I know the true answer is "you can never have enough rifles", but what do you all feel is the best way to excel within one's personal limitations, running one rifle for each class on match day, taking advantage of the "edges" a Standard rifle can give, or just run the best Hunter class gun you can for both classes?

I've heard both ways and thought a poll would be interesting.........

If there is an edge to using the 'standard' rifle setup it is very small. Just compare the top ten scores from the most recent Nationals in Master & AAA classes between Std & Hunter. My unscientific polls that I took at the past few Nationals show that about 35% of the competitors are shooting one gun in both classes. This percentage would probably be higher but because people have the heavy gun they are still shooting it. You don’t hear of many people building up new heavy guns as much as you do single purpose guns. You can read all the post and pictures of Pharr / Evellio guns.
ppkny

ppkny wrote:If there is an edge to using the 'standard' rifle setup it is very small. Just compare the top ten scores from the most recent Nationals in Master & AAA classes between Std & Hunter. My unscientific polls that I took at the past few Nationals show that about 35% of the competitors are shooting one gun in both classes. This percentage would probably be higher but because people have the heavy gun they are still shooting it. You don’t hear of many people building up new heavy guns as much as you do single purpose guns. You can read all the post and pictures of Pharr / Evellio guns.
ppkny

Pete, I'm shocked you didn't mention that you were a 'trend setter' and ahead of the curve on this move.

I went to the 2 gun set up...1 big bore 1 small bore...makes for better travel 2 guns to lug vs 4....big diffrence.

malinois wrote:I went to the 2 gun set up...1 big bore 1 small bore...makes for better travel 2 guns to lug vs 4....big diffrence.

Sure does make life a lot easier doesn't it, ammo wise also.

One each, for HP & SB. Set up the same as close as possible. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

xpilot wrote:One each, for HP & SB. Set up the same as close as possible. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

Like this?


Even though I posted the poll, I believe I know deep down that what you say is the best bet, and I guess I'm just trying to justify to myself keeping my 64MSR. I could probably sell it to a certain tall skinny guy, but then he'd probably start beating me, and I don't know if I could stand that!
Last Saturday, I shot both for the first time and my standard got got me two less animals than my hunter gun, and I did lose one shot to pulling through the lighter trigger.

Then again, if I sell the MSR, there is that issue of being able to get the trigger on the HP rifle to match the 1712's...........

I have shot one gun for many years...this is a change that should have been done a long time ago.
C-Ya,
Charlie

sobrbiker, I tried to sell my 64MSR at the last nationals at Ridgway. Priced to sell at $600 no takers.
ppkny

Of course noone would buy it at Nationals. Don't you know that weak 64 action isn't worth nothing!!

I wouldn't let mine go for less than $800-I guess I'll have it for a while

IMO it's a shame that hunter has evolved so close to standard. I'd prefer 2 distinct classes, but based on today's rules I'd go with one gun

Ken

It's not the Rifle, its the match. Its like golf, the pro course against the club course. They use the same clubs and balls. Par for the course is different. Master Hunter rifle = 32/40. Master Small bore rifle (Standard/Heavy) =34/40.

I started my silhouette career in 1982. In the early years I was mainly a HP shooter, but I did eventually get into SB. I never did initally like to shoot hunter rifle, just didn't care for it for no particular reason. Eventually I did get a HPHR and SBHR and started to compete with them on a regular basis. I figured as long as I was there for the day, I might as well make the most of it. My hunter scores were mediocor at best, hovering in the top of AA while in Hp I am a solid AAA shooter and Master in SB.
In 2006, I purchased a 1710D ( I shoot it stock as from the factory )and before long I was shooting in AAA and have shot some master scores, but I haven't put them all together to move up yet. I also built a new HPHR in .260 with a #5 Krieger barrel slapped in a Nesika stock. LAst year right before nationals I moved up to Master. Also last year I went the one gun route. I tried it throught the nationals at Ridgway. I discovered I missed shooting my McMillan Anschutz stocked 700 and also my 54 MS I have had since 1984. Before the Pa. state matches I started shooting two guns again and my scores with all four guns went up.
I will go on record that I did not personally favor the HR rule changes; but as a match director they definately make things easier to sort out when certifying guns at a match. We have had this rules package now for quite a few years and I don't see any problems or need to change anything. Also if you want to shot I gun twice no one is going to stop you. Just remember there are still a lot of people shooting two in matches and that is there perogative also.
Having been around in this sport for so long I miss the old days of gun racks full of all sorts of cobbled up ugly STD rifles. Back then it didn't matter what they looked like as long as you could shoot em'. We have evolved into the Nascar like "one template fits all "era especially in HR. Oh well at least there are different colors. Al

If 35% were shooting one rifle for both classes, then that means that 65% were still shooting two rifles. That's basically a 1/3 to 2/3 ratio, which to me means that the standard rifle is still very much alive and well. I think we're trying to find a solution to a non-existant problem.