Occasional Hunting rifle Decision

[bronxlive]

I would like to hear some opinions on the following options for an occasional hunter(someone who hunts 1-4 times per year).

His options that was narrowed to so far(all 308):
1. CZ 550 Lux
2. CZ 550 Varmint Laminated
3. Howa heavy barrel (probably in GRS Stock)
4. Tikka T3 Hunter

He likes the CZ's but thinks the varmint may be too heavy(don't know how it will compare to a howa heavy barrel??) and fitting a silencer might be an issue (with the bull barrel or the front sight on the standard)

What would you guys suggest?

[shooty]

Been Hunting with a Remington VSSF 308 26inch. For close to 20 years.
A Varmint barrel is nice if you have bipod and can take prone shots.
Also have found a slightly elastic sling makes it not feel so heavy when walking.
Shooting out of hand and stuff. makes it a bit heavy.

Guys on Gunsite and on range are very pleased with Howa performance for its price.

I have CZ455lux in 22lr and CZ 527 in 22H.
And love them. But have not tried larger calibers in CZ rifles.

Friend of mine bought the Tikka T3 Super Varmint.
Ive got mixed feelings on how the stock feels. (Cheapy Feel)
And dont really like the bolt handle design. (Kinda small)
But these are personal feeling on it.

[MyLani]

I am a big fan of the CZ rifles
I have 3, hoping for a 4th soon
Go for the Standard barrel lux model

[Hearties]

Tough question to provide advice on without some additional info:
- what type of hunting will the rifle be used for (bush, vlaktes, walk & stalk, bakkie, long distance etc.)
- what calibre / cartridge is being considered
- what is going to be hunted (springbok vs eland?)

For example there wouldn't be much point in a heavy-barrelled varmint 300 win mag rig if the plan is to hunt impala on foot in the bushveld...

[Brendank]

Tough question to provide advice on without some additional info:
- what type of hunting will the rifle be used for (bush, vlaktes, walk & stalk, bakkie, long distance etc.)
- what calibre / cartridge is being considered
- what is going to be hunted (springbok vs eland?)

For example there wouldn't be much point in a heavy-barrelled varmint 300 win mag rig if the plan is to hunt impala on foot in the bushveld...

.308 was the caliber, but I can't answer the rest.

[pre 64]

I have allways considered the CZ range of rifles to be good. This changed last year when i shot both the 308 and 3006 at the CZ tour that they had.Certain cost cutting measures were put in place for them to become more market competitive with their new range. This showed,neither rifle functioned as it should and with the stock design,both kicked like mules.

The Tikka is over priced.

That leaves the Howa as my first choice but i would not take the heavy barrel version.

[Hearties]

I have allways considered the CZ range of rifles to be good. This changed last year when i shot both the 308 and 3006 at the CZ tour that they had.Certain cost cutting measures were put in place for them to become more market competitive with their new range. This showed,neither rifle functioned as it should and with the stock design,both kicked like mules.

The Tikka is over priced.

That leaves the Howa as my first choice but i would not take the heavy barrel version.

Sorry - missed the .308 bit earlier. Otherwise I agree with pre 64 (and I have a Tikka)

[GameFarmer]

Heavy barrels are good for 'voorsit' hunts, bakkie hunters (eish) and of course varminting as mentioned above.

For walk and stalk, the normal (read lighter) barrel will be the better choice for handling, aiming etc.

[TStone]

That leaves the Howa as my first choice but i would not take the heavy barrel version.

I agree with this, a heavy barreled rifle has no advantage as an occasional hunting rifle.

[Messor]

Gents, remember one thing, hunting 1-4 times per year.

That is incredibly few hunting.
And even that will most probably not be walk and stalk.

So the rest of the time you hope the guy shoots more, that would make the heavy barrel Howa the only logical choice.
It's a more stable shooting platform and is much more of a pleasure to shoot off the bench.
Modern rifle slings makes carrying a breeze.

If this was me, I would not take a sporter for the mentioned use.