Browning, Mauser or Winchester for renting to US hunters in European trip?

[fourfive8]

Winchester 70

 

[Tra3]

Winchester for certain.

 

[Ryan]

Any of them. Honestly they are all quality firearms and no one should complain. I used the rental rifles in South Africa last year. A Ruger M77 and a Mauser. My only concern was the safety, the Ruger I knew since I own one and the Mauser I learned quickly. Done.

 

[Adrian]

If you're looking at a Mauser, I would step up to the M12 with a synthetic stock. It's marginally more expensive but worth it in hand.
I have looked at an M18 and while I recognise the market it is aimed at, for a client gun the M12 has surely got to be a better option. The action is superb and uncomplicated and the whole feel of the rifle is so much better which might be beneficial to someone who is picking up the rifle for the first time.

 

[geod]

Thanks everybody for your help! It looks like the big winner is Winchester M70. As for those who want a real European experience as our colleague BeeMaa said, I have a Blaser R8 a Steyr and a Tikka T3(for left-handed hunters).

 

[AB2506]

While, I like the Kimber Montana.

Closest to that is the Winchester.

I hate heavy triggers. I would suggest you have a gunsmith tune the trigger to 2 or 3 pounds. That is almost more important to me than brand.

Don't forget a quality scope.

 

[geod]

@Adrian, Rifles in Romania are much more expensive than US.
The 3 models I mentioned are around 1500 USD here, the one you mentioned is almost 2500 EURO.
I prefer to save the difference of 1200 USD for a better scope.

 

[Adrian]

@Adrian, Rifles in Romania are much more expensive than US.
The 3 models I mentioned are around 1500 USD here, the one you mentioned is almost 2500 EURO.
I prefer to save the difference of 1200 USD for a better scope.

Interesting. I'm in the UK and the Mauser M12 Impact is £1,150 which works out at €1,286.
I had no idea rifles were so expensive in Romania.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Winchester Mdl 70. But more important as mentioned earlier is the functioning. On a hunting rifle I prefer a 2 3/4-3 lb trigger smooth as glass. The safety should function smoothly as well. And of course good glass because if you can’t see the game, you can’t shoot it.
I lost a genet using a poorly operating rental in Africa. Still waiting on another opportunity.
JMO&E
Good luck in your choices!

 

[MISportsman]

As an American I know the Winchester is an excellent rifle, but if I was traveling to Europe to hunt I would prefer to rent a Mauser! What's a true European experience with out a true European legend in your hands, plus Mauser makes a top of the line rifle! (I have 3 in my gun safe)

 

[dmyers]

Many hunters either seem to like or hate the browning safety so I'd go with the Winchester. All are good rifles but the m70 is very close to the "standard" off the shelf version of most north American sporting rifles. Boring but familiar.

 

[bruce moulds]

is there an American who would complain about being handed one of the current mauser 98 rifles?
bruce.

 

[Opposite Pole]

is there an American who would complain about being handed one of the current mauser 98 rifles?
bruce.

That would be a decent hire gun. It seems the OP is looking for something a little lower in the budget pyramid.

 

[jacques smith]

Got time to look up the mauser 18 and dont think much of the safety
Seems to be similar to howa
Of the three my vote is model 70
Cheers

 

[curtism1234]

With the trend the past 20 years being light weight synthetic stock rifles, your clients will be in for an unpleasant surprise when renting a full size model 70. They are a rather heavy rifle. If you can get a model 70 Featherweight, that would help out.

I like the Browning xbolt.

Just remember if you get a rifle with a detachable magazine - have plenty of extra magazines laying around the camp and vehicle because it will get lost and you don't to have a single shot bolt action available for that client and certainly not the guy who would be using it next week. I think the Browning magazines are a great design though.

So my answer - 70 Featherweight or that xbolt

 

[CoElkHunter]

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thanks to this wonderful site, we had the opportunity to advertise with great success for US clients, our hunting trips in Romania.

And if most European hunters bring their own rifles, I notice that a lot of US hunters want to use our guns.

At this point, it looks I need to buy at least one more rifle.

After a quick study on the market, I stopped to these 3 models:

1. Browning X-BOLT HUNTER

2.. Mauser M18

3. Winchester M70 CLASSIC HUNTER

Browning and Winchester have wooden stock, unfortunately, the synthetic stock is the only option for Mauser.

All 3 rifles will be in 30.06 calibers.

Which of those 3, US hunters will like better?

Thank you very much for your help!

Warm regards,
George

I was just curious as to what type of game are hunted in Romania? Never having been there. Thanks!

 

[Curious]

Most American hunters won’t be familiar with the M18 (I’m not). Accuracy wise, the Xbolt and Weatherby Vanguard have the best reputation, along with the Tika T3x, which you didn’t mention. Some Americans will disparage the Model 70 now that it is made in Portugal, although I have one and it seems high quality to me.

The current M70's (ca. 2018-19) are assembled in Portugal. I believe the action and barrel are still produced in SC, US. The stock is probably produced in Portugal. No?

 

[LivingTheDream]

I guess I am in the minority but I would go with xbolt.

 

[bruce moulds]

some guys like ultralights, and some guys don't.
all guys don't when they fire them.
bruce.

 

[cperso]

Xbolt gets my vote