I should have listened to my first instinct and gone back to The Wily Heidi's to buy that Smith-Corona in the wee morning hours Saturday.
It was sold Saturday afternoon.
I am disappointed and relieved.
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Showing posts with label Bubba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bubba. Show all posts
07 November 2019
05 November 2019
DeBubbafication Stage One
Willard found the scant M1903A3 stock he thought he had in his office.
It was also where he thought it would be.
That's a double miracle. Normally such things have long since disappeared never to be seen again by mortal man.
Like most stocks of its day, it's inletted for both the M1903 rear sight and the M1903A3 handguard ring.
Having the buttplate and rear swivel saves us some time, money ($49) and effort!
At the time of this posting, Numrich has all the parts I think we're missing.
We think we've got The Wily Heidi locked into $250 for the rifle itself.
It was also where he thought it would be.
That's a double miracle. Normally such things have long since disappeared never to be seen again by mortal man.
Like most stocks of its day, it's inletted for both the M1903 rear sight and the M1903A3 handguard ring.
Having the buttplate and rear swivel saves us some time, money ($49) and effort!
At the time of this posting, Numrich has all the parts I think we're missing.
Lower Band Spring (524240) $3.00
Upper Band Screw (524660) $3.75
Handguard Ring (524920) $6.75
Upper Band (524220) $16.50
Stacking Swivel Assembly (1502520) $22.00
Lower Band Assembly (1502540) $20.75
Walnut Handguard, with Clips (853140) $43.75
Total, including shipping/handling $116.50
We think we've got The Wily Heidi locked into $250 for the rifle itself.
18 May 2019
05 February 2018
Mean Streak
There's a part of me that wants to figure out a stripper clip guide for my Krag.
Such things did exist, although they didn't work very well.
A fake Parkhurst Device or an insert that sits loose in the loading gate and a glowing write up would be the icing on the cake!
Then show that the gun had been sportified...
Oh, the vapors from people who'd react to such a "rare" gun being modified.
Such things did exist, although they didn't work very well.
A fake Parkhurst Device or an insert that sits loose in the loading gate and a glowing write up would be the icing on the cake!
Then show that the gun had been sportified...
Oh, the vapors from people who'd react to such a "rare" gun being modified.
25 January 2018
Bubba Recursive
I detest buck-horn sights.
Luckily, there's other options most of the time.
Like this!
It's not even all that expensive.
Yes, I am proposing to Bubba on my Bubba'd Krag.
Luckily, there's other options most of the time.
Like this!
It's not even all that expensive.
Yes, I am proposing to Bubba on my Bubba'd Krag.
23 January 2018
Of CourseThey Look Alike
Ravenclaw Eric notes that my Krag resembles his Krag.
There's probably a reason for that.
In the way back...
With the introduction of the Springfield M1903 and after its upgrade to .30-06 all of the Krag-Jørgensens became surplus.
It did not happen instantly in 1906, they were still manufacturing the M1898 rifle until 1904.
I don't have hard numbers, but it probably began in the 1910's. That we purchased "Enfield" M1917's instead of sending troops with the old guns says that it probably happened before our entry into WW1.
At any rate there were over 320,000 M1898 rifles made which never saw war and some might never have seen troops.
Like trapdoor Springfields they got dumped on the market for bargain prices, as did the ammunition.
.30-40 is more than enough for deer.
A lot of, perhaps most, surplus Krags became huntin' rifles.
A 30" barreled, full stocked, military rifle is a bit much for deer hunting. The 1903 pattern sights are a bit much period.
Cutting down the stock, lopping off 6" of barrel and putting on new sights sure makes it handier out in the brush! At least as handy as your huntin' buddy's Winchester, for 1/5th the price!
The ammo was available for nearly free too!
The way to have your M1898 turned into a handy hunting carbine, back in the days before Tapco was to just swing by the local gunsmith and have him do the work. This was also in the days when there was a local gunsmith just about everywhere and even a mediocre smith back then was a friggin' genius compared to what we tend to find nowadays.
The handy-huntin' Krag made from a full-size rifle falls into the same pattern over and over by various smiths. Just make it look like the picture of the carbine. Why? Because those carbines were surplussed with the rifles, and their new owners were pleased as punch with them.
So we end up with a clone of the original carbine because there's over 320,000 donor rifles and under 50,000 carbines. Supply and demand.
There's probably a reason for that.
In the way back...
With the introduction of the Springfield M1903 and after its upgrade to .30-06 all of the Krag-Jørgensens became surplus.
It did not happen instantly in 1906, they were still manufacturing the M1898 rifle until 1904.
I don't have hard numbers, but it probably began in the 1910's. That we purchased "Enfield" M1917's instead of sending troops with the old guns says that it probably happened before our entry into WW1.
At any rate there were over 320,000 M1898 rifles made which never saw war and some might never have seen troops.
Like trapdoor Springfields they got dumped on the market for bargain prices, as did the ammunition.
.30-40 is more than enough for deer.
A lot of, perhaps most, surplus Krags became huntin' rifles.
A 30" barreled, full stocked, military rifle is a bit much for deer hunting. The 1903 pattern sights are a bit much period.
Cutting down the stock, lopping off 6" of barrel and putting on new sights sure makes it handier out in the brush! At least as handy as your huntin' buddy's Winchester, for 1/5th the price!
The ammo was available for nearly free too!
The way to have your M1898 turned into a handy hunting carbine, back in the days before Tapco was to just swing by the local gunsmith and have him do the work. This was also in the days when there was a local gunsmith just about everywhere and even a mediocre smith back then was a friggin' genius compared to what we tend to find nowadays.
The handy-huntin' Krag made from a full-size rifle falls into the same pattern over and over by various smiths. Just make it look like the picture of the carbine. Why? Because those carbines were surplussed with the rifles, and their new owners were pleased as punch with them.
So we end up with a clone of the original carbine because there's over 320,000 donor rifles and under 50,000 carbines. Supply and demand.
22 January 2018
Bubba Doesn't Always Ruin Them
Willard dropped this off today, declaring that we were celebrating my birthday. I got kudos for not making the rookie mistake of saying, "but it's not my birthday."
This "carbine" started life in 1903 as an M1898 rifle. This is, bar none, the most common version of the Krag-Jørgenson made.
Whomever did the work did a great job.
Part of the sportification process was removal of the rear sight...
A new front sight was fitted to the 6" shorter barrel.
A far simpler rear sight was added as well.
The bore is shiny and new looking.
There will be a shooting report in about seven months when the seasonal run of .30-40 Krag happens.
18 November 2017
Morality Clause
Once I've got this checkering thing down...
I will be sorely tempted to restock my Winchester 54.
While it's the original stock, it's got that gaping hole in it.
Nobody makes an original profile stock, and starting with a 96% inletted, unfinished stock is much cheaper than running down an original in even fair condition.
That might even include the value of the labor.
I rage on Bubba here, so I worry about becoming him by restocking this gun.
I will be sorely tempted to restock my Winchester 54.
While it's the original stock, it's got that gaping hole in it.
Nobody makes an original profile stock, and starting with a 96% inletted, unfinished stock is much cheaper than running down an original in even fair condition.
That might even include the value of the labor.
I rage on Bubba here, so I worry about becoming him by restocking this gun.
01 November 2017
The Continuing Saga Of Bubba
This started out life as a Norwegian Krag-Jorgenson...
It's been sportified and rechambered in .300 Savage. It looks like the work was well done, but...
It's living breathing proof that even a rifle you can buy for $1.25 might be worth a lot more someday; even more if you hadn't attempted to make it a deer rifle.
If you act quickly, you can own this fine example of gunsmithing!
Many more pics below the fold!
It's been sportified and rechambered in .300 Savage. It looks like the work was well done, but...
It's living breathing proof that even a rifle you can buy for $1.25 might be worth a lot more someday; even more if you hadn't attempted to make it a deer rifle.
If you act quickly, you can own this fine example of gunsmithing!
Many more pics below the fold!
30 October 2017
Commitment
The much talked about purchase of checkering tools is in progress!
Got to get some practice pieces to change from perfectly useable material to firewood.
What could go wrong?
Reading up on the process, really not much.
It's simple, and a matter of feel that you acquire from doing it. Thus the practice.
Willard has two things in the immediate queue.
The smoothie Star-B grips and a replacement for his FUGLY the Bear stock.
I'm prolly going to attack the smooth stock and grip on my Marlin too.
Got to get some practice pieces to change from perfectly useable material to firewood.
What could go wrong?
Reading up on the process, really not much.
It's simple, and a matter of feel that you acquire from doing it. Thus the practice.
Willard has two things in the immediate queue.
The smoothie Star-B grips and a replacement for his FUGLY the Bear stock.
I'm prolly going to attack the smooth stock and grip on my Marlin too.
21 October 2017
13 October 2017
Putting The Fug In Fugly
Adorned with a Simmons Deerfield 4x32mm scope she tips the scales at 8.4 lb.
A steal for $175!
Even more if you like bears!
I think it deserves better wood and a better scope. This is also my opportunity to begin begging for the funds to get checkering tools. I seem like I have a lot of money showing off Willard's guns, don't I?
21 September 2017
Fortuitous Lesson
The Lyman #48WJS sight I bought to get an elevation pointer went for very cheap.
Last night, I noticed why.
Here's the sight I bought, minus the pointer and aperture I've already salvaged.
Here's an intact sight.
Notice how the range scale sticks out below the bottom of mine and is flush with the bottom on the intact sight? A previous owner must have cut the base down so they wouldn't have to relieve their stock. Bubba strikes again!
Last night, I noticed why.
Here's the sight I bought, minus the pointer and aperture I've already salvaged.
Here's an intact sight.
Notice how the range scale sticks out below the bottom of mine and is flush with the bottom on the intact sight? A previous owner must have cut the base down so they wouldn't have to relieve their stock. Bubba strikes again!
18 February 2017
Expanding On The Value Of A $100 Rifle
This gun is worth... $??
I paid $100. I see just one other example on Gunbroker, asking $305 with no bids. It's a model 12012 (Santa Fe Field Mauser), mine's a 12014 (Santa Fe Deluxe Mauser Mk1); so not even the same .30-06 model.
I do know I refused to go to $150 when I low-balled from his $250 asking price (which makes you wonder what the pawn shop paid since they accepted my $100 offer!).
I might be willing to do things to THIS rifle that I would never consider doing to a more expensive gun out of fear of ruining it and LOSING value.
I tend to think that it has more value to ME by dumping the NcSTAR scope and putting a Lyman sight and wooden stock on it; but it's the hot-rodder's dilemma. The value of the whole is less than the value of its parts.
Gaining the experience of installing the sight is something I want to try.
Fitting a stock is something I've never done.
I've never been Bubba before.
Is spending $120 plus installation for the Lyman sight worth the fun of it? Is getting a $115 Boyd's stock plus the fitting effort worth the fun of it?
Will spending another $250 plus my time and or a gunsmith's fees make this gun a $350+ rifle?
Probably not. But I don't buy a $7.50 craft beer expecting it to retain value in an hour either... (it's still yellow and foamy and I even heated it up for you; who will start the bidding?).
As long as I don't break it, it will always have value as my representative example of a .30-06 (by God) rifle.
I paid $100. I see just one other example on Gunbroker, asking $305 with no bids. It's a model 12012 (Santa Fe Field Mauser), mine's a 12014 (Santa Fe Deluxe Mauser Mk1); so not even the same .30-06 model.
I do know I refused to go to $150 when I low-balled from his $250 asking price (which makes you wonder what the pawn shop paid since they accepted my $100 offer!).
I might be willing to do things to THIS rifle that I would never consider doing to a more expensive gun out of fear of ruining it and LOSING value.
I tend to think that it has more value to ME by dumping the NcSTAR scope and putting a Lyman sight and wooden stock on it; but it's the hot-rodder's dilemma. The value of the whole is less than the value of its parts.
Gaining the experience of installing the sight is something I want to try.
Fitting a stock is something I've never done.
I've never been Bubba before.
Is spending $120 plus installation for the Lyman sight worth the fun of it? Is getting a $115 Boyd's stock plus the fitting effort worth the fun of it?
Will spending another $250 plus my time and or a gunsmith's fees make this gun a $350+ rifle?
Probably not. But I don't buy a $7.50 craft beer expecting it to retain value in an hour either... (it's still yellow and foamy and I even heated it up for you; who will start the bidding?).
As long as I don't break it, it will always have value as my representative example of a .30-06 (by God) rifle.
19 August 2016
Bubba Eats FUDD Too
The bolt gun agony combined with a C&R leads me to look for older guns.
The Winchester Model 54 is such a gun. My obsession with .270 Win. led me to it because it was introduced with the Mod. 54.
In those way-back days, rifles did not come ready for scopes for the most part. They came with iron sights. The opposite of today.
Winchester offered sight upgrades, though, in the form of a Lyman peep sight from the factory. The receiver is drilled and tapped and the stock inletted. Sometimes the tangent sight is retained with a folding notch, sometimes a block is set into the barrel dovetail.
Why do I mention Bubba?
Years later, Bubba decided that his deer assassinating bullet projection device needed a scope. Off the Lyman comes and into the trash it goes. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and he's set!
Now, fifty years on, the C part of C&R sees the gaping hole in the stock and the corroded screw holes in the receiver and thinks, "well there went a lot of the original value." Changes it from a $1,500 gun to a $600 gun!
Even worse is when the pictures show the peep sight threads in perfect shape and the brand and model of scope mount is obviously recent... Bubba doesn't do research before he starts drilling.
The Winchester Model 54 is such a gun. My obsession with .270 Win. led me to it because it was introduced with the Mod. 54.
In those way-back days, rifles did not come ready for scopes for the most part. They came with iron sights. The opposite of today.
Winchester offered sight upgrades, though, in the form of a Lyman peep sight from the factory. The receiver is drilled and tapped and the stock inletted. Sometimes the tangent sight is retained with a folding notch, sometimes a block is set into the barrel dovetail.
Why do I mention Bubba?
Years later, Bubba decided that his deer assassinating bullet projection device needed a scope. Off the Lyman comes and into the trash it goes. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and he's set!
Now, fifty years on, the C part of C&R sees the gaping hole in the stock and the corroded screw holes in the receiver and thinks, "well there went a lot of the original value." Changes it from a $1,500 gun to a $600 gun!
Even worse is when the pictures show the peep sight threads in perfect shape and the brand and model of scope mount is obviously recent... Bubba doesn't do research before he starts drilling.
09 August 2016
GURPS It's Always GURPS
With the Mosin conversion we get...
7.62x54mmR. 7d pi damage, 5+3 Acc, 1,000/4,200 range and either 5(2i) or 10+1(3) shots.
With the savage package we get...
.243 Win. 7d-1 pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 840/4,300 range and 4+1(3) shots. 8.5/0.2 lb.
.270 Win. 7d+2 pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 950/4,100 range and 4+1(3) shots. 9.3/0.3 lb.
.280 Rem. 7d pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 910/4,500 range and 4+1(3) shots. 9.3/0.3 lb.
.308 Win. 7d pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 1,000/4,200 range and 4+1(3) shots. 8.7/0.3 lb.
.30-06. 7d+1 pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 1,100/4,300 range and 4+1(3) shots. 9.3/0.3 lb.
All that's left to compare would be the weights. The Savages are 8.3 lb. empty in .243 and .308; and 9.05 lb. in .270 and .30-06.
The Mosin started at 8.7 empty. The wood is 3.1 lb. The ATI stock is 2.9; Archangel is 3.8.
So 8.5 and 9.4 empty.
The trigger is a net zero change.
The scope mount is 0.1 lb.
The scope and rings are a pound. Bringing the Mosin project to 9.6 or 10.5 lb empty depending on stock.
GURPS uses loaded weight so 9.9/0.3 and 11.1/0.7 for the ATI and Archangel respectively.
7.62x54mmR. 7d pi damage, 5+3 Acc, 1,000/4,200 range and either 5(2i) or 10+1(3) shots.
With the savage package we get...
.243 Win. 7d-1 pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 840/4,300 range and 4+1(3) shots. 8.5/0.2 lb.
.270 Win. 7d+2 pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 950/4,100 range and 4+1(3) shots. 9.3/0.3 lb.
.280 Rem. 7d pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 910/4,500 range and 4+1(3) shots. 9.3/0.3 lb.
.308 Win. 7d pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 1,000/4,200 range and 4+1(3) shots. 8.7/0.3 lb.
.30-06. 7d+1 pi damage, 6+3 Acc, 1,100/4,300 range and 4+1(3) shots. 9.3/0.3 lb.
All that's left to compare would be the weights. The Savages are 8.3 lb. empty in .243 and .308; and 9.05 lb. in .270 and .30-06.
The Mosin started at 8.7 empty. The wood is 3.1 lb. The ATI stock is 2.9; Archangel is 3.8.
So 8.5 and 9.4 empty.
The trigger is a net zero change.
The scope mount is 0.1 lb.
The scope and rings are a pound. Bringing the Mosin project to 9.6 or 10.5 lb empty depending on stock.
GURPS uses loaded weight so 9.9/0.3 and 11.1/0.7 for the ATI and Archangel respectively.
Bubba Math
A Savage 10/110 XP Trophy Hunter Package is $619.99 plus tax ($43.40 in FL) and and background ($5) from Bass Pro. That gets you a scoped rifle with a match trigger and detachable magazine for $668.39 in your choice of calibers.
We're going to approach ordering the Mosin one thing at a time because that's been presented as a budgetary concern as opposed to saving a bit on shipping by ordering all at once (which I will also show).
A bog-standard Mosin-Nagant M91/30 from AIM surplus is $269.95, plus shipping ($18.47), background ($5) and FFL fee ($35 average). That gets you a long, heavy milsurp rifle for $328.42.
The cheapest stock Midway has is an Advanced Technology monte-carlo for $79.99 plus $10.79 shipping.
The more desirable Archangel stock is $169.99 and $13.19 shipping.
The Timney match trigger runs $99.99 and $4.99 shipping.
A scope mount (with bent bolt handle kit) is $27.99 plus $4.99 shipping.
The Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 that the Savage comes with is $179.95 with free shipping!
The cheapest 1" rings from Midway are Tasco for $5.99 and we'll order them with the scope.
Our money saving Mosin-Nagant is now a $743.10 rifle in a monte-carlo stock or $835.30 in an Archangel.
That drops to $3.20 shipping total ($17.57 savings) or $725.53 if you order the monte-carlo option all at once and $6.50 for the Archangel ($16.67 saved) or $818.63.
This values your labor and time at $0, because the bolt kit requires some sawing and tapping.
To skip drilling and tapping, a scope mount that replaces the rear sight is $14.99 plus $5.99 shipping from Sportsman's Guide.
A couple places offer doing the bolt for you for $50 or so.
That changes the final price to $781.10 or $873.30.
I've also noticed that this time around doing this exercise that a lot of the people who were doing Mosin parts have vanished. It's a rough market.
I will add the caveat that if you're doing a Mosin to make a good FUDD rifle, this is a bad plan. If you're doing it for the fun of gathering and assembling parts, then it's your fun, ENJOY!
Just don't stand there and tell me you saved money by starting on a Mosin.
Assuming that all that gets you as good a gun as the Savage, the break even price point on the host Mosin is $212.81 with the cheapest upgrade package. You can also shave money by getting cheap on the glass, but it's another false economy.
We're going to approach ordering the Mosin one thing at a time because that's been presented as a budgetary concern as opposed to saving a bit on shipping by ordering all at once (which I will also show).
A bog-standard Mosin-Nagant M91/30 from AIM surplus is $269.95, plus shipping ($18.47), background ($5) and FFL fee ($35 average). That gets you a long, heavy milsurp rifle for $328.42.
The cheapest stock Midway has is an Advanced Technology monte-carlo for $79.99 plus $10.79 shipping.
The more desirable Archangel stock is $169.99 and $13.19 shipping.
The Timney match trigger runs $99.99 and $4.99 shipping.
A scope mount (with bent bolt handle kit) is $27.99 plus $4.99 shipping.
The Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 that the Savage comes with is $179.95 with free shipping!
The cheapest 1" rings from Midway are Tasco for $5.99 and we'll order them with the scope.
Our money saving Mosin-Nagant is now a $743.10 rifle in a monte-carlo stock or $835.30 in an Archangel.
That drops to $3.20 shipping total ($17.57 savings) or $725.53 if you order the monte-carlo option all at once and $6.50 for the Archangel ($16.67 saved) or $818.63.
This values your labor and time at $0, because the bolt kit requires some sawing and tapping.
To skip drilling and tapping, a scope mount that replaces the rear sight is $14.99 plus $5.99 shipping from Sportsman's Guide.
A couple places offer doing the bolt for you for $50 or so.
That changes the final price to $781.10 or $873.30.
I've also noticed that this time around doing this exercise that a lot of the people who were doing Mosin parts have vanished. It's a rough market.
I will add the caveat that if you're doing a Mosin to make a good FUDD rifle, this is a bad plan. If you're doing it for the fun of gathering and assembling parts, then it's your fun, ENJOY!
Just don't stand there and tell me you saved money by starting on a Mosin.
Assuming that all that gets you as good a gun as the Savage, the break even price point on the host Mosin is $212.81 with the cheapest upgrade package. You can also shave money by getting cheap on the glass, but it's another false economy.
24 June 2016
My Name
My name is Angus McThag, you may call me bubba.
Willard's coach gun now has sling swivels too!
It's pretty simple. Drill a #44 hole, tap for 4-48 and done!
Willard's coach gun now has sling swivels too!
It's pretty simple. Drill a #44 hole, tap for 4-48 and done!
27 May 2016
Crossing The Bubbacon
Playing on crossing the Rubicon. Look it up!
One thing I am happy to see about modern bubbafication is most of the stuff for sale now doesn't require a permanent change to the donor gun.
Hurray! People have finally realized the future value of their, now, cheap milsurps!
No.
What happened is we lost a shit-ton of gunsmiths. Without them out there doing sporter jobs, there's no examples to lead Bubba to cross the Bubbacon. Thank the Gods!
This is kind of a win for everyone.
Tinkerers get to tinker.
People with limited funds get to trick themselves into thinking they're saving money.
The guns aren't modified in such a way as to not go back.
In the loss column is that there aren't gunsmiths at every shop anymore. I dimly recall when you pretty much had to have a smith on staff to stay open. Now... gun shops are just retailers.
Not that most newer guns need a smith... Standards have changed over the years and it's expected that someone with basic mechanical aptitude and screwdrivers will be able to mount a scope. I still see guns on Gunbroker from the days where receivers weren't drilled from the factory and every ring maker made a different ring for every model of rifle and used a proprietary hole pattern.
One thing I am happy to see about modern bubbafication is most of the stuff for sale now doesn't require a permanent change to the donor gun.
Hurray! People have finally realized the future value of their, now, cheap milsurps!
No.
What happened is we lost a shit-ton of gunsmiths. Without them out there doing sporter jobs, there's no examples to lead Bubba to cross the Bubbacon. Thank the Gods!
This is kind of a win for everyone.
Tinkerers get to tinker.
People with limited funds get to trick themselves into thinking they're saving money.
The guns aren't modified in such a way as to not go back.
In the loss column is that there aren't gunsmiths at every shop anymore. I dimly recall when you pretty much had to have a smith on staff to stay open. Now... gun shops are just retailers.
Not that most newer guns need a smith... Standards have changed over the years and it's expected that someone with basic mechanical aptitude and screwdrivers will be able to mount a scope. I still see guns on Gunbroker from the days where receivers weren't drilled from the factory and every ring maker made a different ring for every model of rifle and used a proprietary hole pattern.
03 February 2016
More On Bubba
"I must be the odd one out, but I actually like my two [M]osins in Archangel stocks. I kept the original wood in case I ever have a hankering to carry a two by four that shoots again, and have not changed anything but the stock. They balance nice, shoot well and the magazines mean less loading time at the range."
"And I like how they look."
SimperFido from comments.
It's your gun, and go for it!
Odds are, though, that one of the next two owners will not save the wood.
What make and model were those two? Izhevsk? Tula? Setsroryesk? Chatellerault? Could you have mistaken a Dragoon or Cossack for a 91/30? Was it an arsenal refinish (common) or an all original unrefinished gun (rare)? Is that wood actually Finnish? DO YOU KNOW HOW TO TELL?
The "it's just a..." is the problem. Especially when the people most likely to utter the phrase have no idea how to tell the rare from the common just because they're the ostensibly the same model rifle.
The problem isn't TODAY, the problem is in 20 years or in 40 years or 100 years. I am asking you to look past your own nose.
M-1898 Krag rifles were $5 a barrel shipped to your door in 1905 (literally 20¢ a gun or $5.41 adjusted for inflation). Now they're running around a grand apiece unmodified in good shape. There was some real talent applied to converting Krags to deer assassination devices, and a well done conversion is around $500 today. The dross is about $300...
Another reason to hate on Bubba is, once converted, they were neglected and abused to death. Bubba is the harbinger that a future collector gun is doomed. Whether Bubba knows he's cast sentence and signed the warrant or not. The only thing that has killed more guns than Bubba is corrosive ammunition, and even here he's still not absent.
People don't spend money on good ammo for a cheap rifle. Lots and lots of old surplus ammo is corrosive and lots and lots of people think you don't need to clean your guns right away thanks to modern ammo. Forgetting that modern ammo isn't surplus ammo...
Surplus military ammunition is not match grade stuff and it's FMJ, so not ideal for hunting or target shooting (serviceable perhaps?). Sitting in a warehouse for decades often does it no good either. A disappointing outing leads to the gun being tossed into the corner, uncleaned, and forgotten until the children grow up and one of them asks if Dad still wants the old bolt gun in the closet.
By then it's too late.
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