Backup rifle? Always. Lat year my son-in-law did some the last minute sightin/checkout of the backup rifle and he shot it so well he decided to us it instead of his regular rifle.

The year before that I had scope problems, but did not bring a backup. I borrowed the guide's 350 RemMag.

If going on a drop-camp hunt, sometimes it is not possible to take a backup rifle, but that is where you really need one. I have never taken my 44mag revolver but I will from now on.

Backup sandwich? I always take one and backup candy bars also.

Always have a back up. My primary is a scoped fully rifled 1187 and my back up is my 870 smooth bore with iron sights. Got a new ML for Christmas so I'll have a third gun to take along, that will probably be my #1.

If you could see some of the guns that come into my shop that have been dropped, fell out of treestands, been in the vehicle during car wrecks, etc.; you wouldn't hunt five minutes from home without a backup. Even lacking any obvious damage to a rifle, I have seen times where a hunter missed several high percentage shots - didn't really know where the bullet was hitting - and no real opportunity to check zero in the field. Gun changed POI for some reason unknown at the time. Just grab the backup rifle and go.

After much review I purchased my second rifle which might replace or back up my 270. When you go on a paid hunt, I would recommend bringing 2 guns if it is feasible. Some outfitters help in the need.

I love my 270 but broke down and bought a Winchester Model 70 Classic Super Grade III in 300 WSM. Ballistically it out performs the old standby 30-06 which would have been my 3 rd choice behind the 270 WSM.

I think that it is a good idea to have and bring a back-up rifle with you, as you never know what could happen to your primary rifle. I am sure that you would not want to be left with no bang-bang due to some mechanical/accidental incident.

i had one of the screw on my scope base let loose this year on my marlin 336 on the second day of hunting. i also had my t/c encore .280rem at the cabin. i always bring a back up for my hunting equipment now, live and learn. dropped my bino's out of the stand one year. i had to scan the fields with my scope for the rest of the week, what a pia!!. i now bring a second pair of boots too, if they get wet on the inside it's easier to just switch boots than wait for em to dry. i've also busted the blade on my knife trying to split a pelvis, caught my gloves in some wicket briars and tore em, caught my pants on a nail sticking out from a fence post and tore em open pretty good. if what's his face has a problem with having a back up, that's his opinion, everyone is entitled to em. my experience is i like to have a back-up.