ChesterP
Well-Known Member
I know that both come under the Beretta ownership umbrella, but is there really a lot of difference between the two brands at say entry-level these days?
I may have another slot coming up in .308 which will be used for stalking and target (I know..Jack of all trades!) and was going to look at a used Sako (75 Varmint or similar) but had a look at an A7 Roughtec at my local RFDs. For a heavy rifle, it was also very nicely balanced and even with a mod and low profile scope wouldn't overly top the scales as a stalking rifle, perhaps coming out at 11 to 11.5 lbs all in (not what you'd want hill stalking but ok for woodland stalking). Heavy barrel (I prefer heavier barrelled rifles), bedded Ali-chassis stock, nice action, good trigger. Around the £1100 mark. Looked at a new T3, and I know they're popular but it didn't do a lot for me as it didn't feel as nicely balanced, it felt cheaper finished plus the extra expense of optilocs would raise the price to almost A7 levels anyway in the varmint model.
I would prefer to buy used European but one model from over the pond also piqued interest. Savage have brought out a "UK spec" model 16 "varmint" which looks ok and is on the radar but for that price, a really good used European model might be the better bet.
Has anyone any experience of ownership and use of the Roughtec or Savage model 16? I have plenty of feedback on the Tikka which by all accounts is a decent enough rifle albeit one where there are rough edges associated with budget. They're the sort of thing that would niggle with me after a while though and as mentioned, I didn't like the balance.
I may have another slot coming up in .308 which will be used for stalking and target (I know..Jack of all trades!) and was going to look at a used Sako (75 Varmint or similar) but had a look at an A7 Roughtec at my local RFDs. For a heavy rifle, it was also very nicely balanced and even with a mod and low profile scope wouldn't overly top the scales as a stalking rifle, perhaps coming out at 11 to 11.5 lbs all in (not what you'd want hill stalking but ok for woodland stalking). Heavy barrel (I prefer heavier barrelled rifles), bedded Ali-chassis stock, nice action, good trigger. Around the £1100 mark. Looked at a new T3, and I know they're popular but it didn't do a lot for me as it didn't feel as nicely balanced, it felt cheaper finished plus the extra expense of optilocs would raise the price to almost A7 levels anyway in the varmint model.
I would prefer to buy used European but one model from over the pond also piqued interest. Savage have brought out a "UK spec" model 16 "varmint" which looks ok and is on the radar but for that price, a really good used European model might be the better bet.
Has anyone any experience of ownership and use of the Roughtec or Savage model 16? I have plenty of feedback on the Tikka which by all accounts is a decent enough rifle albeit one where there are rough edges associated with budget. They're the sort of thing that would niggle with me after a while though and as mentioned, I didn't like the balance.