Thread: Rifle and Optics Snobs

I dont have snobbery, more jealousy.
Especially with scopes. Have only bought middle range, 23 new and one really good glass scope albut second hand but basically new. All the rest are very much good value for money budget used.
I will say the bushnell raingaurd 3200 series etc seem to be very good for the price. Worked well on the 8x57 and when I get around to it a 2-7 version to go on the 243 to replace @Micky Duck old fave the M8 4x loopy.
Oh and the version with side paralax adjustment on the 270 but havent had that out in the bush yet

Originally Posted by mudgripz

My own bit of snobbery lies not with expensive equipment but in enjoying the reverse. I chuckle when I go to the range at times with maybe tuned JWs, extremely accurate little Marlins, or Howa etc, and some guy opens his case next to me to display some flash heavy barrel expensive piece. We do the shooting, come out, I ask him how it went, he smiles, then looks at the little JW's 0.3 and 0.4 targets, and puts the heavy barrel beauty back in the case with nary a word. Bit naughty really. I may grow up - but its unlikely

I've had a similar experience. I was at the range one day, just me and another guy zeroing our rifles in. After a few rounds we agree to halt shooting, and meander down to the targets. 100m, 3cm grouping. I was happy, he looked pretty foul though so I asked how he was doing - his was all over the place. We got back to the firing line, and he said in a very admiring way "what's the worth?", to which I responded "ummm $400". He looked a bit stunned, I was shooting my Baikal .243, I think he thought it was a Blaser or something. Then he told me he was shooting a brand new Sako and couldn't get it to group - he said something about the price and taking it back to the shop.

Despite making me feel very smug I did fess up and point out to him he was shooting a bipod of concrete and should try putting a jacket under his bipod. Sure enough that seemed to sort him out.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

I think we can all have a little bit of snob in us from time to time. One thing is clear - there is no one right firearm, no must have firearm setup for our shooting conditions. Variety is the spice of life.

Its 100% valid to buy only top of line, beautifully wooded arms like Schultz and Larsen, Mannlicher etc - and yet have them rarely leave the cabinet. There is a real pleasure in owning a well crafted item - an investment too. Also valid to save the pennies and buy that nicely wooded Sako with Nightforce on it - even if you only shoot it 2-4 times a year. Especially if you only shoot it 2-4 times a year. And there is great sense when you shoot alot in demanding terrain to buy less expensive but accurate, reliable firearms like the Savage, Marlin, Howa etc. Certainly with greater frequency of shooting, the terrain often guides what rifle you need to buy. Examples - if hunting in dense northern bush with valleys full of bush lawyer, supplejack and blackberry you won't want a mint Sako - at all. And if covering high country rocks, matagouri, shooting from trucks at night across thousands of acres, again it won't be flash you choose. It'll be functional. But all of the choices valid in right conditions.

I suppose the one golden rule is if you want to take that expensive setup to the range, put the nose in the air and show off a bit - you better bloody know how to use it..

I like those wood, blued firearms since I got no wish to turn hunting trip into sniper mission. I am kind of "tight-fisted" for myself... but come to age with life became stabilized, I think I should spend little more. Sako and K98 is on my shopping list, for scope...do `t have much ideas, too many choices, do `t know which one fits me except for Nikon since I like photography I knew some people, they bought H&K, but never took them out, those rifles are only for show to other people. For me, sako for example, I will never care about it will get wet, have mud on it, or drop it on hard rock or something like that.

Edit above only 3 new not 23

This is a ridiculous thread. I suppose the proposotions could equally be applied to boats, fishing tackle, 4wd vehicles, houses, golf clubs, clothing, women, knives and axes. As far as firearms are concerned many of us started with ancient single shot .22s and single shot hammer guns and surplus long toms or smle's but aspired to improved quality items. I don't recall having any less pride in my early firearms than my higher end ones acquired later in life. The fact that each of them from early days and up till now were a tool I was proud of and all were maintained and serviced as best I could and still are. You'll likely never own the "best" but nothing wrong with aspiring to the best you an afford for your purpose. Can't say I've ever met a firearms snob but plenty who are proud of what they've been able to afford.

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 ?

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ZEISS V8 4.8-35x60

A pair of snobs !

Make us all feel inadequate, why don’t you ?

I buy stuff because I like it not to impress anyone else. Ill openly admit that even tho I have owned a few I dont like chinese shit rifles and Im allowed not to like them.....

Greetings All,
I don't know that snobbery is all that rife in NZ with regard to rifles, I have seen little of it. There is plenty of banter and good natured ribbing but this is what friends are for. There is a tendency for younger hunters to believe that all the fancy kit that influencers on the interweb promote is absolutely essential but this is not snobbery. It just makes them a target for the banter and ribbing mentioned earlier. Some hunters approaching their twilight years may purchase or even commission rifles that they have lusted after all their lives but not had the funds to acquire. These may never be hunted with but, hopefully, are still shot. Again not snobbery just remembering their younger life which should be treated with respect.
If, however, you do encounter snobbery then it can be dealt to with ribbing and banter which we do so well in NZ if you can be bothered.
Regards Grandpamac.

Its just a sign of jealousy when I get ribbed about my cheap gear

Originally Posted by dvk-kp

Calibre snobbery is probly more common than snobbery about the actual rifle

I'm guilt of this one. I've refused to be seen by hundred's and unashamedly too, I might add. When the cucumber sandwiches come out, I'm usually seen foremost amongst the gentry with my 25/303 snugly by my side.

This thread simply points to the diversity in society. And the beauty of our sport. You don’t have to be loaded ( excuse the pun) to hunt. I think there’s a difference between wanting to be seen with expensive gear rather than buying it for good reasons. You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy classy gear. I have purchased Swaro binos second hand in the past for example. Or a Carl Gustaf 3000 for less than the price of many cheaper new hunting rifles. Gaining quality at utilitarian prices.

I get a kick from going hunting with cheaper gear and getting it done, mainly cos my budget won't stretch to anything flash.