Does it Make Sense to Have Two Identical Match Rifles?

[xswanted]

My match rifle is a custom 6.5 x 47 Lapua on a Rem 700 action. I really like this rig. I need to re-barrel a former .243 Remington 700 to a new caliber. The spent .243 barrel is in the same exact chassis as the 6.5 x 47 (XLR Element), both with Timney CE triggers. I am honestly thinking of building a 2nd 6.5 x 47 that is virtually identical to my current. Maybe I'll run a different brake or something. I can spread out the wear and experiment more with one of the two identical rifles. Another advantage is I don't need to purchase new dies and other tools for a new caliber. Does this make any sense at all?

Yes.

No further story needed.

 

[1shot]

I have four prone rifles with identical stocks and receivers. A primary and back up for 600 and 1,000 competition. The only differences are color, triggers and optics, they all fit the same.

Lloyd

 

[JEFFPPC]

My match rifle is a custom 6.5 x 47 Lapua on a Rem 700 action. I really like this rig. I need to re-barrel a former .243 Remington 700 to a new caliber. The spent .243 barrel is in the same exact chassis as the 6.5 x 47 (XLR Element), both with Timney CE triggers. I am honestly thinking of building a 2nd 6.5 x 47 that is virtually identical to my current. Maybe I'll run a different brake or something. I can spread out the wear and experiment more with one of the two identical rifles. Another advantage is I don't need to purchase new dies and other tools for a new caliber. Does this make any sense at all?

I started out shooting 2 identical 6ppcs. They are now 2 identical 6 BRXs. I think it is a definite advantage. Guns track the same, feel the same, shoot the same. If you shoot them in 2 different classes at the same match the second gun always does better . I did evolve into separate dies pretty quickly. Since all the barrels get done by the same person with the same reamer most of them shoot the same load just a couple of thousandth difference in seating depth barrel to barrel. Makes in real easy on inventory also. Do it !

 

[jelenko]

different stocks/triggers/actions/scopes

As others have suggested, when you're developing your skills, differences like these will confuse/hide the feedback you're getting from execution and from the target. You'll always have the question: Was it just me or did the different [stock/trigger/scope/action] cause that?
From my experience it's best to get as good as you can with one setup. When you want to try another, you'll have more confidence and experience to sort out you vs the setup.

If/when I use a separate rifle for practice, I will always ensure that I've used my 'match' one at least two range sessions before the match. XTC is all about eliminating errors - to do great at that our execution needs to be muscle memory/subconscious driven. I think changing things just at a match has the opportunity to cause hiccups in the subconscious.

 

[AckleymanII]

Three just alike would be better than two, or three barrels for Two,each. Sort the barrels for different competitions. Why be normal?

 

[jelenko]

Ah! If you use a 'remage' setup, you can change barrels as often as you want.

 

[Tim Singleton]

I've been carrying a backup gun to matches for several years. Never had to use it until yesterday
It was the difference that carried the day
Main gun with a really good barrel but is long in the tooth gave up in a big way
Nice to pull the backup out and it works just like the main gun
Brass the same bags and rest work the same
When the match is on the line it's to easy to blow it anyway having the backup working the same is a big deal

 

[Skipglo]

My match rifle is a custom 6.5 x 47 Lapua on a Rem 700 action. I really like this rig. I need to re-barrel a former .243 Remington 700 to a new caliber. The spent .243 barrel is in the same exact chassis as the 6.5 x 47 (XLR Element), both with Timney CE triggers. I am honestly thinking of building a 2nd 6.5 x 47 that is virtually identical to my current. Maybe I'll run a different brake or something. I can spread out the wear and experiment more with one of the two identical rifles. Another advantage is I don't need to purchase new dies and other tools for a new caliber. Does this make any sense at all?

Makes perfect sense to me!

 

[jelenko]

I always have an identical rifle that I use for competition.

 

[Nimrod71]

I have two 308's for range use and I set them up for different ranges. Works good for me and cuts down time in adjustments to scope.

 

[6fatrat]

I have 2 6fatrat uppers just in case, brakes not allowed on a match rifle.
Steve Bair

 

[JohnW...ski]

I had two match space guns when I shot High Power, I would use the one with the newest barrel for matches and the one with the older barrel for practice. When the accuracy of the practice rifle started to fall off in slow prone I would change the barrel and start again. To tell you the truth there wasn't really much difference between most of my practice target scores and my match scores. The other advantage was if one rifle broke I could just continue with the other.
John

 

[JEFFPPC]

My match rifle is a custom 6.5 x 47 Lapua on a Rem 700 action. I really like this rig. I need to re-barrel a former .243 Remington 700 to a new caliber. The spent .243 barrel is in the same exact chassis as the 6.5 x 47 (XLR Element), both with Timney CE triggers. I am honestly thinking of building a 2nd 6.5 x 47 that is virtually identical to my current. Maybe I'll run a different brake or something. I can spread out the wear and experiment more with one of the two identical rifles. Another advantage is I don't need to purchase new dies and other tools for a new caliber. Does this make any sense at all?

I have been doing that since about 2000. It has worked well for me, Same caliber, Same reamer, same tool and die maker chambering them. About 20 barrels in that time, all but 2 have shot the same load, only difference couple thousands seating depths.Bench set up consistent.

 

[Bugs]

You really need three, not two. At any given time, two of the three will be possessed by demons of some sort so you will need the third one while you figure the other two out.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Bugs, your reply made me laugh. However, if you have a pair, stick to a cartridge, have your own reamer, you will find it gets easier as time goes buy. Surprises go away. Any apparent problem sticks out because you know the performance you should be getting.

 

[Bamban]

When I was campaigning the 14s, rotated 3. Primary, the back up already sighted, zeroes established, and the third getting re-barreld. 32 pounds of powder per barrel.

 

[bobcat93]

Nothing wrong with twins buddy..
. One can cool while you heat up the other
..I like your thinking..
Whats the wife think of your idea...hahahahaha
Sorry..hahahaha

 

[lee1982]

I've been looking at the stable (or gun safe) and been thinking about this. I've got a lot of great rifles, but they're all very different.
I'm trying to make High Master in NRA Highpower and I practice at the range several days a week. If I had two identical rifles then I could easily swap between them to run through a 50 or 80 round practice match as fast as possible. It would save a lot of time by not waiting on the rifle to cool between stages (in an attempt to preserve barrel life). I was doing the switch barrel thing for a while....I'd practice with one, then spin on the match barrel for matches....but eventually life happens and it's midnight before a match the next morning and you realize you didn't swap barrels and confirm zero after your last practice session. Then you think about driving 2hrs to shoot a match with bulk reloaded ammo with an SD of 50 (exaggerating, but you get the point).

I just put a new barrel on my match rifle in 6XC.
Honestly I would love to have the same rifle in .308 to work on recoil management. I can work on mechanics by dry firing....no second rifle needed.

Even now, I often take other rifles to the range with me, but they have different stocks/triggers/actions/scopes. I hesitate to shoot them because my positions are different, the sight picture is different, and the trigger is different. Regretfully, I may need to sell a few things to standardize a little bit.

When I was chasing trophies in high power, I ran one gun for service rifle and one for high power. Learn them in and out, learn the ballistics / wind calls so you *know* how much you need to dial or hold off, load specifically for them and have them dialed in perfectly. If you want a practice gun, fine, run some bulk ammo in that over the winter, but when you get to spring time just shoot your match guns and run them all the way through your regionals and national matches. If you want to win, as in take home trophies, you need to be putting up 198+ in standing and 75% x-count cleans everywhere else. IE, your gun needs to be DIALED IN, and that only happens when you shoot it a bunch.