Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What used centerfires have you regretted not puchasing, and why?

There are two gunshops where I've done most of my buying of guns, accessories, handloading stuff, etc., over the past 20 years or so. One is one hour's drive to the north of where I live, in central Ontario, and the other is 1/2 hour to the south in southern Ontario. I visit their websites once or twice weekly browsing mostly for used large-bore centerfires that may be of interest. For example, I've looked for an M700 Remington Classic in 8mm Rem Mag for years, almost to no avail, and when one did show up too much was wanted for it.

Last week I did a survey of the website to the north... certainly one of the largest dealers of rifles in Canada with a huge selection of used rifles and a lot of daily turnover.

Here's an overview of what was available (really not a lot of surprises, but some: of 205 used centerfires (I didn't count the number of .22RF's but there were probably 75 and a hundred or so shotguns): fully 50% of the total were .30 cals (if 303 British is included, but only 6 of 'em)with the .308 Win leading the way with 40. Next the .30-06 with 21, followed by the .30-30 with 15. Other .30 cals were scattered, including a few 300 mags. Not many 270 W's = 9 + one 270WSM. There were quite a few one-of-a-kind= one7mmWBY, one 50BMG, one 25-06, one 223WSSM, one 318NE ($4000!!), one 340WBY, one 257AI, one 33Win, one 7mmRM (not many 7mm's), one custom 416 Taylor on an M70 ($1299), one 6.8SPC, one 32-20, one 338 Federal, one 9.3X74R (double)expensive... etc.

Then there were a few that piqued my interest: a 350RM in a Ruger 77 at $599. A Savage 116 stainless with accu-trigger, in 338WM, excellent condition for $679.

That's just an overview. It changes daily, and when something I may be interested in caliber-wise and in my price bracket appears, it seems to be grabbed by someone before I make up my mind...

What's your experience?

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

A 4-digit SN (12xx) Winchester Model 54, 95%+, factory Redfield receiver sight, .270 WCF. Out the door, for less than $500.

Ouch.............

For a while about 10 years ago, I'd see 60's-era Marlin 336's for CHEAP. Like, $125-$150. Bought one for my brother. Shoulda bought a few more.

Two that still haunt me:

Winchester Model 70 XTR Featherweight in .257 Roberts. Walnut and blued. Leupold 2-7x32 scope (one of the old Vari-Xs, can't remember if it was a Vari-X II or III). Excellent condition, no blemishes. Just a little bluing wear in all the right places.

Professionally sporterized .30-40 Krag. Walnut stock was well-sculpted with nice conservative lines and checkering. Bolt handle turned down. No rust on the metal. Aftermarket reciever-mounted peep sight (Lyman?). Not a trace of aluminum or plastic anywhere on that rifle, just well-cared-for blued steel and walnut.

In both instances I was trying to be "financially responsible" and hesitantly put them back on the rack. As I returned them to the rack I knew I would later regret it. I have ever since.

Rich

Savage 99 in .284 win... Nice one, too - priced accordingly. I was just about to move, and didn't have the scratch. Just about killed me for obvious reasons.

I recently had a Remington 600 in 350 Mag in my hands for $400, but I decided to think about it. It was gone quick. Years ago I saw a Winchester 100 Deluxe in 284 for $300 and had the money in my pocket but I decided against it.

Three Diamondbacks, less than five maybe three years ago; One 22, two 38's. Two were $350, a nickle was $375. All mint, hardly used.

Dammit!

Recently I walked away from an early, mint Winchester M63 22LR for a great price. Why? I had already bought a Kimber 22 Hunter that day, and had a momentary lapse of fiscal responsibility. Sometimes I hate being an adult!

A Rigby .275 with fitted case and original scope in England 1982 for 600 pounds minus the VAT, and several interesting Marlins for less than $200.

A .270 Husqvarna & an old .270 Weatherby with Weatherby scope, that I passed on about 4 years ago. I also keep thinking about a .243 Sako Forester that I sold about 25 years ago. I wish I hadn't sold it.

A few years ago I passed on a Winchester 88 in 90-95% condition. Thought it was just too highly priced.
Now everytime I see what they're going for I...... well, you know.

Since you confined the thread to cf rifles, I won't say anything about the 28ga model 12 skeet grade, like new that I let slip thru my fingers. I did let a beautiful Browning safari 375HH get away. I think the guy wanted 600 bucks for it. Still looking for one.

I hate I didn't buy a stainless and synthetic model 7 Remington that I let stay in a local shop a couple years back. It was a .223 and would have been a lot of fun. The price was right too. 425.00 or so, if I remember correctly.

A Remington 700 Classic chambered in 8mm Mauser when they were being closed out at 379.00.

i passed down a prewar 06 HB at $800.

I passed on a win model 71 for $200 at a gunshow. The bluing was worn off, but it wasn't rusty, and the barrel had been cut and crowned. Looked like a good shooter, but I wasn't sure at the time that I could get components for it.

About seven or eight years ago there was a guy who had a table at the local gunshow with an assortment of very nice Savage 99s, priced around $300.

Wasn't really interested in them at the time, but now that I am they are, of course, difficult to find around here and when available are fetching $600 amd more for like conditions.

Hakim 8 mm semi for $200, regret it because it felt right when it pointed ...let it go because at the time it was a week's pay. Never found another that handled like that one.

I've had some good deals so I shouldn't complain but I missed a Remington Model 7 stainless in 260 for $400 in the paper last week. I don't have the gun money anyway. Maybe I could have sold the wife on it being a gun for our boy on the way...
I missed a T/C hawken for $150 and all the equipment to boot but that's not a centerfire.
And I should have never let my 7mm Husqvarna (S&W model A)go, but I know where it lives and they guy said I could buy it back if I ever wanted. Funny thing: sold two rifles that year and they both killed bull elk and left me skunked. Like they were punishing me for selling them.

Missed a NIB M70 in .257 Roberts; had the box, tags, papers etc... for $875, about a week ago...

christenson arms .300 rum with nightforce nxs for $1900, couldnt justify the need for it.