Second hand rifle

[shadow8]

I'm thinking of purchasing a quite expensive rifle that has had little or no use for past 18 months. I'm a new shooter so very inexperienced. What areas of the gun do I need to check for corrosion?
The barrel is stainless steel 1:8 twist ( think) fluted and fitted with a muzzle break. I assume there is the chance of corrosion inside the barrel which is difficult to see.
Gun is about 10 years old but with less than 1000 rounds through it. Only reported 80 rounds in last 18 months. Excellent quality built in Austria by Unique Alpine. Sniper rifle, bolt action & magazine. TPG1 Built for long range shooting which is what I want it for.... 1000 yards.
Will there be likely corrosion in the receiver, trigger, bolt areas?

How does one place a value on a second hand gun. Is there a value chart anywhere?

BTW I'm in the UK but rifle shooting in this country is very much informed by the USA on all matters. US lead and UK pretty much follow!

All advice truly appreciated and thank you in advance.

 

[watercam]

A trip to a gunsmith can answer all those questions. He or she can look inside the barrel and ascertain it's condition as well as the action. Honestly if there is no sign of damage on the outside your main concern is how many bullets have been down the barrel (round count). Take it from me one can not always believe what sellers are telling you. If it is a magnum 1000 rounds is near or at the end of that barrel's life. If it is a .308 you can expect a barrel life of 2500-5000 rounds depending upon the load. Most gunsmiths I know will perform this service next nothing or next to it.
Best of luck with your purchase!

 

[Lapua40X]

watercam's advice is solid. Don't let the age of a rifle concern you. A rifle that's been well taken care of can still be in excellent condition, save perhaps for barrel wear, after many years.

 

[bheadboy]

+1 on the above answers, find a smith or friend with a bore scope, and check the chamber, throat and bbl, for wear.

if built for long range shooting, the caliber is important what is it, if a mag or high powder volume load the bbl may be gone in 1000, however if it is a "target caliber" 6.5 x47, 308, 7-08 etc. it should have a good bit of life left, the big question, how did the seller keep count of firings.

if the bbl is ?? but the price is discounted enough, a rebbl to your choice may be an option.
the stk, action, trigger, etc. are valuable.

Bob

Bob

 

[jonbearman]

Is it A TPG-1 OR A MODEL 970? I looked at a few and the comments on the tpg are extremely good.Find out the age and the exact model number and caliber. Run a patch down the barrel with alittle oil on it and see if you feel any rough spots. Do that only if you cant get it scoped. I saw where one used 970 went for 600 pounds. If you can post a pic or two it would help or get the pics and email me so I can actually see the gun. By the way these guns are like Bentleys are to the queen.

 

[shadow8]

TPG-1 so modular system. Barrel fluted, stainless steel. Price around the £3K GBP mark so equates to about 5000USD. Used previously as target rifle firing .308WIN.

So some of my concerns answered thankyou all. It is a good rifle. Looked after condition by sight only. Built Bavaria looks like circa 2004. Have checked serial number.

Has a fitted muzzle break which to me seems overkill for .308 recoil which is not heavy as you all know. Perhaps muzzle break improves accuracy although I've not heard anything like that. I'm a NRA member at Bisley UK where muzzle breaks are not popular although not outright banned. One tends to end up shooting on your own though as nobody can get too close! In any event muzzle break no good for competition shooting.

Happy with gun as I've seen it. I will inspect before purchase though. I like the idea of running a patch down the barrel to see if there are any sticking points!

Any other advice please part from "caveat emptor" of course!

 

[M-61]

Assuming all the good advice you have been given works out I'd say a break does improve accuracy...not the rifles but the shooters. I have found that lots of folks don't seem to mind be pounded by say a 338, however I have never seen their accuracy improve as the round count increases, rather it deteriorates. And you are correct in regards to fellow shooters.
$5,000 USD is a healthy price. What is the price new? And the price of a new barrel?
Best of luck with your decision either way.