About two gun shows ago, I picked one up for about $365.00. It is the wooden monte carlo stock w/o iron sites. I wish it had them. I like the back up and challenge of iron sites. Anyway I took a cheap Tasco scope off my Marlin 336 and simply slapped it on. Though I didn't have the opportunity to really sight it in, I was able to pop a 16oz soda bottle at 100 yards.
The first time I loaded the magazine, the rounds settled in very nicely. However, after popping the mag into the rifle. I cycled the bolt and the mag fell out. Naturally I was bummed, but I shoved it back in there and remembered from that point on to not baby the rifle.
The same goes with operating the bolt. It is nothing as smooth or precise feeling as a 30-40 Krag. It is a bit loose until it locks up so. If you baby it or question your cycle and pull back on it again you will find that you will be picking up another round before fully chambering the first. So, don't sissyfy your operation of this rifle. It can take it. Cock it like you mean to and you will be fine.
The rifle feels really good in your hands. It also shoulder well for this short armed 6'1" Texan. In a 30-06 the recoil is solid and satisfying. NO pain, just really nice.
When I took it shooting with some friends, I let them try it out, No one missed the gong, ever from a standing unsupported stance, and we had some pretty strong colorado mountain side wind. It did catch a lot of wind which was a bit frustrating but expected. Though each person babied it as I have described above, they got used to it and really appreciated that I let them fire it. Now they want a 30-06 because of this rifle.
As for me, I think I will use it for long range just to see what it can do. Maybe I'll get a better scope. Not sure about that yet. I would like to see if the recoil destroys the cheapy Tasco or not. I suspect not because it it not that bad with this rifle. I think I will see what it can do on the cheap.
If I were to change anything at the MFG, I would have adjustable iron sites on every model. I would also like to have a 10 round magazine for the range. Because once I got going on it I was disappointed when I had to stope and reload.
Short story is it is a nice rifle and more affordable then the nose-up-in-the-air rifles.
PS. I say Nose up in the air rifles because I was talking to a Leopold rep at the gun shop about the scopes. During his spiel that they can make the scope to fit the round and the rifle, he asked me what I had. When I told him…..he stopped talking to me. I don't think I will ever buy one of those scopes, not even for my Browning X-Bolt White Gold.
BUY a 4X4, I think you will like it.
