Charlie Wiles

At 600 yards you can put five rounds in an inch-and-a-half to two inches," said Charlie Wiles, 71, of Natick, a firearms instructor at the Riverside Gun Club in Hudson.

"It isn't the best, but it's good."

Wiles placed an ad for his Bushmaster in the Want Advertiser.He used it for recreational shooting as part of a Riverside rifle team.An operation has forced him to give up the sport, so he's selling the rifle for $1,100.

Despite the D.C. sniper, Wiles said there is nothing wrong with anyone owning or selling a rifle like the Bushmaster - as long as precautions are taken.

Any gun owner who wants to sell their firearm takes choosing the buyer very seriously, Wiles said.

Wiles, who started his shooting hobby 60 years ago, will call the police department in the prospective buyer's hometown to check their criminal record, state Firearms Identification Card, or FID, and license.

"My name is still on that gun, regardless of who owns it," he said."I'm still responsible."

Private firearm sales must take place in person so a buyer can show a valid FID and license.The seller must fill out a form reporting the sale and send it to the state Criminal History Systems Board within seven days.

If the state finds out the FID or license are invalid, local police will be notified and the firearm will be recovered.