Upgrading in quality vs. number of firearms

[kgarrett]

I thought it was ironic that last night something was bugging the animals so of course I had to go check what was happening. I didn't grab a fancy custom. I grabbed the ruger American that hangs out for exactly that use. Not at all downplaying more expensive rifles but i definitely believe there is a place for functional rifles from a lower class

The bump in the night rifle!

 

[akdad]

The bump in the night rifle!

Yes but this one is pretty much just for the barn and duck house. And when kids and I randomly go for PDs. I have a like/hate relationship with it. Hate stock and bolt not huge fan of trigger.But it's pretty accurate,light and takes ar mags so easy to load and carry's nice on a snow machine. I think a lot of our preferred rifles depend on the uses we use them for.

 

[USAFRet]

I thought it was ironic that last night something was bugging the animals so of course I had to go check what was happening. I didn't grab a fancy custom. I grabbed the ruger American that hangs out for exactly that use. Not at all downplaying more expensive rifles but i definitely believe there is a place for functional rifles from a lower class

I have a little CVA Scout in 6.5 Creedmoor that will not be traded. It is the cheapest rifle I own, but it is a tack driver and super compact. That is one rifle I bought based on a specific purpose only that rifle could fill. And a 280 Ackley.

 

[USAFRet]

Well, decided on a completely different route. One comment about accurate rifles, anyway...I have three CVA Cascades in different calibers. All are tack drivers, excellent triggers and the Bergara barrel. Also, with the ability to remove the insert from the stock, they fit me perfectly. So, basically selling all the other bolt guns, and a few semi autos, (besides my 280 AI) and buying another CVA in 30-06 to replace the HOWA. Put the rest of the money into upgrading optics.

Yeah, goes completely against the thought process, but the comments kind of helped. I don't want to sell tack drivers and get an expensive lemon.

Thanks for participating all.

 

[akdad]

Well, decided on a completely different route. One comment about accurate rifles, anyway...I have three CVA Cascades in different calibers. All are tack drivers, excellent triggers and the Bergara barrel. Also, with the ability to remove the insert from the stock, they fit me perfectly. So, basically selling all the other bolt guns, and a few semi autos, (besides my 280 AI) and buying another CVA in 30-06 to replace the HOWA. Put the rest of the money into upgrading optics.

Yeah, goes completely against the thought process, but the comments kind of helped. I don't want to sell tack drivers and get an expensive lemon.

Thanks for participating all.

Thanks for starting this one made me stop and think a bit too.

 

[FEENIX]

Put the rest of the money into upgrading optics.

@lancetkenyon is your man.

 

[FEENIX]

Thanks for starting this one made me stop and think a bit too.

Life is too short to think about it. Yes, I cannot take it with me when I die, but I have two sons that will enjoy them.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

In the early years I had all factory rifles. They all probably shot well enough to meet my capabilities and goals. But ....... my hobby eventually progressed, and I decided to have a rifle built. The cost was a bit extreme compared to the Rem 700s and Win 70s I owned, but it was exactly what I wanted at the time.

Once you get started with the semi-custom & custom rifles, you'll never go back. Even my rimfires are custom built. The only fully stock rifle I have is a RRA .223/458SOCOM. Other than that, I've got a JM Marlin 1895SBL that was completely reworked by Grizzley Arms but is still essentially stock.

 

[Wolf76]

I've had the same thought and have a change of heart. Originally planned on upgraded rifles, but decided to go on hunts and trips instead. My guns shoot very good and can kill probably anything on the planet. The money is now for making memories, not upgrading.

 

[LRNut]

I am kind of in this camp, but instead of buying cheap stuff, I just have never gotten rid of guns I no longer use. For example, I have a Rem 7 in .300 SAUM that I took on a New Zealand hunt back in 2003 but have hardly shot it since. Has a Vias brake and I bedded it myself, but otherwise stock gun. Some guns I bought just to have a cool display on my gunrack built into my bookselves in my trophy room in AZ, mostly high end shotguns but a few rifles as well - all have wood stocks. I have a Contender in .222 Rem that have less than 300 rounds through - bought it at an estate sale in the mid-90s.

Maybe I should put some of my "unused guns" in the classifieds, but I would do FTF only - I have no desire to mail stuff. I am always stunned when someone sells a partial box of bullets - it isn't worth my time to mail it.

BUT, the problem with one or two high quality rifles is barrel life - what do you do when the barrel is gone? Not having a backup would give me fits. I have 7 LR rifles now. Only one is factory, and it doesn't shoot as well as my custom rifles. I some rifles at each location, but honestly, it is hard to keep track of rifles and loads. The other day I was stunned when my custom Lapua hit 1 MOA low at 500. When I went to load the cases, I discovered that my measure was set to throw just shy of 88 grains (I finish with an A&D) - I have two 300 RUMs that both shoot great with 88 grains of Retumbo and 225 ELDMs. I suspected my brain defaulted to 88 instead of the load the Lapua likes: 91 gr of Retumbo and a 285 ELD. I pulled some of those bullets and discovered that I had indeed loaded them with 88 grains instead of 91.

 

[Kmccord]

Anymore, it is better to build your own with quality receivers and pre fit barrels, or purchase all the items and have a gunsmith build it for you. If you don't have or want to invest in the action wrench and barrel vise, you can purchase Terminus QC receiver and do it all with not as much invested into tools. Then, all you need to deal with is purchasing barrels to switch out.

 

[GSRetrievers]

I sold all my factory guns except one to build customs and would do it all over again. I haven't figured out how to shoot more than one at a time nor add more hours to the day to shoot more. That one factory gun I didn't sell, a browning abolt 30-06 I kept to have a more compact hunting rifle but I would sell it in a heartbeat to build a custom hunting rifle, it's not be shot in almost 2 decades.

 

[USAFRet]

In the early years I had all factory rifles. They all probably shot well enough to meet my capabilities and goals. But ....... my hobby eventually progressed, and I decided to have a rifle built. The cost was a bit extreme compared to the Rem 700s and Win 70s I owned, but it was exactly what I wanted at the time.

Once you get started with the semi-custom & custom rifles, you'll never go back. Even my rimfires are custom built. The only fully stock rifle I have is a RRA .223/458SOCOM. Other than that, I've got a JM Marlin 1895SBL that was completely reworked by Grizzley Arms but is still essentially stock.

I have one custom 7mm-08. It is a Mack Bros Rem 700 action with a Carbon Six barrel and KRG Bravo stock. That is my one long range outfit I got for a lower recoil rifle for elk.

Oh, and have a HOWA rebarreled by a builder in 280 AI, which may be my elk rifle instead...if I ever get to go.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

I have been doing this reduction over almost 2 years now. Sold about 12 so far, be it shotgun, rifles, handguns. I have 2 more in the process of being sold.
I am just keeping pretty much exactly what I want. From hunting guns to home protection I feel pretty darn good about it too.
In the near future I'll be making a post about my reduction in rifles and post my new hunting rifles till the end. I got everything covered IMHO with my choices. Near to far, big and small game. It's covered.