I'm starting a rifle project, and knowing me, it'll be shot for a while after completion - then probably sold.

So take nice walnut, drop-box magazine, barrel banded accessories, and all the trimmings...

Now, what caliber would be the easiest to get rid of come sale day?

I've considered the 500jeffery and 505, but think they might be a bit too specialized.

Any suggestions?

Seems like there are a lot of .458 Lotts out there these days...

Sorry, price is a consideration.

Let's say this ends up being a $7-8K rifle.

If I wanted to sell a DG rifle and wanted to do so quickly, I'd like it chambered to the .375 H&H.

It's something even an elk hunter might like to own.....the truly big stuff such as the .505 and .458 Lott will play to much fewer players in the audience.

The easiest rifle to get rid of on sale day in that price range would be a D'Arcy Echols legend. As far as chambering, I'd say 375 H&H, 416 Rem Mag or 458 Lott.

When you look at expensive big bores, it is a very limited market. A fair number of guys want a big bore, but those shelling out over $5k drops the ranks. Those buying rifles over $5k are a small clientel, and not every one of them wants a big boomer.

Seriously consider the Legend and a popular chambering, you'll have no problem selling it, resale will be near 100% (very, very rare on customs) and best yet, you probably won't want to sell it.

If you are going to sell it in the future, it had better be chambered for a cartridge that everybody wants, but nobody makes.

At $7 to $8K a 375 H&H or a 416 Rigby.

.375H&H, and .404Jeffery, if Federal Cartridge rolls out ammo for it.

At your top end of $ 8K, you might consider waiting to moving up another notch and get a Searcy double and be guarenteed resale value.

When you say "starting a project" do mean commissioning one or doing all or part yourself?

Just curious because caliber plays a big part in price. The 505 always seems to bring a premium but the pool of buyers is smaller. 500 Jefferys seem even harder to sell. With either you'll get less frills for the same money because components are higher than the lesser calibers.

Second would be 375 H&H or 458, either Win Mag or Lott for all the reasons mentioned above.

416 Rigby third.

"starting a project" means me commissioning one.

Has to be a bolt gun, b/c I've already got the actions.

From what I have seen I list them in the order most likely to sell.
375 h@h

458 wm

458 lott

416 rig
416 rem

all others one would have a harder time finding a buyer

New_Guy,

What action do you have?

Bryan

You have the actions? What actions do you have?
Double Square Bridge Magnum Mausers? MRC Long actions?

It would be helpful to know what you have to work with.

They are the old Peter Noreen actions (now owned by Wff Hein) - they are double-square bridge M70 types.

I forget the numbers, but one is suitable for a 375 length cases and the other was the largest one he made - suitable for rigby / 505.

They look like this.

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:
They are the old Peter Noreen actions (now owned by Wff Hein) - they are double-square bridge M70 types.

I forget the numbers, but one is suitable for a 375 length cases and the other was the largest one he made - suitable for rigby / 505.

new_guy,

IMO, a .375H&H and a .416 Rigby would be the 'easiest' to sell, as the market for them is large (relatively speaking).

If you were going to build without an eye towards resale, a .404 Jeffery and a .505 Gibbs would be the most interesting. Just lay in a good supply of brass (so you can include it (and the dies) with the rifles if you decide to sell).

George

I have had good luck selling 505s in the gunlist and they bring a lot more money...One would think the 375, 416 would sell better but I am not so sure, I have had good luck selling the odd calibers, most gun nuts want something different..

Like you, I will build a rifle, shoot it for awhile then sell it, unless it sells before I shoot it...

I just built the 10.75x68 thats on another thread (Afrian hunting) maybe with that different caliber I can keep it a bit longer before someone buys it...It's a real neat little rifle, my idea of the perfect bolt gun for buffalo..I am stocking a super nice .416 Rem with all the bells and whistles right now.

Build what suits you, put it on the market, if it sells fine, if not who cares, is my approach, thats the one I will use...

Didn't know you already had the actions. If the big one was originally set up for 505 then I think you're committed as the rim dia is unique and HUGE . I would check that boltface first.

Since you have two actions why not build a .375H&H and a .505Gibbs?

Problem solved. It's so easy to spend someone else's money

Maybe I should just sell the actions... anyone interested?

If you really want to sell them put them in the classifieds. They should move fast.

really, you think there's that much demand for them?

I guess I hadn't given it that much thought.
hummmm to sell... or not to sell?

new_guy

A 375 H&H, 416 Rigby or 404 Jeffery, around 4,2 kilos including scope.

458 lott, 450 rigby, 470, 505, 500 kicks to much for my taste.

Cheers
/JOHAN