I have about 6 different rifle calibers. They do most of everything I would want to hunt (for now). I like buying and trying out new rifles. My question is should I buy them in the calibers I currently own. or different cartridges I’d like to try even if they overlap similar hunting situations. I’m really just a hunter that like shooting different guns.
I’ve been thinking about this too. Most of the time, I find that if I have a say 6.5 creed, I’m only going to shoot one of them—the best 6.5 creed I have. So adding multiples of the same thing ends up with one collecting dust.
Only time I actually shoot both is if they are dramatically different styles like a precision rifle and a lightweight hunting rifle.
But if I change the cartridge, I end up using each rifle more when it fits a particular use case.
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One thing to consider nowadays with current manufacturing processes, etc, is swappable barrels.
One rifle, one caliber but different barrels to suit different situations. This could be a true swappable Barrel type rifle or a type of action that would accept a prefit.
For instance you could get a 6.5 prc. Have a short 18 or so inch barrel that will work perfectly for most eastern US deer hunting, etc. Nice, short, handy. But then also get a 24 to 26 or even longer Barrel which would allow you to extend your ranges significantly or tackle larger creatures if you should Venture somewhere else.
I too just love to shoot and try different things just for the heck of it. I’ve got more than enough calibers of rifle to handle eastern US hunting. One thing I did at one point though is I got so many different calibers that it became difficult storing all the different ammo around the house, remembering where I put things, etc. It can also get quite expensive of course.
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Well, I would…
- get different rifle models, makes, stocks, triggers, etc. to try out new tech; but would keep them in the same caliber that I am comfortable with the most for what I do the most (hunt?) kinda like what Jim said; and what rifle or caliber do you want to be good with when you need it.
- if I just want to shoot and see how different cartridges perform, I would get a membership at a range and make friends that already have them, get a box of my own ammo, and see if they would let me shoot the weapon one day to try it out. (sort of like better to know someone with a boat than to own one).
- Cost becomes the factor, or maybe not…depends on what a person sees value in…
- Agree with cchilds, switch barrels have come a long way with their ability to hold zeros and be accurate barrel to barrel. Action length is the factor there if you go from short case design to magnum case length, still some options out there that deal with that also, but switch systems generally cost money.