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

Same problem aroud here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.
I wish I had had the money and foresight to pick-up a bunch of the $80.00 & 100.00 Winchester 94's back 20 years ago. The really beat up ones sell for around $200.00 now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />.

M.D. I did enjoy the article, as I do most all of yours. Keep up the good work. Most of all THANKS for all your effort. Here on 24 and in the mags.

Dave.

Hey, careful now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> . I grew up in Ithaca and used to walk past that old factory when hitch hiking my way home from track. Sentimental feeling ya know... (And guess where old Granddad worked, when he wasn't teaching, during the war years.)



Well, okay, they didn't make a great gun, but it sure worked good on grouse for this, then, teenage boy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> .



On a more serious note, I enjoyed the article too. Thanks, MD.

Just like a lot of other things, pretty costs extra. If you just want action, those $200 beauts are out there. Some of the best deals, incidentally, are in the consignment rack at my trap etc. club. I have recently passed on the following "shooters", all in need of cosmetic rehab and all looking like they didn't need much else:

Marlin 336, .35 Rem., $200

Winchester 94, .30-30, $200

Enfield (Ishapore), .303, $160. Bayonet (for hog hunting, I guess) $40

Mauser '96, 7x57, Bishop stock, cheap scope, $195

Arisaka 7.7, reblued, sporter stock, Williams receiver sight, $140; RCBS die set, new, $40

NEF Ultra, .270, laminate stock, like new $200

All of these were asking prices, not firm. Now, if you're feeling flush and can go to $350, you can have some rifles with decent finish, such as:

Savage 170, .30-30, $350

Savage 99F, .308, $325

Springfield .30-06, sporter stock, receiver sight, $350

NEF Ultra, .223, big scope, $350

Remington 870, 12 guage, rifled bbl. plus smoothbore bbl, receiver scope mount, $350

Yes, there are better rifles. Much better. But a man doesn't HAVE to spend a lot of money to get a truck gun, hunting rifle, or whatever.

If my wife asks, I didn't say any of this!!!