Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mule Deer re: $200 rifles

I just read and reread your article on $200 rifles.



A few years back, I bought a Remington 722 in 308 for the former mrs. walter. I paid an old fellow a bit over $200 at a gunshow, after he quized me for 10 minutes to ensure I would offer his rifle a nice home.



This rifle is the best shooter I have ever owned. Like some "churners," I have probably owned a hundred or so rifles. My 722 is not fussy, not the prettiest rifle, just the best shooter.



I inspect the local gun stores and pawn shops each month for old Remingtons, 721s and 722s. I buy 'em cheap, usually under $200. I clean them up, although they are usually well cared-for, and give them as gifts. I recently found a 721 in 30-06 made in 1949 (they started making them in late 1948), and gave it to a friend for his 55th birthday.



Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for a great article. The older I get, the more fond I've become of $200 rifles.



dww

You are a very generous rifle enthusiast! I like those 721/722's myself.

MD

i picked up a Savage 99 in 250 Sav complete with a Weaver K4 scope for about $200 and a sporterized 303 enfield for about $70 and they are two of my favorite rifles. i have taken a pronghorn doe with the 250 and have loaned the 303 out to ppl for brush hunting deer and its taken a few. i love cheap guns just dont tell my new custom 338-06 that.

Rattler

MD's Article is a great read, especially if you appreciate guns with history and character.

I have a bunch of new guns that just don't "call" to me like my less expensive, well used but not abused, ones. If only these guns could talk! Last week I bought a virtually new Winchester Model 70 FW in 6.5X55 from a friend for a very fair price. The funny thing is, is I am more exited about a new-to-me Savage 99 "Shooter" that is currently on its way.

I also own few Mausers, SMLE's and a well used BLR (Belgium) in .308, awaiting inspiration.

I can't tell you why, but old guns with honest wear just feel warmer in my hands.

MD, keep up the good work!

Chris

Murphy's law:

Funny you should use that term. I refer to my 722 as the "Honest Rifle" all of the time.

It just seems, well, more honest and trustworthy than the plastic ones I have.

David, have I told you how much I admire you today? I can always use a good friend like you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Did I mention my calibar preferences? Steve

I can't seem to find very many rifles that I want for $200 but if you go up to $250-$300 there are quite a few. For years I have wanted a pre64 Model 70. Every time I get close, I decide that three older comercial or sporterized Mausers are a better deal. Boy would I like to find a 722, 308 with a 24" barrel. capt david <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have a 721 300 H&H that my grandfather gave to me in 1970 when I was 10. It was purchased in 1949 for $129.00 new. Shot my first two deer and my first bear with it. I remember it kicking the crap out of me then, now it dosen't kick much at all. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I second Mule Deer's praise for your generosity.

BTW my birthday is November 14. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Where can I find MD's article?

Nov 2004 "Rifle" magazine from Wolfe Publishing. Last page.



See: http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/index.cfm?magid=98

Mule Deer,

You done good. That article was the best one in the magazine. My best $200 rifle was a M78 Remigton. Paid a guy at a gunshow $200 for one in 30/06 that appearred to have never been shot. I got it home and floated the barrel because I could tell it had warped. I adjusted the trigger and mounted a Bushnell 3X9 3200 Elite on it 'cause Natchez had them on sale for cheap. I used a set of old Weaver rings that had been in a cigar box on the bench for 15+ years.

I loaded up 10 rds. of 58.0grains 4350/165 gr. (Some nut wrote an article in Rifle a while back, saying that was a good load.) Two three shot groups were fired before the rifle was "on". The last 4 went into 5/8" and subsequent range sessions proved that to be the rule.

The only problem was the rifle had no problems and was, well, boring. I wound up giving it away to a buddy who needed a decent rifle but can't afford one.

I really enjoyed the aritcle as well, but my problem is I run into these $200 rifles, when I don't have the $200. I have kicked myself a few times over the past 4 years, for not movig quickly enough on a few $200-$300 rifles. Out of them, half were new to boot. Oh well, I guess there's always next time, and I have be quicker before the wife spends the $200 at Victoria Secret's.

Hudge

Unfortunately, it seems in my part of the world $200 rifles cost $350.....

I especially liked the part in the article where he took the receiver sight off the $200 rifle and sold the rifle sans sight for $100. I thought I was the only one who did things like that. Most recently, I bought a Savage .22 target rifle for $200 and took both sights (including the original receiver sight), a barrel band, and the sling swivels, for use on a rifle I inherited. I then sold the donor rifle for $100.

I enjoyed the articles about the $4,000 custom rifles, but the $200 rifle article was more interesting to me.

I never seem to find anything in the $200.00 range unless it looks like someone wrapped a logging chain around it and drug it to the gunshow or pawnshop.
Most prices around here are so inflated that you can buy a new gun for what used ones are listed at.
Last gun show I attended in Greensboro, NC had a dealer that was displaying a table full of used single shot shotguns. The cheapest had a tag of $129.00, and I would have been ashamed to use it as a boat anchor, let alone take it afield.

carlos111-

Actually, I ended up giving the rifle to Hank. I used the sight on another rifle to shoot a caribou, and since Lyman 48's are going for close to what I paid for the rifle, I figured I'd gottne my money's worth and just sent him the rifle.

Even around here in Montana $200 rifles aren't common. You have to keep your eye out contantly, and even then they appear only once every year or two. I have been slightly burned by a couple too, but somehow always managed to salvage at least some parts. The worst wasn't even a rifle, but an Ithaca shotgun...but that's another story.

MD

What's the going price for a redfield receiver peep sight on a mauser? $100 or so?

dww

pawnshops are good. every once in awhile they get in something they have no clue as to the value of it. i picked up a shooter grade original ruger 44 carbine that way and my Savage 99 in 250 Sav. up here they dont say deer rifle like a bolt gun in 7mm Rem mag or 30-06 or 270 so they tend to be marked for less and i go down and pick them up and have a blast.......although my fiance has developed a bad habit of saying go ahead and get it then she lays claim to it and i rarly get to shoot it. we check out pawnshops in darn near every town we stop in for longer than to just fill up the gas tank.

Rattler

bought a savage model 99 -250 cal for $160.00 about 10 years ago