Comparative costs of Win 70, Rem 700, Ruger 77?

[Big John]

My son and his friend didn't grow up thumbing through the Stoeger book when guns were blue and brown. I've recently starting picking up what I consider iconic firearms (Winchester 12, Ithaca 37, Remington 700 BDL) because it seems like the Grand Kids have no use for these. I was trying to put things in perspective, e.g. what was the relative value of a Pre '64 Winchester, Remington 700 BDL, and Ruger 77 back in the day?
I know it's an apples/oranges comparison. My Ruger M77 V (heavy barrel) in 25-06 cost $256 in 1981. Does anybody have an idea what a Remington 700 BDL went for then? What was the cost of a 1963 Winchester Model 70 vs. a 1963 Remington 700 BDL?
I hope all y'all have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a great 2019.
Thanks,
Big John

 

[NH Rugerman]

I suggest you purchase a 1963 Gun Digest from eBay or another used book seller, you should be able to pick up a copy for a reasonable price plus shipping...

 

[k2nd]

Big John, I have a 1963 Shooter's Bible and the following info is from that.
Remington 700 BDL
222 Rem., 222 Rem Mag., 243, 270, 280, 30-06, 308 list price $139.95

264 Win Mag & 7mm Rem Mag list price $154.95

375 H&H, 458 Win Mag. list price $310.00


Winchester Model 70

Featherweight in 243, 270, 30-06, 308 list price $139.00 264 Win Mag was $154.50 with recoil pad.

Westerner & Alaskan in 264 Win Mag., 338 Win Mag., or 375 H&H list was $154.50

African in 458 Win Mag list price $310.00

k2nd

 

[RSIno1]

Winchester = Cadilllac (since you ignored Weatherby)
Remington = Lincoln
Ruger = Chevy
All do the job it's all about fit & finish.

 

[Big John]

Weatherby's were rare in our neck 'o the woods and I still don't see many. I'm surprised that a Pre '64 Winchester was the same price as a Remington. But obviously that had to change. Thanks for the information. Minimum wage in '63 was ~$1.25/hr.
Thanks for the timely information.

 

[rock 22]

In 1976 purchased Ruger 77 25-06V for approx. 190.00 also purchased Remington 700 Varmit special in 22-250 with 12x Redfield scope with Redfield mounts for 310.00. Still have both of them.

 

[mohavesam]

Just factor in the fact that $100 in 1963, is worth $820 and change today.

Still, if I could finds NIB unfired 1963 M70 Featherweight for under 1300, I'd jump!

 

[Big John]

I'm guessing that's why the Winchester 70 died in 1963. To manufacture that rifle with the machinery the company had at the time, from what I've read, required a significant amount of skilled hand labor. So the price was artificially low compared to the Remington. If the Winchester cost $40 more, well, that was probably a deal breaker. The average guy wouldn't/couldn't justify it. So things had to change.
That's how the Ruger Pistol beat the Colt Woodsman. And so many other examples.

 

[mohavesam]

Cost-out earns productivity and longevity.

Continued Innovation (at the time Winchester still had leather-belt powered factory floors) out-steps the competition.

It is so.