How often do you change your rifle?

[norma 308]

I have my 2003 remy 700 in 22/250 still original barrel still kills foxs at acceptable ranges and the odd unacceptable but I do own 7 rifles so don’t put 1000.s down one barrel

 

[Reddish]

It would depend on the rifle....some you may keep forever (Well,for as long as you shoot and use rifles) and some may just not suit as well as you thought and get moved on.

 

[HonestJohn]

Bought my tikka lsa55 second hand in 1986. Now on its third barrel. Bedding in nicely.

Have an M65 from 82 I believe. Still original barrel. Slayed I’d say in the region of 2000 deer up to now and still shooting touching groups.

 

[DavyG]

I had my Blaser R8 for 10 years and i'm on the 3rd barrel and 2nd stock

Bit like Triggers broom…

 

[Border]

Actions are able to be rebarrelled many times. Barrels and moderators are consumables. Sako 75 is still a revered rifle that doesn't give up much to more modern firearms. The Tikka T3X is what I would choose if starting from scratch.

 

[Heym SR20]

Most hunting rifles, unless you are shooting a few thousand deer a year, will outlast most of us. The only real reason to change a rifle is because you fancy something different.

 

[timbrayford]

So the accuracy thread had me thinking, how often do folk change their rifles? Is it a buy once, rebarrel and keep forever? Sentimental? Or shoot and scrap?

Certainly some folk change their cars often and others run them until they break down.

I’ve had a sako 75 for years. The modification options of a tikka always tempt me. The blasers appeal. A smaller 6.5cm would probably get me the same amount of deer for less recoil. But the current .270 ‘just works’.

Interested to see how folk go about it

Started off with secondhand and as and when I have been able to replaced with new, no plans to change anything, none are worn out!

 

[wildfowler.250]

Interesting replies folks. Almost seems a different tangent to the accuracy thread that folk are hanging onto their rifles. I think all the adverts online of new guns and new gun posts here make you feel like your daft hanging onto them. I truth , 1” at 100 yards on a 4” target is more than sufficient for hunting. Yes bug hole groups are pleasing but probably have very little difference beyond confidence on the broadside of a deer

 

[harrygrey382]

Change? That would imply you get rid of them… my safe seems to have a check valve - they come in but never leave! I shudder at the thought of moving on most of my rifles, same as many of my other high grade tools.

But seriously - like with vehicles, I buy (used mostly) quality to start with and maintain it well which includes repairs where needed and if it comes to it rebarrels (or engine rebuilds) if necessary - rather than participate in the ghastly throw away society which frankly is a large cause of why the world is in the state it is right now. Which gives the joy and satisfaction of using high quality gear to do a job rather than the latest fad in tacticool digital plastics with no regard to longevity.

I suppose it helps if you can do all the work yourself, which then means you have no time to do anything else in life

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

you should all be changing your rifles every year.....

 

[Ratcatcher]

you should all be changing your rifles every year.....

That's what every gun shop I know has been telling every shotgun owner for the last 5 years! Oh er sir I wouldn't shoot steel through that old purdey, I'll give you fourpence hapenny off this wonderfully bland Berretta/browning etc. Not you honest lads up north obviously

 

[JTO]

I sold my first centrefire, FN Sauer .270, because I found that the .308 was coming out more. Someone in Ireland bought it. I still have every other rifle that I have ever bought. Had the .22lr since 1968.

 

[25 Sharps]

Hmm. I buy but don’t seem to sell except 1
S

Me too. Although I’ve just sold the .308 to a new club member to get him going.

 

[25 Sharps]

Do you need 3 rifles. Say, yes.
I thought you have a hard time justifying each addition in the UK.

I really like the 7mm-08 anyway but have others. I "need" them. I can have multiple without much fuss I wish I used them all more to justify this to myself.

I have 3 rifles that I would call my stalking rifles but all told I currently have 6 rifles conditioned for deer, 3 others conditioned for fox and all quarry that are also suitable for all or small deer. Plus another 2 that are deer calibres but only conditioned for target.

So additions not that hard to justify.

 

[25 Sharps]

So the accuracy thread had me thinking, how often do folk change their rifles? Is it a buy once, rebarrel and keep forever? Sentimental? Or shoot and scrap?

Certainly some folk change their cars often and others run them until they break down.

I’ve had a sako 75 for years. The modification options of a tikka always tempt me. The blasers appeal. A smaller 6.5cm would probably get me the same amount of deer for less recoil. But the current .270 ‘just works’.

Interested to see how folk go about it

As post above, I don’t change them that often, I just add more! My first stalking rifle was a 6.5x55 CZ550, still have it and when the barrel goes it’ll get a new one in AI flavour.

 

[NP435]

I have sold what I was no longer using, one was sold as a means to raise funds for a trip ( I regret the sale on that one). My P-14 was sold after a year of not having shot it. Simply replacing what I have for a whim, not ever.

 

[simgre]

you should all be changing your rifles every year.....

And that’s the interesting thing. Not all of the shooting sports are equal. Some guys owned one rifle for 40 years!! There are stalkers and hunters and there are target and club shooters. And then there are “gun guys” who cross all divides! I’m one of the latter.

I have probably had hundreds of guns through my hands in the last 27 years. (That’s how long I’ve used rifles as I was always a pistol shooter and only had 6. So blame the “government”…) Currently my FAC has the lowest I’ve held for a long time, 34.

I change them regularly!

 

[sy247]

I've had the same secondhand Remington 700 BDL in .270 that I bought when I got my grant for deer quite a few years ago now and haven't felt the need to change it. If it stops grouping I will start worrying about it!

 

[Saltyfish FI]

So the accuracy thread had me thinking, how often do folk change their rifles? Is it a buy once, rebarrel and keep forever? Sentimental? Or shoot and scrap?

Certainly some folk change their cars often and others run them until they break down.

I’ve had a sako 75 for years. The modification options of a tikka always tempt me. The blasers appeal. A smaller 6.5cm would probably get me the same amount of deer for less recoil. But the current .270 ‘just works’.

Interested to see how folk go about it

If you have Sako 75 i would not buy Tikka. Or only if you plan to start building semi custom. Quality is not the same. I have 2 Sako 75’s and plan to keep those forever. Other is in 308 win and second in 243 win. 243 might need new barrel at some point. SS 308 most like will last longer than me

 

[Saltyfish FI]

Actions are able to be rebarrelled many times. Barrels and moderators are consumables. Sako 75 is still a revered rifle that doesn't give up much to more modern firearms. The Tikka T3X is what I would choose if starting from scratch.

If you compare quality of Sako 75 to most of modern rifles it is still winner. Sako made that rifle with idea to make best rifle ever build. You can actually compare it to 85 or 90 and 75 is better made. T3X quality is not on same level but it has advantage of huge selection of aftermarket parts.