Hunting Rifle Crossroads....

dak47

dak47

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Super GunNutz
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Location
Summerwood/Bridge City TX & Okanagan BC
Have had the good fortune to amass quite a decent selection of hunting rifles, all mid range stuff - Kimber, CZ, Ruger etc but am finding that 90% are becoming safe queens....

Even though I could justify each and every niche reason to buy them it just doesn't seem to work out that way. Worse yet is seeing some of the custom stuff, that Ardent fellow is driving me crazy with his taste in customs.

What do you all think, variety or 1 carefully thought out, fitted custom??

Dirk
 
2 (custom if you want) hunting rifles with different purposes, but could overlap in a pinch.

260 - 338/06

7mm-08 - 35 Whelen

270 - 338WM

That kinda thing.
I was in the same boat and enjoyed having them all, But there's only so much time to use them. I'd rather have 2 nice setups (and use them) than have a bunch sitting around.

Just my 2C
 
A few years ago I was sorta in this situation, so I asked Bill Leeper to build me a M70 stainless in 300WSM and that was the answer to 90% of my hunting needs. I really like that rifle a lot and I've killed lots of stuff with it- I usually only reach for something else because I want to, not that I need to. There are plenty of reasons to own custom rifles and some of them are even practical. Using something that is just really well built is my main reason, i think.

I know I wold much rather have one $4000 hunting rifle than 8 $500 rifles, no question about that.
 
I had a decent collection furr a poor bloke.
Been thinning them out a wee bit.
Need a foundation for a shop as this move upp'ear hazz me dewn more
search'in fur chit than actual werk.
Bunch more to unload and hopefully some cheemento will be in order.
 
You could certainly do one rifle, but where is the fun in that. I do agree with the general principle of "fewer and better," just not too few... variety is the spice of life... I enjoy shooting different cartridges and different rifles, usually an M77 bolt action of some sort or a Ruger No.1 or B-78. Sometimes walnut/blued, sometimes synthetic/stainless. They all have their place... but selling that, even to myself, requires some mental gymnastics.
 
dak47 said:
Have had the good fortune to amass quite a decent selection of hunting rifles, all mid range stuff - Kimber, CZ, Ruger etc but am finding that 90% are becoming safe queens....

Even though I could justify each and every niche reason to buy them it just doesn't seem to work out that way. Worse yet is seeing some of the custom stuff, that Ardent fellow is driving me crazy with his taste in customs.

What do you all think, variety or 1 carefully thought out, fitted custom??

Dirk
Click to expand...

I had many firearms over the past 6 decades, and for the past 15 years I downsized to only three rifles. A Cooper Model 52, Blaser R8 and a custom Winchester. Three rifles is plenty for me.
 
I find that 90% of the fit and feel of a custom is that you put it in a custom or aftermarket stock. There isn't a rifle I look at that I don't picture in a McMillan hunters edge. If you hate Tupperware or are too afraid to bang up your fancy walnut, try popping your favorite action/caliber into a world class Mcmillen, wildcat, brown etc stock. In some cases you can lighten your rig by 1/2lb or so if that matters to you. Or you can order a stock with heavier fill also.
 
I like to have 2 rifles for each animal I hunt. A beater or average rifle and a nicer one. Depending on terrain and weather and bug spray use I can choose. It also allows me to bring a friend who may not have the equipment.
 
dak47 said:
Have had the good fortune to amass quite a decent selection of hunting rifles, all mid range stuff - Kimber, CZ, Ruger etc but am finding that 90% are becoming safe queens....

Even though I could justify each and every niche reason to buy them it just doesn't seem to work out that way. Worse yet is seeing some of the custom stuff, that Ardent fellow is driving me crazy with his taste in customs.

What do you all think, variety or 1 carefully thought out, fitted custom??

Dirk
Click to expand...

I think that you already know your answer to this question, after having acquired a number of rifles.

My opinion is that I would never be happy with just a single expensive rifle, no matter how perfect.
Most gun owners, whatever their preference (hunting or range shooting), want to own as many quality guns as they can acquire, whether it makes any damn sense or not.
 
At one time I was up to a dozen hunting rifles. After a few years I found I could do with two. So the rest have been getting sold. I often wonder if I couldn't get by with one good custom but I doubt it. I need a truck/beater and my regular go to hunting rifle. I might need a light weight for goat and sheep. And a varminting rifle. And a long range thumper. And a bear gun. Dammit. I have to go look at the EE now.......
 
I tried going down to two, didn't work for me, population shot back up, I am trying to sell a couple duplicate magnum to keep it to about seven rifles not counting my Wife's or the 22s.
 
I have several rifles in the safe, but I only use two. One for target and one for all around hunting. I'd rather be good with one than mediocre with six. A guy probably could justify having two to three different calibres and purpose built rigs. One for varmint, one fordeer/moose and maybe a dangerous game rig.

In case you're wondering, my all around rifle is a .338 win mag browning a-bolt medallion. Middle range factory gun that works and I don t care if it gets a little muddy on the quad or scuffed up in the bush.
 
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