New or Used, Which is better?

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joshuadbaskill

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I am looking to purchase a mid-grade .243 and am a little torn between the browning x-bolt Hunter / weatherby vanguard sporter / Remington 700 classic. What are the comparisons in overall quality and accuracy? I am mainly going to use it for gophers, coyotes and at a range. I currently own a Rem 700 in .270 that’s 34 yrs. old, and a browning A-bolt that’s 27 yrs old. I have looked at a few new ones at wholesale sports but they don’t feel like the same quality as the old ones. Should I be looking for an older used one or are the new ones better then they seem? If I were to purchase a new one which manufacture/models have a better track record?
 
I like older/used rifles but i have more than a few in my safe that i bought new. Guess i'm somewhere in the middle. As for the choices of firearms you listed, i can't help because i don't own any of them so i'm useless on that front. To the question about new rifles, i hear the new winchesters are nice. Almost like pre-64's. Can't go wrong with a Sako or a Tikka. Savage makes good rifles for the price. The list goes on and on really. It'd be best to go into a gun shop with an open mind and see which one fits you best IMHO. They'll all shoot well* if you do your part. Best of luck. :cheers:

*You can get a POS from any manufacturer. Sh*t happens.
 
I haven't bought a new, off the rack gun in decades. The older stuff just seems to be so much better quality. Particularly from the 1920's through to the late '50's-early '60's, quality of workmanship and materials seemed to come together to produce the best there ever was. The "newest" gun in my rack is a Marlin .22 mag built in 1985.
 
I can't remember the last gun I bought new, oops yes it was my 590 Mossberg which I bought in early 2001. Since then I've bought used, some I've used as is, others I've had custom work done to to morph them into something different. The rifles and shotguns I've bought include Brno, Husqvarna, Ithica, Ruger, Tikka, SAKO, Unique, Winchester, and a Mauser or two, and some handguns of various lineage, although I prefer Colt and S&W as a rule.

Lightly used firearms represent the opportunity to buy a quality firearm for less money than new, acquire models that are no longer in production, and in some cases certain pieces have better wood and metal work, and show superior workmanship. In other cases its just that a particular piece is desirable to certain individuals.
 
I'd say lightly used is your best bang for your buck, I'm a fan of older guns myself, however I also have quite a few that I bought new. I have a 700 made in '88 and another that I bought new last year. Other than a plastic trigger guard I can't see any real difference in quality.

Buy what you like, as was stated earlier you can get a junk gun from any manufacturer.
 
I prefer new, quality rifles with a guaranteed accuracy. I have bought a number of used ones as well. What kind of budget are you considering? That can have an effect...
 
I go with new. No sense inheriting undisclosed issues or potentially dealing with someone abusing their rifles(ie hot loading). For the price difference there is really no excuse to buy used unless you get a steal of a deal.

New guns seem to be inherently more accurate than old ones. Guessing improvements in machining and manufacturing techniques(case and point are sub MOA savage axis'). The old ones generally have better fit and finish on them making them feel better to shoot and hold.
 
This is a great question. It seems that when I look at new rifles they always look inexpensive compared to used ones. Not that I have bought any new ones ( I just bought another 303 and a swede I really needed)
 
The Cabelas in Edmonton has some .243 Win chambered Vanguards with synthetic stocks going for $379 NIB. IMHO they are the better bang for your buck compared to the other models you listed and anything used.
 
joshuadbaskill said:
I am looking to purchase a mid-grade .243 and am a little torn between the browning x-bolt Hunter / weatherby vanguard sporter / Remington 700 classic. What are the comparisons in overall quality and accuracy? I am mainly going to use it for gophers, coyotes and at a range. I currently own a Rem 700 in .270 that’s 34 yrs. old, and a browning A-bolt that’s 27 yrs old. I have looked at a few new ones at wholesale sports but they don’t feel like the same quality as the old ones. Should I be looking for an older used one or are the new ones better then they seem? If I were to purchase a new one which manufacture/models have a better track record?
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I'm a Browning fan. Although I haven't tried the X -bolt, yet! A friend of mine bought X-bolt Micro Hunter in 308 and is a happy camper. I'd lay odds that you will like lots, a Hunter in 243.
 
good used if they are good is likely the best way to go in most cases. but if there is nothing available at the time, you'll have to buy new. but do some research on what you have in mind to buy before just going out and buy. some new stuff is not worth bringing home.
 
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Hard to find a good used .243... they normally get shot a lot and the barrels will be worn...
Find a worn out one and put a new stainless match grade barrel on it and you will be much better than a new factory rifle.
 
I'd rather buy new, i know a few guys that sold their rifle because they were not that satified with it... JP.
 
For what it is worth, the most accurate .243 that I owned was a Savage, the first series that they made with their barrel system used from the 340. I bought it marked down at Army & Navy in Vancouver for well less than $100, should have bought a .308 as well. :(

The Savage was a tack driver but had as yet developed no reputation for this bolt action which came later. I "upgraded" for another .243, many $$$ more and it could not do what the Savage had down.

Could this have been a Model 1000?
 
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