New nicer rifle or 2 matching lower cost rifles (Practice vs Equipment?)

[NJDiverDan]

So in reading the Practice vs. Equipment thread it really got me thinking.

Even though I am primarily an archery hunter, I want to seriously expand my trigger time and improve my rifle shooting. I was planning on treating myself to a new rifle and was looking hard at a Christensen Ridgeline, likely in .280 AI (currently have an older Savage 111 in 7 mm Mag).

Would it make more sense to buy a pair of matched rifles (Savage or Tikka) in the $600-800 range, one in .223 the other in .280 or 7 mm Mag for more identical practice? The only bolt guns I have presently are a Savage 22-250, a Ruger 77/17 and the aforementioned Savage 7mm. I am guessing trigger time with any rifle would provide an significant overall improvement in my rifle skills? But it seems having 2 nearly identical rifles would really enforce the repeatability of cheek weld, alignment, etc (thinking archery with constant and consistent anchor points) vs. moving between different platforms?

Appreciate all the insights?

 

[DangerRanger]

I would take 2 tikkas over a ridgeline

 

[willfrye027]

I’d get two tikkas again in a heartbeat. I’ve got a t1x matched up with my 30-06. .223 would be a more realistic “trainer”, but I get in a ton of shooting because my .22lr is so cheap easy and fun to shoot. It’s a little better for where I live with a decent amount of houses around I don’t like to shoot centerfire every day. I have two swfa 3-9s on them so I get practice dialing quickly with the same scope.

 

[JollyRoger]

I did this with Tikkas. A T1X, a 223, a 6.5, and a 7mag (it doesn’t get shot very often now).

It’s been great honestly and covers anything and everything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[backcountry_hunter]

I would take 2 tikkas over a ridgeline

I'd probably take 1 tikka over a ridgeline

 

[wildcat33]

Im doing tikka in 22lr & 223. Seriously considering adding 270wsm to the lineup

 

[Middleofnowhere]

A short action in a .308 Win or 6.5 mm will do everything in North America and be packable with shorter barrel. A long action in 7mm or any of the fast 30’s will do too.
Personally I prefer to buy American whenever I can, so I wouldn’t consider an X-Bolt or Tikka.

 

[Monty3006]

Best thing I’ve done for my shooting ability was getting a .223.

 

[Blaw]

sold it all for a tikka 223 and 6.5creed

my 22 is still a savage MkII.....I'm sorry rokslide I will change that soon enough! don't ban me!

 

[JPeters218]

I’m kind of doing this same thing right now. Not so much a trainer rifle but I’m getting a savage ultralite 30-06 and a savage lightweight storm in 25-06.
like I said not a trainer, but the same stock and scope so the shouldering will be the same