Some times folks forget " beauty is in the eye of the beholder".
My pops was, and is, more of a gun collector and admirer than shooter, growing up in that world gave me a wonderful library of experience and knowledge. I was able to see and OCCASIONALY shoot some really neat guns.
For better or worse this caused me to join the school of thought that a gun that isn't put to use, is of little use to me.
I've had 2 Mausers re-barreled and both needed it badly. Before anybody gets too upset, one was a M-98 of mis-matched #s, but an FN receiver. Yes, it cost as much or more than the 416 Rem. that could've done the same job, however, at that time It seemed better to have the custom 416 Taylor (much less violent to shoot!). The satisfaction of "creating" the made to order weapon for yourself is worth more than the money spent.
The more recent job was also a M98 although a commercial/non military receiver of FN origin. Both of these barrels had very rough bores. I'm not sure, but the civilian model seemed to have been re-bored to 7mm weatherby as well, the caliber stamping on the barrel was impossible to read and had been re-marked poorly. That job was a bargain and is definiteley more valuable since the conversion/repair!
BTW-loved that post and pic. of a good rifle put to good use!
