What rifle to buy? I am a bit confused.

[Vikram]

If you are going to get a .22lr rifle, you may like to go through this thread.

http://www.indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8

To my mind, it does not make sense to spend R.S.1.5 lakh on a beat-up imported gun while you can get a decent IOF rifle and work on it or have it tweaked. You will enjoy it as much as the others. JMHO.

Best-
Vikram

[.338 lapua]

To my mind, it does not make sense to spend R.S.1.5 lakh on a beat-up imported gun while you can get a decent IOF rifle and work on it or have it tweaked. You will enjoy it as much as the others. JMHO.

the same goes for IOF.30 ,friend.You can join NRAI,and get the rifle for under 85,000/- as Safarigent did and get it customized as you like,Most on IFG have a nice experience with the IOF .30 and if you like plinking long range then 30.06 will do the job.

Regard's

[miroflex]

Hi TC,

I am surprised that you did not find the BSAs long lived. BSA and Vickers were major British manufacturers and their products were highly regarded in their time. The BSA Single Twelve and Double Twelve shotguns had an enviable reputation among twelve bore weapons. At the same time your observations, based on ten examples, cannot be lightly brushed aside. I had actively been considering the purchase of a BSA sporting rifle in an almost new condition.

Regards.

[TC]

Miroflex, whatever I write about firearms in the Indian context on this forum is based entirely on my personal experience of handling, buying, selling, repairing, etc. over a period about 28 years. I have no personal grudge against BSA. In fact my father had his first BSA rifle when he was 16 and kept it till the day he died. This was also the first rifle I shot. Hope you can see that I keep personal feelings and firearms history away from practical experience.

Cheers
TC

[hks2056]

Best course of action is always to buy a brand new weapon. Old second hand weapon, even when it is imported, is like second hand wife with no guarantee of integrity and reliability.It is better to buy a brand new IOF 30-06 rifle and have a good night`s sleep rather than buy an expensive second hand imported rifle to find serious flaws in it and lose sleep later on. Many owners compromise the inherent reliability and accuracy of the IOF rifle by changing butt, dissembling the action to get it polished, recrown the muzzle etc etc. Hammer forged barrel are already form finished and factory crowned on CNC machine in Ishapore. Such cosmetic fiddling with the weapon does not add in any manner to accuracy or reliability or longevity of the firearm in the specific context of IOF rifle. Today, to reaffirm my impressions of IOF rifle and to satisfy my curiousty as to reliabilty of 30-06 IOF rifle I spoke to the two leading arms dealers of Meerut to ascertain if any IOF 30-06 rifle has come to them for repairs or they have any anecdotal evidence of the rifle coming for repairs with any armourer or dealer on P L Sharma Road [which is the arms mandi of Meerut].The reply was that in last four years there is no such case. Just as a brand new car is preferable over a second hand car, the same would apply to second hand firearm also.

[vivekpeter]

Thank you guys for your valuable insights.

I m off to Mangalore to visit Simson Gun House tomorrow (if everything goes well by gods will ). I would be seeing the IOF .30-06 and also some imported 0.22 LRs. I would be returning this weekend with a rifle, and hope everything turns out good.

Regards
Vivek

[Bhargav]

Thank you guys for your valuable insights.

I m off to Mangalore to visit Simson Gun House tomorrow (if everything goes well by gods will ). I would be seeing the IOF .30-06 and also some imported 0.22 LRs. I would be returning this weekend with a rifle, and hope everything turns out good.

Regards
Vivek

Good luck and do share pics.

[AgentDoubleS]

Vivek, I've been in the exact dilemma for a few months now.. 0.22lr vs IOF 3006. I took the license primarily for competitive shooting- hope to at least make it to the GVM. As everyone rightly said you need to consider the purpose you would want the rifle for.

My confusion comes from the fact that there are some good .22lr rifles available at the Karni Singh range that I can practice with. However, I cannot take them for competitions that are held outside. If I do go for the IOF 0.22 I am not sure if it is accurate enough for serious competitive shooting- it could be but i just don't know. But would I want to go for a 0.22 purchase when there are accurate rifles available at the range- I dont know!

If i take up big bore competitive shooting and get an IOF 3006 there is no range in Delhi where I can practice/zero in the rifle. I also only have "delhi only" license. So cant take it to Gurgaon or any area nearby.

For now, just dry practicing with the range Anschutz- (no ammunition available!!) and hoping I get wiser/richer soon to take a decision.

- SS

[TC]

Vivek, my best wishes... will eagerly wait for your post

TC