"Entry Level" bit of a rant.

Due to advances in manufacturing techniques, accuracy and reliability are to be expected and are no longer pleasant surprises. Manufacturers know this and as such both are par for the course for any new model being introduced. Items that separate the 'entry level' models from those higher up on the food chain are mostly either cosmetic or ergonomic (fancy stock, zazzy pistol grip angled specifically with re-enacting your favorite Navy SEAL movie in mind, etc). For a guy just banging cans on the farm or popping 100-yard groups at the conservation area range, 'entry level' is adequate for 95% of whatever that rifle (or pistol, shotgun, light sabre, etc) is tasked with doing.

But...it's your money. My personal AR more than likely could outshoot the M4's I took to Iraq. I know that the hardest I ever run it would be in the safe confines of a carbine class (hopefully) and I don't need mil-spec this or the same xxxxxx that SEAL Team-Delta uses, but I'm willing to pay for better gear so why not?

Also, I officially nominate PVL for the Analogy Of The Year Award.
 
I hear both the term entry level and disposable rifle and cringe a little bit.

Chances are, for the box a year dear hunter or two box a year recreational shooter, they will last just fine and be plenty accurate.

However, I do like the ability to re-barrel a rifle if I want to.

I know some of the "entry level" rifles marketed by Remington aren't capable of being re-barreled, so that is sort of a turn off to me.

That being said, I have a Mossberg 4x4 with a BSA Sweet .30-06 scope that is super accurate, with Winchester Super-X loads out to at least 400 yards. Don't have a range to shoot any further than that. I would say that is a case of a "disposable rifle" being more capable than the shooter.
 
Comparing a WBY Mark V Weather Warrior to a Lazermark would be what I would call comparing "finish." It would be comparing a pretty apple to an ugly apple. Both Rifles are equal quality, one is utility and the other is presentation grade. Same rifle, different finish and accessories. On the other hand, comparing Ruger American to a Lazermark would like comparing apples and pecans.
 
Art in post 38 has it right! Quit trying to defend your "entry level" purchase. Buy the best you can afford and make it work for you. If your happy with it good, if latter on your situation allows you to upgrade then do it. But don't try to tell we who have been thru the evolution from entry level, when we were young ,to something better that they are the same!:p
 
I have a weatherby vanguard s2 in stainless, 270 Winchester.

It's been a dark secret of mine.

The damn thing is accurate as hell, recoil little, fits me very well, and is tough as nails. No plastic parts aside from the stock and even it has nice grippy inserts. The trigger is light and breaks cleaning. The bolt can be taken apart in the field for a clean after a rainy day.

I have hunted with it in all manner of weather, killed many game with it. The action has even withstood a few heavily overloaded rounds with no problem.

As far as actual functionality goes, it's the perfect hunting rifle. It simply does everything you need from a hunting rifle, perfectly. That is to say, you can spend more money but not be able to do a single thing better than this rifle can.

HOWEVER

That's an evaluation of the rifle as a TOOL.

Rifles aren't just tools to everyone. Just as different people have hobbies and might dump a lot of money into season tickets for their favorite sports team or signed memorabilia or jerseys or hats, people who are firearms enthusiasts sometimes spend more money on the rifle than would be necessary for just a simple tool.

For some people, they view a hand crafted stock made from fine Walnut with a beautifully polished and blued barreled action with hand engraving as more of a piece of art. To them, the value of the rifle is not limited to its utility as a tool but rather, as an object to be enjoyed for its other characteristics as well.

Some people regard such an item as an Heirloom Piece.
 
The only problem was, they out shot most of the 700's right out of the box!!! I'm pretty sure that's why Rem eventually quit making them.
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No-Remington stopped making Model 788s for the most basic of marketing reasons: they weren't selling enough of them to warrant the continued manufacturing of them. It does seem ironic, though, that used "entry level" model 788 rifles are fetching higher prices than the mainstay model 700 rifles; at least at the gun shows I attend.
 
Sure, what"s your budget? That'll narrow it down a bit, then you can get all anal about optics in that range, convince yourself it's the best buy and shoot the same clover leaf a buddy of yours does after spending twice the money.

But hey, it's all worth it. I say buy what you like that fits your budget. Personally I love the Nikon line ups and can't tell the difference between my Monarch and my Leupold. Both are clear both are solid and both hold true.
 
I've heard this term used now to describe any new rifle under ~600 bones. And it's starting to tick me off.
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Entry level is relative to what you are trying to enter. If you are talking about long range tactical shooting then damned near anything mass produced such as a Remington 700 is an entry level rifle. Now if you have it blue printed, have a match grade barrel installed, and set it in a Manners T5A or similar stock then you have a really snipery tack driver.
 
BTW I personally despise the .223 and the NATO 5.56 (personal opinion). Yes they have killing potential but they are essentially a wounding round in the hands of military equipped personnel.
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That is not at all true with proper ammunition. Do a little research on the MK262 round. It uses a 77 grain SMK and has proven to be a man dropper. It is absolutely devastating on human targets.
 
I'm pretty much in the same camp as the OP. I appreciate the finer higher end things, but I'm often not inclined to buy them for myself. Whether it be guns, watches, cars, houses... I appreciate value. Many of these "entry level" guns represent a good value in my mind.

I may always shoot entry level guns, and I may always drive entry level cars. That's okay with me. My family and I will always have some cash, because I didn't buy more than I needed. I have splurged on a specialty product here and there in my life. However, that's the exception for me and not the rule.
 
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