As much as I want to support the local gun shops, WalMart has much better prices on alot of stuff. Take the Encore for example, The best price I could find was 549+tax on a wood and blued Encore. I was still considering buying it from a local gun shop, but they did not have one in a 25-06 w/a 26"HB in stock and it was going to possibly cost more if he ordered it. I was considering another caliber and going with the blue and synthetic model, it was 519+ tax, but he did not have anything I was interested in at the time caliber wise. I checked with our local Wally World and they had a 25-06 w/26"HB in wood and blue for 499+tax. Sold. I work hard for my money and can't afford not to save where I can on a large purchase. I still buy most of my reloading stuff and accessories at a local gun shop , as I still want to support them all I can. I know alot of people will disagree,WalMart being a corp. vampire and all, but that's the way I feel. I know all about buying power and profit margins, but $50 is $50.