1874sharpsshooter
For myself it IS a tool... And 90% of the tools that I own in the shop are tools that cost more than the average duck, but I know when I go to the shop to use that tool - it will work and it will help me produce some quality work by actually cutting down the amount of hand work that I may need to do.
I feel my rifles are in the same class as the shop tools... I purchase rifles, center fire, shotguns, or ML's for the toughness, dependability, and accuracy that I need in my perceived hunting conditions.