Am I truly obsessed?

[JohnO]

Recently I began a new project rifle - a 6br based on a Remington M700 and a quite nice 1-8 Hart take off barrel with lots of life left in it. My wife and I are retired and I guess we could afford the relatively inexpensive gun - a recycled pilar bedded 40X stock and the M700 with a used barrel. So, instead of using funds from the bank, I chose to sell some fishing stuff I will never use and since we have no heirs it seemed to be appropriate. I also sold my 10 carat gold class ring from Fordham U which I bought back in 1974 when I graduated at 29. My wife says I am crazy - which could be possible - but I felt OK but maybe a little obsessed especially since I am also building a 6mm RAT bolt gun at the same time which I funded by selling my 35mm Leica collection. Maybe I am a little nuts.
John

 

[Nodak7mm]

Nope, just practical... I like the way you think.. ;D

 

[jonbearman]

It sounds like you are on your way to enjoy life in the shooting world. If you have any questions,then please ask away as there are a myriad of members who can get the right answers about your builds.I to have built frankenstein guns with used parts from all different place's.It is plain fun.I should sell my class ring.If you dont mind what did they give you for it.If it is a fair amount,that could be a resource for my next build.Anyways hope to see ya on the thread's.If I can be of any help ,let me know. And by the way,we are all obsessed,LOL!

 

[Kenny474]

I have sold off unused items in the past to fund rifle builds, it's pretty normal, at least I think so. Now if you started selling off stuff you need, like your refrigerator, stove or other stuff like that, than maybe you have a problem.

Good luck with the builds let us know how they finish up. Maybe post some pics as well.

Kenny

 

[bozo699]

Obsessed yes, absolutly nothing wrong with that.I am in the buyers market never the sellers market, my wife always says why don't you sell that you never use it anymore,maybe not but maybe I will start using it buy buy buy,never sell,welllllllllllllll a dumb old ring and some crummy fishing stuff,.......OK you did good have fun with your build, and share some pics.
Wayne.

 

[JohnO]

When my class ring was new in 1974 I paid $105 and I sold it for $395. It stopped fitting my fingers long ago. The Leica camera stuff just sat there on the shelf and it was not "minty collector grade" so the interest from Leica purists wasn't there. (I belong to the Leica Historical society) These are generally well heeled people. The new Leica S2 digital body is a cool $26,000. How many Kreiger barrels could THAT buy?

 

[jo191145]

Well John,,, I must be butt ugly cause theres no picture takin doo dad worth $26,000 to me.
Now 26,000 Kreiger credits I could find a use for ;D ;D
I think you made a wise choice.

 

[critter_bill]

JohnO, sounds like you have your priorities in order.

My seed money for reloading and firearms came from Marlboro in 1989 and Budweiser in 2000. My wife was on board with me spending my former "sin" money on a constructive hobby.

My obsession began with off the shelf rifles, then semi-custom Rem 40Xs, then finally full blown custom builds. The optics evolved from Simmons to lower end Leupolds, then higher end Leupolds, a brief fling with S&B (too $$$$), and ending with NightForce NXS.

Eventually, I reached a point where, even with an understanding wife, I said to myself, "No more. If you want something new, something has to go."

When S&B was awarded the Marine contract, I just had to have one for my tactical 308. $2400 was just too steep for an added expense. So, I sold my beloved JBL studio monitors that I bought in Okinawa in 1977. I paid $1240 for the pair, enjoyed them for 28 years, and sold them for...you guessed it, $2400 to buy that "must have" S&B 3-12x50 PM II optic. Clearest glass ever but, as a recovering BR shooter, I missed the higher magnification that I was accustomed to. Sold the S&B and settled on NF optics.

Welcome to the obsession. There are far worse things you could be into.

critter_bill

 

[deadlyswift]

John,
I sold 3 factory rifles to fund my first semi custom 6br! Only 45rnd into the thing and it appears it's going to be a real hammer! I'm now trying to figure out how to fund at least 2 full blown custom rigs! Guess I'm wishing I had some Leica camera parts right about now! ;D Probably looking at 10k for the 2 builds! :'( At least I'm still young and have my health, and not like many in this day in time. I am working 60 to 70hrs a week right now so some of the overtime will be put back into my custom funds! If nothing else enjoy yourself!!! Good luck to you, and welcome to a new bottomless pit that we all are trying to fill!! I haven't found a hobbie yet that wasn't costly! ;D
Mark

 

[bozo699]

John,
I haven't found a hobbie yet that wasn't costly! ;D
Mark

Exactly, @ least a exciting hobby
Wayne.

 

[JohnO]

All of you guys are truly good. For me it is all about budget and the greater good, I suppose. I don't play golf, I hate bowling and I am no good at it anyway, forget tennis, so all I have left is target shooting which I truly am enamored with.

I get to hang out with guys who are nice and usually are a lot younger than I am (except Otto Weber, that is)

 

[jonbearman]

John, now you did it.I told my better half that I would sell my class ring to buy more gun stuff and she said no.Well I guess I will go down stairs and get her ring and sell it to finish a project coming up.LOL LOL

 

[JohnO]

If it will help you any, when I told my wife I was going to sell my class ring she shook her head and muttered how stupid that was. Of course, that's part of the game. Now, I can get a new RPA rear sight and no whining will be heard. (well, not too much, anyway)

 

[4xforfun]

You are one of those crazy gun people....all you can think about is guns and breaking the law.......there should be stricter gun laws for people like you!!!!! ;D

Good for you, but......and I know this for a fact.......The first time you take your new toys out and shoot your first "bug hole", you will start thinking about another mortgage!! :

Can you say B A T, BORDEN, KELBLY, ect......

Just sayin

 

[Kenny474]

I was considering selling my Jeep I use for off-roading to fund my first custom action build, as the Jeep costs a bit to run, which cuts into my shooting budget even more.

But my girl loves to go muddin and said flat out: she will sell the other guns to buy another Jeep and that's the end of it. (except her guns of course)

Oh well, at least she doesn't care if I go muddin! ;D

 

[JohnO]

Lawrence, you are one tough dude 8)

When I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee in 1997, I was home two days and my wife came home to catch me on a ladder cleaning the rain gutters. She of course scolded me but then I asked : "are you going to clean them?" I don't think so. (sigh)

 

[JohnO]

I am already thinking about post surgery and onto the International prone match at Puyallup in September, 2011. I guess I am a little obsessed. I still long for the day when I can return to Phoenix and get to meet German Salazar in person at Ben Avery.

 

[jonbearman]

I had my knee done 2 times and walked on it the first day and spent the rest of the time reloading.I call it rehab. Is it obsession,darn right.