Mossberg ATR Rifles?

truckman · #1 04-28-2009, 07:06 PM

Anyone have any experience or opinions they can share about the Mossberg ATR 100 rifles? I am looking for an inexpensive rifle to use for an "extra" gun.

Cleankill47 · #2 04-28-2009, 07:59 PM

From what I've seen, the Mossberg 4X4's are better built, but I'm sure you'll get arguments for the ATR as well. Personally, I would go with the 4X4, just because I like the feel and heft of the rifle better than the ATR. I don't think there's too much price difference, either.

polaris30144 · #3 04-29-2009, 01:49 AM

The 4x4 and ATR are the same gun, like a Remington 700,ADL, BDL just different stocks and finishes offered.

From their website;

Mossberg has built on the overwhelming success of the 100 ATR™ bolt-action rifle, using a no-nonsense, rock solid design and affordability as the canvas for this rendition - the new 4x4 Bolt-Action.

They are a solid built hunting rifle. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars on a gun to kill deer. I have the 100 ATR in 30-06 and it functions and shoots fine. There are plenty of deer killed with utility grade rifles every year, the more expensive rifles are to feed egos not bellies.

wildcats · #4 04-29-2009, 05:34 AM

Because of the price I picked one up with the purpose of having a low priced gun that I didn't mind getting a scratch or two on. Picked it up from a member here. The gun shoots great. It lacks a bit in refinement but with it I can shoot 3 shots at a 100yards and cover the holes with a quarter using factory ammo. This works fine for me. It is not my main rifle but it has yet to fail me.
The gun I have is light weight and kicks pretty good but I never feel it when pulling the trigger on a deer anyway.

parolebear · #5 05-01-2009, 08:49 AM

I have an ATR 100 in '06, it is a great shooting very accurate rifle. It will shoot better than I do and while I rarely shoot past 50 yds it will just about consistantly touch at that range. I also have a 4x4 in 338 win mag. It is a better looking gun (not sure about feel) and is a shooter also. It is a little light for the caliber but will put them in there if you can do your part. I would just as soon have a Mossberg and the extra green paper as i would other higher dollar guns.

My custom rifles and high dollar guns seem to miss the chance to get into the woods over the last couple of years. Last year my Mossberg 810 killed 2 deer in 2 shots. I realize that it is a "cheap" gun but the deer did not ask what killed them. Laugh at my Mossberg shotguns and rifles but they work and I can afford them.

dixiejacket · #6 05-01-2009, 12:39 PM

Got one in .270. Good shooting rifle and the deer never know they are hammered by a "cheap" gun.

Bill Mc · #7 05-01-2009, 08:15 PM

A co-worker at work has a .308.

I shot cloverleafs at 100 yards with it. Plenty good for a deer rifle.

The only thing I didn't like was the blind magazine.

Bruz · #8 05-15-2009, 12:43 AM

Nope......They seem to be blowing up and sending bolts into folks faces or blowing their hands off. The design has a pin connecting the press fit bolt body to the bolt. If the pin breaks the bolt body seems to be able to rotate without locking the recoil lug......Then when you fire it the bolt fires rearward.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...page/1/fpart/1

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...ue#Post2525183

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...page/0/fpart/1

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...Number=1895607

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.g...1ed6255a2ddd18

polaris30144 · #9 05-15-2009, 05:58 AM

All of these links are from stories about people that know or knew someone that is a friend of a friend that heard a story about this and it is at least two years old. If you read the whole link, it seems that most manufacturers are using the same design bolts. It sounds more like internet ninja's reporting on hearsay stories. If these stories were absolutely true, Mossberg would have had a recall on all ATR rifles by now.

There is questions in each case as to whether the ammo was factory or reloaded and whether or not there might have been an obstructed barrel. The other question is whether or not the bolt was disassembled by owner to clean before shooting and reassembled incorrectly or damaged.

I researched the recalls by Mossberg and found this link from their web page. http://www.regcen.com/howa/
There is no recall on ATR's, it is on the Howa's and the malfunctions were on Howa's, not ATR's. Some people get their facts confused when they repeat second or fourth hand info in public forums. This story originated in 2007 and there have been no followup postings or recalls, just people reposting incomplete info. I am not convinced anyone is doing it on purpose, but through lack of research. As said here and elsewhere, people keep saying that such and such gun is the same as such and such gun, before you know it they become the other gun in repeated stories.

One other thought comes to mind, if a gun is bought from Walmart, the original bolt may or may not be with the gun it was head spaced with. I have seen(watched them personally) Walmart Gun Gurus take a bunch of guns out of the boxes to set up a display and place all of the bolts on the counter. When they finished unpacking the display guns they grabbed whatever bolt and slammed them into whatever gun, if it fit they were good to go. Beware the eventual purchaser on having a dangerous head space issue.