czbuff, I shoot these my NEFs every day. I'm lucky in life and my shooting range is in my back yard. As a strict hunting rifle goes, I'm more than satisfied. I've put 4 deer in the freezer with my 44 Mag, 2 with my 38-55, 2 with the 357 Max, 1 with a 30-30 and one with a 45-70. Whats to complain about that?
But I shoot 'em everyday, and the only problem that I've not had is that of stuck cases (unless I don't do my part at the loading bench) My latest problem with my 38-55 is that the barrel became loose on the frame after just 1300 rounds. To the average hunter that is a pile of ammo. But note several things about it, the majority, on the order of 1150 rounds was a 250 grain bullet at about 1300 fps or so. This is a very low pressure load, aint like I'm pouring the juice to it.
As well, 1300 rounds in a 22 rifle is only 2 1/2 bricks. Most 22 shooters I know will burn a brick in about 3 months. Anyone shooting Cowboy Action burns ammo at about the same rate (at the least) If you shoot an autoloading pistol to amount to anything 1000 rounds a year is not outrageous. Any decent 1911 pistol will digest 12,000 rounds or so without needing an overhaul, most frame/slide fits will run 20,000 without problems. While I've heard of worn out TC Contenders, I've never seen one. In years past I shot NRA Hunter Pistol. I used a Contender with a 32 H&R Mag barrel and a 357 Mag barrel. I've no doubt I had over 10,000 rounds through those barrels on that frame and it was as tight and trouble free as the day I bought it.
That is what upsets me about the NEF. I dont expect it to be a tack drivin' machine, I'm willing to work to get there no problem. What would be nice is to have a gun that won't break down when ya do get there. Understand as well, that in 3 years now I've had 5 NEF rifles and have put 8000+ rounds thru them. The 44 Mag and the 30-30 (has had the 357 barrel on it the last 1500-1800 rounds) have been the most mechanically trouble free.
So my honest input is as a hunting rifle goes, they are not bad rifles, but that is what they are hunting rifles. More precisely they are best at being thrown in the back of a truck and used to shoot deer or coyotes as you are feeding or moving the cows. And Murphy definately has a share of NEF, as they will go wrong at the most inopportune moment, in fact I don't know when an opportune moment for a firearm to break down is.
I'm keeping my 357 Max and 38-55, they are shooters extrodinare, and overall, reliable woods range deer rifles. I shoot 'em enough to stay ahead of breakdowns that could be the difference between a hit and miss. But I'm also upgrading to an Encore to hedge my bet. Nothing says I can't own NEF's and Encore's too.
Not whining Tim, just the facts.
