Forum shooting challenge: The under 500 500

[Ultimitsu]

I think the point being made re the "mostly hand made by craftsman" comment is that most of the rifles that will be real contenders in this event will be old guns, that date back to a time where each rifle had a much higher degree of manual machining, hand fitting, and workmanship put into it. As such many of these now cheap, old rifles have a much higher degree of craftsmanship and quality then would be found on a comparably priced new-ish gun.
For say, $400, you can either buy a high quality old gun, or a low quality new gun. IMO, the high quality old gun has much more potential.

An early 1900s $400 sporterised swedish mauser is going to be head and shoulders above a more modern, low end $400 rifle that's a couple years old (eg used remington 770 or any other entry level rifle that's a few years old). The swede will have been made by craftsman, with parts individually fitted, all very high quality solid steel. Often each part is serialised to the rifle and stamped with an acceptance mark after its been (manually) fitted by said craftsman. Often multiple generations of craftsmen would continue the work of their fathers before them - they took pride in their work and it was more than a transitional job & that can be seen in the quality and finish of old rifles.
Whereas a Remington 770 or other entry level "modern" rifle (basically anything "modern" you can buy for $400) is thrown together with any manor of modern cost cutting. Flimsy plastic stocks, pressed in barrels, plastic parts everywhere possible, the cheapest labor you can find. (Iv used a $400 value for the rifle to allow some money for a cheap scope)

Personally im expecting to see an early 1900s rifle, probably a swede in 6.5x55 take the prize.

Not that you are wrong, but I think "old rifles" is too generic a term that does not really mean anything more than rifles that are just old.

Sure, there are high end rifles from 60 years ago surviving to this day. But there are also many and many low end rifles from early to mid 20th century still floating around. A lot of the WWII rifles were sportised and many were not craftsmans' work, and were definitely mass produced to be able to hit man sized target at about 200m.

I used to check out guns at Will's fishing and hunting before he moved to west Auckland. He had a fair selection of old guns. From memory anything decent commanded a nice price tag. Will is certainly a guy that knows his old gun trading business.

High end old rifles that still have good bore and rifling, and in generally good condition are not cheap. Unless you buy from an unaware estate executor, most people know what their guns' worth. Try buy an 1970s Anschutz 54 rimfire, see how likely it is to get it under 500.

Last year a forumer bought an 1990s Anshutz 54 MSR, I think he paid about 2000.