First stalking rifle

Hi guys, wondered if any one could recommend a good first stalking rifle. I don’t have a massive budget and for now just need something to get me out. Iv got a .308 with suppressor on my FAC. I saw a Sauer 100 classic xt with 8x56 Schmidt and bender scope and a moderator on for £800-£900 the other day. which has since sold. Would something like this be a good purchase?
Anyone know the difference between the 100 and the 101?
Not much difference really. I looked at both, safety has been improved, lug in the bolt is different, slightly nicer stock and trigger adjustable.
 
at the risk of being contentious
If I were to start again I'd buy a very cheap rifle, [perhaps a Parker Hale?] and spend the rest of the budget on a scope. A rough and ready rifle, and a heavy moderator, will teach you more about what you actually want than any amount of drooling over the internet. At the beginning we just don't know what we don't know. after 1000 rounds you'll have a much better idea.

On the other hand
This is a Tikka forum, we like 'em, and for good reason, Tikka have mastered the art of mass producing rifles.

No one ever regretted buying an S&B scope, the 8x56 can be found used for £300 and a PM1 for not a lot more.

Look up a Lee Loader, it's a clever gadget with which you can reload 308 for peanuts without buying the kind of could-have-bought-a-posh-rifle reloading kit many of us have.

Next on the list is your 22lr which is where you really start to learn the art of rifle shooting.

have fun
 
get a nice old Parker hale and buy the 4x32 swaro in sale here, then learn to get close, develop the field craft skills whilst appreciating classic qualities

Spend the rest in your dsc’s and some stalking

Once you know what you’re doing, see if changing kit is something you want to do.

Just my view.
Great choice in the 1960s
 
Pay a few quid more and buy a 2nd hand Tikka... then shoot shed loads of deer over the next couple of decades,,, before you get an itch for something else... then give yourself a head-wobble and keep shooting the faithful Tikka in the cabinet... spend the money you save on something worthwhile...
 
I have owned quite a few different rifle over the years, and fired a lot more. I started with a No4 Enfield in 7.62mm, till my force decided I couldn't shoot foxes with it any more (long before ALQ/AOLQ existed). I got a BSA CF2 in .243 I literally shot it out. CZ, Sako, Tikka, Browning, Winchester and Parker Hale to name a few of the others. I own two Sauer 202 rifles with three barrels ATM. The guy who built mine and my Lads 22 CF rifles has the same. If your gunsmith who can build what he pleases uses a 202.
it took me a while to get from my old cheap and perfectly functional £250/£500 rifles to what I have now. I'm now set up so I just get another barrel when I want a different cartridge.
 
Lots of quality design at the cheaper end of the market too. Love my savage, I can’t see it going wrong, the accutrigger is great and adjustable easily, I’m sure howa, weatherby etc all fit the bill good as gold too. Parker hale and tikka are fine too. They all work, if you can see any rifle shot and it’s fairly accurate and you like the feel of it, buy that. A quality 8x56 is a good choice for lots of situations. Then shoot loads of deer.
 
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