Amazed at the low cost/availability of high quality rifles, I am

[TheCoachZed]

Seems that years ago, when I joined this forum, the only rifles that could be had for low prices were the occasional Handi Rifle, Stevens 200, or Lee Enfield.

Now, it looks like nobody wants Mauser-based sporters anymore. Midlands, Parker Hale, JC Higgins ... all readily available in relatively good nick for $500 or less. Some of these were value rifles in their day, but are still much nicer than, say an Axis. Some might not shoot as well, some will.

Remington 760/7600 prices are also dropping, because nobody wants a goofy pump action. I guess everyone forgot about the Benoits. I sure wish the pump action fitted me well, I would have bought at least one on here.

Remington 740/742/750 prices are getting to be pretty low too. I know a lot of these are junk, of course ... I knew 3 or 4 guys who had them locally about 10 years ago, and they all moved on. Still, they are getting to be a lot cheaper than they used to be.

Savage 99s must be at least $200 cheaper than they were 10 years ago.

 

[kamlooky]

Welcome to the Tacky Werld.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Welcome to the Tacky Werld.

I guess.

I somewhat understand it. My brother in law just got his hands on a Savage Axis with the free scope. Out of the box, it shoots as well or better than any rifle I've ever had. For the average hunter who totes a rifle 3-4 weekends a year, why buy something better?

 

[buffdog]

I guess.

I somewhat understand it. My brother in law just got his hands on a Savage Axis with the free scope. Out of the box, it shoots as well or better than any rifle I've ever had. For the average hunter who totes a rifle 3-4 weekends a year, why buy something better?

Finally, in print, someone gets it! The latest rifles from the manufacturers are head and shoulders over what we old farts had available 50 years or so ago. Todays rifles can shoot minute of angle out of the box, while we were in our glory if we could get under two inches minute of angle in a hunting rifle. For HUNTING purposes, two minutes of angle will take your game animal within a reasonable distance. Within 300 yards, that translates to about a 6 inch circle and even a deer is regarded as having a 12 inch lethality area. It really does not matter too much if you shoot your meat with a $500 rifle, or a $1500 rifle, but today it seems that the plain Jane working rifle is downgraded.

 

[LarryG]

I guess.

I somewhat understand it. My brother in law just got his hands on a Savage Axis with the free scope. Out of the box, it shoots as well or better than any rifle I've ever had. For the average hunter who totes a rifle 3-4 weekends a year, why buy something better?

Granted, an Axis will do the job, but those crappy free scopes? Fuzzy and unreliable... hate em'. Can't even put them on a .22, only good for the trash.
Still the Remington 7600 is a much better gun for deer hunting, always will be IMHO, I'm with the Benoits on that one.

I like the new Detachable Box Mags that most manufacturers have gone to, and not so much the hinged floor plates. I got rid of all of mine for that reason, and one was a nice Sako. Sad, but that's progress.

 

[1899]

Finally, in print, someone gets it! The latest rifles from the manufacturers are head and shoulders over what we old farts had available 50 years or so ago. Todays rifles can shoot minute of angle out of the box, while we were in our glory if we could get under two inches minute of angle in a hunting rifle. For HUNTING purposes, two minutes of angle will take your game animal within a reasonable distance. Within 300 yards, that translates to about a 6 inch circle and even a deer is regarded as having a 12 inch lethality area. It really does not matter too much if you shoot your meat with a $500 rifle, or a $1500 rifle, but today it seems that the plain Jane working rifle is downgraded.

No, they are not. FN Supreme, Brno ZG46, Brno 21H, Husqvarna Lightweight, Mannlicher Schoenauer, Browning Safari, Sako L61R and even the Remington 700 of 50 years ago were superior to the "latest rifles". Out of the list I have owned 6 models out of the list (more than one of each model) and ALL have shot much better than 2" at 100 yards.

 

[Travis_m]

Most new "lower end" rifles today shoot better than their owners ability.

 

[Ironheart]

Most new "lower end" rifles today shoot better than their owners ability.

Agreed

 

[TheCoachZed]

Granted, an Axis will do the job, but those crappy free scopes? Fuzzy and unreliable... hate em'. Can't even put them on a .22, only good for the trash.
Still the Remington 7600 is a much better gun for deer hunting, always will be IMHO, I'm with the Benoits on that one.

I like the new Detachable Box Mags that most manufacturers have gone to, and not so much the hinged floor plates. I got rid of all of mine for that reason, and one was a nice Sako. Sad, but that's progress.

For most shooters, those free scopes get the job done and they're free. Did I mention free? Most guys have no idea there's something considerably better out there for little money. Also, they're free ...

The function of the detachable box mags is great, but I'd rather have a blind mag or floorplate I couldn't lose for hunting, I think. Unless the OEMs all get their head out of their collective backsides and start offering magazines for what they're actually worth. I'm sorry, but 50 cents worth of metal and plastic is not worth $50-100. If I was into manufacturing, I'd figure out how to make reliable, affordable aftermarket mags for Savage/Remington/Ruger and take it from there.

And re: the 7600--If I had one that fit me as well as my old Savage 170 pump rifle, I'd love one. But I find the forend is too far out there for comfortable shooting, and I have no idea why almost all of them are sold with those awkward-looking rifle-length barrels.