What would you pay ??

jacky

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Ok an older hunting friend of mine has decided to sell one of his prized possessions and I was wondering what some of you think it is worth.

It is a custom rifle built in 358 winchester. It has a Sako action and a Douglas Barrel. The stock is made of Japanese Yew and is blonde in color and mint. The action has been glass bedded and it is in exceptional shape. The rifle comes with dies, brass and brass resizing tool. I know the handload that he uses and even the most inexperienced shooter would be able to put three shots into a dime. The rifle is a real tack driver.

What do you think I should offer him (without pissing him off....) Thoughts ??
thanks
 
The least I`d think would be $1000 and go up from there. From your description, it sounds like a 12 to $1500 gun, perhaps more if the wood is extra nice and well done. I wouldn`t think $1000 should offend your friend. :)
 
I'd ask him to name a price and either accept or decline. ;)

+2 on this advice. If it is a run of the mill rifle that reguarly sells on the EE you can provide examples of prices, but the one of's are hard to put a price on. It comes down to how much he wants to sell it to how much are you willing to fork over. Something of quality if taken care of can appreciate in value!
 
That's kind of a loaded question, as a rifle is only worth what others are willing to pay for it. The equipment exchange is probably a pretty good indicator of what a gun is actually worth. There are plenty of guns on the exchange that have been bumped a half dozen times, because the seller thinks that it's worth more than what any buyer is willing to pay. Custom rifles are a beast unto their own. If you know the seller, know how he treated the firearm, and know that the gunsmith put it together well, then it may be worth a great deal of money to you; only if that particular gun is what you want.
On the other hand, if you don't know the seller, and you are not familiar with the gunsmith that put it together, out of suspicion, that gun may be worth very little. The buyer may have paid a great deal of money for a feature that you may find irrelevant; IE: a Winchester-style 3 position safety costs on average $350.00 installed; many wouldn't think that it increases the value of the rifle by that amount.

Lets look at your friends rifle subjectively:
Action $500.00 (actually a bit high, but Sako actions sell for a premium)
Barrel $400.00
Stock $500.00
Most people won't pay any extra for dies or brass, but let's be friendly and give him $50.00.
total at most, given that you know that it was put together well= $1450.00
Mike
 
That's kind of a loaded question, as a rifle is only worth what others are willing to pay for it. The equipment exchange is probably a pretty good indicator of what a gun is actually worth. There are plenty of guns on the exchange that have been bumped a half dozen times, because the seller thinks that it's worth more than what any buyer is willing to pay. Custom rifles are a beast unto their own. If you know the seller, know how he treated the firearm, and know that the gunsmith put it together well, then it may be worth a great deal of money to you; only if that particular gun is what you want.
On the other hand, if you don't know the seller, and you are not familiar with the gunsmith that put it together, out of suspicion, that gun may be worth very little. The buyer may have paid a great deal of money for a feature that you may find irrelevant; IE: a Winchester-style 3 position safety costs on average $350.00 installed; many wouldn't think that it increases the value of the rifle by that amount.

Lets look at your friends rifle subjectively:
Action $500.00 (actually a bit high, but Sako actions sell for a premium)
Barrel $400.00
Stock $500.00
Most people won't pay any extra for dies or brass, but let's be friendly and give him $50.00.
total at most, given that you know that it was put together well= $1450.00
Mike


hmmm This is a good anaolgy because when I added it up I figured about $1400, but I also know he is a good guy and offered it too me because I have shot it, knows what it does and can appreciate it. I am going to ask him to name a price and I suspect it will come in around $1000 maybe less.

The EE is a little hard to use in this case as bolt action 358's are not that common let alone custom ones with wood I have only seen on one other rifle in my life time. Thanks guys
 
How much?

Yeah Id say " Let me know what price you'd feel good about selling it to me".. or "whats your best price for me?"...something like that. Then either take or leave it. I wouldnt try to bargain to much.
Geoff
 
Let him set the first price because he is the seller. If he's a friend, there's a good chance he'll offer it to you for much less than it's worth. If that happens, you'll say "that's not enough" and offer him more. That shows him that you value the friendship more than the deal, and is how friends are supposed to treat each other.

On the other hand if his initial price is too high, just pass on it altogether instead of taking a chance on insulting him with a lower offer.
 
I would suspect, the less common the cartridge, the less people would be willing to pay for the gun, on the average. I've seen guys inquiring about the 358 Norma Mag on the EE, but If someone actually offered them one, how much do you think that they'd be willing to pay? It sounds to me like you're willing to give your friend an honest deal, and you're friend is willing to give you an honest deal as well; great!
 
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