My buddy is looking for a rifle for his boy to start hunting deer with. I offered up my 700 CDL 7-08 as a loaner if he didn't buy one by deer season. He said that's about the type of rifle he was looking at, maybe a .243. It's about three years old, maybe 80 rounds through it tops. I have a 3x9 Bushnell 3200 ELite fire fly with Leopold rings on it. Overall near perfect condition with one small blemish on the stock that could easily be rubbed out. I have a feeling he may make an offer on it so what would be a fair price if he does? I don't want to give it away but for a good kid starting out I'm not looking to make a bunch of money either.

For a gun that is mostly clean sans a smudge on the stock, I think $550 is fair. I'd probably go $500 for a friend and toss the scope/mounts/rings in for another $150.

If it was a friend I'd throw the scope in for free ....if it was a real good friend I'd throw the scope in the garbage

Thanks. That's where I was guessing in the 500 neighborhood. The scope will just get him through the first season. He's 12 and will learn the difference between a good scope and an average scope. Funny though

Why would anyone hand a kid junk?

Never will understand that.............

Why is a 700 cdl junk?

It's not.............

My M700 CDL in 7-08 with a Leupold Vari X-III 2.5-8 is my prime antelope rifle. Load it up with 120 grain BTs or TSXs with Big Game and it shoots better than a 270 with less recoil.

I believe a real world price for the whole outfit is around $700. For a friend's kid, I think real world doesn't apply. $600 for the outfit would be starting generous.

I sold a Rem 700 ADL 30-06 with glass bedded, trimmed, decelerator recoil pad, takeoff wood stock and original tupperware to a Marine hunting partner still in school for $350 with rings and bases.

Selling to a friend, especially for a kid has entirely different price points for me.

Tell me about 120's,I've long been curious?

How well do they work...seems too light to me?

Thanks!...............

My only comment: Is that I don't recommend a variable scope for a youngster as their 1st scope. Likely he'll be fidgeting with the scope adjustments when he should be shooting. I believe a straight 4x to be a far better choice. Then he won't be tempted to shoot further than his skill level. Better to learn the basics brfore one tries to stretch his confidence. YMMV

I slam 6X's on everything for the kids,which does them far more favors than a 4X..............

I've a novel idea, put the scope on 3X and tell him to leave it alone. Or tape it where you want it.

I love my kids more than that,for numerous reasons...........

I wouldn't fret the power as much as the quality of that Bushnell

And eye-relief...then there's undoubtedly the junk rings/bases,the particulars of which have yet to be made mention............

Baiter

Master............

Grasshopper, you are wise. I feel the same way about youngsters and varible scopes. I thin a fixed four power is best as it keeps them from shooting moving game too readily and also keeps them looking through their binoculers instead of their riflescope. Doug

Doug,

I think it is better to teach a youngster to be a HUNTER rather than a sniper. If he learns the proper basics first, he will never have to rely on gimmicks to take his share of game.

IIRC, Our very own Mule Deer (John Barsness) reported that he had taken his longest shot on deer with a 2.5X scope. I also remember reading about a professional guide who told his client to shoot, and when he didn't, he looked up to see him fiddling with the adjustments on his scope. And he lost a trophy because of it...

Problem with variable scopes, is all too often someone turns up the power so he can see better, and forgets it. Then when he needs to use it a closer range, he can't find the objective in the scope.... There is a reason experienced hunters still use fixed power scopes.

I have a farmer buddy who always sits with his back to the woods over looking a field. He likes to have a good view... Trouble is, he always has to shoot running deer. He laughs at me for sitting in the woods... Perhaps I don't see as many deer, but I rarely, if ever, shoot past 100 yds. And NEVER at a running deer. Mostly the deer I see, have no idea anyone is even around. (BTW, I get more deer than he does... )

BTW: Your comment on the use of binoculars is SPOT ON!

GH

Depends on if its a good friend with a good kid, if it were one of my pards and he was in need i'd make him buy me lunch and give it to the kid...

yup there are kids of members here who I gave stuff gratis just cause....