Quote:
|
thanks for all the info. after you figure in the , scope, mounts, and adapters, probably putting me at close to $700 for the package, Howa, has a target master 308, scope, combination for $789. i'm thinking the Howa, any suggestions on that.
|
A Ruger American will be $350ish. It comes with bases so you need rings, about $20. A Nikon Prostaff is somewhere between $150-$200, haven't priced them lately a you'd be no more than $570 into the Ruger with a Nikon scope.
Quote:
|
The NIkon Prostaff would be far better then what comes on the Howa I'm betting.
|
While the Prostaff is near the bottom of what I'd suggest, it will work, and is a far better choice than what comes on the Howa. There are better scopes, for only a little more money, but the Prostaff is a solid choice and better than the Bushnell or Nikko Serling. Not a bad choice at all for a $350 rifle.
Between the Ruger and Howa. The Howa has been around for a while and has a solid repuation. They are well made guns using traditional methods and consruction if that is important. They are the heaviest of all actions and made in Japan.
The Ruger is a newcomer using new, unproven methods and materials. Some would call them shortcuts to save money and make more profits. They are very lightweight. A Ruger will be close to 2 lbs lighter than a comparable Howa if the Howa comes in a Hogue stock.
The Howa is a safer bet if you don't mind a heavier gun. It will also be more expensive, especially since you will replace the cheaper scope eventually. For my money I'd gamble on the new Ruger design if I wanted a budget gun. I like that it is USA made and Ruger has a reputation of building good guns, even their budget models. The weight is a huge selling point for me, maybe not for others. Ruger advertises 6 1/8 lb in 308. The Howa I used to own was just under 8.