Variety or familiarity?

[MS 9x56]

Recently took all my guns out for a yearly inspection and cleaning. I didn't do this conciously but realized that other than shotgun gauges and 22 lr none of my guns are the same caliber, manufacturer, or model. Is this normal? Or am I just an outlier?

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

I tend to have a wide range myself, consisting of guns I have bought and others I have inherited. At the end of the day it's about what you like vs having an all matching set, at least to me.

 

[Red Leg]

Other than my R8's, any duplicates are pure happenstance.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I have no issue with multiples in caliber or model, but mine tends to not go that way. I have a bucket list of guns I still hope to acquire, and most of them do not have a lot of overlap.

An example of model overlap: I have two Savage 99s. The EG fulfilled a lifelong desire to own a 99, in a model and caliber I wanted (.300 Savage). Because I live someplace harsh I bought the second 99 as a "beater" 99, to not worry about when the weather was bad. (it's a .308) Additionally, I'd like one more 99, but in .250 Savage.

An example of caliber: I have 2 .35 Remingtons (a Marlin 336 and a Remington 141 - NOTHING alike) and 2 .30-30s (a Savage 24 and a Savage 340). So there are some small areas of overlap. But do I have 8 Ruger #1s in assorted calibers, or 7 different rifles chambered in .30-06? NoPe.

This is like with women and art: whatever trips your trigger.

 

[Doug3006]

I suppose I‘m a rifle hoarder. I have more than a dozen rifles capable of killing any whitetail that walks. Why do I need that kind of redundancy? Well, there’s no way to argue it from a perspective of “need.” I bought them because each of them intrigued me. Now I’ve started with “Africa” rifles. Two .375 H&Hs. A couple of 416s. It’s madness. I take comfort in knowing that my current state of addiction pales in comparison with more than a few of my friends who will read this!

 

[CBH Australia]

I think if what you have suits your needs then it doesn't matter. You like what you like and you don't need to run the same brand or model to match them.

On the other hand I have 6 Tikka centrefires. Different calibres and configurations but with some overlap.

But there is also Howa, Remington and VZ centrefires in my safe

 

[BeeMaa]

A few years ago we sold all our hunting rifles and went "all in" with the Blaser R8 system. We currently have 3 stocks and 4 barrels. My wants far exceed my real need for anything more. And we have no regrets in making the switch.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Recently took all my guns out for a yearly inspection and cleaning. I didn't do this conciously but realized that other than shotgun gauges and 22 lr none of my guns are the same caliber, manufacturer, or model. Is this normal? Or am I just an outlier?

@MS 9x56
Some say you can't have to many guns.
After many many years I came to realise you can have to many to enjoy as you no longer use them.
I sold what I no longer use so others can have the pleasure I got from them.
Now I have my 22lr, 22K Hornet, my 25 and of course the Whelen. Also a 12 bore. These I use regularly be it at the range ir hunting. I know these guns and calibers well and know they will perform the task at hand.
It was a pleasure owning others but now they are being enjoyed by people who use and appreciate them. I also have my fun gun, a little 25-20 Winchester 92.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A few years ago we sold all our hunting rifles and went "all in" with the Blaser R8 system. We currently have 3 stocks and 4 barrels. My wants far exceed my real need for anything more. And we have no regrets in making the switch.

@BeeMaa
So you sold all your hunting rifles and went with NON HUNTING BLASER R8s.
That's the way it reads to me.
Ifn y'all Don't hunt with the R8 what do you do with them, shoot paper I supose
You should have kept your hunting rifles so you can still hunt.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Bob

 

[Rare Breed]

I suppose I‘m a rifle hoarder. I have more than a dozen rifles capable of killing any whitetail that walks. Why do I need that kind of redundancy? Well, there’s no way to argue it from a perspective of “need.” I bought them because each of them intrigued me. Now I’ve started with “Africa” rifles. Two .375 H&Hs. A couple of 416s. It’s madness. I take comfort in knowing that my current state of addiction pales in comparison with more than a few of my friends who will read this!

Completely agree. I have an addiction to double rifles to my wallets regrets

 

[MS 9x56]

@MS 9x56
Some say you can't have to many guns.
After many many years I came to realise you can have to many to enjoy as you no longer use them.
I sold what I no longer use so others can have the pleasure I got from them.
Now I have my 22lr, 22K Hornet, my 25 and of course the Whelen. Also a 12 bore. These I use regularly be it at the range ir hunting. I know these guns and calibers well and know they will perform the task at hand.
It was a pleasure owning others but now they are being enjoyed by people who use and appreciate them. I also have my fun gun, a little 25-20 Winchester 92.
Bob

You are a wise man Bob.

 

[mark-hunter]

Recently took all my guns out for a yearly inspection and cleaning. I didn't do this conciously but realized that other than shotgun gauges and 22 lr none of my guns are the same caliber, manufacturer, or model. Is this normal? Or am I just an outlier?

I have 3 guns in 22lr (for different purpose)
All the rest are different caliber, maker and platform.

I am not making collection, The point is that I am very versatile in my activities ranging from target shooting up to hunting and I need different firearms for different purpose.

So, its quite normal.

You need reason to buy specific gun. Its easy.
Go hunting waterfowl, upland birds, small and big game.
Hunt deer, sheep, dangerous game in norther hemisphere. From plains to dense woods, or up in the mountains

Then go over to Africa, hunt plains game and dangerous game.

Join the sport shooting club:
Try pistol, rifle, PCC, production, and open division.
Jump over to classic shooting ISSF 300 meters, clay targets, trap skeet.
When get bored, switch to F class, or PRS

And on top of it you will need and extra gun for self defense.
Easy.
Then 20 pieces is a too short inventory.

 

[Tra3]

I used one rifle for many years, a .270 win model 70 featherlight. Additionally I had a 20 gauge and a .22lr.
Then, with more disposable cash I ended up buying a variety of rifles. The search for my ideal gun ended with the R8. Now I have multiple safes full of rifles I don’t use. It is hard to get rid of them, but when I find the right person I give them away. I will be ok reducing to my R8’s, a few shotguns, and a muzzleloader. I agree with @Bob Nelson 35Whelen you find what you really like and just stick with that.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I also like the idea of just a few and then really master them. I will end up with my Heym 450/400, Ruger No1 30-06 and at some point a really nice 20 gauge shotgun. Thats it, get to know every millimeter of those guns, know how to care for them and do so. Know how to shoot them, and most importantly use them in the field.

 

[mark-hunter]

My grandpa had: ww2 7.65 mm war trophy pistol, and for hunting he had 8mm Mauser rifle, 22lr rifle, and 12 GA O/U shotgun.
It covered all his needs.
If I need to pull all my sports aside, I probably would keep: 22lr rifle, 12 GA OU, and 30-06 bolt action, and 9mm full size carry pistol for woods.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My grandpa had: ww2 7.65 mm war trophy pistol, and for hunting he had 8mm Mauser rifle, 22lr rifle, and 12 GA O/U shotgun.
It covered all his needs.
If I need to pull all my sports aside, I probably would keep: 22lr rifle, 12 GA OU, and 30-06 bolt action, and 9mm full size carry pistol for woods.

@mark-hunter
I would prefer a nice fullsize 45 over a 9mm any day.
But hey I like to put big holes in things.
Bob

 

[Fixfire]

I collect and shoot a wide variety of rifles and shotguns but for “hunting”, I use my model 70s. As a youngster I started with a pre 64 in .270 so loading/unloading, 3 stage safety, etc are second nature. My current hunting line-up includes .220Swift, .270, .300WM, .375HH - a mixture of both pre and modern productions. Oh, and always Leupold scopes - same familiarity.

 

[PARA45]

I have a variety of rifles in different calibers and make, but I do have a love affair (addiction) to Ruger No.1s (currently have 4), and Weatherby rifles (too many to list here. ) You are ok, no need to seek phycological advise. LOL!!!!

 

[mark-hunter]

I would prefer a nice fullsize 45 over a 9mm any day.

You have a point, Bob, and 45 has appeal!

The only reason I did not mention a 45, is because i dont have it.
Once I get it, I will amend the statement.

It is actually a big question of what caliber to have as a side arm, for self defense in the woods, populated by brown bears.
All the pistol and revolver calibers from 9mm and above are good, or better, but none is stopper.

When bear saw was coming to feed with a cub in my hunting patrol area, I was carrying 7.62x25 Yugo clone of Tokarev. Not extremely accurate but with high penetration and high velocity. Loaded with soft points and FMJ one after another And plan was to shoot for bear head at close range, if it comes to that.
Never needed to use it, luckily.
7.62x25 is bottle neck pistol cartridge, and because of small frontal surface area, and higher case capacity then 9x19, makes higher penetration.

On the other hand, my go to 9mm is XDM, striker fired, extremely pleasant to shoot, and very ergonomic. This i had in mind to keep for my old days, unless I get a 45.

 

[Bonk]

I'm more of a hoarder than a collector. I have more rifles than I need in more calibers than I need. I'm going to do what @Bob Nelson 35Whelen did and reduce the number of hunting rifles I own by a significant margin. I can hunt everything I want to hunt with a 30-06. Therefore my .223, 25-06, 7x57, 7x64, 308, 300H&H, 9.3x62, 9.3x74R, 375H&H and 404J rifles are all on the chopping block but I reserve the right to change my mind about one or two of them.

I don't relish having to do it but I know I'll be glad when it's done. Trying to decide what goes and what stays was tough but it had to be done. I'm tired of owning guns I rarely (if ever) use as intended. I like them all but liking them and using them are two different things.

I've also decided I won't be traveling to Africa to hunt. I plan to keep hunting but my hunting will be limited to subsistence hunting in North America. Please don't read into that. It's a personal decision. As I've grown older I tend to look at things a little differently. Neither good nor bad. Just different. This was decision a long time in the making and I know it's the right one for me.