if you don't mind a drive then Steve Beaty atIvythorn sporting is a Howa dealer and usually has a good range to chose from, he also will ship to your RFD under no obligation, if you can get down there he has a 100 yrd range to try things out on.
PS the .223 will be good to 600yrds with the right bullet (although wind will be more of an issue than with a .308)

It would be worth heading down to Fultons to see what feels right for you, they are also prepared to talk about prices. Christel got them to drop GBP250 on a rifle without them batting an eyelid. Also check the local club message boards, stick an advert in the wanted section on here. My local club has a few rifles advertised as well.

http://www.grovesmallarms.org/guns.html

The good news is Fultons will let you bimble down to the range for a test fire and you really should shoot whatever you are interested in if possible before parting with any cash.

.308 with 24" Varmint barrel are not easy to get hold of, I talked to Northallerton Shooting Sports yesterday about one, none at the importers and none at proof, they did however have a couple of the 20" Varmint barrel versions, in black or green Hogue stock £577. 10 shot mag conversion should be around £95 to £115.

I emailed and rang a few dealers who were offering them as in stock and two had the old versions, not screw cut and without the new HACT trigger so make sure you get the latest version. If you're getting a new one there's an offer on, it should come with a case, Picatinny rail and screw cut with thread protector.

Hello Shugie

Yer close to me fella! I've got a Tikka T3 super v which has a 24" heavy barrel and it's shooting very well but like the others say go and try a few in hand. I went to really buy a Remy 700 Police and I came back with the Tikka!

shugie wrote:Time to dig deep in the savings account and fork out for a first rifle to be used at Bisley 100-1000 yd (although I do have a licence slot for a .223 for 100yd, this will most probably be bought somewhat later).

I've been using the club Lee Envoy in 7.62, no problems with that, but I've also been looking at .308, as I can get either.

Options being looked at now are How 1500 with 24" varmint barrel, or Tikka T3 varmint (both blued barrel with synthetic stock). Given the additional cost to convert the Howa to magazine for McQueen, the lowest new prices I can find are £760 for the Howa with magazine, or £830 for the Tikka.

Are you looking for a target rifle or a jack-of-all-trades? If the former, I'd suggest something a bit longer than 24" for 1000yds.

Fultons can be variable. Occasionally you'll see a real bargain on their website. Just be very careful about letting them do any work on your guns...

Out of the 2 mentioned I'd go with the T3

Dannywayoflife wrote:Out of the 2 mentioned I'd go with the T3

Yes, well that has sort of happened. I saw that Adenbourne in Witney were closing, and had some second hand (and new) guns going at quite reasonable prices, so rather foolishly, I took my firearms certificate and a credit card over there this morning. It was very busy, lots of bargain hunters, and the staff seemed somewhat resigned to their fate, and making do as best they could.

I ended up buying a new Rossi Puma .357 for not that much more than a second hand one, basic version, but enough to have some fun with at Melville, and anywhere else I find to use it (target only on the FAC though). Regrettably, I spotted a Tikka T3 Lite .223 on the second hand rack, and although temptation was kept at bay for a while, it seemed to end coming back with me. I've not actually confessed to the other half that I bought two guns, I don't think she'd be particularly impressed, for a number of perfectly valid reasons, but as she can't get into the gun safe, what she doesn't know won't hurt.

Off to Bisley in the morning, although it's McQueens, so I'm not sure my rough bore sight to set the scope up will be enough, so might use the club Lee Envoy as usual, but intend to take the Tikka. Which looks to have been used and cared for. I did also snag some ammo for it at what seems to be a very reasonable price (to me) of 100 rounds for a tad over £20.

if your Tika will shoot it, you can get Wolf .223 from Andy Allwoodat around £24x100 and GGG at around £38x100 from the range office at Bisley, the Wolf works well in my AUG to 300yrds (55grn) and the GGG (62grn) is superb at 600

Well done Shugie, I am looking forward to reading your first range report :goodjob: