The value of identical rifles

Pathfinder76 · #1 12-11-2009, 10:34 PM

I've got the itch to do something rifle wise again. But I don't want to spend a fortune. Customized rifles are expensive especially when donor actions have to be purchased as new rifles. Then you have to add glass.

In a recent thread Dick284 eluded to the idea of a similar set of rifles with one being a .223. I think matched sets of rifles are a good idea, and I have one friend who built a fairly substantial battery around that idea with many sets inside that battery in the same caliber. Joe Bishop also comes to mind with his matched set of Sako's in 7MM Rem Mag and 375 H&H that he has hunted all over the world with.

I have a .223 based on a LH SA 700 that I like allot and another LH SA 700 in 7MM-08. I am considering re barreling the 08 to another 7MM-08 with a barrel contour to match the .223 and swapping out the stock so it matches as well.

What does everyone think of a matched set if rifles with .223 as the anchor?

noneck180 · #2 12-11-2009, 11:00 PM

I have had my rifles matching until lately, exactly what you are saying, I think. I had Sendero 7mm Rem mag and 300 Win mag and 223 and and 204 ruger in VSSF.
Identical rifles as far as fit, feel, and weight but for two seperate purposes, it made switching to shoot a cake walk, I even had mathching Zeiss conquests. I think this what you are talking about I'm not a very good reader.

shortaction · #3 12-12-2009, 06:26 AM

I think it is a great way to go.

The KISS rule is always a good idea.

Wrongside · #4 12-12-2009, 06:35 AM

I like your premise, except for the Remington700 part.

(My .223 is a LH M700...)

I've long thought that I'd do something along those lines but can't find/settle on an action that's available in SS LH LA and SA... Well maybe the Montana M99.

Wishing that Winchester had made SA 70s here...

duffy4 · #5 12-12-2009, 07:53 AM

What is the reasoning for wanting identical rifles in different cartridges? Fashion or function?

I have a friend who got himself a .22 that was as close in fit and weight and such as he could, to his big game rifles. Then he did a heap of shooting the .22 all year long. Figured it would help keep him sharp with the other guns (which he also shot a fair bit)

I also know a person who has two Rem. model 700s. One in .280 and one in 30/06. They say its kind of a worry that they keep the right ammo in their pockets and they fear some day getting excited and somehow sticking a .280 into the /06.

I have two Win. 100s and my son and I both use them. One is in .308 and one in .284.

elkhunter11 · #6 12-12-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

What is the reasoning for wanting identical rifles in different cartridges? Fashion or function?

For me it is function,I always have two big game rifles that are close to identical with identical scopes,shooting the same cartridge.If something happens to one gun,while on a hunt,I simply use the second rifle.I only need to learn one sight in,one trajectory,and the triggers and scopes are identical as is the fit of the gun.

sdeviation · #7 12-12-2009, 08:50 AM

im actually contemplating identical chambers also... i think at the range this would be most beneficial ,,,,specially on the warmer days.

Pathfinder76 · #8 12-12-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duffy4

What is the reasoning for wanting identical rifles in different cartridges? Fashion or function?

Form follows function.

Pathfinder76 · #9 12-12-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrongside

I like your premise, except for the Remington700 part.

(My .223 is a LH M700...)

I've long thought that I'd do something along those lines but can't find/settle on an action that's available in SS LH LA and SA... Well maybe the Montana M99.

Wishing that Winchester had made SA 70s here...

Don't worry, my next big build will be a mate to my Model 70 280 AI.

#10 12-12-2009, 09:45 AM

Sounds boring to me...I love the variety!

Dick284 · #11 12-12-2009, 09:55 AM

Fit feel and familiarity, can speak volumes.

It can also lead to a form of complacency, where indavertantly the wrong cartridge may get fired in the wrong rifle.

I saw that happen, how he ever got a 243Win to stay up on the bolt face of a 7mm Rem Mag is the real puzzler, but let me tell you this a 243Win will not fireform worth a pinch in a 7mm Rem. Mag.

209x50 · #12 12-12-2009, 10:16 AM

I guess for some it would work. I often bring a back up rifle with me on hunts and have had to use it on occasion, but I've never had two rifles that were even the same cartridge along at the same time. Once when I had issues with my muzzleloader I went to my 300wm back up and had a successful hunt. For myself I shoot a lot and I have no issues going from rifle to rifle, brand to brand or cartridge to cartridge. If I brought the gun with me I'm very familiar with it and how it shoots and will have all the pertinent information stored in my head and on a paper back up if the old hard drive fails, LOL. Ballistic compensating reticles have made the need for much of that paper work moot now. Once I have shot the rifle and scope to my satisfaction and ranges I don't need to carry a reminder of the ballistics, the 600 yard cross hair works at 600 yards and so on.
This is just for me and your mileage may vary but Chuck any excuse for a new rifle is a good excuse!

AB2506 · #13 12-12-2009, 10:40 AM

I don't know if I would screw with a perfectly good 7-08. Ot it's on the same platform (action) and stocked similarly, to me, that is close enough.

Wrongside · #14 12-12-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Don't worry, my next big build will be a mate to my Model 70 280 AI.

Oh really? Any details you're willing to share yet?

I like the 700s plenty, just more as varmint/range rifles. Just my being weird though...

If Kimber would start making the Montana84 in LH I'd be pretty much set... one in 223 and one in 708 would cover most of what I do.

Pathfinder76 · #15 12-12-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrongside

Oh really? Any details you're willing to share yet?

I like the 700s plenty, just more as varmint/range rifles. Just my being weird though...

If Kimber would start making the Montana84 in LH I'd be pretty much set... one in 223 and one in 708 would cover most of what I do.

Nothing yet.

Kimber needs to be reminded of that and often.

CaberTosser · #16 12-12-2009, 01:50 PM

The biggest concievable benefit to cosmetically identical rifles is that when you bring a new one home, you can tell your honey its not new, its the same one she always see's you with.

Pathfinder76 · #17 12-12-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

The biggest concievable benefit to cosmetically identical rifles is that when you bring a new one home, you can tell your honey its not new, its the same one she always see's you with.

I think you're on to something there.

209x50 · #18 12-12-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

The biggest concievable benefit to cosmetically identical rifles is that when you bring a new one home, you can tell your honey its not new, its the same one she always see's you with.

Exceptionally devious! I like it.

noneck180 · #19 12-12-2009, 04:05 PM

CaberTosser,

You sir have hit the nail on the head, c'mon guys how many have tried to sneak a rifle box into the basement, and all of a sudden she is standing there, and you feel like a deer in caught in the headlights. Then you say" I am just getting the same rifle back from repair", Gun Safes are not for protection they are for hiding guns from our wives.

hal53 · #20 12-12-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noneck180

CaberTosser,

You sir have hit the nail on the head, c'mon guys how many have tried to sneak a rifle box into the basement, and all of a sudden she is standing there, and you feel like a deer in caught in the headlights. Then you say" I am just getting the same rifle back from repair", Gun Safes are not for protection they are for hiding guns from our wives.

still love the sig line from a member here "my biggest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell all my hunting stuff for what I told her I paid for it" LOL!!!!

Wrongside · #21 12-13-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Nothing yet.

Here's a dandy donor rifle I found yesterday. Talk about rare.... Winchester Custom Shop LH SS SA chambered for 22-250... Not for long if I could afford it. She'd be a 7-08 pretty dang lickety split.

$3500 USD though, so...

Link (for as long as it lasts)- GunsAmerica

Battle River · #22 12-13-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

I've got the itch to do something rifle wise again. But I don't want to spend a fortune.
What does everyone think of a matched set if rifles with .223 as the anchor?

What about this? I put together this tandem of Kimbers 3 years ago.

22RF and a 270 WSM, I shoot the 22 all summer at gophers, then fut the WSM to work in the fall. the 223 is a great idea, and an excuse to get another new rifle without anyone finding out!!!!!

Pathfinder76 · #23 12-13-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrongside

Here's a dandy donor rifle I found yesterday. Talk about rare.... Winchester Custom Shop LH SS SA chambered for 22-250... Not for long if I could afford it. She'd be a 7-08 pretty dang lickety split.

$3500 USD though, so...

Link (for as long as it lasts)- GunsAmerica

I would love to have one of those custom shop actions with their smooth bolt knobs.

Pathfinder76 · #24 12-13-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battle River

What about this? I put together this tandem of Kimbers 3 years ago.

22RF and a 270 WSM, I shoot the 22 all summer at gophers, then fut the WSM to work in the fall. the 223 is a great idea, and an excuse to get another new rifle without anyone finding out!!!!!

Definitely a great idea, but I'm a lefty.

Battle River · #25 12-13-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Definitely a great idea, but I'm a lefty.

Sorry, I forgot about your handicap

Pathfinder76 · #26 12-13-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battle River

Sorry, I forgot about your handicap

Aint that the truth.

BallCoeff.435 · #27 12-13-2009, 05:18 PM

No rifle duplicates better than the exact same rifle. (Sort of like the tightest group you'll ever shoot is a one-shot group).

So, just get a Blaser 93 with interchangable barrels/calibers. Each additional barrel should be cheaper than a whole new rifle especially if you've got a lot invested in stock cosmetics.
( As long as you don't get freaked out by the straight-pull bolt ).

BallCoeff.435 · #28 12-13-2009, 05:25 PM

Then again, if you do get irritated by the straight-pull, a nice little double with interchangable barrels is the way to go.

http://www.krieghoff.com/index.php?o...658&Itemid=176

Battle River · #29 12-13-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BallCoeff.435

Each additional barrel should be cheaper than a whole new rifle especially if you've got a lot invested in stock cosmetics.
( As long as you don't get freaked out by the straight-pull bolt ).

Stock cosmetics is the only selling feature a Blaw-ser has going for it.

Actually , having two similar rifles makes a pile of sense. Owners of a Blaw-ser would be the kind of people that would own a minivan, put winter tires on it and call it an SUV hunting rig.

BallCoeff.435 · #30 12-13-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battle River

Stock cosmetics is the only selling feature a Blaw-ser has going for it.

Actually , having two similar rifles makes a pile of sense. Owners of a Blaw-ser would be the kind of people that would own a minivan, put winter tires on it and call it an SUV hunting rig.

Care to be a little more specific in the support of your claims? Why would you say the rifle has only one feature, or that duplication of rifles makes any sense?

(Or do you just resent the fact you have to drive your minivan at all, regardless of the tires on it?

)