I meant to say that my Wally World doesn't sell ANY firearm or ML. I was running out the door before I finished the sentence. Guess I need to ask Greybeard for a grammar checker as well as a spell checker. Its an incomplete thought. I have already posted that I am/have bought MLs from other Wally Worlds in both KY and MO.
The other "Accura lover" on MM was from Florida, which you are not. He is referred to "UC", and I thought/jumped on the first thought that that might be you. A mistake on my part, just plain old dumb assuming.
All (and yes I meant to say ALL) of the BP I've messed with has rendered itself useless in as little as 12 months to 18 months. And when I say useless, I mean my rifles don't group worth a damn with it and it just plain messes the barrel up with crude after just one shot. Hodgen's did the same as well. And its not just me, but maybe just a So IL thing. In the BP group that shoots at my range every week, we tried to shoot up our BP with in the season. Just not worth keeping for the next shoots after the holiday break. On the other hand, I've had real smokeless (and I mean not BH209 or 777) propellent stay usable for two to three years. Some reloaders have stated even longer. Maybe elsewhere BP and subs stay "fresher longer", but not around here.
Well at least we agree on one thing, just about anything is cheaper than pellets!
I understand that buyers will pay more for T/C brand name items than CVA. But like Andy posted, an entry level Remington centerfire rifle capable of handling ALLOT MORE pressure than any ML and has twice the moving parts is priced at around $400-$500. A few brands, like Mossberg and Stevens, can be had for $250 on sale! So why are we paying equal prices for MLs that are not as capable? And why aren't shooters just plain old POed about it?
I understand your thoughts on the bolt action ML falling out of favor with hunters. I don't agree with that wording though. I believe its fallen out of FLAVOR, as in flavor of the month. And the flavor of the month seems to be break open actions, IMHO. All the shops/stores I've visited looking at and handled MLs this past month, each salesperson commented on the break open action's quick second shot and easy of cleaning and maintenance. I think the companies have sold the average ML hunter on that all important quick second shot. I believe that its a myth. Now before I get flamed about how your Uncle Jeb can shoot three deer in ten seconds with his side lock Hawken, in my part of the world its one shot only about 95% of the time. The smoke hinders your view after the first shoot, a 100 yard first shot on a deer is going to be a 500 yard shot on the second shot if the deer is completely missed and it's white flags over the hill, and all ML still require the same steps to reload them. If its break open or bolt, both actions have to be worked to get to the primer. Hopefully we have practiced enough to reload quick enough to finish off a wounded deer before it disappears. As far and easier cleaning, I might buy into easier cleaning at the range and in between shots. But a good propellent that is consumed in the barrel is a greater asset than a quick opening breech. I find either action a draw on long term maintenance.
And I'm not offended by you nor my situation. I make pretty good money at my job. I just live by the rule of you only cry once when you buy quality. I just don't want to be wishing I had bought something else later on.
Thanks for posting the sites. I will check into their prices, but I doubt they will ship to IL without me paying extra for a FFL user fee.
Jerry