Arttech Prima XP pump action in .308

[NickRigby]

Just thought I'd share my experience with the Turkish made Prima XP pump action rifle in .308, in case anyone is considering buying one. These are just my opinions based on my experiences. I was looking for a fast firing, lightweight option for deer hunting, mainly Fallow and occasional Red in steep forested country in the NSW Central West. I picked up the black synthetic model of one of these new for a good clearance price, $995, from a Sydney dealer. In hindsight, it was a bit of an impulse buy. I owned it and hunted with it for around 6 months before I decided it wasn't my cup of tea. My first impression was that it was bulkier and heavier than expected. I had done some research and although from memory it weighed in at 3.25 kg bare, it's bulky feel and "weight forward" balance increased the "felt weight". The spring loaded action was fast and smooth, but I found not being able to lock the action open for cleaning etc really frustrating. The other thing about the action that bugged me was the slide coming back over the base of the magazine, precluding a higher capacity mag. The path of the slide was also where I put my trigger finger in the safe position and until I got used to it, gave myself some painful whacks while fast cycling.
The above I may have lived with, but the accuracy was what did it. It did produce some ok groups, 2.5" at 100m but they were no means consistent and in my book, confidence in accuracy consistency is all important in hunting. Groups would widen to 3-4" with a bit of barrel warming, and with ammo it didn't like, out to 5-6" groups. It did like 200gr Sako Hammerheads, and my hand loads replicating them, and 150 gr Norma Whitetail, but still both 2.5 moa. However, even with them, just a bore snake through it would throw it back into 4-5 moa territory and it would take at least 10-15 rounds of fowling to bring the groups back in. I've never owned a gun that needed to be shot dirty like this one. I like to give my centrefires a routine clean after a target session or hunt where I've fired a few rounds, so i found this characteristic annoying. I don't know if this is the same with all of them, but this one certainly didn't like being cleaned. It's gone at a bargain price and I'm back with my beloved Tikka T3 in .308, almost as fast when needed, super accurate, light and well balanced. Just thought I'd share.

[Wapiti]

Thanks Nick, for your info.
I'd wondered about these rifles as well as all the other different attempts in bringing something new to the market since the demise of the 7600 range. The story is because of the popularity of the AR15 styles in the US, they didn't sell. Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you.
The market is jammed with 223's but the more hunting-suitable 308 rifles seem few and far between.

[mickb]

Nice review mate

[NickRigby]

They may be an ok option for dealing with a mob of pigs within 100 m, but then the low magazine capacity would be a real disadvantage. Personally, if close range pig culling is what I'm about, a 30/30 lever with a low powered scope is my go to.

I'm not hearing good things about the accuracy of the current batch of .223 pumps and lever release either.