Rimfire Price vs. Centerfire (Used market)?

[madmixerman]

Why do used custom rimfire rifles sell for much more than used custom centerfire rifles?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Why do used rimfire rifles sell for much more than used centerline rifles?

JMHO, but they really should cost about the same to build/buy. Ultimately, it comes down to the cost of labor and components but I think a certain amount of it comes down to just what someone is willing to pay, too. One could rightly make the claim that there's a small amount more time in building a rf but it's not a lot different.

That said, to be truly competitive in rf does cost more than cf, IME. Lot testing and buying ammo is a huge part of that and ya tend to fire more rf than cf too. Not typically huge differences but I did find rf to be a bit more expensive to compete in and I didn't do it as big as some. I've heard of people buying $40k worth of ammo to test, keep some and sell a lot of the rest, to insure they had very good ammo for themselves. You don't have to do that but it helps if ya can.

 

[TRSR8]

Why do used rimfire rifles sell for much more than used centerline rifles?

Actually, few do.
The sold price on RFBR platforms across time don’t show a major difference really.
Over the last couple years have been on both ends of RF & CF deals for high grade builds leaning toward mor RF’s.
Lester has a new RF build for sale here but that’s by no means a representative sticker price.

 

[bichettereds]

Why do used rimfire rifles sell for much more than used centerline rifles?

All things being equal (state of the art everything), one factor could be the barrel on the centerfire rifle will typically have less value to the next owner.

 

[4xforfun]

Well...I was just in a Scheels store in Fargo that had an older USED Rem 700 BDL in 260 Rem and the ask was $3,300.00. Tell me again how rimfires are more expensive!! LOL

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Well...I was just in a Scheels store in Fargo that had an older USED Rem 700 BDL in 260 Rem and the ask was $3,300.00. Tell me again how rimfires are more expensive!! LOL

Yes, I've seen some unreal prices on some nice but plain ol' 700's recently. Not sure what's driving those prices but they're happening.

 

[dthomas]

I've got an older rem 700 3006 I haven't used for a while. If they are bringing that much I definitely would sell it.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I've got an older rem 700 3006 I haven't used for a while. If they are bringing that much I definitely would sell it.

I looked to see if I could still pull up the results from a past auction but looks like they were likely removed 1/1/26. But, there were several unfired or nearly so 700's in that sale that brought some crazy prices. Nothing really special...just very nice BDL rifles with like 3-9 vxII loopys on them and those guns were bringing in the $3k range. Several of them. I bought a couple of unfired rimfires. He has some nice stuff. I bought a cz 452 and an Anschutz 22 Mag. He had the full set of Annies in 22lr, 22 mag and 17hmr. I wanted all three but a couple of other bidders wanted the other two more than I did. Very nice guns though, condition wise. They were near perfect. The 700's looked the same way. Very near perfect but maybe not unfired. No boxes were included. I think it was late 2024...fwiw.

 

[4xforfun]

I can't complain about prices.....I'm the guy with an $800.00 CZ 457 MTR Target 22LR with $2,200.00 (used Price) worth of Nightforce Optics and mounts shooting $20.00 a box (50 rounds) ammo!!

 

[ronsatspokane]

I can't complain about prices.....I'm the guy with an $800.00 CZ 457 MTR Target with $2,200.00 (used Price) worth of Nightforce Optics and mounts shooting $20.00 a box (50 rounds) ammo!!

I'm down that rabbit hole as well. With used Anschutz and CZ's,

 

[charlie b]

I would second the idea that a used RF is going to still have a ton of barrel life left while a used competition centerfire probably needs a new barrel soon after purchase.

Sporter rifles are another ball game and are based more on emotional attachment. gun finish and/or how rare they are.

 

[jdh47]

Everything costs more when it becomes orphaned. Remington is gone and replaced. Whether it will last is unknown. The Remington 700 was a great success when it came out. It was reasonably accurate, looked good and easily gunsmithed. It just about ran Winchester out of business. Factory offerings run the gambit today. Tikka is a good choice but sometimes can be hard to rebuild. Savage makes a decent gun but the M700 is Iconic. Custom actions have come down but they are still expensive. Auctions are what they are. People are willing to let themselves get snookered into paying far too much for an item if they don't keep their pride in check. American made factory offerings are not so plentiful today. Ruger is being threatened by Beretta today. Ruger is a decent rifle but harder to gunsmith. That's my WAG.

 

[GetReal]

I know my rimfires cost as much new as my centerfires.

But I think Centerfires are actually easier to work on particularly in terms of barrels.

Given that you basically never need to replace a Rimfire Barrel that will actually give it an advantage over a Centerfire Barrel.... and I suppose people are making you pay a premium for that

 

[4xforfun]

I know my rimfires cost as much new as my centerfires.

But I think Centerfires are actually easier to work on particularly in terms of barrels.

Given that you basically never need to replace a Rimfire Barrel that will actually give it an advantage over a Centerfire Barrel.... and I suppose people are making you pay a premium for that

Yep....its like the premium you pay for a 50 BMG! Hell....even a 338 Lapua carries a premium.

 

[3Ackleys]

Everything costs more when it becomes orphaned. Remington is gone and replaced. Whether it will last is unknown. The Remington 700 was a great success when it came out. It was reasonably accurate, looked good and easily gunsmithed. It just about ran Winchester out of business. Factory offerings run the gambit today. Tikka is a good choice but sometimes can be hard to rebuild. Savage makes a decent gun but the M700 is Iconic. Custom actions have come down but they are still expensive. Auctions are what they are. People are willing to let themselves get snookered into paying far too much for an item if they don't keep their pride in check. American made factory offerings are not so plentiful today. Ruger is being threatened by Beretta today. Ruger is a decent rifle but harder to gunsmith. That's my WAG.

Curious what makes a Tikka "hard to rebuild"? Might be an exception out there, but you can take any Tikka barrel, screw it on, and it will headspace on any Tikka action. Won't happen with a Remington.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

The thing about BR rimfires if built by a known gunsmith who has produced multiple National level winning rifles they can fetch premium prices. the barrels seldom need to be replaced.
$10K+ is not unheard of. a rifle shot only at the club level would probably be in the $3000-$4500 range.

Lee

 

[JEFFPPC]

Well...I was just in a Scheels store in Fargo that had an older USED Rem 700 BDL in 260 Rem and the ask was $3,300.00. Tell me again how rimfires are more expensive!! LOL

P.T.Barnum said, There's a sucker for an every minute.