Thread: Calibre Choice in the 1970's

In 1967 I bought a Sako Forester in that maligned (by a few) chambering of 308W.
I was told by older members of my branch NZDA that I was mad spending that sort of money.
Within the next 10 years (the 70s) most of them had replaced their old 303s.
I paid 59 pound 17/6 for the Sako. Just b4 change to DC. My take home pay as an apprentice was 10 pounds a week.
I still have that rifle. Other safe mate's have come and gone.

Originally Posted by zimmer

In 1967 I bought a Sako Forester in that maligned (by a few) chambering of 308W.
I was told by older members of my branch NZDA that I was mad spending that sort of money.
Within the next 10 years (the 70s) most of them had replaced their old 303s.
I paid 59 pound 17/6 for the Sako. Just b4 change to DC. My take home pay as an apprentice was 10 pounds a week.
I still have that rifle. Other safe mate's have come and gone.

So despite the horrific cost of a Sako hunter now at around $3600 that is only around 4 weeks wages for an apprentice on minimum wage doing 50 hours a week compared to the 6 weeks wages you payed......kids these days dont know how good they got it.😉

Originally Posted by zimmer

In 1967 I bought a Sako Forester ..59 pound 17/6.. My take home pay as an apprentice was 10 pounds a week.
...

Interesting to do the mental arithmetic on prices. I have no real idea but guess a current apprentice might take home $400/week. Multiply that by six weeks and that's nearly $2400. Less than current basic Sakos. I'm probably underestimating what apprentices earn though.

I can't remember what my BSA Monarch .270 cost me in 1973 but do recall the Pecar 4x81 (actually a 4x36) was $105. As a highschool kid working on the neighbour's fishing boat, that rig was a fair few weeks work.

Originally Posted by 6x47

Interesting to do the mental arithmetic on prices. I have no real idea but guess a current apprentice might take home $400/week. Multiply that by six weeks and that's nearly $2400. Less than current basic Sakos. I'm probably underestimating what apprentices earn though.

I can't remember what my BSA Monarch .270 cost me in 1973 but do recall the Pecar 4x81 (actually a 4x36) was $105. As a highschool kid working on the neighbour's fishing boat, that rig was a fair few weeks work.

I bought a 4x81 Pecar around the same time as the rifle. Cost was 26 pounds. Never fitted as I couldn't source 26mm rings at the time. Got a refund and took a Weaver K4 which IIRC was 18 pounds.

Originally Posted by 6x47

Interesting to do the mental arithmetic on prices. I have no real idea but guess a current apprentice might take home $400/week. Multiply that by six weeks and that's nearly $2400. Less than current basic Sakos. I'm probably underestimating what apprentices earn though.

I can't remember what my BSA Monarch .270 cost me in 1973 but do recall the Pecar 4x81 (actually a 4x36) was $105. As a highschool kid working on the neighbour's fishing boat, that rig was a fair few weeks work.

Over 800bucks a week on minimum wage