After a similiar experience years ago, I changed the way I "price" a new setup. For a long time now, I do not just look at the price of a new/used rifle. For example, if I go into the gunshop today and see a .280 Handi with a price tag of say $230, my thinking tells me I need to include the price of "happiness" too. By this, I mean quality rings, a quality scope, new dies, new powders, new brass, etc. Unless the price of that new/used rifle is just unbelieveably low causing me to buy it on the spot, I walk through the gunshop pricing out all the above mentioned needed items and then total them up. I would spend about $35 on dies, $40 on two new powders (if needed), at least $35 to $40 on new Win brass, around $35 on two bullet weights, $30 on rings, and at least $140 to $190 for a scope I would be satisfied with. I am now looking at an investment (I use this word a lot discussing firearms with my wife) of over $500 if it is a new caliber for me.
Do not misunderstand, I love this process but I know if I buy that Handi I will spend over $500 before I get it to the range. I completely understand if some of you say that's crazy .... $500 !!! But that is the way I price them out because I reload and I have to have good rings on a good scope to be happy with it. The great thing about Handi's is that initial price of $230. When I buy a bolt gun, we all know that price is going to be at least $500 just for the rifle. This is one reason why the last three purchases I made were in calibers I already had and two were Handi's.
