Gun Digest
 

Market Trends: Hunters Shoot for Bargain-Priced Deer Guns in Virginia

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Justin Perkins – Oceana Pawn, Gun, Bait & Tackle, Virginia Beach, Va.
As would be expected for the 2013-2014 deer season, Virginia retailers saw an uptick in calibers perfect for putting venison on the table.

At one firearms outlet, however, there was a marked trend in exactly what hunter were searching for in a deer gun. All in all, the top sellers at Oceana Pawn, Gun, Bait & Tackle have been guns that go light on the wallet.

Many are buying either the Ruger American ($389.00 without a scope) and the Savage AXIS XT rifle with 3-9 scope included ($400).

Top calibers in the bargain-rifle category are .243 Win and .308 Win.

“I’d sell a lot more used deer files, but I just can’t get in many,” notes Justin Perkins, manager of Oceana Pawn, Gun, Bait & Tackle.

On other hunting fronts, Perkins has seen a certain shotgun gain favor with waterfowlers. The Stoeger M3000, a 3-inch semi-auto – selling at $600 – has been the choice for those aiming to plate ducks and geese.

Like many retailers around the country, Oceana has felt the ammo squeeze. In particular, tactical and self-defense ammunition is still scare.

Perkins has good stocks of centerfire rifle ammunition in standard hunting calibers and bullet weights.

For the no-frills varieties, a 20-round box runs $20 to $21 compared to $18 a couple years ago.


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