azpredator@work Report post Posted December 22, 2014 Please share your thoughts onn what this rifle is worth. I'm a little ignorant with rifles, but this one is a good shooter so I'm interested in making this my son's deer hunting rifle. * older 257 roberts that hasn't been shot for about 15 years until a few weeks ago. * douglas barrel (approx 1000 shots) * glass bedded * wood stock in very good condition * springfield action with no safety My dad shot this gun 8 times a few weeks ago and said it shot nearly 1/2 moa with factory ammo. What would you consider the value of this rifle? Any additional questions I should ask? Thanks for any input. Wade Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted December 22, 2014 $300-$400 I would say, just IMO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benbrown Report post Posted December 22, 2014 It's basically worth whatever you are willing to pay for it. As the previous poster said, without pictures any estimate is a WAG. At a minimum, you should have it checked by a competent gunsmith and, if you buy it, have an aftermarket safety installed. I suspect that the original safety wouldn't clear a scope and the owner decided against the added expense of doing it right. That, alone, would definitely prod me to have a gunsmith look at it before you commit, as there may have been other "money-saving" shortcuts by the builder that aren't readily apparent. I have had a couple of custom rifles built on Springfield '03 actions with Douglas barrels and they were very nice rifles. However, they were a little bigger and heavier than I would have used to start either of my daughters or any of my grand kids. JMHO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpredator@work Report post Posted December 22, 2014 ok - this is a good start. Thanks for the replies. I'd never heard of a springfield action and the ones online look outdated so I hoped it wouldn't be some rare action that demanded a thousand dollars. My boy is 16 and currently shoots around 500 shots / year from his rifles. He goes shooting with his friends, but I would add a safety to it before sending it with him. I assume this rifle would double his shooting and force me into reloading asap! He's limited to me buying ammo at $45/box. I like the sound of $300. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted December 22, 2014 Perhaps $250, or maybe less, depending upon the design and workmanship of the stock and whether anything was done to slim and shape the triggerguard. There were a lot of Bubba-worked Springfields after the DCM sold them for virtually nothing years ago. Bill Quimby 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benbrown Report post Posted December 22, 2014 I assume this rifle would double his shooting and force me into reloading asap! He's limited to me buying ammo at $45/box. I Worse things could happen to you (and to him). Reloading is a relaxing, enjoyable and productive hobby! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Havasuhunter Report post Posted December 22, 2014 At $45 a box, you can gather some reloading equipment and save money fast. Plus the 257 Roberts is an awesome cartridge that is way better with reloads than factory ammo. I can't imagine not reloading rifle cartridges with today's prices on factory ammo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted December 23, 2014 The .257 Roberts definitely is a fine caliber. I had two of them until burglars took them away. I shot several Coues and Texas Hill Country whitetails, a Wyoming angelope, and a couple of javelinas with them, as well as a Himalayan tahr, a chamois and maybe three dozen feral goats on a cull in New Zealand. I don't remember anything needing a second shot. --- Bill Quimby 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjvcon Report post Posted December 23, 2014 Better get an idea on what the safety will entail and cost. You can get a Tikka T3 for mid $500's that will be new, complete, and a shooter. Others In that range too. Makes little sense to be $450 or 500 (once safety work Is done) into a Springfield when you can get a quality new rifle for not a lot more. Just my two cents worth. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpredator@work Report post Posted December 23, 2014 Better get an idea on what the safety will entail and cost. You can get a Tikka T3 for mid $500's that will be new, complete, and a shooter. Others In that range too. Makes little sense to be $450 or 500 (once safety work Is done) into a Springfield when you can get a quality new rifle for not a lot more. Just my two cents worth. Believe me, I've tried. I've been 2nd or later in line on nearly a dozen rifles in the past 6 months. Just missed a tikka 204 ruger on LRH today! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjvcon Report post Posted December 23, 2014 Well ... all I'm saying is if that rifle costs you $450 once you get the safety worked out, what you've got is an old action with a barrel at 1000 rounds. For another $125-150 you could have a new rifle that is at ZERO rounds. Sure ... you have to put some glass on it, but I didn't see where the Springfield is coming with glass. Another thing about that is you have some caliber choice. I don't have anything against a Roberts ... fine round with a great history. But the bottom line is that there are a lot of viable rounds out there that are more commercially available in case you had to pop in somewhere and grab a box. Rounds like the .243, .260, 7-08, .308 to name a few. Hand loading is great ... but if you need some quick ammo in a pinch, it's nice to know the local Wally World carries what you need. The .204 wasn't for deer, was it??? Little on the small side. If you are looking for a .204 for varmint I have one that I am not actively trying to sell, but some guys have inquired and I've decided I'd part with it under the right circumstances. PM me if interested and we can discuss it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
draggingnuts Report post Posted December 24, 2014 This might be a dumb question but when you say 1/4 moa what does moa stand for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHT_MTNMAN Report post Posted December 24, 2014 Google it...minute of angle...you could read about it until your eyes bleed... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThomC Report post Posted December 24, 2014 Most posters don't know what MOA is either. When they say 1/4 MOA for all practical purposes it means 1/4" group at 100 yards. But, as Jack O'Connor said "you have to take a little salt with the figures". I think that if I can hit My Old Asprin bottle at 100yds. its all good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roninflag Report post Posted December 25, 2014 it shot 1/2 moa. does it have a scope and mounts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
