America's Greatest Deer Rifles with Steve Barnett
Two More Top-Quality Deer Rifles
 Editor's Note: Certain deer rifles set the standard by which sportsmen judge all other rifles. Although artisans first crafted many of these highly-prized rifles years ago, often you'll find that they've withstood the test of time and that hunters still hunt with them today. These fine rifles have appreciated in value over the years. To select the 10-greatest deer rifles ever made, I’ve interviewed Steve Barnett, owner of Steve Barnett Fine Guns in West Point, Mississippi, and a contributing editor to t he "Blue Book of Gun Values." Barnett has purchased guns since 1985, and in recent years he's become one of the most-noted gun traders in the nation. Barnett sells thousands of guns each year via his Web sites: www.stevebarnettfineguns.com and www.sbfglc.com. Barnett specializes in sporting guns, including shotguns and rifles, and chooses deer rifles as his favorite rifles.
I love to hunt, and I love quality guns. When a quality gun maker produces a really good rifle that finds popularity with the American deer-hunting public, if the company's smart enough to continue manufacturing the rifle according to the same standards and tolerances as when it's been first introduced, the company oftentimes can continue producing the rifle for many years as its popularity grows steadily. Here's my picks for the 10-greatest deer-hunting rifles ever.
6) Browning BAR in either the .30-06 or .270 ca libers - Introduced in 1967, Browning manufactured the BAR in Belgium until 1976. After 1976, Browning USA moved its production to Japan. The BARs made in Belgium seem to have a certain mystique about them, even though the quality of the guns didn't change when manufacturing moved to Japan. The Belgium-made guns, in mint condition, will sell for $600 to $800, according to caliber. But the guns made in Japan from 1977 until today seem to have no appreciation. However, I believe the Japa nese-made BARs will begin to appreciate in the future.
7) Remington 600, Remington 788 and Remington Model 7 - Remington produced the 600 from 1964 to 1979 and then discontinued it to make the Remington 788, a rear-locking, lug-bolt rifle. Remington manufactured the 788 from 1979 to 1983. The two most-popular calibers in these two Remington guns are the .243 and the .308. The eye-appealing Remington 600 has a very high-tech look for that era. But - to be honest - the Remington 788 is ugly and appears to have been dragged behind a truck. However, the Remington 788 is probably one of the most-accurate rifles Remington ever has made. The Remington 788 evolved into the Remington Model 7, which came to the market in 1983. Primarily brush guns, you still can shoot these carbine-style rifles at long range. The three most-popular calibers in the Remington Model 7 include the .243, the .308 and the 7mm-08. The Remington 600, in mint condition, will sell for $500 to $1,000. The 788s will sell for from $300 to $500, depending on the caliber. The more rare the caliber is, the more valuable the rifle. The Model 7s will sell from $450 to $600.
To learn more, you can contact: Steve Barnett's Fine Guns, 127 Commerce Street, West Point, Mississippi 39773, PH: (662) 494-0779 or visit www.stevebarnettfineguns.com.
Three More Top Deer Rifles
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