Three calibers in one gun?

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NavyGuy

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I recently had the idea to make two custom rifles for my two sons. At first I was wrapped around the idea of using Mauser actions. I got one and didn't have the heart to chop it up, it's in the safe now. So for the last few days I've been looking for a economical/accurate action to build a rifle around. In my quest I came across some interesting finds.

Let's start with the action. I could use a Stevens 200 (same as a Savage 110)

http://www.benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48943

for about $200

Or I could opt for the the Savage Precision Target Action for about $400

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2007/03/26/first-report-on-savage-target-action/

I looked at several different barrels before I came across this...

http://www.lprgunsmith.com/lpr_switch_rifle.htm

I thought this would be awesome! I could give my boys three popular calibers in one rifle, custom built by Dad. Just throw a stock on, and a nice trigger and end up with something like this.

http://accurateshooter.net/GOTW/strikerrifle308x580.jpg

Where I get confused is the selection of calibers. They would have to be close as far as length right? Does anything have to be done to the internals of the action or is everthing done in the barrel alone. I wouldn't think all magazines are the same size. Ideally I'd like to give them a 30-06, .308, and a 25-06. Let me know what you think.
 
You have to decide whether you want short action calibers or long action. SA is 308 case based such as 243, 260, 7mm-08 & 308. SA could also include 22-250. LA is '06 based like 25-06, 270, 280, 30-06,& 35 Whelen. All use the same bolt face size and you just screw a barrel on.

NCsmitty
 
I'd say go with #1 25-06, #2 270, 280, or 30-06 and #3 35 whelen

I don't think there is a ton of difference between 25-06 and 270, and 280 ammo isn't that common, so I'd suggest 30-06 for #2

On the other hand if you handload, grab the 6mm-06 for barrel #1 and then for #2 30-06 and then for #3 375 Whelen

That way no matter what you can always put on barrel #2 and use local ammo, but #1 in 6mm-06 for prairiedog, coyote, wolf, pronghorn, and the like, then in thick cover elk hunting, or moose, or whitetail hunting in grizz territory, you screw on the 375 whelen and can really knock em dead
 
The long action will handle short cartridges, like .308. The chambers and bores are pecular to each barrel. .308 & the .30-06 family all have the same case head/bolt face diameter.

Magazines? Hhhmmm, not sure. I think a controlled-feed such as a Mauser action would pretty much feed any "reasonable" sized cartridge!?!?

Don't think it's quite as simple as "screwing on a barrel; have to consider headspace, carefully! The Savage/Stevens may have a system that takes that into account with their locking nut, etc. Dunno!

Have fun. Make one for me if you need one to experiment on, .243, 7mm-08, whatever!


Stay safe.
Bob
 
Hey!

I've thought about multi-platform guns before myself, but anymore I try to balance practicality vs. cost (vs. cool-factor). In this case, I don't think I'd go to the trouble to give them a .308 and a .30-'06 as one is almost, practically, the same as the other. If you think they could use a .30-'06 (and most everyone should have something along those lines) then give them that. But an '06 makes the .308 barrel completely redundant. The '06 can be loaded to do anything the .308 can do, and the .308 can be loaded to do at least 3/4s of what the '06 can do. Who would ever bother to switch barrels between those two?

Further, there is so VERY much overlap between the useful capabilities of a great many cartridges considered decent "deer guns" that I'd pick something in the middle ('06 would be fine) and then try to push the limits of the other cartridges as far from that middle ground as possible.

For example, you could certainly go as small as a .243 (and probably to something even smaller, but I really don't know which other smallbore cartridges share case-heads) to give them a reasonably capable varmint and small predator gun. That would offer distinct advantages of lower recoil/cost/better performance on small game over the '06. Heavy varmint barrel for this one.

On the other end, (and as others have mentioned) you could go about as far as the .375 Whelen (.375-'06) and they'd have a real thumper capable of taking large bears, moose, or whatever else they might reasonably hunt (or face accidentally) in this country. (And most others.) I'd make this one a short barrel of medium weight so as to make the gun easily packable in rough terrain.

Now for the contrary arguments:

1) The stock you choose may not be optimal for use in all of the different scenarios your choice of calibers might indicate. This might be a big deal, or not, but a heavy laminated prone stock for a varmint rifle might not be quite the same thing as a classic deer stand stock or a light, synthetic, packing stock on a bear-defense rifle. If that stock is floated closely to the heavy varmint barrel, then a lighter barrel is going to swim in the channel. Not a physical problem but awkward looking. Also, what kind of steel? Stainless for the rough-conditions big gun, but blued for the deer rifle? Gotta choose one for the action. Three rifles, purpose built to do their specific tasks, will be better than one trying to do all three.

2) The small- and medium- caliber barrels will get some use. The big-bore probably will get very little. Very, VERY few folks around most of the lower 48 states ever need such a thing, and it won't be much of a range plinker. You're going to spend a decent chunk of cash for that 3rd barrel that may never actually be mounted in the action again. Is the idea as cool if you're just swapping between two calibers, or does it really need three to flesh out the concept?

3) How dedicated to this idea are your boys going to be? Ironically, the most treasured gifts/heirlooms are often simple things. I can imagine most sons cherishing and passing down to their sons the gun that grandpa built.
On the other hand, the more bits and pieces of complexity (barrels, tools, extra stocks, instructions, box to carry it all, load data, etc.) that have to accompany the gift as it is maintained in perpetuity, the more of such stuff will eventually be lost.

I deal with a lot of antique tools and mechanical things and it is VERY rare that I hear of a "system" being preserved entire. Far, far more common is the story that goes:

"This tool set was my grandfathers. I can remember when all these little slots in the box had a matching widget that fit in there. Seems there's a couple of them left. And there was an instruction book that explained how to use it. I think cousin Eddie took that out in '64 or '65...must never have put it back. And it used to have a neat little thing that made a cool noise. Last time I remember seeing that it was under the workbench...but that was before the flood of '74. Hmmm... Well, it's a nice box, anyhow!" :(

All this to say, it is a cool project. It's just not quite as practical as a Swiss Army knife. If you can answer or deal with each of those points, and can do it without breaking the bank, go for it! I'd personally be quite honored to be the recipient of such a gift.

-Sam
 
These are a lot of valid points, ironically I have addressed most of them in my head, just wasn't enough time to write it all out at the time.

Where I was really hung up was the long action vs the short action. I was always told that was just the throw of the bolt. Which is true because longer cartridges would have a longer throw.

Now for the calibers. You hit the nail on the head. I would like to include a varmint round, deer round, and a big game round. I just don't know what calibers would fit the bill, or the chamber. In my first post I mentioned 30-06, .308 and a 25-06. But after thinking a little more I think I would choose the 25-06, .308, and something like a 7mm, or...something (suggestions welcome here). I was just throwing three general calibers out there. I want to buy ammo anywhere for this gun, I don't know if my boys will get into reloading or not.

Now for the other areas...have you seen the new remington rifle? It looks like something out of Star Wars, futuristic and ugly if you ask me. The name is pretty silly too, model 700 VTR (Varmint Tactical Rifle). I think the concept is right inline with I'm wanting to do, mine will just be classier.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_vtr.asp
Loaded in a .308 there couldn't be a more versatile rifle. It looks like it would function across the board real good, but not the best at any one. Light stock, bull barrel, two swivels up front for a bipod and a/or sling. Just a little too Tact-a-cool for me.

So...The barrels on my gun would all have to be the same for uniformity in the stock. I would choose stainless with a diameter between a competition bull barrel and a light sporter. Not too long, not too short. Probably 24".

For the stock, I think a good all round stock would be something like a Monte Carlo. Laminated for durability, and strength. I've seen them on everything from competition, to tactical, to well...OK, I've never seen one on a sporter, but it's not that different.

The rifle would lean a little heavy for a sporter, and little light for a benchrest, but It shouldn't be by a lot. It would have a Timney trigger, free floated barrel, and a bedded action. For a scope I'd put on a Leupold VXlll 4.5x14.

As far as pieces and accessories goes, I'd build a gun case with foam cutouts for everything. It really wouldn't be much, go/no-go gauges for headspace, wrench, two barrels plus the one on the gun and that's it. Wood would be stained to match the rifle, and I'd have something embedded in the stock out of brass with engraving for my sons. I think it would be an heirloom they would never loose a piece to. I know how much time and money would go into a project like this but that's what would make it special. (Try not to cry now, we are all men on a manly website)

What do you think? Please shoot holes in all my theories. I'd rather have them shot down on the drawing board than $1500 into it.
 
Hey!

Well, you're certainly thinking the right things and the project sounds very cool!

I'd reiterate my comment on "most deer guns" though and say, the .257s, 7mms, .270s, .280s, right up to the .308, .30-'06, etc.,etc. .... etc. all do pretty much the same thing. Not to say there aren't significant differences in how those cartridges perform or how gentle/stout they are to shoot, but really, they all fit into a mid-range class. I don't think I'd take the time to swap out the '06 barrel for a 7mm barrel for almost anything that I wouldn't rather use a .243 for.

I mean, a lot of deer are shot with a .243. And a lot are shot with a .30-'06. There doesn't seem to be a pressing need to have something in between the two. Unless you just really like the 7mm or something. But, if so, there are a lot of coyotes sent off to varmint heaven with a 7mm. What do you need the .243 for?

Hmmm... what about picking three that are really different? Like a subsonic with a supressor, a mid-range cartridge like the 7mm, and a .300 Win mag, .35 Whelen or other big boy. Then you've got three distinctly different rifles.

As for the action lengths...shorter actions are inherently stiffer and therefor theoretically have more accuracy potential. But not enough for most sportsmen to ever even think about. A short action is going to limit your choices for cartridges. A mauser-style controlled feed action may handle the different cartridge lengths more gracefully than a push-feed (like a Rem. or Savage) but they'll all probably work fine.

Just throwing some ideas around!

Please keep us posted on the project!

-Sam
 
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