adam f Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Firstly, thank you to all who advised and assisted in picking a new rifle for my new 243 slot. In the end I rounded it down to a M595, Tikka T3 or a Howa 1500. Having looked around the internet, I gave Steve and Shane at Ivythorne Sporting a call as it looked like that had pretty much all the guns and options I was looking at, plus my time is precious and I liked the appointment system they run - no grabbing 5 mins of a shop assistants time to look at a gun. They also have a range to test the rifles out - perfect. So I went in with a stainless barrel and laminated stock as my no1 choice - with synthetic stock as a fall back. I ended up with pretty much the complete opposite! Shane was excellent in running through all the options and even stripping the guns for me to see the fine differances. The laminate stock was quickly ruled out due to it's weight.... nearly 10lb for a bare gun before mod and scope.... It was then a toss up between the T3 and the Howa - both stainless barrells and synthetic stock. My heart said Tikka my head said Howa - but neither really had me that excited... both were good, soild, plain rifles. Then Shane showed me the Sauer 101 Classic XT - first glance it looked pretty unassuming, black stock, black barrells, but in the hands it just felt lovely. Nice smooth bolt, very similar to my mates M595. Nice shape stock, esp the little forend. A crisp light trigger set about 2lb and a 5 shot mag that flush fits. Basically it ticked all my boxes. It didnt have the stainless action or barrells but Im informed the coating Sauer use isnt a normal blacking and is durable as stainless steel. I summed it by saying it felt like a rimfire to hold not a big heavy centrefire. It comes in at £300 more than a T3, around Sako money I think? Out on the range I was just as impressed. I'm new to the calibre and the rifle wasnt set up for me, but I still managed satisfactory hunting groups. Then the mod - I tried an SL5 and a CMM4 both were good but I was torn between short fat and heavy and long slim and light! Then Steve showed me and I tried a new mod that had just come in - an AimZonic Compact. Small, short and light with a 5 year warrenty. I tried it, I liked it! I cant get too excited over mods, but this seemed to tick all the boxes! So there it is. A Sauer 101 Classic XT in 243 with AimZonic Mod and Zeiss Duralyt 3-12x50. I hope that keeps me satisfied for a new years to come! I would recommend Ivythorne Sporting to anyone - superb set-up, friendly knowledgeble guys and customer service that is very rare these days. Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgun sam Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Good luck with your new gun Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) Great write up which will help many on here. I tried some Sauers at an open day at Carlton Moor range. I was very impressed and shot like a demon with a .308! I own a CMM4 and like it Can I ask what prices the bare gun was and the mod price ? Edited August 30, 2013 by malkiserow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Need to pay them yet, but I think £1300/1400 for the gun and £250 for the Mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 I got my .222 frm them and I must say they were the nicest people i have brought a gun from Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 I recently bought a Howa from them, really decent guys and so handy to be able test and zero the rifle there and then. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 You'll not go far wrong with a Sauer. They're nice guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Lodge Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 I bought my .22 and my .17HMR from Ivythorn, very impressed I was too. They are both friendly and know their stuff and they have some lovely rifles. I just put down a deposit on a 202 Classic, I'll be interested in seeing the Aimzonic if they have one in .30 cal. What did you think of the new shooting shed? I haven't seen it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Well I had my work clothes on when I went, shirt and shoes etc. I put Welles on to go to the range, 'you won't need them' said Shane.... He wasn't wrong, it was cleaner than my office! Awesome range to shoot from. Made the rifle louder as you're shooting inside but great place to try a rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 I bought my CZ .22LR and my Howa .223 from Steve at Ivythorn and I couldn't think of a better place to buy a gun from. Excellent customer service, own range, keen pricing and large comfy sofas with a log burner! If only all the shops in our area were like this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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