Question about rifles for those in the know

[BigShep85]

I have been looking for a good rifle as of late and this is what I find.
What I expected:
I would prefer to buy a good used rifle that somebody is giving up because they don't use it or it wasn't what they were looking for etc. Not used that much but again not knew so a little cheaper than one from say Dunham's or Dick's or Buds.
ANYWAY What I find IS:
All the guns on Armslist (those few that aren't scams) are priced 1, 2, or 3 OR HIGHER ABOVE what I can buy a new rifle for!!!
What is the deal? What am I missing? I went today to Dunham's to check on the difference in ammo price between 22-250 and 308 (not much difference) and checked on a basic 22-250 and 308 Remington sps rifle for what resulted in $530 for a good basic hunting rifle.
Every rifle I find on Armslist or local classifieds they want $700 or $800 or $900 for a sps rifle with a cheap wal-mart scope stuck on it.
I ust thought maybe you guys here could help me out because I don't get it.
They scare is over and you can't screw people anymore. Even ammo is back on the shelf (with the exception of .22's).

 

[gondorian]

Good things come to those who wait.

 

[mdauben]

People often have delusions about the value of their personal items. The trick is to not look at what people are asking in auctions but how much successful auctions are actually going for.

 

[HOOfan_1]

You can get a brand new TC Venture or Ruger American for under $600

 

[BigShep85]

I have no experience with the TC or the Ruger. Would you recommend them over the Remington?

 

[HOOfan_1]

The Ruger is getting pretty good reviews from those who have them.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Armslist is a joke for the most part. I scored one fair deal on there-not bad, not great-for an FAL, but it did take the fellow about 3 weeks to realize that he likely wouldn't do better than my offer (or to get hard-up for cash, I don't honestly know). Generally, yes, I see people asking at least new price at the LGS, if not more. It's as though they feel that bypassing a BGC is worth some premium or something.

That said, there are ALWAYS deals on used hunting rifles in many of the local shops around here. Shop owners in the know pick them up cheap, and sell them cheap, because they understand that hunting rifles are often a very personal thing regarding stock, finish, caliber, scope, etc., so a used rifle that differs from what anyone likely really wants isn't going to move unless it is bargain priced.

What are you looking to do with it? I have a walnut/blue Ruger M77 (pre-mk II) 6mm Rem I've been considering parting with, I'd make you a pretty good deal on it. Nice rifle, but it was an impulse buy; with a .220 Swift on one end and a .25-06 Rem on the other, I really have no use for it. Comes with a sizeable quantity of ammo, brass, bullets & reloading dies, too.

 

[BigBore44]

BigShep,
I'd PM MachIV and see what he's asking. Those old Rugers are good shooters. I know from your other thread you're wanting a new coyote round/rifle. That would be a good one for sure. JMO

 

[jmr40]

The Ruger American is around $350 new around here, I see them everywhere and they get very good reviews as a budget gun. I had one in 308 briefly. I liked it well enough, but had better rifles, and had a chance to sell it at a small profit, so I let it go. They are VERY lightweight, just over 6 lbs. That is good if you want a light rifle, but some complain that they recoil too much.

That is the way I'd go if I were looking for a budget rifle. You'll have to spend $700-$800 to get anythihg significantly better.

 

[witchhunter]

Mach4 has your rifle that 6 is a sweet setup. He says it comes with the brass and dies, to me that means he has a load already that works in it. That thing has dead coyotes all over it. The 6mm will shoot a 58 grain Vmax at 3500 plus and still lob a 95 or 100 grain partition at 2900 easy. Bingo you are in the coyote callin business. 10 or 20 hides from now it pay for itself!!!

 

[MachIVshooter]

The 6mm will shoot a 58 grain Vmax at 3500 plus and still lob a 95 or 100 grain partition at 2900 easy.

My dead coyote load is a 90 gr. FMJ at 3,310 FPS (chronographed)

The 60 grain varmint loads clocked 3,580 to 3,620 FPS with three different powders.

These were worked up using multiple data sources and are quite stout, but not overpressure. You can find loads out there that are a little bit hotter; some people have claimed over 3,400 FPS with 95 grainers and more than 4,100 FPS with 55s . I personally wouldn't want to push the envelope that much, but it has been done.

The 6mm is a very friendly cartridge for handloaders, though, liking medium-slow powders with a pretty full case. Additionally, the current SAAMI specs allow it to run at higher pressure than the smaller cased .243 Win (65k PSI vs. 60K PSI)

http://www.lasc.us/SAAMIMaxPressure.htm

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Good things come to those who wait.

Amen. I've made many a good buy by simply putting the cash away and watching internet sites until I found a good price on a gun I wanted. For example, a Colt Woodsman (made in 1938) for $300. A Colt New Service (.45 Colt) for $350, and so on.

 

[wgaynor]

Instead of paying cash for a rifle, I usually come out farther ahead bartering.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Look at the personal ads on this site. I have purchased several rifles for what I consider a fair price and they have all far exceeded my expectations of condition. The last was a Japanese Arisaka Type 38 Carbine. Once I got it zeroed at 100 yards (with the iron sights) I was able to ring a 6" x 12" gong at 320 yards 3 of 3 shots and a 24" x 32" gong at 580 yards 3 of 5 shots using the range marks on the elevator sight using Hornady 140 grain ammo. Don't listen to those who know everything and you should do just fine.