Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Help selecting a rifle

I have no experience with the TC Compass but of the Patriot and RAR. I have heard good things about the RAR a good friend had a Patriot that gave him fits. The RAR has some features that are long term proven performers and I have several friends that own one and they all seem pretty accurate with factory fodder.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

Of the three brands you mention I've owned more Ruger Americans, probably around 10-12, and generally had very good luck. The early ones often needed some "adjustment" of the forend to be really free-floated, due to a relatively floppy stock, but that was improved several years ago. On the other hand, on recent rifles the trigger doesn't adjust to as light a pull as it used to, but that's a relatively quick and easy fix.

The Mossbergs have done well too, though I haven't shot as many as the RARs. Have only fooled with one T/C Compass and was not impressed, but have had good luck with T/C Ventures.

Have also had good luck with several Mauser M18s and Franchi Momentums.

My grandson received a Ruger American 7-08 for his 16th birthday.
He asked me to help him sight it in. After looking it over, I had some concerns about the flexibility of the forearm possibly hurting accuracy. I needn't have worried---it consistantly put 3 shots into less than 3/4" at 100 yards.
For the money it's a darn good little rifle.
If I were looking for a low(er) cost rifle, this is one that would certainly be on my short list.

Thanks for the info, I'll pass it on to my friend ... because I'm sure not going to make any decisions on what he buys !

If his son is not fully grown, you might look at a rifle that has a stock that grows with the boy. I'm not a Savage guy, but I bought a money raiser ticket for a local American Legion. I won a Savage Axis in 243 with a Weaver 3x9 scope. I was fairly impressed with the package. I've only two loads and both were under a MOA. Pretty good for anything through deer, I'd think.
I looked up the cost for one of these and they are inexpensive. The stock can be shortened by taking out a piece and back to original length by re-inserting that piece.

Get a quality used gun as stated above. A good gun is a good new or used. A cheap POS is always a POS.

Id personally get a cheap 700 ADL or Howa. No matter which way their hunting and shooting lives turn there will always be a spot for these two.

Its not the answer you are looking for, but I would suggest finding a used Tikka for $500. The action is smooth, the trigger is adjustable, it is ight weight and every single one I have been around will shoot. Its a much better product than one of these new, budget rifles.

I am a believer in buying a quality hopefully life time gun. If the boy is very young maybe the budget rifle would be a good starter. In which case I would lean towards the Ruger.

But I would also consider a Rem 700 youth model SPS as it can easily be upgraded into a nice rifle and the cost is not that much higher. The Mauser deal looks tempting.