Back up hunting rifle

[longknife12]

I always carry a spare.....usually take 270 and 06.....which one I use just depends on mood. Long ways back into the brush...
Dan

 

[buck460XVR]

With glass and mount it will weigh 10 lbs, or close to it. I'd carry that much if it offered any real advantage, but a 10 lb rifle with a stubby 16" barrel is just dead weight. You can carry a 6 lb rifle with a full length, far more accurate barrel and be much better off. But if the SR762 were the only option, I'd use it before I'd stay at home.

I own several rifles, never given any thought to having one setup specifically as a back-up, but usually take 2 when traveling any distance to hunt. Stuff happens.

I rarely use a spare tire either, but keep one.

Many times the spare tho is not the same high performance tire that's on the vehicle. Many times it's one of those "not over 50 mph" space saving donuts. Not the idea tire, but enough to get you home. That's why my comment about "why not the Ruger SR762?". Sure it may not be not the ultimate mountain gun, but for the one day in a million that one might need it, it would work. Remember, the OP said he did not foresee hunting anything other than deer and coyotes. Altho, the SR762 in .308, would still be plenty for elk, antelope and black bear. Would I go halfway across the world on a once in a lifetime hunt and not take a appropriate spare? No. But I certainly would not invest a thousand dollars for a backup gun just in case my everyday hunter goes down, just to hunt down the road in state. Seems this is what the OP is asking about. Especially since he has two other firearms that would suffice. Many folks go their whole lifetime hunting deer with the same one firearm. Many times it's the same firearm that dad and grandpa used. Probably a ton of folks out there that would love the opportunity to hunt deer with a 10# SR762 with good glass as opposed to the iron sighted Mil-Surp or smoothbore slug gun with a simple bead for a sight that they have now.