I was out checking prices, just for the hell of it. Fun to look around and see how things are these days. I was worried prices may be way out of hand, considering the current state of the union. Here are some winchesters I saw today:

1. 1963 243 featherweight. Stock was refinished, but still had the plastic butt plate and uncut stock: $895.00
2. 6 digit classic featherweight in like new condition, chambered in 30-06 with bushnell elite 3200 with rainguard coating 3-9x40: $800.00
3. Like new 6 digit classic compact 243win with bushnell 3-9x40 scope: $700.00
4. 1955 standard weight 243 winchester in excellent condition, but missing rear sight: $1,300.00
5. Winchester FN BACO (made in USA, not Portugal) 325 WSM Extreme weather for $699.99

And maybe the best deal, a stainless Tikka T3 chambered in 308 win with 3-9x40 rifle scope for $549.00. Sorry, it's not a winchester, but at that price, gets an honorable mention..

And?

How many followed you home?

None my friend. I'm still trying to decide if I want to buy the '58 243 fwt I saw for $800.00 a while back. That one has a scope and is worth more than the asking price.

How did the compact look? My wife may be needing one

It was beautiful. Like new, dark brown stock, original red pad, beautiful black polished bluing. It was in like new condition, the only thing it was lacking was a box. They don't ship out of state. It had "Classic Compact" stamped on the barrel. The only real money maker I think I saw was the Tikka, and I think I might run down there tomorrow and snag it. I have 600 rounds of 308 Win loaded up and ready to go, even though I don't really like the cartridge...

Keep us posted.

Just my luck. Been in the wrong state of mind now in the wrong state of compact.

Sorry buddy...

I would have about ripped my pants pocket off trying to get my wallet out for that one.

I bought the Tikka. Looked it over with a fine tooth comb and it hasn't been fired. Bolt face looked new, rifling and chamber looked new, no copper at all and extremely sharp lands. Its going to be a shooter. I'll glass bed it of course and install a stainless recoil lug, but other than that, I'll just use it like it is. Been researching scope prices and a used Bushnell elite 3200 sells for $230-$250.00 on ebay. Taking that into consideration, it was dumb for me to walk away from it on Saturday, when I looked at it the first time. If I were to sell the scope for $250.00 on ebay, I'd basically have $300.00 into the rifle. That's the kind of deals I search out... Oh, I was #4,530 on the wait for the background check, so I'll have the rifle in about a week. There's a lot of talk about "budget" rifles here in the forums, and my suggestion is always, "look for a used Tikka". They are far better than a TC Compass or anything Savage or RAR you can find. And at damn affordable prices. Yeah, it's not a pre 64 model 70, but they sure do shoot good and function 100% reliably. That's just my take on the Tikka rifles. I haven't been disappointed yet after fixing their little quirks like replacing the aluminum recoil lug and glass bedding them.

Great find, I have a tikka t3 but have not made any mods to it, yet...

I went back yesterday and looked at the 243 standard weight. It is probably one of the nicest standard weight rifles I've seen in a long time. All original and probably close to 95% condition.. Bore is very good with sharp rifling, bolt face shows minimal use.. It was made in '56 (391xxx) and generally I buy rifles from that year since both of my parents were born in 1956... I'm on the fence about the price though..