multiple caliber rifle or multiple rifles

[Kristian_Jensen]

....I was thinking about this.

Having one rifle with several barrels mean you only have to get used to one platform, one trigger and so forth. The downside is that if the trigger or bolt breaks you don't have a backup / alternative rifle.

What are your thoughts..... Are multiple caliber rifles the future?

 

[Mute]

Multi calibers saves you a great deal of money not having to buy additional accessories for multiple rifles. Having said this, if money wasn't an issue, I'd take multiple rifles every time. Just easier logistically. No need to swap anything. Keep one set of data with each rifle and not worry about accidentally mixing up my info. Allow for different accessories that may meet different needs or preferences across different rifles and platforms. Those are my reasons for preferring separate rifles.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Multi cal rifles are great if you mainly shoot one cal but want the capability of others. If you regularly shoot multiple calibers then I'd still have multiple rifles, it just gets annoying swapping all the time no matter how easy it is or return to zero.

That said, I love my AXMC but I primarily run 243 in it and have other barrels and bolts for less common use. I'll be adding a AX SA to run as primary in 243 and use the AXMC as a backup and for the magnum rounds.

 

[Kristian_Jensen]

If you buy different calibers, do you also buy different chassis, triggers and so on?

 

[sandwarrior]

If you buy different calibers, do you also buy different chassis, triggers and so on?

The biggest point of multiple calibers/cartridges on one platform is to shoot the same. Benchrest guys use switch barrels for this very reason. Even between the same cartridge that gets loaded differently for conditions.

So, accuracy isn't an issue that some people think it might be.

As Mute said though, having more rifles means backup if something goes down on your main rifle. Benchrest guys also have this, just in case...

I would say multiple caliber rifles have a future, but I don't think they are the future. I like shooting micro rounds and I wouldn't waste the weight to carry a rifle built to help with recoil from a heavier cartridge. So, IMO, there are still going to be different dedicated platforms for different rifles.

Something to note is some who like a particular rifle in an accuracy platform and then pull it out and it's light enough to get dropped into a hunting platform to make it lighter. It's still quite accurate, but doesn't have the fine precision of their accuracy platform. Sort of the opposite situation of what you were asking.

 

[Mute]

If you buy different calibers, do you also buy different chassis, triggers and so on?

Depends on how I use the rifle. Similar tasks, will most likely get similar accessories, parts....etc. However, I have different rifles for different reasons. Some purely for precision shooting, others for hunting, still others for competition. So, yes and no. I like consistency where it matters.

 

[Sheldon N]

The answer is multiple multiple caliber rifles.

 

[Kristian_Jensen]

The answer is multiple multiple caliber rifles.

Haha, true :-D

 

[dannySH]

The answer is multiple multiple caliber rifles.

Thats the BEST answer. Period.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

The answer is multiple multiple caliber rifles.

I third this.

 

[jlficken]

I almost went down the AXMC route but decided that swapping barrels would be more work than it's worth to me.

Now I have my AIAT in 308, Tikka T3X in 308 as an all around rifle since it weighs 10lbs, and am building a TL2 in 223 for short range shooting and general entertainment.

I said I didn't want to buy multiple scopes, bipods, mounts, etc but it just makes more sense to me after thinking about it.

 

[VegasHKShooter]

I went with the A.I. AT largely because of the ability to switch it up. When I started looking at multiple S&B scopes, multiple Atlas bi-pods, add to that the cost of well made, accurate rifles, the A.I. got easier to justify. If I get an itch to shoot 6x47L, or 6 CM, or many other short action cartridges, I’m only a phone call to one of several shops away. At $650-$800, I have a new caliber in the same comfortable, known to me rifle.

Thats how it played out in my head at least.

 

[Mute]

My primary reason for easy barrel change system is because I look at barrels as consumables. Sooner or later you'll have to change one and I want minimal downtime when doing so.

 

[Kristian_Jensen]

My primary reason for easy barrel change system is because I look at barrels as consumables. Sooner or later you'll have to change one and I want minimal downtime when doing so.

That is actually a really good point, I hadn't thought of.

....and the "consumeable" part is actually why i was considering multiple barrel system in the first place.

 

[Bradu]

That is actually a really good point, I hadn't thought of.

....and the "consumeable" part is actually why i was considering multiple barrel system in the first place.

First I will touch on this, if you are worried about when it comes time to rebarrel then have someone like Josh at Patriot Valley Arms build it. I believe he takes measurements and keeps records so you never have to send the action back to him for a barrel. All you need to do is call up and order a barrel as long as you have a barrel vise and action wrench. I personally like having switch barrel setups, it allows me to have several calibers I want without spending 3-4k on a rifle, another 1500+ on an optic and the accessories to go along with a build. I may not switch barrels all that often but it's nice to be able to swap out for whatever reason.

 

[sandwarrior]

My primary reason for easy barrel change system is because I look at barrels as consumables. Sooner or later you'll have to change one and I want minimal downtime when doing so.

That is always a solid reason. I pointed out one reason bench guys do what they do, but what you mentioned is their #1 reason as well.

 

[The King]

I think its good to see switch barrel rifles come down in price. The KRG SOTIC is $3k and offers features commensurate with writing a $3k check.

I think my biggest problem is that I'm a machinist - and I don't feel that a $9.00 jam nut on the barrel, or a $.35 4mm screw and $18 wedge block constitute some sort of massive growth in cost to the consumer. Even charging for the ideation.

That said, my main considerations are "where does a gas gun make sense" and "where does a bolter make sense" For small calibers I usually gas gun and for big ones I bolt gun. This leads me to not setup as switch barrel.

 

[morganlamprecht]

i have multiple rifles and a switch barrel rifle...i wouldnt trade my AT for 4 fully set up customs...when i was playing with random calibers, i could go out in 1 day, take my 224, 6mm, 6.5, and 308 barrels and shoot them all side by side...i could throw the rifle and multiple barrels in 1 rifle bag and go...i didnt have to worry about the tracking on each individual scope or any feeding/trigger/etc issues on the multiple rifles...sometimes id show up to a match with a 6/6.5 barrel on, and the match book would have 90% of the targets inside 500 yds, or it was a really calm day, so id switch to 308,...how i used it, it was hands down better than multiple rifles

if youre just going to screw on a barrel and shoot it til it dies, then change it...i wouldnt say its worth it

 

[BurnOut]

Ya know, I am kinda of two minds on this. Ideally, as Sheldon N said, multiple, multiple-caliber rifles would be the ideal, but I don't have that kind of money. Additionally, the factory multiple caliber offerings tend to be either heavy (DTA), expensive (Blazer R8), or both (AI AXMC). This is where I see the Barloc, deceptively simple as it is, as an absolute (potential) game-changer. Run the action of your choice, with the trigger of your choice, in the stock/chassis of your choice, and install/swap barrels with a small torque driver and a hex bit.

In any event, while I am admittedly a multi-caliber system fan, I also have a collection of less expensive, less flexible (in terms of application) rifles. Realistically, a stock/chassis and optic that make for a great bench-rested varmint rifle just aren't going to be as useful for an off-hand woods gun, regardless of whether or not you've swapped from a 22-250 barrel to a .308 Win barrel.

I don't recall the origin of the saying, but there's an old adage that in trying to make a tool that does everything, you end up with a tool that does nothing well. If your budget will only support one or two rifles, you do the best you can, and make do... but if you have the means to support more specialized rifles tailored to your various uses, then it's worth considering to take that approach.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

My approach is to have one rifle per shooter, and there are two shooters in the house. The other shooter is our Granddaughter Elena, just turned 21.

The bolt rifles are identical in all manner, except one is a .223 and the other is a .308. Each is a Savage 11VT 24", in a Choate Tactical stock, with Harris-clone Bipod, Leupold Steel 20MOA Extended Pic Rail, Vortex 30mm Medium six-screw Tactical rings mounting Mueller 8-32x44 side focus 30mm Target Dot 1/8 MOA Scopes, .223/NATO 5.56 1:9", and .308 1:10". Barrels and bolts could be swapped in a pinch.

The AR's are Stag Model 6 Super Varminters, one built from the Factory Kit, 24" 1:8" stainless bull barrels (I am suspecting McGowans), with Harris-clone Bipods, B.A.D, Levers, SLED devices for F C;lass MR, and either a Weaver Classic 6-24x40 in Weaver See-Thru rings directly mounted to the flattop, or Mueller 8-32x44 Target Dot 1/8MOA 30mm Side focus in Nikon high Mounts. The Weaver scoped one has the Luth AR MBA-1 stock, the other, the original A-2 Stock.

Finally, in the wings, is the old Original 2001 SH Ghost Dancer Rifle; upgraded with a Lothar-Walther 260 Rem 28" 1:8" stainless Savage varmint contour barrel. It's mounted on a 2001 Savage 10FP action, blueprinted by Dark Eagle, sitting in a McMillan Factory Pillar Bedded A-3 Tactical Ghost Grey Stock, Sharpshooter Supply Competition Trigger, Ken Farrel 20 MOA Base, Harris-Clone Bipod mounted.

For now, it carries Tasco Medium rings with a Tasco 6-24x42 MilDot Varmint/Target Scope. For now, but it's the same scope that's always been mounted, including during the 2002 first Provisional SOA match at Whittington Center, and for several years of 1000yd F Class at Bodines.. This rifle is the load development mule for .308 and .260, using the barrel that's off the intended rifle, and which goes back onto it after development. I have always understood and treated the Savage rifles as user switch barrel rifles, even though I had the services of Dan at Dark Eagle available to do the initial barrel switches (Savage 260 to L-W 260, L-W 260 to homebrew 30BR). More lately I do my own, and the L-W is back on the Ghost dancer.

Greg

 

[biffj]

I like the one rifle, multi cal approach. Of course it depends a lot on how complex or time consuming the barrel/cal change is. On the Desert Tacticals its a simple 1 min or less deal to swap bolt and barrel. I can go from 338 Lapua to 510 whisper to 338BR, 300 Norma mag, 26 Nosler, 6.5X47 Lapua, 260 rem, 6.5Creed and so on. There is even a conversion for those who like 22's. One scope allows you to spend a lot more to get what you want, you learn one trigger, one cheek weld and get a multi range firearm. You only need one case as well so that is something for those who have little cars to consider.
As usual, your mileage may vary. Some like multiple rifles and thats not a bad thing either.

Frank

 

[Ledzep]

I finally drank the coolaid and ordered an ARC Barloc for my Mausingfield. I don't see myself swapping barrels particularly often, but I do like that it allows me to order pre-fit barrels and do the install myself with an allen wrench in probably less than 5 minutes.

I was about to buy material to machine myself a nice barrel vise and I believe this will end up being cheaper than a vise and action wrench (just materials, especially so if buying commercially available products.). Certainly easier.

Knowing myself, I'll probably end up with at least one "extra" 16" .308 barrel for launching tracers, shooting subsonics, and general screwing around, and a dedicated long(er) range barrel in 6 or 6.5 flavors. Depending on how repeatable zeros are I could get into it.

 

[daves37120]

I have been giving this some thought lately and plan on a switch barrel setup utilizing the West Texas Ordnance switch lug on a tuebor precision raider action. With that said, there is a build ahead of it that is a dedicated caliber. The stock is a used manners t4a that I purchased of this site. Must admit looking forward to trying a switch barrel setup.