The Benefit of Having a Backup Rifle

If you’re an avid hunter or competition shooter, the benefit of having a backup rifle can provide peace of mind in the event your go-to gun goes down. 

A little while back I climbed in the stand on a sunny afternoon. The temperature was dropping, barometric pressure rising, it was the pre rut. Deer were moving.

But I wasn’t in the stand for just any deer. During the black powder season I had missed a dandy buck; the biggest of my life. And for the entirety of the Tennessee rifle season it was him or tag soup. 

As I settled in, I raised my rifle to test the rest on the ladder stand. That’s when I felt something loose on the gun. And it didn’t take but two seconds to figure out it was the front mount of my rifle scope. I felt sick to my stomach. My thoughts raced. Would it settle back to zero if I retightened it? Or would it be way off?

When I say loose, it was a mere tremor; enough for concern and the thought that maybe it would in fact settle back to zero if I tightened it. My next move was to text Jon LaCorte, co-founder of this very company, to get his thoughts. His immediate response was on point: We owe it to the animal to make sure we don’t risk wounding it. I would not risk it. 

I heeded his advice. Luckily I had a backup rifle back at camp. So I quickly climbed down, went back to camp, switched rifles, and got back into the stand before the deer really started moving. I did not see the big buck I was after that day; that’s not what this story is about. Rather, I’ve been thinking a lot about the benefit of having a backup rifle.

The Benefit of Having a Backup Rifle

If you’re an avid hunter or competition shooter, the benefit of having a backup rifle can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Whether it’s a breakdown, malfunction, or just plain bad luck, your primary firearm could fail at any moment. Having a backup rifle can help you get back in the stand or on target quickly.

Stay in the Game 

The most obvious reason for having a backup rifle is that it provides you with options. In the event that something goes wrong with your primary firearm, you have another one ready to go and won’t be left high and dry in the field or on the range. Had I been without a backup rifle that day, I would have simply turned from hunter to observer. Not a bad thing, but also not my intention either. Mechanical failures and other issues beyond your control happen, plain and simple.

What to Look For in a Backup Rifle

A backup rifle should be reliable, durable, affordable, and ultimately, accurate. You want a gun that won’t let you down when you need it most. Trust me, you don’t realize how badly you need it until you need it. A reliable backup rifle will help ensure that you always have an option when your main gun goes down.

As for accuracy, this means having a quality setup that you spend ample time with at the range. Should something serious happen to your primary rifle, the backup could in essence become your starter for an unforeseen amount of time. Might as well make it an investment you trust and enjoy.

Opt for the Same Caliber

You may consider having a backup rifle that’s the same caliber as your primary. This way you can use the same ammunition for both firearms and not have to worry about keeping additional rounds on hand. It would just be one less thing to worry about. 

Peace of Mind

Speaking of less worry. Having two rifles gives you peace of mind knowing that if anything should happen to number one there’s an ace up your sleeve. Plus, the rifle and scope setup is already purchased, which means you’re not heading to your local outdoor store to buy another one while yours is at the gunsmith should something really catastrophic happen like dropping it from the stand. This allows hunters and shooters of all levels – from beginners to experts – to stay prepared and enjoy their time hunting or shooting rather than worrying about potential problems with their firearms. 

In the event that your primary rifle fails, whatever the reason, having a backup rifle really is essential for all the reasons mentioned above. Taking the time to maintain and plan ahead for it can save you time and money in the future. Having a backup firearm available will also ensure that you are prepared to take full advantage of whatever hunting or shooting opportunity comes your way. Had I not been able to access my backup rifle that day in the deer stand, the stomach ache I initially felt would have been a whole lot worse!