I took Delivery today of my Davidson's special .30-30. It'll be a few days before I can get to the range, but after cleanup and Breakfree in the action, this is what I think- brand new, before firing.
1. Nice looking gun!
2. Sights are smaller than I had expected. I'll give them a fair shake at the range first, but I can see going with either a Skinner rear, a quality red dot, or a compact scope.
3. Action is smoother than I expected- but I was expecting really rough.
4. Trigger is heavier than I thought it would be, but for what I have planned for this rifle (shooting houses and tree stands with 150 yard max shots and intermediate range stands on dog drives) it may not make a huge difference.
5. It's going to be hard for me to get used to not having a half-cock on a lever gun, but I'll see how we get along. I'm not keen on the tang safety (just as I am not with the crossbolt on later Marlins and Winchesters) but I can see where it will be useful hunting from ladder stands and such.
6. Standard rifling as opposed to Microgroove. Both my Marlins hate the Hornady 160 FTX bullet. Maybe this little Mossberg will like it. I have some handloads with it and LVR powder that need to be shot. Will also load up some Sierra 125 FNHP and see how they do.
I'll put on a glove and cycle the action a lot over the next 2-3 days and hopefully burn some powder with it before the weekend.
1. Nice looking gun!
2. Sights are smaller than I had expected. I'll give them a fair shake at the range first, but I can see going with either a Skinner rear, a quality red dot, or a compact scope.
3. Action is smoother than I expected- but I was expecting really rough.
4. Trigger is heavier than I thought it would be, but for what I have planned for this rifle (shooting houses and tree stands with 150 yard max shots and intermediate range stands on dog drives) it may not make a huge difference.
5. It's going to be hard for me to get used to not having a half-cock on a lever gun, but I'll see how we get along. I'm not keen on the tang safety (just as I am not with the crossbolt on later Marlins and Winchesters) but I can see where it will be useful hunting from ladder stands and such.
6. Standard rifling as opposed to Microgroove. Both my Marlins hate the Hornady 160 FTX bullet. Maybe this little Mossberg will like it. I have some handloads with it and LVR powder that need to be shot. Will also load up some Sierra 125 FNHP and see how they do.
I'll put on a glove and cycle the action a lot over the next 2-3 days and hopefully burn some powder with it before the weekend.