I'm curious about people's thoughts on having two identical rifles to cover 99.9% of their hunting. I don't mean for this to turn into a thread about versatile caliber choice, but if a hunter could do all of his/her hunting with the .30-06 say, it would seem to make a lot of sense to own two identical -06s. When going on a trip you would only need one kind of ammo and if one rifle broke you could pick the other one up without any adjustment. I know us hunters and gun nuts aren't always the most logical and practical bunch, but if one had the desire to get that way...

Thoughts???

Bob

Bob
Monogamy to one wife is enough...
Never marry just one rifle.

I thought everyone dreamed about twins!!!

It would be blind luck if the same loads would work the best in two different rifles. My brother and my neighbor have two identical Ruger 7 Mags that are 12 numbers off in serial number. One won't shoot any bullets 140 grains or heavier into a 5 gallon bucket, while the other one only likes bullets from 140-160 grains.

I've been hunting since 1962 and have never had the misfortune to need a backup rifle although I've often had one with me.

I own a .30-06 in a M-70 and have surrounded it with a .260 Rem and a .375 H&H. If I'm hunting deer my -06 is backed up with the .260. If I'm hunting Elk, my backup is the .375.

When I go hunting Cape Buffalo, my PH backs me up!!

I'd recommend different calibers over "twins"

Here is something else to think about in regards to two rifles. Twins might be all right, but you could run into a situation like I had 2 years ago. My brother brought his 243 and loads. But the loads (although we should always double check in the rifle at home right) were past max length, wouldn't chamber. So even if there had been a second identical 243 there would have been a snag. I let him use my 06AI and I used my Whelen.

So in my mind by having a backup in a different caliber you not only have a gun that might handle a certain situation better, but eliminate another possible set of problems. This year I am hunting with the Whelen and will probably back up with my open sighted .270Win.

Red

No one rifle is optimum for everything.

It follows that you need a large number of rifles, so you have the right tool for the job.

Once you have acquired the basic 223, 243, 7mm08, 308, 270, 30-06, and 338, it is OK to start duplicating!!

:-)

There is a member of this site, Stubblejumper, who has done this. He has a twin pair of STW's and another in 300 RUM. I think the premise is a sound one. I'm sure he will join in and tell you about them, and the idea behind it.

I own two identical Sakos in .375H&H one in Australia, one in Italy...

I have 2 280s and I do take both on most hunts 3+ hours away. I have taken moose, elk, deer with them and I just like the cartridge.

It all started a few years back when I had a gun kicked in half by a horse. That was expensive, but I learned that things can go wrong so why not take an extra gun and leave it at camp. I use the same cal because it is what has proven for me and well I like consistency. One gun is a Sako the other a Rem Mtn Rifle. I do have many other guns, but they don't see near the action as my 280s. My wife also hunts so when we go together we are both packing a 280.

That said I am not the smartest guy on this site, so take my advice at face value.

I have 4 rifles that are Identical except for the power of the scopes and the caliber. The main reason is that when I take a rifle hunting they all feel the same to me. They all have 50 MM Leupolds on them and the same style slings. for years all I had was one rifle and now I have around 25 or so, it just made since to me to have identical rifles. Just my two cents worth.

I totally agree with the wisdom of having rifles as close to identical as possible, so they all feel the same. for that reason I have even had safeties on my sporterized rifles changed over so that they are all on the same side (the flag type two position safeties). And I think with my next 1917 project I am going to send the stock off my existing one and get it duplicated and make them as close to identical as possible.

Red

I have siblings. Same genetic parentage (actions, scopes, stock design, safeties etc identical) but coming at different times in different personalities. So whether I pick up a rifle to shoot a fox, a small deer, a big deer or a moose the handling and sight picture are identical.

It does mean that when I pick up my 9.3 for the first time in 11 months for opening week it feels like the rifle I've used most days inbetween.

My main arsenal is one Tikka .338, one Remigton .270, one Ruger .223, and a .44 Super Black Hawk.
A backup of the same caliber is a good idea but it's not a practical alternative for me. My .270 is my back up for the .338, and vice versa.