Gun Consolidation Help

[ShakoMako]

I’ve gone through similar cyclic expansion and contraction, Optimization etc of my humble gun collection both pistols and rifles over the years. Settled on 22Lr, .223/5.56, 6.5 cm and 308 (keeping 308 as a somewhat sentimental rifle). In your case I’d vote 223 for cheap trainer, 6 ARC, 270 WSM, and call it good. 4th place would be 6CM.

 

[UnckleBob]

Fellow Roksliders I need your thoughts and opinions, and I’ll take them all! I’ve hit that stage in life where I’m trying to consolidate many aspects of my life, including my gun collection. I’ve got more guns than I can shoot, and it’s time I consolidate down to just a few. Half the time I go to the gun safe, I’m not sure which gun to even grab as they all seem to have overlap. So I need opinions from all of you on which guns you would move on to new homes. I hate to sell guns, but I also can’t justify all of them sitting in the safe never getting used (and my kids/wife don’t enjoy it), and I’d rather use the money for more ammo, more hunts, other things in life. I hunt deer, elk, bear, antelope, predators, anywhere from 10 yards to 800 yards (longest so far, anyway). Elevation from sea level to 12,000ft. Sometimes it’s a backpack hunt, but often it’s base camp based. All of them are suppressed and all have quality optics (passed the drop test), good stocks, so those aren’t a deciding factor. I also don’t want to reload (lack of time) so I’ll post what I’m currently shooting with it. Two of the guns I do reload for, but I have enough of those to last for quite some time, and by then I’ll try and find somebody to do it for me... I hope this isn’t just the winter blues making me want to do this. Anyway, please share which you would keep and which you would move on from, and why. Thanks to all!

- 223 Tikka - 54gr VMAX (8.5lbs)
- 22CM Tikka - 80gr ELDM (8.5 lbs)
- 6 ARC Howa Mini Customized - 108gr ELDM (6lbs)
- 6 CM Tikka (XLR Chassis) - 108gr ELDM - (9lbs)
- 6.5 PRC Tikka (HNT26 Chassis - 147gr ELDM (8lbs)
- 270 WSM Browning - 145gr ELDX (9.5lbs) - Only gun I’ve ever received from my dad so likely won’t leave my possession ever.
- 280AI Kimber Mtn Ascent - 160gr Accubond (7.5lbs)
- 280AI Custom - 175gr Berger Elite Hunter (9lbs)
- 300WM Fierce Firearms - 200 TA (9.5lbs)

Sorry for the long post, but would love to hear others thoughts as I look to people I respect for help in my thought processes! With all of this, if you think I should I should create this as a poll, I’m happy to do that as well. Thanks again!!!!!!!

Keep the following:
223 Tikka - 54gr VMAX (8.5lbs)
- 22CM Tikka - 80gr ELDM (8.5 lbs) in the Hunt26 Chassis.
- 6 ARC Howa Mini Customized - 108gr ELDM (6lbs)
- 270 WSM Browning - 145gr ELDX (9.5lbs) - Only gun I’ve ever received from my dad so likely won’t leave my possession ever.
- 280AI Kimber Mtn Ascent - 160gr Accubond (7.5lbs)

 

[Marbles]

The 223 is blued, threaded, and suppressed. And it is just a trainer, using pretty light bullets. I was using the 54gr VMAX because of the twist rate. I had been using the 22CM for the "small killing" and step up because of the barrel twist, inability to shoot heavy for calibers, and my lack of desire to reload heavy for caliber 223. Again, justifying extra guns...

Yeah, if you want a 223, probably cheaper to sell your current one and buy another, rather than rebarrel.

Threaded 20" barrel

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-ranahan-223-rem-20-17-bbl-roughtech-tan-blued-3rd-ranch-rifle-jrtxwv31220

 

[passinggas33]

For those that are suggesting keeping/rebarreling the 223, does the lack of reloading and shooting the “heavies” change the

 

[Marbles]

For those that are suggesting keeping/rebarreling the 223, does the lack of reloading and shooting the “heavies” change the

Really depends. You can get factory loaded 77 TMKs and 75 or 77 gr OTMs, so the lack of reloading, no. It really hinges on if you are content with the lighter loads, which the purchase of the 22 Creedmoor suggest not. Of course, a 223 loaded heavy is still far from 22 Creedmoor performance.

 

[43.6N]

For those that are suggesting keeping/rebarreling the 223, does the lack of reloading and shooting the “heavies” change the

I think I can infer that You saw enough of a hole in your lineup to build the 22 creed.

I know I would appreciate the versatility to be able to shoot the heavies (but only if keeping the 223 to begin with). But if you’re going to choose the 6ARC to fill the trainer role, the point is mute.

-So if keeping 223 but not 6ARC. Yes rebarrel/buy fast twist 223.
-if keeping both: No change needed, but might be redundant.
-if only keeping 6ARC: don’t worry about it, and source your preferred ammo.

 

[KenLee]

I am pretty recoil sensitive (aka a sissy), so I really don’t enjoy shooting the 270WSM. I feel like it’s got quite a bit of “snap” to it, if that makes sense. I actually enjoy shooting my 280AI more than it, so it often just sits in the safe and reminds me of the old man.

Limbsaver model 10002 recoil pad for the a-bolt. You'll notice the difference.

 

[robtattoo]

Really depends. You can get factory loaded 77 TMKs and 75 or 77 gr OTMs, so the lack of reloading, no. It really hinges on if you are content with the lighter loads, which the purchase of the 22 Creedmoor suggest not. Of course, a 223 loaded heavy is still far from 22 Creedmoor performance.

If he keeps the .22 CM, he's going to end up rebarreling it anyway, once the throat is gone. Personally, I don't believe the 22 Creed does anything that the .223 can't, at honest hunting ranges. Plus the ammo is waaaay cheaper & the barrel will last forever.