A lot of the US made rifles from small independent companies all appear to be great value when you look at the cost in $. Once they make it to this side of the pond and VAT and a margin for profit are added they become seriously expensive.
For example Edgar brothers are importing the Seekins line of Havak rifles.
The advantage of buying from Edgar Brothers over a private import is of course they have some form of warranty responsibility. Where as private imports you are on your own when it comes to obtaining spares such as extractors, firing pins and sundries that may fail. Which lets be honest no matter the quality of the rifle you buy there is a risk something can go wrong.
If I remember correctly the Nosler line of rifles didn’t sell well and the last few were sold heavily discounted.
You are right the secondhand market for custom built rifles is terrible. But then I think that goes for anything expensive that doesn’t have some cult following such as Blaser or the likes of AI. There just isn’t a large enough consumer pool for expensive secondhand rifles when in reality barrels are disposable items like tires on a car. No one knows how much life there is left and 99% of the time when borescoped there will be signs of wear so to air on the side of caution shops will state as much often grossly undervalue them. This in part has been exacerbated by the huge price increase seen in European rifles for sale in the U.K. artificially seeing the value of secondhand Tikka and Blasers increase. A Blaser R8 secondhand is now worth more than it was new 5 years ago. Just look at the new retail price of a Tikka Tac A1 they have almost doubled in 18 months.
For me the only way I would probably go if I was in the market for a new rifle now is a Tikka T3x. But even these are £1400 now. An aftermarket stock from the likes of PSE, their new carbon stocks look rather nice and with the exposed carbon compete with the USA produced items nicely will likely be over £1000.
After all, 99% of the custom actions are a slightly different spin on the Remington 700. Although the Cru De Grace from American Rifle Company is feature rich with a mechanical ejection to boot which is something I am rather partial to. However once again small niche company that comes with the issues associated with import and backup. Which will surely see inflated prices. When you see this action had an introductory price of $899. There just isn’t the market in the U.K. so I can’t see it being readily available on these shores.
I am partial to the Sako 85, contrary to popular opinion. The S model functions flawlessly and all metal magazine and trigger guards offer quality in a traditional bolt action package from the factory. The FinnLite 11 being the only one in the range with an adjustable cheek piece in a stock that doesn’t look over the top. The main issue being there is only one company in NZ that produce a synthetic aftermarket stock for Sako. Which severely hobbles the appeal. Although when spending £1800 on a new Sako who wants to spend another £1000 on a stock. So £2500 for the Finnlight 11 is quite appealing for a factory rifle.
So we end up back to the Tikka, with re-barrel costs hitting the £800 to £1100 price we might see older Tikka rifles with shot out barrels becoming better value as at one point even these were in the £400 bracket. So for say £1200 the buyer can spec the barrel chambering, profile and length to their liking. Then add one of the many aftermarket stock options all for around £2000. Use the rifle and not think about resale value. At the end of the day it’s a tool to be used in carrying out an activity and not an investment. There will always be a residual value and hopefully if spec’d correctly in a few years only a re-barrel will be required as the other feature will be fit for purpose.
At the end of the day rifle accuracy has come on leaps and bounds in the last 20 years where we have seen phenomenal accuracy from even the cheapest of factory rifles. Nearly all rifles are based around the same bolt action principle. Although by virtue of human instinct it is hard just to have one of anything. I am certainly a victim of this. Always chasing something better or just different. A few years ago I decided I would just have one rifle and use it of everything.
Suffice to say my safe is full with offerings from Tikka, Sako, AI, Browning, Thomson/Centre and Q. I’m just contemplating a need for a long action calibre but in all honesty I’m struggling to find a need. Although the 7mm PRC ballistics are rather inviting, it’s so new and not CIP recognised as such European manufacturers aren’t listing yet. There really is no one calibre for everything and certainly not one style of rifle suited to everything.
Sorry for the rather long ramble. But this is something that I am rather invested in, I hate wasting money. It’s like driving a new car off the forecourt. You will loose money, just how much are you prepared to loose.
Seekins Precision
seekinsprecision.com
www.edgarbrothers.com
looks a nice little rifle, brand new too.
