I've got three VZ-24 projects in motion.....two barreled actions are ready for bedding...a 6mm Rem and a 280 Rem....the third one is open yet and I considered the 9.3 X 64.....see other thread...

Now the question is:
if the finished vz-24 project was to be resold in a few years....which would bring the most and be the easiest to sell
1. 35 whelen
2. 9.3 X 62
3. 9.3 X 64
4. 375 Ruger
5. 358 Norma

You always help out with my posts so I thought I would chime in with an opinion. There are a couple I know nothing about so as a beginner I eliminate 2, 3, & 5. Beginners buy guns too. New stuff scares me as far a future value, so that leaves #1. But I my area the 30.06 will out sell about anything. Magnum crazes are all the guys talk about and the classifieds are full of them, but let a n '06 hit the papers and its gone first day.

Cornerstone, said it well.
The 9.3's are for rifle loonies...noone else will even know what they are.
.375R and .358N will be noticed by the guys that are attuned to the heavier middle bores. Elk, moose and bear hunters mostly.
That leaves the 35 Whelen. The only somewhat garden variety cartridge of the bunch and most recognizable. Easy to find commercial ammo for and lots of reloadable options for those that do.
A lot depends on your location and audience however. BT

9,3x62! You know me, but doesn't it seem that 2 years ago Nobody had an x62 or any 9,3? Now it all of a sudden seems to be the cartridge of choice for lots and lots of folks. More guys are traveling to Africa and finding out that it is a serious DG rifle cartridge...and that it is every thing the 35W is; and a little more. Ballistics data places it at the head of the class of cartridges based on the 30-06. The fact that CZ's seem to be invading the country whole scale and one of the front runners is the x62. Look what CZ has done for the 416 Rigby! $800 or so gets you a true magnum mauser CRF boltgun that is the real answer to the "one rifle one world" hunter. Buying the x62 is the perfect counterpoint to the 416R. You are talking resale value, how hard do you think it would be to sell it tonight on the AR forum? I haven't build a rifle with any thought of resale yet, but I haven't had any issues selling quality rifles...period.

Rich
DRSS

In my humble opinion. In two years....
1. 375 Ruger
2. 35 Whelen
3. 9.3x62

For some reason I see the 375 Ruger catching on mainstream.

Performance of the H&H in a lowly peasant action rifle.

My personal choice was leaning towards a 9.3X64...but then I read about the Ruger.

A perfect mathematical fit between my 338-06 and 416 Rigby is a 375 of course.

what ever the average joe can get ammo for. Seems like on the resale market that is a big factor. the custom rifle may be geared to an experienced buyer, but that buyer usually wants it for 10 cents on the dollar. if he is put in competition with average joe he'll pay more, but if he thinks he's all alone 10 cents might be to much.

As long as it is built on a 98 action, with traditional styling, you will never have a problem selling a 9.3 via the internet.

The key is availability of quality brass. All the cartridges you list are for gun-nuts not the general public. I'm not sure where you get brass for a 9.3x64 so I would take it off the list.

Best bet at this time is the 9.3x62. If you have time before commiting to the decision watch the .375 Ruger.

Personally, I would bulid the .358 Norma.

Vapodog,

If you get a chance let me know what you decide. Just curious!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I've got three VZ-24 projects in motion.....two barreled actions are ready for bedding...a 6mm Rem and a 280 Rem....the third one is open yet and I considered the 9.3 X 64.....see other thread...

Now the question is:
if the finished vz-24 project was to be resold in a few years....which would bring the most and be the easiest to sell
1. 35 whelen
2. 9.3 X 62
3. 9.3 X 64
4. 375 Ruger
5. 358 Norma

vapodog,

I would venture to guess that 35 Whelen would resell quicker than the other four even though I'm one of those that would like the 9.3x62. But an with CORNERSTONE - a 30/06 will resell the best.

PS: I didn't realize that a 375 Ruger would fit into a Vz-24 action?!

1,2 & 4. My personal choice would be #3, ONLY 3 but I'm not worried about resale value. There's always a gun nut out there to buy it. So don't chamber a barrel burner, if you're worried about resale value is my only advice.

My personal opinion is that any custom rifle, unless built by a well known riflesmith, will only return you pennies on the dollar when you try to sell it. People don't want to buy other folks custom built rifles for the same reason that I would choose a stock 5 year old pickup over an identical truck with a lift kit, headers, chip, oversize tires, etc.

You're not going to get your money back if you sell it, so you should just build what YOU want and plan on keeping it forever.

If you build a 35 Whelen with iron sights and a classic stock I'll buy it in 2 years.

Thanks guys for the replys....I appreciate it.

In the net analysis I have eliminated the 9.3 X 64 as it just isn't readily available.....and the 358 Norma because it just isn't a 375 magnum and has all the energy to be so.....if I'm going to house that energy then it's going to be an Africa worthy cartridge.

It's boiling down to the 35 whelen and the 9.3 X 62.....almost twins as the primary use is big game and not necessarily dangerous game.

I think the Whelen may win this one!