The conclusion I came to quite a lot time ago was that assuming there is reliability with the maker, whether an individual or company, the best one is the one that makes the style you like and you generally get along with.

In other words the "whole package" is the key as opposed to examining things in isolation. It could be that you like two or 3 calibres all on the same type and style of rifle etc.

I think it is fair to say that the larger places like Weaterby will cost more for a given degree of quality than an individual maker. On the other hand the larger maker also brings some advantages. What is best for one person is not best for another person.

Some rifles by individual makers are beatifully made when each component is examined in isolation. On the other hand some of these rifles lack eye appeal from an overall view of the rifle.

One of the reasons I like flashed up Wbys is that they are very eye appealing to the non shooter, far more than other rifles. For another shooter that will mean nothing.

At the moment I think Empire has the appearance and feel of being a bit all over the place. I am sure George will correct me if I am wrong. I think Dakota has now changed but they had a set a set up where you could not get a calibre like 375 in the same rife as the 416 Rigby.

One thing I like about Empire is that similar to Wby you can have a rifle at the lower price level and also go to the sky is the limit.

I think Empires's website presenation needs to be clearer on what illustrated rifles are on what actions. Presently you have to click around a lot to find out what is what.

I think many businesses make the make the mistake of looking at existing customers and forgetting about the 99% of people who did not become customers.

Personally I would I like to see a company that was similarto Wby and when theirown calibres but with CRF actions. The 338 Lapua would be an excellent case to base the calibres on. Dakotas calibres are a fuck up becuase of becuase of brass issues, perceived or real. One only needs to look at the Dakotas for sale and the rifles in Dakota calibres are thin on the ground.

Lastly I think mainstay of the gun business is to have base rifles that are no more than 2 to 2.5 times the price of the Rem 700 or M70. That takes out 95% of shooters. On only needs to look at the forums and the dearer guns are dominated by the Ruger in 375 and 416 and the Wby Accumark both of which are in the 2 to 2.5 times the price of the average Rem 700, M70 etc.

Ithink the $10000 guns are better when there are a lot of $2000 versions out there being used by all sorts of people in all different conditions and all different countries.

Mike