Thread: Rifle and Optics Snobs

I think it's near impossible not to have a perception of someone when you first meet them and make a stereotypical judgment on their seriousness and ability in hunting & shooting based on their equipment and appearance.

So due to this, is there a degree of snobbery involved in what rifle/optics combination hunters/shooters have?... ie Tikka/Sako/Coopers rifle with Zeiss scope, Swarvoski binoculars, and Leica rangefinder?

I suspect rifle and optic snobbery does exist in NZ. Those that buy the 'best/most expensive' so they can show they are 'better than' others? (I'm not sure how exactly, but maybe through financial class structure??). In this day and age of rampant consumerism, there's no doubting that what you own/wear/drive/use "says" something about you.

Or is there really no snobbery and NZers buy the best/most expensive rifle and optics they can afford only because they want top gear due to being passionate about the sport? If that's the case the snob value of the rifle and optics really wouldn't play any important consideration in the purchase.

So is there rifle and optic snobbery?
And what do your rifle and optics say about you .... or what do you hope they say about you?
... or even what do others rifles and optics say about them?

I spent years being a Mauser snob, but I'm in remission for now . . . .

I've not confronted much Rifle snobbery over the years , but have seen first hand quite a few Shotgun Snobs .
I own a wide assortment of Firearms and Optics ( yes I was a Blaser Rifle owner for a number of years and still own a Blaser Shotgun ) but my two current favourite rifles are both Howa's so go figure
I have no idea if I'm a Snob or not , I'm to busy using my guns to worry about that .

Originally Posted by Hermitage

what do your rifle and optics say about you ....

my setups say "peasant".............
having said that you cant deny the difference between leica (for example)optics and what i run.....

If you have a flash rifle and big expensive scope I'll probably assume you are a city dweller who only gets out hunting once a year.

Originally Posted by Cigar

If you have a flash rifle and big expensive scope I'll probably assume you are a city dweller who only gets out hunting once a year.

This is the mindset I’ve encountered most often, usually leaves me wondering who the snob really is.

Originally Posted by Moutere

This is the mindset I’ve encountered most often, usually leaves me wondering who the snob really is.

Agreed.

If I'm an extremely passionate golf player, who plays often, I'm going to buy the best set of clubs I can possibly afford. As I know this will most likely improve my game, but also the fun of researching into high-end equipment. Usually quality kit is a pleasure to use which enhances the experience.

I spend a shit tonne of money on rifles, optics, clothing etc. I'm passionate about this side of the sport, it's awesome. At the same time I hunt a significant amount throughout the year

Could I get away with a cheap and nasty 308 and a swanny? Yep sure could, but I don't have to. Far more experienced and successful hunters than I running classic old kit.

Life is for living, if you want that nice piece of kit go buy it. Especially of it enhances your Backcountry experience.

I'd have to say I am the aforementioned snob. Just ordered a Hardy in a crazy calibre with an equally crazy scope to sit on top of it all. But I'm also nearing retirement with all the associated aches and pains, and spent most of my life running a jungle carbine .303 with iron sights.
But I'm sure going to enjoy every minute of owning a fine firearm and optic.

Originally Posted by Goose

I'd have to say I am the aforementioned snob. Just ordered a Hardy in a crazy calibre with an equally crazy scope to sit on top of it all. But I'm also nearing retirement with all the associated aches and pains, and spent most of my life running a jungle carbine .303 with iron sights.
But I'm sure going to enjoy every minute of owning a fine firearm and optic.

Nightforce atacr ?

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Originally Posted by andyanimal31

Nightforce atacr ?

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

ZEISS V8 4.8-35x60

Originally Posted by Cigar

If you have a flash rifle and big expensive scope I'll probably assume you are a city dweller who only gets out hunting once a year.

I sadly fit the description at present . I have the flash rifle and expensive scope suited to my requirements based on years of hunting near every weekend in Canterbury threw my 20s . I didn’t take into consideration how time sucking starting a business and breeding would be . Rifles ready and waiting though il still be a part time hunter for another few years yet I’d say come 35 I hope to have done full circle back to my early 20s hunting time table

I still shoot with a Boito U/O that fits me tried everything in a gun shop years ago it it was the best fit.
Gave an SKB to a young fellow the other day far superior gun but I prefer the one that fits.
Might have to buy better optics as eyes age or I should say have aged.
You see snobbery in everything cars, houses you name it.
But those who save their pennies and buy the best they can afford are not snobs.
They understand the law of diminishing returns and do not look down their noses at others, they used to be in the same position themselves.

Originally Posted by erniec

But those who save their pennies and buy the best they can afford are not snobs.
They understand the law of diminishing returns and do not look down their noses at others, they used to be in the same position themselves.

I can vividly recall standing in supermarket isle with my wife and debating if the family budget would stretch enough for me to by a wee bottle of 3n1 oil to clean my rifles with...
a few years later I had $1000 to spend on sporting stuff and a salesdork in a shop I had previously worked in,insulted my wife...so we walked out and across road to opposition sports shop and spent my $$$ there. waders,a nikko stirling 1.5x5 scope decent cleaning rod are 3 things I remember buying.

even now I really watch my pennies and the sporting budget is VERY carefully managed...the generousity of folks on this forum is a wonderful thing. being able to help others out when I can do so is also a wonderful thing.

I have come across both ends of the spectrum.....personally if I could I would have the best optics and rifles money could buy (who wouldn't ?) if cost didn't come into it....as far as I'm concerned I'm more interested in if you can shoot whatever you bring if you're hunting with me be it a $300 baikal or a $6000+ Mauser, Sako, etc etc

I am only a snob in that I am in the figured walnut- blued- hand chequered -all metal -lots of neat machining detail - type of hunter