Thread: Selling your rifle - include a shot target?

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Did you two used to be used car salespeople in the past?
I would like to think that the average NZ rifle seller is honest...

Not so ride on mowers, I got scammed a beautie the other day, showed me a cut lawn and all

So if you don't trust a target put up by a seller why would you trust anything? Age, round count, number of owners, condition is easy to disguise in a picture. There's always a certain amount of faith needed to buy on line and I find by far the majority of people are honest. While I have had the odd issue I wont let that taint my over all view.

Most rifles would shoot much better than I can. Unless they are old and poorly maintained bore and rifling condition is what I look for.

Trust no-one, believe nothing unless seen or proven by your-self. Less likely to be srewed over that way.been caught out once on this forum, so very wary.

Originally Posted by woods223

Trust no-one, believe nothing unless seen or proven by your-self. Less likely to be srewed over that way.been caught out once on this forum, so very wary.

I got caught with Tardme once. Descripton was very favourable, pushed the buy now. Received a lemon. Fortunately I was able to return for a refund. But still cost me the postage.
Will never buy second hand again unless I can collect/view then pay.

It cracks me up when people mention the "round count". Who counts the times it goes bang?

Count the number of boxes that went through, or how many time those 100 new cases got reloaded. You generally get a pretty good picture of how many round were shot.

Having sold a few sub moa rifles I have listed with and without target pics, with and without round counts and haven't found it doesn't matter too much, if what you have is desirable (trendy) or cheap or both it will sell.
I certainly don't "count the bangs, but often have a fairly good idea how many rounds have been down the spout due to my reloading records.
Having sold a few custom and semi custom rifles my view is that they generally do not return a profit you will often struggle to even come close to breaking even. I've never had anyone come back to me with concerns about accuracy.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

I wonder how much a photo of an accurate shot target alongside your rifle would help it sell?

I would give one of the main reasons for buying a rifle to be that of accuracy.
I want accuracy, so if I see a rifle I like with an accurately shot target, I'm a lot more interested in purchasing.
However not many rifles are advertised along with 3 or 5-shot group(s).

So do you think a rifle sells much better with an accurate group target photo?
Or don't you think it matters?
And if it does matter, then why do so few sellers include a target when they list a rifle for sale?

I wouldn't bother, most people are not sub moa let alone 1/4 moa shooters and it just opens you up to either being accused of lying, or having to explain to them that they are a shit shot. im happy to go show anyone who buys a rifle of my that it shoots the way i claim but most don't want to come have a look

Originally Posted by Steve123

It cracks me up when people mention the "round count". Who counts the times it goes bang?

many people do, most reloaders can tell by as they keep track of firings on the brass etc and target shooters do so they know when the barrel gonna be toast and need replacing so they don't get caught out in a match. and factory ammo people often keep the boxes

Originally Posted by Hermitage

We sound like a cynical old bunch...

if you want to get cynical ( realistic ) about people work in a service industry, you will see the good the bad and the ugly every day.

mate from the old days when we drove shuttlebuses told me this story which happened to him last weekend . . 2 guys plead for him to go back and pick their mate up who was running late but has to get to the airport in the next town and sadly he has a broken leg. Its going to put my mate well behind in time and his next meal break is now down to ten minutes but eventually he gives in and drives back . . when he gets there the guy walks over to the bus carrying his bag, No broken leg, another good story to add to his collection, we both laughed.

Originally Posted by 199p

I have seen some guns that shot terrible groups with one person shoot amazing groups with another at the wheel

Ne'er a truer word spoken.... or typed....

I'd rather see a decent photo of the bore condition, than a sample target.

Yea to hard that relying on the person selling being able to shoot that well, most rifles seem to out shoot the shooter

I say if youve got it then flaunt it.
A pic adds interest, just like scenes posing it in some hunting location or next to a dead animal.
Could be faked but probably not.
Of course if you post a pic, you have to be prepared to do it again with the buyer watching…

“Shoots better than I do” isnt really saying much - doesnt cut the mustard as a sales pitch.

A lot of people interested in buying an accurate rifle expect it to be a lot better than them so they can improve their skills, which you cant really do with a “ minute of deer” rifle.