We're not trend setters, Winchester, Ruger and Remington are pricing themselves out of business. I was in a local gunshop yesterday looking at rifles. On the rack was a new Winnie 94 in 454 Casuel......$550.00 :eek: :eek: :eek: Only difference in this rilfe and a 30-30 94 is a barrel and a few modifications to the lifter throw and such....not a big deal and certainly not $200.00 + over the cost of a plain jane 30-30.
Remington is resorting to importing Biakals rather than make an honest rifle of their own that fits the entry level market. Ruger makes some nice rifles, when you can find them, and if you can afford them when you do.
All in all, Good for NEF. Perhaps it will spur them to offering a wider selection of chamberings. A 454 Casuel would be a very good start. The 7.62X39 sounds great, but I bet they would be surprised at how many 300 Whispers they could sell. A 32-20, a 25-20 or even a 25-35 would all be rifles I would add.
Deer aren't the only thing hunted in America, and while the 223 will do a lot of things the 32-20 won't, there is also plenty the 32-20 will do the 223 won't either.