Weeeel I wouldn't give a Steyr houseroom if only for the reason that when shot out, the barrels are near impossible to replace due to the method of fitting (essentially a shrink fit under pressure). They can be done but at great expense and most smiths won't tackel them. So, buy once, throw away.
I have had steyrs in the past and though they were ok they never really set the world on fire.
For a working rifle in the same class I would go with a Sako every time. I'm not a big fan of the 85 design but i would choose that above any Steyr model.
Sauer is in a different class quality wise about on a par with Heym. Both excellent quality pieces of kit but again why would you bother for a working rifle?
I fully expect the Sakos that I own (did I mention all my rifles are of that marque) to outlast me and still be doing business when the steyrs of today have been consigned to the scrap bin.
Claret is quite right about the figuring v straight grain issue. Figuring tends to equal weakness in wood and there are many highly figured stocks that have broken to due rough use where a straigh grained version would have taken the knock and kept going. Most of the stocks for the really big calibres tend to be quite plain with the grain aligned striaght through the 'hand' of the stock, that tends to be the weakest area.
G
I have had steyrs in the past and though they were ok they never really set the world on fire.
For a working rifle in the same class I would go with a Sako every time. I'm not a big fan of the 85 design but i would choose that above any Steyr model.
Sauer is in a different class quality wise about on a par with Heym. Both excellent quality pieces of kit but again why would you bother for a working rifle?
I fully expect the Sakos that I own (did I mention all my rifles are of that marque) to outlast me and still be doing business when the steyrs of today have been consigned to the scrap bin.
Claret is quite right about the figuring v straight grain issue. Figuring tends to equal weakness in wood and there are many highly figured stocks that have broken to due rough use where a straigh grained version would have taken the knock and kept going. Most of the stocks for the really big calibres tend to be quite plain with the grain aligned striaght through the 'hand' of the stock, that tends to be the weakest area.
G