Looking for a new toy

[Tahoe5.3]

Well I've got more back on my taxes than expected and now I'm on the look out for a new gun absolute max of $2000 I've narrowed it down to 2 that I'm really interested in but am also open to suggestions of others on what gun they would get if they had extra cash

My first choice is a ruger precision rifle in .308 with a vortex viper hst 6-24x50 because I've been having a really bad itch to get into long range shooting and I know I'll get a lot more use out of it and it would probably be more fun and it would teach me a lot about shooting that I don't know, pretty much id just learn a lot more with this rifle

The next is a titanium gold desert eagle in .50 ae because I've just always wanted one and doubt I'll ever get another chance later in life to own one

 

[FifthWheel]

I need a bigger safe.

 

[bigwheelzip]

If I were looking to explore longer distance shooting with some cash burning a hole in my pocket, a Uberti 1885 High Wall in 45-70 would be my choice. But I'm a dinosaur whose a John Browning groupie, so that colors my choice.

1885 High Wall Rifle | Uberti

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g_BAQoVLtI[/ame]

 

[American1776]

Get the Desert Eagle!! whenever someone says, 'I've always wanted one of these'....get it.

 

[Ray1970]

I voted "other".

 

[Kanewpadle]

Up to you, but I would buy a good 1911 if you don't already have one. Dan Wesson is a good choice.

If that doesn't work then buy the Ruger. The Ruger has a good track record so far.

And consider resale value is you ever need to do so. You could sell the Ruger much faster.

No way I would buy a Desert Eagle. I buy guns for two reasons and I am not a collector. I buy them for carry and shooting pleasure. I couldn't afford to shoot the Desert Eagle on a regular basis. It would just sit in my safe. So why have it?

It's your money. But ask yourself if you want something you can enjoy shooting, or a really expensive conversation piece?

 

[hkcavalier]

I have no idea why Ruger's .308 only has a 20" barrel. Their 6.5C version with a 24" barrel seems a better fit for long range shooting. If I were buying a long range rifle today I'd get one of CDNN's clearance Steyr SSGs. A "legacy" design but a steal at $1400.

The Desert Eagle is just ridiculous. With the cost of .50AE you'll shoot about 40 rounds and then it'll only come out now and then because some buddy of yours really wants to try it out.

 

[Laketime]

As someone who has collected these for a while I can tell you that you will love it in .50AE. Not a fan of the tiger stripe,Zebra stripe on the nickel or chrome looks better to my eye.Do your self a favor and look for an IMI or IWI versions.Very much better than the american made models.

 

[Tahoe5.3]

Up to you, but I would buy a good 1911 if you don't already have one. Dan Wesson is a good choice.

If that doesn't work then buy the Ruger. The Ruger has a good track record so far.

And consider resale value is you ever need to do so. You could sell the Ruger much faster.

No way I would buy a Desert Eagle. I buy guns for two reasons and I am not a collector. I buy them for carry and shooting pleasure. I couldn't afford to shoot the Desert Eagle on a regular basis. It would just sit in my safe. So why have it?

It's your money. But ask yourself if you want something you can enjoy shooting, or a really expensive conversation piece?

That was my first choice a really nice 1911 but once I got out and handled them in the stores I figured out they don't fit my hand well I'm not sure why because my hands aren't really small either

 

[Tahoe5.3]

As someone who has collected these for a while I can tell you that you will love it in .50AE. Not a fan of the tiger stripe,Zebra stripe on the nickel or chrome looks better to my eye.Do your self a favor and look for an IMI or IWI versions.Very much better than the american made models.

So the imi and iwi models are better than the new xix

 

[JimBianchi]

RPR in 6.5CM for really long range shooting.

I have that Vortex scope and it is crystal clear and bargain for long range shooting.

 

[Tahoe5.3]

I have no idea why Ruger's .308 only has a 20" barrel. Their 6.5C version with a 24" barrel seems a better fit for long range shooting. If I were buying a long range rifle today I'd get one of CDNN's clearance Steyr SSGs. A "legacy" design but a steal at $1400.

The Desert Eagle is just ridiculous. With the cost of .50AE you'll shoot about 40 rounds and then it'll only come out now and then because some buddy of yours really wants to try it out.

Lol the shorter barrel is part of the reason why I want the .308 over the 6.5c I like that the extra maneuverability that gives and it's still long enough to get the job done

 

[Tahoe5.3]

RPR in 6.5CM for really long range shooting.

I have that Vortex scope and it is crystal clear and bargain for long range shooting.

I've thought about the 6.5c but am not really sold on it yet, one thing I wonder is if I ever need to sell the rifle is if the 6.5 would be easier to sell and keep more of its value that's the only reason I would go with it over .308

 

[hkcavalier]

Lol the shorter barrel is part of the reason why I want the .308 over the 6.5c I like that the extra maneuverability that gives and it's still long enough to get the job done

Well then you'll probably hate the 26" Steyr SSG. Though there is a 20" gun.

The SSG is like the Colt Python of sniper rifles...I keep blowing my fund on cool S&Ws I run across! I just need to stay out of gun stores for a while. I figure I'll need at least $3k for the rifle and a scope worthy of it.

 

[loknload]

Very simply, go with your first instinct, if you don't you'll always regret it
Anyway that the rule I go by

 

[Laketime]

So the imi and iwi models are better than the new XIX

Absolutely in build quality and function.

 

[swsig]

Buy something you'll enjoy shooting. I've never shot a Desert Eagle, but I did watch a guy in the next stall at my range try to shoot one. He had the target out about 7 yards, and he still had trouble shooting accurately -- he was all over the paper. He was clearly exasperated by his experience, and he was definitely not having fun. Fortunately for my ears (I use both plugs and headphones), he soon gave up and left.

So here's what I took away from my vicarious Desert Eagle experience:

Disadvantages
Hard to shoot accurately
Makes lots of noise
Expensive
No fun, possibly even painful
Can only stand to shoot for a short period of time
Makes you look bad at the range

Advantages
Cool looking
Makes lots of noise
May have collector value
Makes you look "bad" at the range (until you start shooting)

My personal bias: I like guns that are enjoyable enough to shoot continuously for sustained periods of time. I vote for the Ruger.

 

[Tahoe5.3]

Well then you'll probably hate the 26" Steyr SSG. Though there is a 20" gun.

The SSG is like the Colt Python of sniper rifles...I keep blowing my fund on cool S&Ws I run across! I just need to stay out of gun stores for a while. I figure I'll need at least $3k for the rifle and a scope worthy of it.

Hahah yes I would hate it, I'm not sure why but short barrels just look a lot better to be and I'm the same way I keep blowing money on guns I'm trying to buy as many as I can while I'm young and still have the money to spend

 

[scooter123]

Have you ever held the Desert Eagle, the grip circumference is YUGE. Heck, I suspect it's a bit much for Hickok45 and he's 6'8" tall. There is also hte matter of the cost of the ammunition, it's EXPENSIVE. Sum it up and you have a gun that you'll probably only shoot once or twice and after that I will be a Safe Queen.

Contrast that with the Ruger Precision Rifle. A very good long range rifle platform that can be "fitted" to almost anyone. As for ammunition, it is very affordable and if you load your own you can build sub 1/2 MOA loads for under 1 dollar per shot. BTW, IMO the primary key to building accurate rifle loads is a good bullet and 60 cents spent on a Lapua match grade bullet is 60 cents well spent. The only questionable detail is the quality of the Ruger barrel, I'm not sure if Ruger is up to building a sub 1/2 MOA barrel. Good news is that it's not that difficult to swap in a new barrel and I know from experience that Shilen or Krieger do have the chops to build barrels most of us just can't "out shoot".

Obviously my choice would be the Ruger Precision Rifle. While it may need some tweaking to make a true tack driver for the price it looks to be an excellent foundation to build on and it's on my personal wish list.

 

[Tahoe5.3]

Have you ever held the Desert Eagle, the grip circumference is YUGE. Heck, I suspect it's a bit much for Hickok45 and he's 6'8" tall. There is also hte matter of the cost of the ammunition, it's EXPENSIVE. Sum it up and you have a gun that you'll probably only shoot once or twice and after that I will be a Safe Queen.

Contrast that with the Ruger Precision Rifle. A very good long range rifle platform that can be "fitted" to almost anyone. As for ammunition, it is very affordable and if you load your own you can build sub 1/2 MOA loads for under 1 dollar per shot. BTW, IMO the primary key to building accurate rifle loads is a good bullet and 60 cents spent on a Lapua match grade bullet is 60 cents well spent. The only questionable detail is the quality of the Ruger barrel, I'm not sure if Ruger is up to building a sub 1/2 MOA barrel. Good news is that it's not that difficult to swap in a new barrel and I know from experience that Shilen or Krieger do have the chops to build barrels most of us just can't "out shoot".

Obviously my choice would be the Ruger Precision Rifle. While it may need some tweaking to make a true tack driver for the price it looks to be an excellent foundation to build on and it's on my personal wish list.

Thanks for your input, the desert eagle would most likely be a safe queen if I got it that's why im leaning towards the ruger because there's so much more that I could do with it