I guess one mans junk can be another mans treasure, but I have to agree with Wolf killer in some regards. Its almost shameful to compare any of the middle of the road sporters today with rifles from fifty years ago. Pick up a springfield or a mauser or a model 70 and then look at your tikka or browning and tell me straight in the eye that the quality is comparable. I know it will shoot straight, but for how long? And after how much alteration? And what kind of rifle will you have ten or fifteen years from now if you actually use it more than twice a year? But, you might as well wish in one shoe and $hit in the other one if you think you will ever get a fine rifle for five hundred bucks at walmart. Its not going to happen. There were junk rifles for sale in the fifties too. Savage model 340?? anybody remember that one? Sweetgum stocks and crude manufacturing all the way. Pressed metal parts that would fall apart in a year, just like today' s five hundred dollar rifles. Nothing has changed, then and now, you get what you pay for. Provided you would know a quality piece if it bit you on the nose. Otherwise you can go on singing the praises of ruger and savage in total ignorance and bliss. There are fine rifles to be had today, just not for five hundred dollars.