[Mongojoe]

I just read that Mossberg has started makeing rifles again. Their new ATR(All Terrain Rifle) looks good, and the reviews I have read are all favorable... According to reports it most closely resembles a Howa. It is a bolt action and presently can be had in .270 and .30-06 only. There is a choice of three stock finishes, simulated walnut, black, or Mossy Oak New Break-Up Camo... And you can choose between a blued-chrome moly barreled action or one with a Marincoat finish that looks like matte stainless. It also comes with Weaver-style bases installed... It carries a MSRP of just $348, so in the surreal world of WAL-MART and other discount stores, it is quite possible to find it for $275 or possibly even less... Might be worth checking into for someone looking for a no frills, bolt action, big game rifle, at a really reasonable price.

[bigbore50ak]

the barrel is held on like a savage too. they need some more chambering choises.

[Mongojoe]

I agree bigbore50ak. They do need more chamberings... I figure that if sales are good, they will probably add the old stand-bys of .308 and .243 anyway. Might be interesting to see what else.

[bigbore50ak]

ive got both of those so id like to see a 300 wm. time will tell.id maybe try the 270.

[turner1978]

It would be cool if they would come up with a new cartridge or pick up a wildcat that nobody else does, like a 30-338win mag or a 270RUM or even a 6.5 WSM. Something to be diferent. It probably wont happen but it would be interesting to buy one.

[Sodak Jim]

. According to reports it most closely resembles a Howa. NOT !!!!!

Jon R. Sundra states in his article in the Complete Rifleman that the Mossberg 100 ATR is similar to the Howa 1500, and in the new rifle listings in that magazine, it says it's a virtual clone of the Howa. I have the 1500 Howa and it is not even close to the Howa except for the trigger. It more closely resembles a Remington or Savage. The stocks are similar to several other rifles and none are like the Boyds stocks on the Howas. The button rifled barrel has recoil lug washer between the barrel and receiver, whereas the Howa has a hammer forged barrel and a integrel lug on the receiver like a model 70 Winchester. The Mossberg bolt body is made of three pieces and the Howa has a one-piece forging. The Mossberg also has this unsightly "goiter" on the bolt to keep someone from trying to assemble it with the firing pin uncocked. The Mossberg receiver is made from round bar stock and it has a cheap sheet metal blind magazine welded to the receiver. The Howa has a forged receiver, hinged floor plate, and flat magazine follower spring. I will say that the rear tangs are very similar. Mossberg has made a rifle that uses just about all the possible cost-cutting methods but still delivers good overall value. I just don't see how anyone would consider it a "Virtual Clone" of the Howa 1500.

[Mongojoe]

I've never actually seen a Mossberg ATR, so I can only go by what is written in the magazines I read...and that article by Jon R. Sundra is one of the sources I used......... But, I agree with turner1978 about produceing it in a wildcat or "uncommon" chambering. If they were to do that, and at that price, I might have to pick one up "just to have".... I may not get much use out of it, but my son and son in law would certainly give it a workout... But as turner1978 said, "It probably won't happen".

[turner1978]

A few years ago a company called Raptor Arms closed up shop and sold the rights to their rifle to Mossberg. They made a few small changes and are now producing the Mossberg ATR.

[Mongojoe]

Hummmm...I did not know Raptor Arms made rifles... I thought they only made handguns along the lines of Davis, Lorcin, or Raven... Speaking of which, you don't know if anyone bought or picked up the old Talon Arms Company do you? ... I got one of their 9mm pistols in here that I need to get worked on.

[turner1978]

I have no idea. I just read an article about the Mossberg ATR in my november issue of American Rifleman. I have never even heard of Raptor arms untill then. I thought that they were gonna make a wood stock model but from what I gather it is gonna be a sinthetic stock with some kind of finish on it that looks like wood. Kind of cheesy if you ask me. I am a wood fan if you can't tell. But it is cheap and a lot of people will apreciate that. If it sells then maybe they will produce a higher grade model for people who want more. Time will tell I guess.

[turner1978]

I saw one of the ATR's at walmart and I took a look at it. In my opinion they are ugly pieces of crap with some kind of a painted barell. Prices are cheap thoughe so they might sell ok.

[Mongojoe]

LOL..... I still have not actually seen one, but figured they were produced as an "entry level" rifle... Or as one friend would call them, "closet rifles". They set in the closet 50 weeks of the year, and only come out for a quick sight-in, and a few days of hunting, then back to the closet.

[John]

In MOST cases, the rifle will do it's part IF you do your part. This rifle seems like a prime canidate for a GOOD scope, bedding the action/barrel, with that done, I would bet you will have a VERY serviceable rifle! If not a tack driver?!?!..(even without ANY work a great "hunting" rifle) OR, maybe if you get a "good one" that will do under 1 inch (it can happen!!!) I have heard most will hold 1 to 1.5 inches at 100 yds. right out of the box, with specs like that, and a MINOR amout of home "smithing", some good optics (which in this case, the cost of the rifle leaves you plenty for a good scope) and as I said you will have a great hunting rifle for way under 500 bucks! (more like 350 to 375)

I looked at one today at Wally World and no it's no beauty queen, but it aint that bad. I almost bought it on the spot, but I just HAD to check the dealer pricing..........I can save a whopping 5 bucks, and then add shippping. (I work at a gun shop part time, and one of the bennies is dealer pricing on the guns I buy, which is good, cause pay aint that great....)

I think this rifle is a great example of an underdog that is WELL worth it's Wally World price tag....in fact I am going back tomorrow and buy one in 30-06, JUST CAUSE I CAN! (really prefer .308 but for the price????) I have a nice Nikon that will just make this thing a great hunting rig that I don't have to worry about banging up going up and down treestands or anyting else for that matter.....geeze it just can't be beat!! Even with a Bushnell or any other 100 buck price range scope, and a little home gunsmithing...(or NOT) it's a great deal on a HUNTING rifle. No I don't think it will be a "pro paper puncher" but for hunting........it's a no brainer.

John

Mongojoe, on Jan 22 2006, 10:59 AM, said:

LOL..... I still have not actually seen one, but figured they were produced as an "entry level" rifle... Or as one friend would call them, "closet rifles". They set in the closet 50 weeks of the year, and only come out for a quick sight-in, and a few days of hunting, then back to the closet.

[Mongojoe]

John... Welcome to the forum... And I agree with you, price is not always an indicator of a good, serviceable hunting rifle... We gave our son in law a STEVENS Model 200 in .22-250 for Christmas last year...and with handloads it likes, it will put 5 shots in a group you can cover with a nickle at 100 yards...and, if I recall, we only gave about 250 dollars for it............... Also I see, as I predicted (I just went to the MOSSBERG website), they are now making a short action model of the Mossberg ATR in .308 and .243.................................... Again Welcome John. Glad to have you join us.

[Forestranger82]

Just bought the ATR 100 270 Win. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, going nuts here waiting for the range to do a orientation so I can start shooting. Wife left me alone for a few months, hehe, Picked up this and a Glock 9mm. So I've found a range and now I'm catching hell finding a place to hunt. Just moved out to West Texas, I'm not used to the whole hunting leases thing, and it seems the state parks don't let you hunt deer except by limited draw. I have friends in TN, I can go there but out of state licensees are insane. Anyone else in texas, there any hunt clubs that own land, one could get into?

[Mongojoe]

Forestranger82, Welcome....and let us know what you think of that rifle after you get a chance to shoot it..... Actually, there are 2 or 3 fellas here from Texas... I'm sure they will find this post before long.... Again, Welcome, glad to have you join us.

[DJnRF]

Well, Mossberg must have decided that a price of $348 was
just too cheap. I just checked their website and their
prices range from $424 to $568.

Everything seems to be with a free floating barrel, short
action. Some models are a rifle/scope combo. All other do
have rings, though.

They also have some wood furniture. A couple are just listed
as "wood", where some others are listed as "Walnut".

They have the Bantam models with a 20" barrel, while the
standard length is 22".

Where the synthetic stocks are great for all weather with
little or no need for much attention, I do like a good
Walnut stock. Of course, I would be sure to strip off any
'polish', and then soak it in Linseed oil for a week, or so.
It makes for a lot of extra work for me that way, but I
have always preferred this way to preserve the furniture.
I have always been hard on mine, and can repair the damage
much easier if they are soaked well, and then buffed well.

[Mongojoe]

Well, I'm not surprised at the price increase... I originally made this post on Oct. 17, 2005...so that was quite some time back.... But even with it having been that long, I still have not actually seen one of these rifles in person, or held one and looked it over........................ Actually, I always preferred wood stocks myself...guess I'm just "old school"...but I will admit that the synthetic stocks are much easier to care for and "keep up".

[JDECS]

Forestranger82, on 07 February 2010 - 09:40 PM, said:

... So I've found a range and now I'm catching hell finding a place to hunt. Just moved out to West Texas, I'm not used to the whole hunting leases thing, and it seems the state parks don't let you hunt deer except by limited draw. I have friends in TN, I can go there but out of state licensees are insane. Anyone else in texas, there any hunt clubs that own land, one could get into?

Just about all land in Texas seems to be private, so a lease or some *VERY* good friends or a hunt on a "managed ranch" ($$$!) are the most common options by far. There is some public land, some of it fairly decent territory. If you haven't already, check out:
http://www.tpwd.stat...t/public/lands/

If you want to take on some *small* game with that .270 (hee, hee, I do it with a .30-'06 some days!), there are a lot of folks who turn pest control into a "day lease" sort of thing all around your area and over to Hereford: Prairie Dogs! You could try Ms. Teresa Quillin 806-252-1821. She has a place right by Hereford on Co Rd MM upon which I have blasted many a grass-rat and not a few coyotes. Also in that area is Buster Miller 806-344-4525 and his son Burl 806-344-2316, but they were talking about poisoning the dogs, so you'd need to check. ANother possibility up there is James Cummings 806-250-3275.

If you do contact them and they want to know how you got to know of them, you can say from Dr. Dwight Miller, Dr. Charlie Thomason, and "Stoney" who have shot on their properties in the past.

I know Hereford is 250 miles north of you, but get ued to it; in Texas driving 90 miles for lunch is considered trivial, about a "one six-pack" trip.

[Forestranger82]

JDECS, on 10 February 2010 - 03:50 PM, said:

Just about all land in Texas seems to be private, so a lease or some *VERY* good friends or a hunt on a "managed ranch" ($$!) are the most common options by far. There is some public land, some of it fairly decent territory. If you haven't already, check out:
http://www.tpwd.stat...t/public/lands/

If you want to take on some *small* game with that .270 (hee, hee, I do it with a .30-'06 some days!), there are a lot of folks who turn pest control into a "day lease" sort of thing all around your area and over to Hereford: Prairie Dogs! You could try Ms. Teresa Quillin 806-252-1821. She has a place right by Hereford on Co Rd MM upon which I have blasted many a grass-rat and not a few coyotes. Also in that area is Buster Miller 806-344-4525 and his son Burl 806-344-2316, but they were talking about poisoning the dogs, so you'd need to check. ANother possibility up there is James Cummings 806-250-3275.

If you do contact them and they want to know how you got to know of them, you can say from Dr. Dwight Miller, Dr. Charlie Thomason, and "Stoney" who have shot on their properties in the past.

I know Hereford is 250 miles north of you, but get ued to it; in Texas driving 90 miles for lunch is considered trivial, about a "one six-pack" trip.

Thanks for the info, I'll check into it. LoL, So what your saying is get a sixpack and have a nice drive? Hehe love it. Later and thanks again