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Old 02-08-2020, 11:50 AM
aardvaark aardvaark is offline
 
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Default Difference between $350, $1000, $2000 guns

Really appreciated this video. Well-reported.

https://youtu.be/CA2AXd91p8Y
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Old 02-08-2020, 01:47 PM
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I always figured Bragging Rights were the important factor. Certainly, some of the expensive brands have come down a few notches in quality.

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Old 02-08-2020, 02:23 PM
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Default Clowns

Most Hunters should buy a $350.00 gun? What a joke, I stopped watching these clowns a few seconds into this video.
If you are buying a rifle just to have one and really have no plans on using it, buy a $350.00 rifle other then that buy a rifle that will serve you years of use and enjoyment.
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Old 02-08-2020, 02:53 PM
Nyksta Nyksta is offline
 
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I wouldnt spend $350 on another Xbolt, let alone $2000 like they have chosen for their selection
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Old 02-08-2020, 03:01 PM
fps plus fps plus is offline
 
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$650,$ 1000 and $1650
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Old 02-08-2020, 03:44 PM
Pathfinder76 Pathfinder76 is online now
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyksta View Post
I wouldnt spend $350 on another Xbolt, let alone $2000 like they have chosen for their selection
Ain’t that the truth.
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Old 02-08-2020, 05:37 PM
Mulehahn Mulehahn is offline
 
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I have an 25-06 Stevens 200 that I bought new for around $250 10 years ago. Still shoots about .8 moa if I do my part. It has good glass and makes a perfect predator gun. I enjoy it and it has never failed me. Picked up a ruger american ranch in .223 to use while i letting my other guns cool. It shoots nice. Action is rough but getting better. I enjoy that one to.

I know exactly what theu are. They are reliable, enjoyable firearms. Will i take either on a dream hunt? But can't say my much more expensive guns function any better.
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Old 02-08-2020, 05:44 PM
marky_mark marky_mark is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silver lab View Post
Most Hunters should buy a $350.00 gun? What a joke, I stopped watching these clowns a few seconds into this video.
If you are buying a rifle just to have one and really have no plans on using it, buy a $350.00 rifle other then that buy a rifle that will serve you years of use and enjoyment.
Bingo
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Old 02-08-2020, 06:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silver lab View Post
Most Hunters should buy a $350.00 gun? What a joke, I stopped watching these clowns a few seconds into this video.
If you are buying a rifle just to have one and really have no plans on using it, buy a $350.00 rifle other then that buy a rifle that will serve you years of use and enjoyment.
You watched a few seconds, and that's what you came away with. Cool!
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Old 02-08-2020, 06:10 PM
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Wow, I couldn’t watch more than 3 minutes. Those guys are clueless.
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Old 02-08-2020, 06:13 PM
shooter12 shooter12 is offline
 
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I actually kind of agree with a statement that to buy a $350 gun is not a bad idea.
I could not stand to watch how my son was treating couple of thousands dollars rifle with a nice walnut stock , that I bought for him when he was 6 years old .
And I had to buy a cheap Savage Axis ,so he could learn how to handle a firearm properly until ready to move on into something of better quality.
I still have this cheap gun in my safe along with way more expensive weapons..
S12

Last edited by shooter12; 02-08-2020 at 06:19 PM.
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Old 02-08-2020, 06:21 PM
marky_mark marky_mark is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter12 View Post
I actually kind of agree with a statement that to buy a $350 gun is not a bad idea.
I could not stand to watch how my son was treating couple of thousands dollars rifle with a nice walnut stock , that I bought for him when he was 6 years old .
And I had to buy a cheap Savage Axis ,so he could learn how to handle a firearm properly until ready to move on into something of better quality.
I still have this cheap gun in my safe along with way more expensive weapons..
S12
I have a savage axis 223 and man, it is great for coyotes!
No comparison between them and a fine rifle though
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Old 02-08-2020, 06:38 PM
SouthWestRanger SouthWestRanger is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyksta View Post
I wouldnt spend $350 on another Xbolt, let alone $2000 like they have chosen for their selection
I’ve never shot any newer brownings... have they really let their quality fall so much?
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Old 02-08-2020, 06:46 PM
shooter12 shooter12 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marky_mark View Post
I have a savage axis 223 and man, it is great for coyotes!
No comparison between them and a fine rifle though
Exactly!
Mine is in a 243 and I've seen 0.6-0.7 groups out of it many times, but of course NO,I will not take it on a serious hunt.

S12
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Old 02-09-2020, 05:16 AM
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I own many savage rifles and I put their accuracy up against any high end rifles. Hand loading for them helps too, but they will shoot factory ammo really well too. When I’m hunting, I’m putting my gear and rifle through the elements, and for that reason I’m happy taking the savage rifles. My higher end rifles either have too much sentimental value or are too expensive imo
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Old 02-09-2020, 06:10 AM
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You tube has sure made experts out of a lot of people

If you don't plan on using a high end gun then why buy it ?? makes no sense to me. That would be like me leaving my beretta DT11 combo in the safe when I go trap shooting and buying a mossberg pump to use. ?? I guess to each their own.

But then I know people that have a $100,000 cadillac escalade sitting in the garage that they only drive a couple times a year, can't drive it in winter cause it get's salt on it, can't drive it today cause it's supposed to rain, I guess it's nice to look at and talk about, must be a status thing, or maybe they just have to much money

Anyway just my opinion for what it's worth
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Old 02-09-2020, 06:55 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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In some ways, they made good points, the X-Bolt for example, was a fancy looking rifle, with the colored finish, yet the Tikka at half the cost has a better trigger, and the action is just as smooth. The savage has by far the most flimsy stock, and the cheapest trigger. Yet all three can be equally accurate.
I like a very rigid stock, that is strong and stable in any climate, so I am willing to pay top dollar for a McMillan stock. I want a crisp trigger, that can be adjusted below 3lbs, so I am willing to pay extra for an aftermarket trigger. I also like to shoot cartridges that are not available from most manufacturers, and I like certain barrel lengths and certain contours, so I am willing to pay for a custom barrel. When I hunt big game, I want a rifle that is totally reliable, accurate under all conditions, and that fits and balances the way that I want. So for me a $350 rifle is not going to happen, but I have used $1000 rifles for range rifles, and my current range rifle is around $1400.

When you think about it, a tank of fuel can cost $100 or more, and you can spend $200 in licenses, so if I use a $2000 rife for ten years, it has only cost me $200 per year, so no more than licenses, and less than fuel for my vehicle. My go to big game rifle cost me considerably more, but I have had it for six years, and I intend to use it as long as I hunt big game. Some people spend over $5000 per year smoking, thousands drinking, or thousands at casinos, yet they shake their head, when someone spends that much on a rifle that they enjoy for many years. One fellow that shoots skeet with us, has had at least four sub $1000 shotguns, in the past two years, and at least three have failed to function on the skeet field. One time, he brought two guns, and he had to borrow a gun to shoot the last round, because both of his guns stopped functioning. That is bad enough on the skeet field, but it would be a real pain if a firearm quit in the field while hunting, after you paid for fuel , ammunition, licenses, and spent time scouting.
Spend what makes you comfortable, as long as you can afford the price.
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Old 02-09-2020, 08:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11 View Post
In some ways, they made good points, the X-Bolt for example, was a fancy looking rifle, with the colored finish, yet the Tikka at half the cost has a better trigger, and the action is just as smooth. The savage has by far the most flimsy stock, and the cheapest trigger. Yet all three can be equally accurate.
I like a very rigid stock, that is strong and stable in any climate, so I am willing to pay top dollar for a McMillan stock. I want a crisp trigger, that can be adjusted below 3lbs, so I am willing to pay extra for an aftermarket trigger. I also like to shoot cartridges that are not available from most manufacturers, and I like certain barrel lengths and certain contours, so I am willing to pay for a custom barrel. When I hunt big game, I want a rifle that is totally reliable, accurate under all conditions, and that fits and balances the way that I want. So for me a $350 rifle is not going to happen, but I have used $1000 rifles for range rifles, and my current range rifle is around $1400.

When you think about it, a tank of fuel can cost $100 or more, and you can spend $200 in licenses, so if I use a $2000 rife for ten years, it has only cost me $200 per year, so no more than licenses, and less than fuel for my vehicle. My go to big game rifle cost me considerably more, but I have had it for six years, and I intend to use it as long as I hunt big game. Some people spend over $5000 per year smoking, thousands drinking, or thousands at casinos, yet they shake their head, when someone spends that much on a rifle that they enjoy for many years. One fellow that shoots skeet with us, has had at least four sub $1000 shotguns, in the past two years, and at least three have failed to function on the skeet field. One time, he brought two guns, and he had to borrow a gun to shoot the last round, because both of his guns stopped functioning. That is bad enough on the skeet field, but it would be a real pain if a firearm quit in the field while hunting, after you paid for fuel , ammunition, licenses, and spent time scouting.
Spend what makes you comfortable, as long as you can afford the price.
This is really good advice.

You should make a video
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Old 02-09-2020, 08:40 AM
Smoky buck Smoky buck is offline
 
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Just buy what fits your personal needs and understand what you are paying for. There is cheap crap that will get you by, there is no frills well built mid range work horses firearms, and you got your pretty all the bells and whistles expensive firearms.

I am a mid range guy that looks for a well built reliable firearm that will perform within my shooting limits. I will never buy another budget savage or mossberg do to past experience with quality. But I can also never see my self going for a fancy custom rifle or a pretty wooden stock. I would be paying for performance I will never use or beat up the pretty finish
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Old 02-09-2020, 08:47 AM
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I am not about to tell anyone what to buy or what to use unless they ask for suggestions and even then I would not recommend what I like to use for a first rifle.
However I have had lots of people tell me that my rifle is " too nice to hunt with"
I had my last rifle built to last , to be accurate and to look good as well .
I don't make a habit of throwing my rifles around , but at the same time , but I like nice wood on my rifles .
They hold zero and are accurate however those two things are important .
Cost has nothing to do with it in my opinion , even an expensive rifle us s piece of crap if it's broke!
Cat
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Old 02-09-2020, 09:21 AM
Salavee Salavee is offline
 
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I saw a real nice old Tikka 65 for sale at a show that had a $850.00 price tag hanging on it. In the very next booth there was a brand new Tikka T-3 Lite, with warranty, for the same money. I'm wondering what the hell is going on with the used gun sellers. Do they think I'm crazy ?
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Old 02-09-2020, 09:29 AM
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I did not watch much of the video. As usual, YouTube has some great stuff, like how to fix your SamDung dryer but a whole bunch more that is blather by idiots.

Personally, I have guns that range from very inexpensive to quite costly; what I don't own is a gun that doesn't function well or shoot good. Price is not the primary determinant of either, nor does a higher price ensure suitability for the intended purpose for a specific user. This is why I rarely respond to the which gun should I buy threads. You need quite a good deal of information to be able to truly help someone make a good choice and like Cat said, what I like to use is very often not the right choice for someone else.

My best advice is to buy and/or try as many as you can afford or borrow and you will eventually land on one you like. If you do a lot of hunting and shooting, your preferences are bound to change over time so you will end up buying and selling quite a few just from evolving tastes. It isn't like getting married, you aren't promising to keep her for life, though come to think about it, lots of guys I know had evolving preferences in that area too.
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Old 02-09-2020, 09:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Salavee View Post
I saw a real nice old Tikka 65 for sale at a show that had a $850.00 price tag hanging on it. In the very next booth there was a brand new Tikka T-3 Lite, with warranty, for the same money. I'm wondering what the hell is going on with the used gun sellers. Do they think I'm crazy ?
Tikka M65 and M55 regularly sell for more than the cost of a new T3, they are of considerably better quality. I love them.
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Old 02-09-2020, 09:42 AM
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New, used, smoking deal?
Need, want, desire?
It’s all dependant

I’ve seen plenty of $300 gently used rifles, that easily are worth double that.

I’ve also seen some $350 pure utility grade rifles, that are serviceable rifles, yet do nothing to tickle my fancy either through cartridge choice or aesthetics, or pure curiosity.

My last semi custom rifle came in around $1800, that’s with the cost of the original rifle which donated the action. But then again where can a guy find a left hand, Rem 700 in .280AI, with an after market trigger, and a upgraded recoil lug, off the shelf?

Disposable income has moved us far past the utilitarian approach our parents or grandparents had, long gone are $25 surplus rifles sold out of wooden barrels at the local hardware store, long gone(for the most part) are the get close and don’t waste your ammo, I shoot 3 shots a year hunters too.
So yes a $350 entry level hunting rifle, can certainly get the job done, but I’m a bit beyond a bic lighter user, and prefer something a bit nicer, like a left hand 788 Remington, or a nice gently used 7600 Rem..................
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Old 02-09-2020, 01:18 PM
Salavee Salavee is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by no-regard View Post
Tikka M65 and M55 regularly sell for more than the cost of a new T3, they are of considerably better quality. I love them.
That's exactly what I was getting at in a round about way. Seems that there is darn near a whole new generation or two that miss the point completely. I venture to say there are a LOT more real good to awesome firearm deals on the used gun market than there ever will be on the new stuff. Doing a little home work is all it takes. Meanwhile , back at the gun counter..
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Old 02-09-2020, 01:23 PM
STY181 STY181 is offline
 
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some times you get what you pay for. I have had and still have many Savage rifles and all but one will group as good as my rifles that I paid hundreds of dollars more for. The last one I bought model 16 will not shoot under 3" at a hundred yards. I have played with it for over 2 years now factory and hand loads. I final bore scoped it the rifling looks like it was cut with a dermal.So now I'm a little leary about buying a new cheep rifle as they have to cut costs some how.
PS That 67 dollar E bay bore scope works great
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Old 02-09-2020, 01:49 PM
Salavee Salavee is offline
 
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"So yes a $350 entry level hunting rifle, can certainly get the job done, but I’m a bit beyond a bic lighter user, and prefer something a bit nicer, like a left hand 788 Remington, or a nice gently used 7600 Rem....."

I shudder to think what a $350.00 retail rifle actually costs to manufacture.

Take a minimum 15% profit for the mfg, another min 15% for the distributor and another 15% (minimum) for the dealer plus any foreign currency exchange rates.
and it's pretty easy to determine it doesn't cost much to build a gun these days.
No room for quality control.. unlike the ancient builds.
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Old 02-09-2020, 02:10 PM
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It’s not expensive to put together a custom rifle unless you go crazy. Why do people insist on the big brands factory offering with the crap scopes barrels and triggers and call it a day. On big hunts 2000$ on a rifle setup that you can keep for ever when you take a week off work is just fluff.
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Old 02-09-2020, 02:37 PM
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Default Clarification please

Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11 View Post
One fellow that shoots skeet with us, has had at least four sub $1000 shotguns, in the past two years, and at least three have failed to function on the skeet field.
Elk, I basically agree with what is being said by most in this thread. However, it seems that you are suggesting that a gun like an 870 or 500 will not be reliable. Or are you just talking about cheap O/Us?

Does anyone have any experience with Savage Axis or Ruger American rifles failing to function in the field? How about Weatherby Vanguards?

I just hunt deer and ducks so these questions are just out of curiosity.

Thanks for any explanations.
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Old 02-09-2020, 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Dubious View Post
It’s not expensive to put together a custom rifle unless you go crazy. Why do people insist on the big brands factory offering with the crap scopes barrels and triggers and call it a day. On big hunts 2000$ on a rifle setup that you can keep for ever when you take a week off work is just fluff.
You are putting a custom rifle together for 2000 bucks?
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