Need to Buy a Nice Factory Rifle for a Fundraiser....Which one

I would suggest you buy a brand the general public will recognize. As avid hunters and shooters, names like LaRue, Seekins, GA Precision, etc… mean something to us. To many people those names mean nothing and hold no value. I used to attend some Ducks Unlimited banquets and it was crazy how many people simply would not bid on an item because they did not recognize the name brand. Top quality items made by lesser known manufacturers would bring less than mediocre products from well known brands.
I totally agree with Bassassassin 104, I have assisted several organizations doing fundraisers, mostly raffles and a few auctions. Those who chose to go with cheap or unknown firearms got very little action for a very simple reason as people think, "Why should I spend money for raffle tickets on these firearms when they are more than affordable. I would be better off simply going out and buying it rather than take a chance on a raffle ticket." The same thing applies to an auction. Seldom do any cheap firearms sell for much more than they can be bought for on the open market. Change that to a well known brand with good optics in a standard caliber that can be used for hunting anything up to and including Moose and with plentiful ammunition (forget about the current covid related issues) and that look pretty hanging on the wall. Good examples of this would be a Winchester Model 70 super grade with a AAA Maple stock, 30-06, 20 moa base, Vortex rings and a Vortex Viper HST 4 x 16 x 44 Entire package would cost around $2400.00 and would be something that would encourage someone to take a chance on since it is something that a lot of regular people (Not us Long Range types) would have their mouth watering. Another option might be a Browning BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) again in 30-06 with the same optics setup shown above. That rifle/combination would probably cost somewhere in the vicinity of $2000.00. Keeping in mind that these are college students, some who may not hunt and others that do would have both visual as well as brand name appeal not to mention functionality and the ability to shoot anything from prairie dogs to moose.
 
I would suggest you buy a brand the general public will recognize. As avid hunters and shooters, names like LaRue, Seekins, GA Precision, etc… mean something to us. To many people those names mean nothing and hold no value. I used to attend some Ducks Unlimited banquets and it was crazy how many people simply would not bid on an item because they did not recognize the name brand. Top quality items made by lesser known manufacturers would bring less than mediocre products from well known brands.
If the goal is raising funds, this is the answer. Pick something that is instantly recognizable to anyone remotely familiar with firearms, in a caliber that is popular for the area.
 
A Super Grade Model 70 and a Browning O-U 20 gauge or find a Browning Model 12 Grade V 20 gauge NIB on GunBroker. They are beautiful guns. For the Super Grade I would get a 270.
 
I'd split the cash and do a bolt .22 and a standard cartridge easily recognized. '06 anyone?? I like the Kimber, Weatherby, Christensen train of thoughts...
 
SAKO or a Weatherby
I would suggest you buy a brand the general public will recognize. As avid hunters and shooters, names like LaRue, Seekins, GA Precision, etc… mean something to us. To many people those names mean nothing and hold no value. I used to attend some Ducks Unlimited banquets and it was crazy how many people simply would not bid on an item because they did not recognize the name brand. Top quality items made by lesser known manufacturers would bring less than mediocre products from well known brands.
or Weatherby
 
CA Ridgeline is a nice lightweight shooter. You might want to see if the seller will throw in a couple boxes of ammo to eliminate that hassle for the winner.
 
Win Model 70 Super Grade Maple in (wait for it) 6.5 Creedmore, American as yankee doodle dandy and whatever anyone says about the creed, it is accurate, ammo is available and it doesn't recoil too much and the wood on that rifle looks the business.
If the 6.5 doesn't hack it, it can be got with 308 win, my favorite caliber.
It can be chambered for a range of calibers, including magnums, but I think either of those two I mentioned would be acceptable especially if the winner wants to sell it on.
For $2500 you can buy a reflex sight or may be able to get a deal with a half decent scope and mount.
And I mean everyone knows winchester :rolleyes:
Failing that a win model 1895 125th anniversary in 405 win which is $0.01 shy of your limit. Even more American than the mod 70 and the choice of presidents. It'll sort out the hogs too.
 
I agree with bassassassin completely on name recognition. Consider buying two given your budget.

I'd recommend Browning Xbolt or Tikka T3x in 6.5 Creedmore since it's such a popular round right now. (I know it's hated by many in this community, but the average shooter is likely to love it or at least know of its popularity and be curious.)

For a second rifle, I'd probably get a Weatherby Vanguard or Ruger American in a traditional, flat shooting hunting caliber like the 270 Win.

By the way, I love this idea. Congrats on a parenting win!
 
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