Author Topic: winchester 338. buy or not? (Read 1172 times)

myronman3 · « **on:** January 04, 2008, 03:37:01 AM »

have a chance to buy a winchester model 70 in 338 for $400. deal or no deal?

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2008, 04:01:12 AM »

Any major brand bolt action rifle in good to excellent condition is a bargain at $400. No that don't mean a Savage.

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2008, 04:03:20 AM »

It depends.

1. How old is it?
2. What condition is it in?
3. What game will you be using it for?

Zachary

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2008, 04:42:25 AM »

Depending on condition the blue book has the gun at $400 for 98% for the "M70 Magnum". My blue book is at least three years old.
The other questions are is there a scope and rings? Is it a Classic, standard, or Pre 64?
The classic and pre 64 have the Mauser claw on the right side of the bolt ( controlled feed) the one with just a plain bolt is a push feed like on the Remington M700.
What does the stock look like? Plain wood, fancy with a black fore end?
Is it a Win Stock?
With the closing of Win prices have soared since my book was printed. They announced that the M70 will be made again and that may settle prices for a while. If the new M70's are well made prices will stay normal. If the guns look like crap then prices will rise and the whole M70 mystique will continue.
I have a M70 Super grade, classic in .338 and love it. Recoil is like a 30-06. I paid $650 for mine 4 years ago when a new one was $1,100.
338 will handle everything on this continent and then some. Mine has been deer, elk, hog, and coyote hunting.
I would say deal if your looking for a big game do everything rifle. If it has a quality scope already mounted then bonus.

myronman3 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2008, 05:37:45 AM »

i havent seen it, but it is owned by a good friend who has never used it. it was a gift to him by some folks he guided on a bird hunt. marital problems have struck, and the guy needs some cash. no idea what for, i didnt ask. ifn i dont buy it i am sure someone i know will.
excellent (like new) condition.
blued, wood stock, and i have no idea what kind of wood it has on it.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2008, 05:45:05 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard on January 04, 2008, 04:01:12 AM

Any major brand bolt action rifle in good to excellent condition is a bargain at $400. No that don't mean a Savage.

Bill, in 20 words or less, can you tell me why your not a Savage fan? I'm not challenging you here, I would just like your pick your brain as too what it is that you dis like about the engineering of the rifle.

Thanks.

Dave.

(Friends don't let friends shoot Mossberg!

$:-\$ )

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2008, 05:52:20 AM »

Sure I can tell you in one word or I can use three both get the message across.

Short version: UGLY

Longer version: THEY ARE UGLY

I really just hate the looks of that ugly bolt and the ugly barrel nut both. To me they just make the rifle offensive to my eyes.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2008, 06:28:51 AM »

Myron,
Buy the rifle!
you'll be happy with it not to mention helping out a friend.

Gray Beard,
I half agree with you.
I think you left out the fourth needed word. BUTT, as in "they are butt ugly!".
Savage rifles are as pretty as orthopedic shoes but like them they work very well.
If you want a really accurate rifle at prices you can afford to shoot a lot, get a Savage!
I feel the same way you do about the Marlin bolt action rim rifles but own 2 and am looking for a third.
I think they look like a sporterized Nagant, but boy do they shoot for 2/3 the $ of CZ, or Ruger and in 17 or 22 mag they are hard to beat for 4X the price.

myronman3 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:38:47 AM »

thanks. now about savages......

dad bought me a new savage 300 win mag when i got out of the army. we tryed everything to get that gun to shoot less than 8 inches at 50 yards and just couldnt do it. bullet weight, powder, seating depth, nothing would give even half acceptable results. bach to savage the rifle went. savage had it for four weeks, sent it back with a 4 inch group at 25 yards and a letter explaining that the rifle was within factory specs for accuracy. that was my first and last savage. it was sold at a loss and replaced with a howa 30-06 that would put 3 bullets through the same hole at 50 yards.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2008, 11:31:40 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard on January 04, 2008, 05:52:20 AM

Sure I can tell you in one word or I can use three both get the message across.

Short version: UGLY

Longer version: THEY ARE UGLY

I really just hate the looks of that ugly bolt and the ugly barrel nut both. To me they just make the rifle offensive to my eyes.

Ha...ha..ha....LOL...Well..that's definitely less than 20 words!

I have a Stevens 200 in .308. Since I bedded that POS grey plastic stock, that rifle shoot's .6" at 100 yards...and that's a 4 shot group! The stock has file marks on it from me smoothin out the sharp edges. Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. It can be ugly and shoot those groups all day long.

Dave

safetysheriff · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2008, 03:43:46 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on January 04, 2008, 04:01:12 AM

Any major brand bolt action rifle in good to excellent condition is a bargain at $400. No that don't mean a Savage.

while i can't speak for GB', what also might be added is this: for a REAL rifle, try a Remington Model 700 as your FIRST CHOICE; a Ruger Model 77 original or MkII; or a Weatherby Vanguard for the money; or a Winchester Model 70.

SSsssssssaaaaaa

.....................SSssssssssaaaaaaaaa

i just can't bring myself to say it !!!!

ss'

The Gamemaster · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2008, 04:36:59 PM »

Winchester Model 70 - 338 Winchester Magnum

First off - the gun has to be heavier than a standard caliber Model 70 - which is not a plus

Second off - the ammo for that caliber is never on sale, which means that you will pay through the nose to get a box of rounds for it , which makes it expensive to shoot / let alone hunt with.

Third off - it does kick

Fourth - unless you are being charged by a Rhino, I can't see a need for something that big.
I do have friends that shoots them and I do have friends that hunts whitetail deer with them and swears that it is as accurate as a 223.

Fifth - unless you have a use for it, or unless you feel that you can buy this gun and resell it at a profit, there isn't much use in buying it. I have lot's of odd caliber firearms collecting dust in the gun cabinet.

Nobody can tell you to buy it or even give you one good reason why to buy it.

I gave you 5 good reasons why not to buy it.

I'm probably wrong, so you ought to buy it and prove me wrong.

It's only $400, what will that buy you today? A tank of gas and a happy meal at McDonald's.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2008, 02:30:56 AM »

Hey, if you've got it, spend the $400 to help a friend - who knows - it may turn out to be a Super Grade. and you'll be in Fat City !

blackbear · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2008, 04:38:37 AM »

If you do not buy this rifle will you regret it in a few years?
Ammo prices are rising, new rifle prices are rising and before long used rifle prices will rise too. Buy any firearms you like and can afford now. When new car prices get too high used car prices rise too. I believe we may see the same trend in firearm prices before long.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2008, 05:59:46 AM »

Hey, let's get to the bottom line. If he's really a friend, as opposed to some guy you work with, and he came to you and said, "I'm in a tight, I need $400" you'd give it to him. So buy the gun.
If it's some guy you work with, the gun is worth it but would you get any use from it other than to say, "hey, I've got a rifle that is grossly over powered for anything in the USA except the great bears". Then it's a ego thing that only you can answer.
If you're thinking of it as an investment, I think you'd be better off buy old pictures hoping to find an original copy of the Declaration of Independence behind them. IMO.

blackbear · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2008, 06:58:31 AM »

The man is asking if the asking price is a good deal.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2008, 04:23:08 PM »

Quote from: blackbear on January 05, 2008, 06:58:31 AM

The man is asking if the asking price is a good deal.

bb'

answers have been given. a host of answers have been given; but we have insufficient information to be more specific. does the original poster (m') really have a use for it? if not, can he get back as much or close to what he puts into it? i think he should not buy the firearm unless he has a lot of discretionary funds right now for his own use. if his friend is having marital problems that may be irrelevant to m' if somebody else will soon help with the purchase of the rifle.

i don't buy firearms for "decoration". i buy them for use. i don't recommend anybody else buying them for ''decoration'' either.

take care,

ss'

Davemuzz · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2008, 05:08:19 PM »

Quote from: blackbear on January 05, 2008, 06:58:31 AM

The man is asking if the asking price is a good deal.

And I don't think anyone has told him it was a bad price or a bad deal. So what more can be said?

Dave

blackbear · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2008, 05:21:49 PM »

Quote from: myronman3 on January 04, 2008, 03:37:01 AM

have a chance to buy a winchester model 70 in 338 for $400. deal or no deal?

beemanbeme · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2008, 06:42:41 AM »

Whether it's a good deal or not depends on a lot of things. If you're hungry, a ham sandwich is worth a lot more than if you just got up from the table. don't yu know?

Davemuzz · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2008, 07:20:15 AM »

I-ke-rumba

myronman3 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2008, 04:42:39 AM »

i have been after him to get his paws on it so i can see it. he took my advise and moved the guns to a secure location a while back, but the friend is away and the gun is in a safe so i cant see it for now. a complex situation, as these things tend to be.
me, i dont really need it, but it might be a super grade for all i know. if it is i will buy it. if not, i have a friend that is really interested in it, he loves the 338's. and as some of you noted, prices are only going up. i have been buying up everything i can afford at the best deals i can get lately; including guns, powder, bullets, primers, and brass. the writing is on the wall, and i have read it.
my only problem is that it is tax season, and i need to tighten the belt to pay the property taxes at the end of the month. i could still get it, but it would stretch me a bit thinner than i like to be stretched.
like i say, if the wood on it is great, i would buy it, if not i will pass the opportunity on to the other friend. thanks to all and i will keep you posted.

myronman3 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 07, 2008, 04:43:37 AM »

Quote from: beemanbeme on January 06, 2008, 06:42:41 AM

Whether it's a good deal or not depends on a lot of things. If you're hungry, a ham sandwich is worth a lot more than if you just got up from the table. don't yu know?

aint that the truth?!!