Pappy348 - purchased a new RAR Predator in .243W as I wanted a heavier barrel than the Marlin XS7C sporter already in the safe . It did what Ruger said it would do. It is accurate if a bit homely.
NO glossy blue job and certainly NO "XXX" grade walnut stock BUT you're not paying for that. What you get is a rifle that will put a bullet into a tight group for not a lot of $$$. Simply put: the RAR
does what it was designed (and priced for). Homesteader
And that's a sensible approach if it satisfies your needs and wants. My go-to economy bolt gun is the stainless 77 Mark II or 77 Hawkeye because I don't like DMs, especially plastic ones, and prefer bottom metal to bottom plastic, but those are just my notions. I'm willing to pay a bit more for what I want rather than settle and seethe over something less acceptable to me. My newest Hawkeye All Weather, a.223, was very reasonably priced and scratches the right itches for me. Might be the last rifle I buy, actually, as I think all the holes are filled (assuming I don't dream up any more holes🤔).
