What are the common rifle platforms down there?
Having been to gun shops in both countries I would guess that Sako / Tikka rifles are popular but that was just and observation.
I also saw a few CZ rifles on the shelves in both countries but I am curious if there is a general "go to" rifle or rifle manufacturer in either country?
Hello,
In terms of "go to", the last maybe 5 or so years have seen the tikka T3 become the best selling centre fire rifle in Australia, and probably the "go to" rifle. This has carried on with the new T3X. Sako rifles are also popular, however folks seem to be more interested in purchasing older, pre model 85 rifles. Don't blame them. Howa rifles are a big seller, followed by remington.
Remington rifles have developed a stigma around them as not being so great anymore, or not as good as they used to be. Kimber has also seen an increase in popularity in the last 2 years or so, mainly with the montana and mountain ascent. From my own experience Winchester 70s are not so popular, and i'm not too sure why. The only upside to this is they can be found cheap on the used market so can be had for a good deal (luckily i love them).
As far as rimfire rifles go, the CZ 452/455 and before them the Brno models 1 and 2 are definitely the most popular and revered .22 rifles in Australia by far. The model 2 is perhaps the most quintessential rabbit rifle in Australia. The usual suspects follow, anschutz, savage, and the ruger american rimfire as well as marlins. Sako P94 models are also held in high esteem and fetch big money on the used market, to the point where you can maybe buy two to three CZ rifles for the price of one used mint condition p94.
Others may have different opinions, but from what I've seen working full time in a gun store for a number of years these are the trends at least in the state of Victoria. We are probably the most hunting/shooting friendly state in the country.
Definitely the Tikka T3 and T3x in New Zealand by a long way. Sako 85, Kimber Montana, Remington Model 7, Winchester not so much nowadays, Ruger, Savage etc all following in the Tikka's wake. CZ 452 & 455 in rimfire by far.
Gun culture is alive and well here. Always has been and hopefully always will be. There are plenty of city dwelling, limp wristed liberal pussies who don't like guns and would like to see stricter gun control laws. However, they're pushing it uphill for now. Got to keep an eye on them though.
How about cartridges, what's popular?
When I went to NZ, my outfitter had a 300 Win Mag and a 270 Win...pretty standard stuff.
In my state, most popular big game cartridges would be 30-06, 308 and 270, followed by the 300 and 338 magnums.
Most popular smaller game cartridges would be 243 and 223 for sure.
9.3x62mm is also very popular with sambar hunters as a dedicated big deer rifle.
How about cartridges, what's popular?
In NZ I'd guess for center fire (in order) 308, 7-08, 243, 270, 30-06, 7mm RM, 223.
About the same in the states
There's lots and lots of Howas. Yep and Tikkas too. A very healthy smattering of Winchester and Marlin lever guns are out there.
700s are most sought after for customs. Sakos are very revered as a premium factory rifle. There's also plenty of Ruger 77s and Winny M70s.
And of course plenty of people are toting sporterised Mausers, Enfields and similar.
While 223 is really popular now, when I was a kid it was all 222 Rem and 243 Win. Those that were shooting big game stepped up to 270 or 308. Most anything goes now though.
Tikka and Howa are very popular, but there are none in my safe
i have Sako 7x64, MRC 1999 custom 243W, Browning 358 Win , Weatherby 22-250 and building a Borden that will probably be a 300 dakota
a few of my shooting buddies have Remington rifles
As an Aussie shooter I think your assessment is very good.
When I entered the sport in the early 70's shooters were mainly shooting Winchester 94's, customised Lee Enfield's, Model 70 Winchesters, Model 700 Remingtons, Czech BRNO centre fire rifles.
Shotguns tended to be largely Spanish imports with Japanese Miroku, Winchester and Remington pumps and semi autos .
Favourite rimfire were the Anschutz (if you could afford it), Winchester 9422 (ditto), Ruger 10/22, Winchester 320 or BRNO.
America lost its hold on the market as the American gun companies started being run by accountants rather than men who shared the passion, and with an inability to be as innovative as we had come to expect the American gun industry to be. Tragically if one looks at Winchester's last catalogue before they went broke, they had learned their lesson- but too late.
Today favourite rifles in shops would be the Tikka T3 (by far, though the Sauer 101 and Mauser M18 are gaining ground), BRNO 452 /455, the Italians and Turks and Miroku / Browning control the shotgun market.
I also see quite a few Savage and Ruger centre fire and rimfire rifles about.
You sound like you are from Victoria mate talking anbout Sauer and Mauser gaining ground. In QLD you would be lucky to see a Sauer in the field, or a Mauser M18. I see the Amerrican brands as still strong here, as they have been the last few decades. Tikka is popular yes, but so are Rem700, Wby, Ruger, Savage. And lets be honest the CZ452-457's are popular as higher end 22lR's sure, but a small fraction of the market next to more affordable Ruger, Savage and Marlin bolts.
Lawyer Daggett, "...American gun companies started being run by accountants rather than men who shared the passion"
This should be engraved in stone.