New or Second Hand

[Groach 7]

Right i had a previous post asking .243 vs. the 25-06 and I am going to go .243 its for fox and roe on my family farm. The reason i am going .243 for ease of ammo and as was said it would probably sink easier with the FEO for my first centerfire. Now as the land is only cleared for .22lr and .17hmr i had a chat with him and he is a nice honest guy who said go and put up a couple of high seats up to show you are trying to make the land safe. I start my easter holidays next week so this is what i will be doing for the next 3 weeks along with revision

 

Now my problem is that as it will be my first centerfire would i be better of getting something like a new T3 or looking out for a second hand Tikka continental or M595. The reason i ask is the money i would save going for second hand would be going towards maybe a new stock or something similar. The problem i have is when buying second hand in a rifle i know sod all about what to look out for and for all i know i could buy something with a barrel that is almost burnt out and will need a new one soon and i can't imagine that would be cheap or it could have been used and abused in so many ways. Where as with a T3 it would be new and have a guarantee and i understand they are fairly accurate out the box for a standard rifle. I would as time goes on start to customise the rifle but there would be no need to at first just stick an alright scope on top and i would be away.

 

Now if you haven't realised i think i like the idea of getting a new on as i know where i am but thought i would put it to you lot and see what you more experienced lot have to say?

 

Any input will be greatly appreciated

 

George

[Treacle Trackpad 6]

All my rifles have been second hand but that says more about me than the rifles . If t'were I, I would be holding out for a Tikka m595 as these are cracking rifles, some would say better than some of Sako's recent offerings (takes cover), and you can always get a bore scope down it if purchasing from an RFD. Saying that, I wouldn't say no to a new T3 so maybe you should have a look and see what's about, weigh up the differences and whether you want a guarantee etc.

 

First choice - used m595

Second choice - used T3

 

My opinion of course but there are a lot of 'used' rifles out there that have hardly been broken in and you'll be saving a couple of hundred pounds off the new price which you can put towards some decent glass (to be considered before a new stock I should say).

[clint 45]

before you go tika, second hand, look at browning A bolt composite, as dollar to sterling is good. A new rifle for £400/500 can be seen, & is a lot of rifle.haggle a little for p/p etc.

 

Tom Young - Continental Shooting Supplies - Blackstone Farm, Dalry, Ayrshire. KA24 5HNTel: 01294-833 297, Fax: 01294-833 312

Edited March 22, 2010 by clint

[sage 0]

Right i had a previous post asking .243 vs. the 25-06 and I am going to go .243 its for fox and roe on my family farm. The reason i am going .243 for ease of ammo and as was said it would probably sink easier with the FEO for my first centerfire. Now as the land is only cleared for .22lr and .17hmr i had a chat with him and he is a nice honest guy who said go and put up a couple of high seats up to show you are trying to make the land safe. I start my easter holidays next week so this is what i will be doing for the next 3 weeks along with revision

 

Now my problem is that as it will be my first centerfire would i be better of getting something like a new T3 or looking out for a second hand Tikka continental or M595. The reason i ask is the money i would save going for second hand would be going towards maybe a new stock or something similar. The problem i have is when buying second hand in a rifle i know sod all about what to look out for and for all i know i could buy something with a barrel that is almost burnt out and will need a new one soon and i can't imagine that would be cheap or it could have been used and abused in so many ways. Where as with a T3 it would be new and have a guarantee and i understand they are fairly accurate out the box for a standard rifle. I would as time goes on start to customise the rifle but there would be no need to at first just stick an alright scope on top and i would be away.

 

Now if you haven't realised i think i like the idea of getting a new on as i know where i am but thought i would put it to you lot and see what you more experienced lot have to say?

 

Any input will be greatly appreciated

 

George

George a second hand rifle is allways a slight gamble, I am happy to by a second hand shotgun however if you buy through a large dealer and at time of purchase you ask for a note to be added to your purchase invoice that the sale is subject to you testing the rifle and should you not be happy with its performance that they will return ALL money's without question and get them just to sign behind their words. Any proper RFD will be happy to do just that. they should ask to put say a 7 or 14 day window on the deal.

[Treacle Trackpad 6]

Right i had a previous post asking .243 vs. the 25-06 and I am going to go .243 its for fox and roe on my family farm. The reason i am going .243 for ease of ammo and as was said it would probably sink easier with the FEO for my first centerfire. Now as the land is only cleared for .22lr and .17hmr i had a chat with him and he is a nice honest guy who said go and put up a couple of high seats up to show you are trying to make the land safe. I start my easter holidays next week so this is what i will be doing for the next 3 weeks along with revision

 

Now my problem is that as it will be my first centerfire would i be better of getting something like a new T3 or looking out for a second hand Tikka continental or M595. The reason i ask is the money i would save going for second hand would be going towards maybe a new stock or something similar. The problem i have is when buying second hand in a rifle i know sod all about what to look out for and for all i know i could buy something with a barrel that is almost burnt out and will need a new one soon and i can't imagine that would be cheap or it could have been used and abused in so many ways. Where as with a T3 it would be new and have a guarantee and i understand they are fairly accurate out the box for a standard rifle. I would as time goes on start to customise the rifle but there would be no need to at first just stick an alright scope on top and i would be away.

 

Now if you haven't realised i think i like the idea of getting a new on as i know where i am but thought i would put it to you lot and see what you more experienced lot have to say?

 

Any input will be greatly appreciated

 

George

George a second hand rifle is allways a slight gamble, I am happy to by a second hand shotgun however if you buy through a large dealer and at time of purchase you ask for a note to be added to your purchase invoice that the sale is subject to you testing the rifle and should you not be happy with its performance that they will return ALL money's without question and get them just to sign behind their words. Any proper RFD will be happy to do just that. they should ask to put say a 7 or 14 day window on the deal.

 

Sound advice

[sako trg 1]

Right i had a previous post asking .243 vs. the 25-06 and I am going to go .243 its for fox and roe on my family farm. The reason i am going .243 for ease of ammo and as was said it would probably sink easier with the FEO for my first centerfire. Now as the land is only cleared for .22lr and .17hmr i had a chat with him and he is a nice honest guy who said go and put up a couple of high seats up to show you are trying to make the land safe. I start my easter holidays next week so this is what i will be doing for the next 3 weeks along with revision

 

Now my problem is that as it will be my first centerfire would i be better of getting something like a new T3 or looking out for a second hand Tikka continental or M595. The reason i ask is the money i would save going for second hand would be going towards maybe a new stock or something similar. The problem i have is when buying second hand in a rifle i know sod all about what to look out for and for all i know i could buy something with a barrel that is almost burnt out and will need a new one soon and i can't imagine that would be cheap or it could have been used and abused in so many ways. Where as with a T3 it would be new and have a guarantee and i understand they are fairly accurate out the box for a standard rifle. I would as time goes on start to customise the rifle but there would be no need to at first just stick an alright scope on top and i would be away.

 

Now if you haven't realised i think i like the idea of getting a new on as i know where i am but thought i would put it to you lot and see what you more experienced lot have to say?

 

Any input will be greatly appreciated

 

George

i noticed you said you would want to customise the rifle later?in that case I would go for a remi 700 they are a lot cheaper to customise compared to a finnish rifle that said tikka,sako etc perform alot better straight from the box.if your rfd is a decent sort you will be ok second hand

[langouroux 14]

i perosnally would not buya centre fire rifle second hand. Not fot for my first centre fire, if it was shot out or something wrong with it you'll be gutted.

 

I just bought a spanking Tikka T3 Lite in 6.5x55 for £620 and for the amount of years i will have it i dont think you can call that expensive. i had to save for 6 months!

 

you have said you know sod all about them, so dont risk it mate!

[Deker 3,478]

Generally similar responses on all the forums then!!

[jamie g 17]

there has been a good number of m595 tikka 243 rifles for sale lately on different forums. and they sold allmost right away. that tells you how much there sort after now.

 

i would keep a look out for one on guntrader to. alot of shops that sell thses rifles check them before buying them or taking them in px.

so your not going to be buying a dud just have a look over it before buying take the bolt out and have a good look down the barrel.

 

of course to look at it properly then a borescope would be needed. most gunsmith will carry one.

 

also dont think you go tot have the 1st rifle if your not sure walk away as there will be others.

 

my old man has a 222 m595 and ive got it on my ticket. its a beautiful rifle superb trigger, action, bolt is sooo smooth.

 

great action to build off in future to if needed.

 

ps i mite no someone who will sell you his 243 at the right price its like new oonly fired 180 rounds. got all the load data so if you reload it will be spot on. its the super varmint and im sure you could try it out before you buy.

 

#let me no

Edited March 23, 2010 by jamie g

[Groach 7]

Generally similar responses on all the forums then!!

 

haha well i know so little about it i need to get the widest range of views although people will always differ but might as well post on all 3 forums im a member of :thumbs-up:

 

George

[Groach 7]

i perosnally would not buya centre fire rifle second hand. Not fot for my first centre fire, if it was shot out or something wrong with it you'll be gutted.

 

I just bought a spanking Tikka T3 Lite in 6.5x55 for £620 and for the amount of years i will have it i dont think you can call that expensive. i had to save for 6 months!

 

you have said you know sod all about them, so dont risk it mate!

 

Thats the problem if it were i shotgun then i would know enough what to look out for when buying second hand but rifles i just dont have a clue And yet another problem is i am a lefty and they tend to be slightly more new but one of my local RFDs can get a new T3 lite in blued action for £741 and thats £140 of rrp but i am a bit off buying one left and i am going to have to work all summer to be able to afford it and a decent scope and moderator but it will be worth it as i have been seeing more and more roe on the farm and the fox have been becoming more audacious but never when i have the right gun haha anyway im an excited as anything about the idea.

 

George

[harrygrey382 1]

Does it have to be Tikka? I'm not taking sides but my RFD was slagging off T3s saying they're not a patch on 595s and are "crappy". Like someone said A bolt's are cheap new and come in lefty. Not sure about t bolts, but x bolts don't. Then there's Winchester M70 to look at - come in lefty too.

check out Branthwaites they have a bolts at 495 and M70s for 570 - http://www.abgunsmiths.co.uk/shop/rifles_new-rifles_winchester-rifles.html?osCsid=ee6468373eabdafdab063837294a568c

 

I'm just getting my first CF - a 243. I was going second hand, from a big dealer who said money back if it's no good. Lot's of them will. Unfortunately then I saw find a new rifle I couldn't pass up - BRNO BO98 (factory sporterized NOS Muaser 98) for £550. Mauser 98 was my goal so I had to save... If I had to buy new otherwise it would be an M70, if second hand a Parker Hale. Check Guntrader PH can be real cheap and although not in fashion really can't see why very reliable, tough, safe actions (well they are mauser 98). If always it's from a good dealer you have peace of mind in that they'll take it back.

 

I'd look at Mcleods - http://www.rmacleod.co.uk/RIFLE%20PRICE%20LIST.pdf - they're stand up blokes and will give a money back option I'd have thought. They have Brno 243s for 330 and 350, good reliable rifles that would leave a good chunk of cash left for s scope. Something you may have read you need to spend as much as possible on, often more than the rifle!

[Treacle Trackpad 6]

Does it have to be Tikka? I'm not taking sides but my RFD was slagging off T3s saying they're not a patch on 595s and are "crappy". Like someone said A bolt's are cheap new and come in lefty. Not sure about t bolts, but x bolts don't. Then there's Winchester M70 to look at - come in lefty too.

check out Branthwaites they have a bolts at 495 and M70s for 570 - http://www.abgunsmiths.co.uk/shop/rifles_new-rifles_winchester-rifles.html?osCsid=ee6468373eabdafdab063837294a568c

 

I'm just getting my first CF - a 243. I was going second hand, from a big dealer who said money back if it's no good. Lot's of them will. Unfortunately then I saw find a new rifle I couldn't pass up - BRNO BO98 (factory sporterized NOS Muaser 98) for £550. Mauser 98 was my goal so I had to save... If I had to buy new otherwise it would be an M70, if second hand a Parker Hale. Check Guntrader PH can be real cheap and although not in fashion really can't see why very reliable, tough, safe actions (well they are mauser 98). If always it's from a good dealer you have peace of mind in that they'll take it back.

 

I'd look at Mcleods - http://www.rmacleod.co.uk/RIFLE%20PRICE%20LIST.pdf - they're stand up blokes and will give a money back option I'd have thought. They have Brno 243s for 330 and 350, good reliable rifles that would leave a good chunk of cash left for s scope. Something you may have read you need to spend as much as possible on, often more than the rifle!

 

T3's tend to get a slagging but for the life of me I can't figure out why. As you can see from my sig I have both and side by side there is very little in it. I understand that the 595/695 have a Sako barrel, which is nice, but any other differences are very hard to detect unless you are blueprinting (my opinion). I am not biased toward one make of rifle though, it just happened that I ended up with these two rifles, I didn't specifically hold out for anything in particular. At the end of the day you should get to grips with as many rifles as possible and pick what you like best.

 

I was looking at an A-Bolt the other day and the plastic stock was feckin horrendous, just like the placky M16 I used to run around with when I was a kid :sick:

[langouroux 14]

i perosnally would not buya centre fire rifle second hand. Not fot for my first centre fire, if it was shot out or something wrong with it you'll be gutted.

 

I just bought a spanking Tikka T3 Lite in 6.5x55 for £620 and for the amount of years i will have it i dont think you can call that expensive. i had to save for 6 months!

 

you have said you know sod all about them, so dont risk it mate!

 

Thats the problem if it were i shotgun then i would know enough what to look out for when buying second hand but rifles i just dont have a clue And yet another problem is i am a lefty and they tend to be slightly more new but one of my local RFDs can get a new T3 lite in blued action for £741 and thats £140 of rrp but i am a bit off buying one left and i am going to have to work all summer to be able to afford it and a decent scope and moderator but it will be worth it as i have been seeing more and more roe on the farm and the fox have been becoming more audacious but never when i have the right gun haha anyway im an excited as anything about the idea.

 

George

 

 

well all i can tell iyou is what i decided to do. as i also was bit short on the cash side of things. I bought a T3 lite with blued barrel in 6.5x55 for fox and deer which cost me £620 i then bought leoupld 1" mounts and were decent (cant remember how much they were but they didnt brake the bank), and a wildcat P8 compact moderator for £220, as for the scope i just didnt have £550 to get S&B and after speaking with several people on here i opted for a hawke "nite eye" 3-12x50!!!! it hold zero wioth out an issue, gives remarkable light gathhering capabilities and is excellent in the lamp...easily as good as the MTC vipe which is twice the price! both are chinese at the end of the day and i can;t see any difference. there is another guy on here who has had one on his .243 and he has also never had any probs with it.

 

This now gives me time to save for another few months for a S&B - most people will say don't bother and just save your money and wait, but i couldnt as i have foxes to manage and deer to put in the freezer! at some point i plan on getting a .17hmr so the scope will be used on that, so actually its not false economy at all!

 

I also have a mate who has .243 who spent £120 ona bushnell scope (but decent mounts again) and has had it on there 3 years and never had to chage it by even one click!

 

my advice is spend what you can afford and don't stress youself out about it. hope this helps mate.

 

peace.

[Mr_Logic 5]

Tikka T3 is a very good rifle. The main issue now is the ridiculous short barrel on the MTs that GMK imports - why can't they import the normal version as well and get it cut in the UK?!?! Muppets. You lose vast amounts of muzzle velocity in certain calibres because of this.

 

243 is heavily afflicted unfortunately. However, while this is annoying, it doesn't stop the rifle being very accurate or killing deer, so as long as you're not going to be pernickety about muzzle velocity (I am sadly!) then the Tikka works well.

 

I have one in .308, since it's not badly affected, and it's great - short, heavy barrel with light mod and scope means it can be carried for deer, and it's fine for 600 yard target as well. Now I've got it shooting either A-max or ballistic tips, groups are around 1/2 inch and velocity is about 65fps down on my 26" barrel Ruger. Pretty good compromise there!