Guys,
How's this for shenanigans.

Yesterday I spent the day chasing a Ruger stainless/synthetic in 350RemMag around the country. Only 10 made it here apparently, and I was told by every dealer that all are accounted for. Got a local dealer to place an order through the Ruger importer (Highlands I believe) and they said "What 350Rem Mag, its not listed, we'll enquire in the US, then it's a 3-6 month wait!"
Placed my deposit down today and young bloke says " Wait a second, there's another Ruger importer, let me call them!" Rifle is now arriving at the end of the week from Acacia Imports. Since when have they been Ruger importers? Wonder if you could do a better deal playing importer of each other? Either way, its a good time to be buying.
Cheers...
Con

You should have tried adventure camping and fishing, in Wangaratta. Peter has 2 on the shelves, as well as a Remington Model 7 KS custom shop in 350 Rem Mag. Yes you can get a better deal playing them off, but that only goes so far.

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

Sambar 9.3,
Yeah rang Wangaratta as I knew they were on the shelf. But I received a better price at the local Shepp dealer. Could have saved some more in Melbourne, but for the travel/freight it wasn't worthwhile.
What was news to me was that two importers now seem to be handling Rugers. Is that the reason for the recent price drop? Hopefully some competition will also open the way for some of the Ruger limited run firearms like the S/S 35Whelen etc...
Cheers...
Con

Acacia(Brisbane) have been Ruger and Savage importers for years.Owners are ex-employees of the Australian Ruger agent before Highland.

One of the parters is Greg Matthews of the cartridge book fame.

Your lucky you did'nt go through highland inports, I ordered some 6.5 and 8 mil projectiles from them through my local dealer in september 2004 ,still have'nt seen em.

darwinmauser,
I order projectiles through a relatively small shop. He tells me that Highland is playing games with who they supply. Wouldn't even take an order for the 8mm projectiles because of the hassles involved in getting them. Then Highland send what they want him to sell rather than 100% what he ordered. Took them 6 months to supply 7.62x54R ammunition. For your projectiles try Whitebox in Melbourne, they supply a lot of the military clubs.
Cheers...
Con

I once tried to order a special reticle for a Leupold. The dealer got on the phone to the importer, who was very difficult. The importer insisted on speaking to me personally on the phone. In the end the importer asked me 5 FIVE! times are you sure you will take this scope if I order it. YES YES YES! YES! YES! I should have said "that is why I am fucking ordering it you fuckwit!" but that wouldn't have helped matters.

After a few months it arrived at the dealer and I paid for it.

A couple of years later I wanted another one. The importer just said now "they aren't made with that reticle any more" and refused to change his story.

THE POWER OF THE INTERNET

I went home and straight to the Leupold website. GUESS WHAT? They are still manufactured with that reticle and available on special order.

So in the end I emailled Leupold and complained to them and asked for a USA based dealer who could export to me.

Thankfully that joker doesn't have Leupold in his portfolio any more.


This is aften typical Australian customer service, and they wonder why we order direct from the USA.

And then piss and moan and refuse to do the warranty work on them.
All that trouble, just to get a German #4 reticle.
Sounds almost as bad as Bisley Arms used to be.

Cheers, Dave.
Non Illegitium Carborundum

Hey Sambar 9.3 do you know pete well?
I bought my 350 from him hes a great bloke

Yep, know him well. The 350 Rem Mag is his favourite cartridge too! I see you wound up with a 673, I'll be thinking of you hauling all that extra wieght up and down hill, while I carry my Mod 7 KS (5 3/4lbs).

Cheers, Dave.

I have found that rudeness in customer service and gun shops seems to go hand in hand, some of them are down right smart arses.

There are a couple in Brisbane that I only go into once a year,just out of boredom.
They haven't worked out yet that I never buy from them.

When to a shoot a couple of weeks ago and was on the line next to one gunshop owner,I proudly told him the new rifle I was holding,"was one he missed out on".

Yes, although being a rude, arrogant, know it all prick isn't essential to the job, it must be a criteria in the job application.
Mind you, I have stood at the counter and listened to some pretty dumb questions, maybe it all just wears them down after a while?

Cheers, Dave.

Sambar,
Very true but its part of the game educating newer shooters. My personal pieve (I have many ) is the proof that this air-rifle is more powerful than that one, accompanied by "dry-firing" both and comparing the noise. No better way to kill an air-rifle!
Cheers...
Con

Mate of mine spoke to Hermann aka fx airguns
he told him that he had sold a air rifle to a pro roo shooters to use, talk about BS