ATR 100

[Delbert]

Got a Mossberg ATR100 a couple years ago, which is the cheapest rifle model Mossberg builds in these modern times and I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER. I got a older Nikon "Buckmaster"(without BDC) 3-9x40 scope mounted and the gun is chambered in 30-06. Nothing fancy about this rifle, but it gets the job done.
There are some Pro's and Con's about this gun.

PRO's:
Good, cheap price, for centerfire rifle---$299 or less
Mossberg brand has been around for 100 yrs
Good bolt action--not perfect, but not sloppy
Stock shoulders well
Stock is made by Bell & Carlson--they make virtually every synthetic factory stock out there
Available in different calibers at your local Walmart(gun dealer stores only) 22-250, 243, 270, 30-06, 300mag
Comes with mounted scope bases(I would remove these and recoat the screws with some locktite and remount)
Great woods and bad weather gun
If you would like to "camoflage" a gun---grab some spray paint--this is the gun for you(don't forget to sand the stock(use Krylon for plastics)
No SCOPE--allows for personal choice of scope and rings(don't skimp on cheaply made scope, then complain that gun isn't shooting good)
This is the rifle you loan to other hunter's for a hunt

CON's:
Heavy trigger--feels to be 5 to 7 lbs
Trigger creep--long pull before trigger breaks and fires---However, when in field and you see game to shoot, you don't even think about any of this as it happens so fast
Gun barrel and action are what looks like spray paint, but it's really a specialized gun finish coat
No Drop Plate for removing unfired rounds--everything must go in or come out through the top chamber
No Open Sights
Aftermarket Stocks--Bell&Carlson stock(see website) or Mossberg 4x4 type stock
If you're looking for a new Weatherby magnum caliber--don't look at Mossberg as they don't have it


If you get this model in 30-06 or larger caliber--be prepared to have some shoulder punch. I feel the synthetic stocks now used on rifles are made "lighter" for field use, and they don't help take out the recoil that is found on heavier wooden stocked rifles, but as I said earlier---I couldn't be happier with my Mossberg.
Del

[alleydude]

(10-09-2009 01:27 PM)Delbert Wrote:  Got a Mossberg ATR100 a couple years ago, which is the cheapest rifle model Mossberg builds in these modern times and I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER. I got a older Nikon "Buckmaster"(without BDC) 3-9x40 scope mounted and the gun is chambered in 30-06. Nothing fancy about this rifle, but it gets the job done.
There are some Pro's and Con's about this gun....

That is a GREAT review, better than any I have read in magazines. Today I looked seriously at this very rifle in .270, and also the Marlin XL7, also in .270. The Marlin had a laminate stock that I truly loved. The Mossberg had a walnut stock, I believe. Neither were synthetic stock, anyway.

I am still undecided, but bother felt about the same as far as heft, balance, and size. The only real plus I saw for the Mossberg besides about $40 less in price was that it did come with scope mounts. The Marlin did not.

I will probably go for the Marlin only because I am a sucker for that laminate stock, but the jury is still out. I will look at the Mossberg good and hard once more before I make up my mind.

Thanks again for the great review!

[gnepig]

Quote:
"That is a GREAT review, better than any I have read in magazines."

+ 1... Damn Del, you have owned this whole section now... you are good.
Makes me want to go have a look at those now.

And all I got are pictures...

[Delbert]

I did this on the ATR100 Mossberg rifle because most people think of Mossberg as only shotguns. I understand that Mossberg may be a joke at the local campsite, the lonely stepchild at the annual elk hunt, but as a cheap priced type rifle, don't think it can't bring the meat to the table.
Yeah, it's gun blueing won't compare to a $1000 Browning--heck it doesn't even compare to the blueing job on a $100 Daisey BB gun.That's not why you bought a Mossberg for.
It's cheap looking black synthetic stock doesn't compare to that $900 Remington 700 BDL with it's European Walnut with it's deep grain and beautiful swirls and ebony forarm cap. That's not why you bought a Mossberg for.
It's trigger pull doesn't come close to that nice 2# trigger pull on your Ruger number 1. That's not why you bought a Mossberg for.
The bolt action doesn't have the great 3 points of safety(escape holes in bolt, incase of ammo mishaps/9 locking lugs/positive safety release) of your $2000 Weatherby Mark V. That's not why you bought a Mossberg for.
You know you can't afford any $6000 hunting trips to those famous Deer/Elk/Sheep lodges you always see on TV shows that's only 100 miles from where you live. That's not why you bought a Mossberg for.
You look at nice Leupold, Nikon, Zeiss, Swarwosky, Bushnell and other scopes that costs from $100 to $1000 and the store employee says to please leave the store, because you're getting drool all over the scopes. That's not why you bought a Mossberg for.
You bought a Mossberg because it cost less than $300 and that scope from Tasco with rings only cost ya $40 with tax included and that was only because the rifle came without open sights. But you splurged on that $20 leather sling so you can carry the gun over your shoulder to your favorite hunting spot that's in your back field near the treeline, within walking distance from your modest home. AND. YOU DROPPED THAT DEER WITH ONE SHOT ON OPENING SEASON-- PRICELESS
There's no better reason than to get a Mossberg.
They don't look to impress somebody else. Only to put food on the table or killing that coyote that's too close to the birthing cow. IF, by chance that deer/elk/sheep is truely a record, does it then, only become a dream of a lifetime.
Del

[alleydude]

Man, I get a lump in my throat reading this. You should work for Mossberg. What a marketing guru you could be!

I agree. Cadillacs are nice, but a Chevy will get you there just fine.

Great write-up.

[Delbert]

Was a great day, weather in the upper 50's, and the wind virtually dead calm, so I thought I would take the Mossy 30-06 out and do some paper punching to see how it'll do with the up-coming Deer season. Well, to my dismay, I couldn't even get it to connect onto the target at 25 yds. Took rifle to local gun shop and we discovered that the factory Weaver rifle bases that came mounted on rifle when purchased, were "canted" downwards to the front and what this did was put the barrel of rifle up into the air while the scope pointed downwards. Trust me, this is not a good combination. Anyways, I had gun shop change out the bases and rings to some Leupold mounts they had on hand and did a quick boresight, and back to shooting range I went. I did 2 quick shots at a 25yd target just to see if it's on paper, then moved to 50yds. I put up a new target and in 4 shots, with some scope adjustments, I put 4 more shots right at the bullseye. Shots were touching and could be covered by a quarter. I'm a happy camper. This arrangement will now get me out to 140yds.

[alleydude]

(10-31-2009 04:53 PM)Delbert Wrote:  Was a great day, weather in the upper 50's, and the wind virtually dead calm, so I thought I would take the Mossy 30-06 out and do some paper punching to see how it'll do with the up-coming Deer season. Well, to my dismay, I couldn't even get it to connect onto the target at 25 yds. Took rifle to local gun shop and we discovered that the factory Weaver rifle bases that came mounted on rifle when purchased, were "canted" downwards to the front and what this did was put the barrel of rifle up into the air while the scope pointed downwards. Trust me, this is not a good combination. Anyways, I had gun shop change out the bases and rings to some Leupold mounts they had on hand and did a quick boresight, and back to shooting range I went. I did 2 quick shots at a 25yd target just to see if it's on paper, then moved to 50yds. I put up a new target and in 4 shots, with some scope adjustments, I put 4 more shots right at the bullseye. Shots were touching and could be covered by a quarter. I'm a happy camper. This arrangement will now get me out to 140yds.

Nice grouping! Sad that a company that is making precision aftermarket accessories lack in the PRECISION department. You would think that scope mounts would be manufactured in pairs, identically. Go figure...

[alleydude]

Our local MC Sports has the synthetic stock version of this gun on sale for $229 (in 30-06 and .270). Almost can't pass them up at this price. That's dirt cheap!

[Delbert]

(11-06-2009 10:39 PM)alleydude Wrote:  Our local MC Sports has the synthetic stock version of this gun on sale for $229 (in 30-06 and .270). Almost can't pass them up at this price. That's dirt cheap!

That's a heck of a good price. If ya decide to get one, make sure it's the '09 or newer model, as it's now got the adjustable trigger and set up just like the Savage with it's light trigger release. Much better set-up. Unless of course you just can't pass up. If I had it to do all over again and had choice of calibers. I'd go for the 270.
Del

[alleydude]

(11-07-2009 09:41 AM)Delbert Wrote:  If ya decide to get one, make sure it's the '09 or newer model, as it's now got the adjustable trigger and set up just like the Savage with it's light trigger release. Much better set-up.

That's good-to-know information. I will have to go back and check it out. Thanks for the tip.