New additions for 2007

[bodyalter]

ok so I need some input. I'm looking at buying a few new firearms this year and this is what I have in mind

Stoeger 12 ga and a 20 ga coach guns (one for me one for my father)

Remington SPR310 in 28 ga

Marlin 1895 in 45/70

Ruger Mini-14

Ruger 77/22 hornet

Tikka t3 varmint in 308 Win

anyone who has these give me your opinion on them. granted I will not be getting all of these this year...well maybe not.

[tracker]

I don't have anything bad to say against any of those firearms, personally. They all have good reputations as far as I know, and you'll certainly have covered any hunting needs that I can imagine, though don't tell 1895 I said anything nice about a Marlin

[1895ss]

I agree with tracker, I don't see anything wrong with your list. It will cost some money though...

tracker your comment wasn't directed just at the Marlin so your off the hook.............

[tracker]

LMAO....I'm never going to admit how close I came to buying one...

[bodyalter]

it will be just shy of about 3k which is about what I'm saving each year since I quit smoking. I am also thinking about getting a tracker in 44 mag, and one of ruger's deerfield carbines in 44 mag. I have lots and lots of bullets for 44 and 45 cal and for that matter also in .22, 7mm, 30 cal. so I'm thinking I need to get a gun for each caliber bullet I have, maybe two guns for each. hehhehe...I don't want them getting lonely.

[yotebuster]

Good selection in guns. If I were to make a suggestion, it would be to look at something other than the Tika. Personally, I've had a Tika and I wasn't satisfied with the gun at all. Now, you will hear howls about this from many people, and that Tika is owned by a very good parent company, Sako, but Tika has cut corners on their rifles and they are using "Marketing BS" to sell you on it. Don't fall for it.
Instead, I would suggest that you look at a Savage. If I had to bet the farm, Savages, right out of the box, day in and day out, will outshoot other guns costing far more.
Your choice of 308 caliber is spot on. Inherently it is a very accurate caliber and a joy to shoot. In fact, the Tika that I got rid of, was replaced by a Savage 10FP in 308. Unbelievably accurate gun with many factory rounds as well as reloads.
So compare if you must. Look at what materials Tika is using and then look at a Savage. Ask Savage shooters how they like their guns. In the end the final decision is up to you. Just my humble opinion.
A site you might like to check out.

www.savageshooters.com...views.html

Shoot straight and stay safe.
Yotebuster [b]

[Bushmaster]

Savage seems to be coming up in the world again...

[dwaldo]

Im really wanting a savage 114 classic in walnut.Its a sweet looking gun
dave

[Gil Martin]

Good choices. My recommendation would be to shop the used gun market and save a bundle of money. I have a Marlin 1895 .45/70 and it is one accurate rifle. Heavy .45/70 reloads will certainly shake up any fillings or crowns you may have. The Ruger Mini 14 is a fun gun to shoot, but lacks the accuracy of an AR-15, unless you put a lot of money into accurizing it. Do not own any of the others on your list so cannot comment. All the best...
Gil

[moose2]

Can't say I would recommend a Stoeger to anyone. Two of us bought them new and each had problems with the triggers. A real pain in the rear to say the least. The others sure look like good choices though--tr

[yotebuster]

Gil does bring up several good points. The used gun market can be a good choice in most cases and you can save a bundle of money. I've found that from right after hunting season, until about Late summer, many folks trade guns in and the selection of makes and calibers can be wide.
And Mini 14's are not very accurate. AR type rifles are much better in the accuracy department. One that has caught my eye is the S&W version of the AR. It does have many nice features for the money.
Good luck in your selections and let us know what you end up choosing.
Yotebuster [b]

[Handloader]

Comments and opinions:

[quote="bodyalter"]ok so I need some input. I'm looking at buying a few new firearms this year and this is what I have in mind

Stoeger 12 ga and a 20 ga coach guns (one for me one for my father)

Substandard durability and slow warranty; they look better than they function.

Marlin 1895 in 45/70
Very good accuracy and a troublefree firearm. Takes fun to a new level and provides enough power for anything on this continent. Best when reloaded as the Marlin action is stronger than the weaker actions for which most factory ammo is loaded. Recoil is surprisingly managable.

Ruger Mini-14
Recent barrel changes have improved accuracy, but, you are getting really close to the purchase price of a good quality AR, such as Bushmaster (around $800 for a basic). The amount of accessories and options for the AR make it easy to personalize.

Tikka t3 varmint in 308 Win
Top choice for the money. I have two Tikkas and they have been among the most accurate out of the box and have excellent triggers. Their rings (included) are marginal; aftermarket rings are more substantial. Parts (magazines for example) are expensive. My Tikka 308 HB will hold 4.5 to 7" groups (five shot) at 600 yards and it has actually won two 600yd benchrest matches against far more expensive rifles. Mine has over 3,000 rounds through it and shows no diminished accuracy. A minor problem is availability as the demand for Tikkas has risen in the past few years.

[bodyalter]

ok so there are a few comments about the stoeger coach guns. I am looking for a shot gun for brush and part of the reason for me thinking stoeger is as a replacement for one my father had in ages past. I can not see him taking a gift that cost many times that of a stoeger into the field. So does anyone have any thoughts on Charles Daily or those Remington SPR210s? and how about the other offerings from stoeger such as the condor or uplander? Where your bad experiences with them before they were purchased by Benelli or after? as for the Mini-14, it would be used just for plinking and those small gun smithing tasks that I want to work on my self and I can get them for right around $500 new. With the Tikkas, I am going on both the reputation of thier parent company, opinions from shooters like you all and from friends in the firearm sales who know the hype and have alot of feed back from buyers. but please let me know what you think. BTW I'm also tossing around the idea of One of those BFR 30-30 revolvers. let me know what you all think.

[Bushmaster]

.30-30 REVOLVER???

[dwaldo]

I have one of the russian made remingtons and have have had no trouble with it.Its a nice looking gun and shoots good.I cant speak of it duability as I haven't had it long.I also got one of the russian made single shot rifles and I love that gun.It reminds me of savages 219. I cant understand why American gun company's can make an affordable bolt action but not a single shot or double barrel shotgun.
dave