Model 70, Bolt Action Centerfire Rifle, Custom Safari Express, Big 5 Edition|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

Information, here ‘light’; opinion, ‘heavy’.  May I suggest Hugh that, presumably fully informed concerning your rifles, perhaps kicking off with complete description of your ‘wares’.  Not to depend on some of us needing to Google to determine even what you’re talking about.  I’ve just done that, but not spending much time once apparent ‘gist’ determined. 

As I now understand, the subject here a fancy set of five large caliber Model 70 Custom Shop rifles promoted by Big Five sporting goods stores.  (Big Five..?)  Prettied up with high quality wood & stock custom details, slicked up by Custom Shop folk and featuring fancy floorplates!  Sounds like the promotion urging or requiring subscribing to purchasing one such rifle per year, over five year span 2001-2005, completing the “collection”.  The whole image to me inherently featuring far more “show than go”.  The “collection” concept overcoming any practical need for five like model rifles, at least four similarly chambered for heaviest of game and one the more versatile .338 Win Mag. (Understanding such perhaps for big game folk, but not same models x 5!)  Yet that really not the target audience here.  The notion of fielding any of these guns… Questionable in context of “use depreciating collector unfired condition” My impression, such requiring a particular, likely quite limited, clientele and substantial $$$$ investment. That definition apparently also including “speculators”.  As holding two sets Hugh, suggesting yourself fitting “investor” profile.  Wondering if this “limited edition” wasn’t realistically firm-limited numbers in recognition of highly limited clientele base. 

In my admittedly quick Google take,  construing apparently these ‘sets’ are being broken up in resale mode.  Seeming quite likely such reflecting more popular chamberings disproportionately saleable, leaving the lesser interest-based rifles somewhat orphaned. A practicality aspect, perhaps striking at the heart of “collector set essence”; to conjure. 

The disclosure that I’m not much on Commemorative guns as a genre. Some certainly handsome but unless offering unique feature/chambering, I’ll take my recently minted guns, plain vanilla-functional. Perhaps bowing only to pretty wood.  In pre ’64 Model 70 genre, Super Grade certainly to turn my head, yet viewing the rifle for looks as adjunct to functionality. The inner conflict of ‘too pretty to shoot’ safe queens, rationalized in context of “highly collectible” and that accounting for much!  

Thanks Hugh for presenting an interesting topic concerning rifles of vaguest recollection, otherwise not garnering my attention.  Do hope other folks here chime in with their “opines”.  🙂

Best & Stay Safe!

John

John