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Steyr Mannlicher Forester Initial Review

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Dolphin View Drop Down
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    Posted: February/25/2007 at 16:42

I picked up my Steyr Mannlicher Forester in a 260 Remington last Friday, from my FFL.  I am fortunate to have a friend who holds a licence and does not charge me anything.  I am not sure why he does it, as he is i an entirely different buisness.  At any rate, it arrived safe and sound at quite a deal.  The first thing that I noticed is the reasonable quality of the wood and the fit and finish to the metal.  No gaps, almost perfection.  The stock has a matte finish with minimal checkering.  Compared to the stock on a Tikka T3 hunter, it is several steps up and several steps down, compared to a Wby. Vanguard Sporter.  However, it is of the quality that one could easily prefer it over a gloss stock and be equally a happy.  One cannot say that about the Tikka T3 Hunter stock.  Metal work is done in bead blast finish, meaning low gloss and fit and finish is perfect.  The ejection port is very similar to the Tikka T3 in shape and contour, maybe a bit larger.  The receiver apperars a bit beefier, however.  The bolt is nice and smooth, in between the Tikka T3 and Wby. Vanguard, which means excellent.  The bolt handle is of the butter knife shape.  However, it can be replaced for a more traditional bolt, if so desired.  The safety is of the 3 stage type.  This is one of my only two major complaints.  The button to push, to move the safety, is made out of plastic.  Even if it does not brake with use, over time it will oxidize and need replacement.  The safety button does move smooth as butter, but I could easily see it get broken or definately oxidize over time.  The other complaint, albeit not major, is the DM.  It is plastic, or as an ad agency would say "a co-polymer" of some sort.  Regardless, it is plastic.  Plenty sturdy, but appears more brittle than the Tikka T3, despite being thicker, which is relatively flexible.  Overall, for the price I paid, 599.95, BNIB, it is an excellent buy for the fit and finish and quality of the rifle I received.  It is lighter than the Wby. Vanguard and maybe a dash heavier than the Tikka T3 that I own in a 25-06.  The quality level is superior to the Tikka T3 and if it shoots as well, I would clearly prefer it over the T3.  Now, the Wby. Vanguard is alot of rifle for the money.  With the sporter, it is a different style of rifle, heavier and better suited for a heavier or magnum caliber, so a comparison as to which is better is difficult to say.  If the plastic button was not on the safety, the rifle would equal the Vanguard and begin to approach a basic Mark V, but falling short with reference to the action.  I am considering having a gunsmith fashion a metal button for the safety.  I have the Warne mounts and rings, and am awaiting a Nikon 5.5x16 44mm BDC reticle scope from SWFA to mount, as well as loading some Sierra 140 gamekings, before seeing how it shoots.  Will give you an update at that time.  



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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 13:56

Thanks for the review.

 

Any pics to come later??

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jonbravado View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 14:13

good initial review..........looking forward to the pics.

 

i see you are trying to trash my T3 agian..........i got my eye on you, dolphin  j/k.

 

have you grouped your T3 yet? i must have missed it.

 

let us know how your new toy does. thanks!!!

 

J

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Dolphin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 14:48
The Tikka groups well.  I had posted it under the review of it, sometime ago.  It did not like the Hornady ammo, if forget what it was, 100 grain something, but loves the simple Remington Core Lokt, posting 1 to 1.5 inch groups.  I love the Tikka, just making comparisons to similarly price rifles and ones that I like.  Actually, I like all rifles.

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jonbravado View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 14:50

i have had good results in my rifles w/ core-lokt, myself.

 

you should be able to group better than that though in that gun - have you tried failsafe yet?

 

J

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 14:57
Thanks for posting the review, Dolphin.  Look forward to hearing further reports of this rifle.  I have a feeling you're gonna really like it!
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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Tip69 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 16:15

Dolph....... where did you find that gun...... I went to their website (I think it was the right one) and they didn't list a "Forester"?

take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 16:46
Originally posted by jonbravado jonbravado wrote:

i have had good results in my rifles w/ core-lokt, myself.

 

you should be able to group better than that though in that gun - have you tried failsafe yet?

 

J

Not yet.  Going to work up some hand loads when I get all of my equipment set up.  I am looking for a bench.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 16:49
Originally posted by Tip69 Tip69 wrote:

Dolph....... where did you find that gun...... I went to their website (I think it was the right one) and they didn't list a "Forester"?

I left you a pm, but they inserted competitor.  I do not feel quilty giving this out, since it is not a scope or other product SWFA sells, but with the following you should get it:  use the first letter of all of the following words.  cow, doll, nut, nut (and use the entire word that follows and add .com) investments.



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Dolphin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2007 at 16:54
People have bought this same rifle and are reselling them on gunsamerica.com for 750.00 and some guy had a used one and wanted, I believe 1250.00.
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