BackCountry Vs Mountain Vs Alpine is there a difference?

ShrtRnd

ShrtRnd

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As the off-season/winter approaches, the above question is open for discussion.

Let’s put Calibers, Makes/Brands, Box Stock/Custom builds, Ballistics, etc aside

Is there really a difference between the three monikers in terms of certain specs for each or is it just simply a marketing ploy?

Can one cover all three venues or have we been programmed to the extent that you need one specific for each realm due to its moniker and certain features?

And go..
 
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One thousand percent marketing! I mean yes mountain rifles have been a thing for a long time, where one would carry a lighter rifle usually chambered in a flatterish shooting round, a rifle that would have roped the scale at 7.5lbs scoped and that was with a scope that was most likely a fix 4x lol not a 1.5lbs scope 😜.
I think a hunter can do with out all the hype just get a good rifle that fits you in a chambering that is adequate for all the games you are after and you are golden! For me up here if I had only one gun for everything it would be the 30-06 cause it covers all the minimum requirements and is really versatile.
I know so many hunters up here that only have one rifle and they use it for everything from caribou all the way to moose and bison and will use it up the mountains for sheep and goats. They don’t know there is a need for anything else!!
 
It's marketing hype, gun manufacturers would have everyone thinking they need a different rifle / caliber for every hunting / shooting situation, the world of social media, you tube and podcasts have to have something to talk about it all comes down to splitting hairs, no animal that I have shot in the past 55+ years ever noticed that the bullet had 50 FPS more or shot 1" flatter at 500 yards or came from a rifle that was 6 oz lighter. It is not limited to guns but everything from vehicles to golf clubs to hockey sticks, everything is new and improved.
 
hawk-i said:
Will, I'm not taking a 9+ pound rifle mountain hunting and I'm not taking a sub 5 pound pencil barreled rifle long range varmint hunting but yes one rifle can be used for all types of hunting if you choose to do so.
JMHO
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I think there is a difference between big game, varmint and small game imo. But for all big game you can definitely use one chambering for all and one rifle for all it is just a matter of deciding where you will make that compromise. As for varmint especially ground hog a heavier barreled rifle make sense and a rifle of smaller chambering too!
 
For me its platform is important. As for those specific terms one gun can do it all.. if I'm hunting WT deer in the thick river bottoms I want a different platform than open country MD. Most regular hunting a 8-9lb gun is fine, if I'm 9000ft up I want ultra light...
 
you want a lighter rifle for going up mountains and a shorter rifle for pushing through bush. you want the mountain rifle to shoot further/flatter and manage wind. you want the bush rifle for quicker/shorter shots and to not get too discombobulated by leaves and twigs in the way. both rilfes are for thin skinned critters with bears back of mind, although the bush rifle might also be used against larger charismatic macrofauna.

hard to go wrong with a t3 lite in 30-06 for both. a bit too heavy for the mountains, a bit too long for the bush.
 
All the same. One rifle could very well do everything, Probably at least 20 chamberings that could all accomplish everything needed for a "one gun " for all NA big game as well. But what fun would that be ? Think of all the money ,energy and time saved with one load worked up for one gun and just go shoot stuff.
 
Ya, I figured as much on the marketing aspect.

I couldn’t see any real differences in specs between the three actually. Seems there’s a wide range of barrel profiles, stock options and overall weight of some of the stuff out there these days. I’ve carried everything from 6-1/5 to 10+ lbs over the years with varying degrees of happiness and regrets.

Was just wondering out loud if anyone knew of a definitive difference between the three monikers…
 
Dictionary definition of words is only a suggestion. Peoples origin, life experience and what they have been spoon fed, changes it to their prospective. Backcountry to some city foke is anything with 3 trees and uncut grass, add a squirrel and you have a wildlife adventure. i remember hearing once on the news that there was a (((critical))) shortage of golf courses in vancouver area. Advertisements to sell things are no different than scammers that phone you, using the right words for the right demographics gets the money in their pocket.
 
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ShrtRnd said:
Ya, I figured as much on the marketing aspect.

I couldn’t see any real differences in specs between the three actually. Seems there’s a wide range of barrel profiles, stock options and overall weight of some of the stuff out there these days. I’ve carried everything from 6-1/5 to 10+ lbs over the years with varying degrees of happiness and regrets.

Was just wondering out loud if anyone knew of a definitive difference between the three monikers…
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The question is: If I have a 5.5 pound rifle that doesn’t have any fancy moniker like backcountry, alpine, mountain… will it work? Especially if it’s in a boring cartridge of yesteryears without being magnum
 
As a gun nut, I feel deep urge to have One for each application for no other reason than variety
The marketing thing is real though 1000% , Tikka are leading the way with their new T3 an fancy names, colours , styles and reflecting price. 😝
 
I think there’s alot of people out there counting ounces and trying to trim out too much weight from their shooting platform. It’s probably easier to trim weight out of your pack instead of sacrificing rifle performace.
 
What's the general consensus on what a "Mountain" rifle should weigh these days? I just bought a Sako that comes in at 5.9lbs naked. I assume I'll be in the 7.0-7.5lbs range once it's set up.
 
Bustercluck said:
I think there’s alot of people out there counting ounces and trying to trim out too much weight from their shooting platform. It’s probably easier to trim weight out of your pack instead of sacrificing rifle performace.
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Even better is to trim a bit of weight off our waistlines -- many (not all, but many) of us should probably focus there :)
 
Northern Shooter said:
What's the general consensus on what a "Mountain" rifle should weigh these days? I just bought a Sako that comes in at 5.9lbs naked. I assume I'll be in the 7.0-7.5lbs range once it's set up.
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The rifle is only one piece. I pack a bipod, rangefinder and kestrel as well. Alot of people will tell me I don’t need all of that stuff, but what’s the point in having a lightweight long range gun if you’re not setup to use it?
 
the radium king said:
you want a lighter rifle for going up mountains and a shorter rifle for pushing through bush. you want the mountain rifle to shoot further/flatter and manage wind. you want the bush rifle for quicker/shorter shots and to not get too discombobulated by leaves and twigs in the way. both rilfes are for thin skinned critters with bears back of mind, although the bush rifle might also be used against larger charismatic macrofauna.

hard to go wrong with a t3 lite in 30-06 for both. a bit too heavy for the mountains, a bit too long for the bush.
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I’ve not climbed many mountains where I didn’t have to push through some bush. 3-4 extra pounds in the gun isn’t going to break me, I lift heavy.
 
MRP said:
Backcountry to some city folks is anything with 3 trees and uncut grass, add a squirrel and you have a wildlife adventure.
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How true this is these days…

Northern Shooter said:
What's the general consensus on what a "Mountain" rifle should weigh these days? I just bought a Sako that comes in at 5.9lbs naked. I assume I'll be in the 7.0-7.5lbs range once it's set up.
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It used to be not long ago (10yrs or so), anything in the 6.5-7.5 Lb with a 22-24” pencil barrel SS or blued. Think along the Rem Mtn lineup here, they were probably to some degree the pioneers of Mountain type setup in factory form. There was very little offered in terms of factory UL. Kimbers Mountain Ascent would an example from that time frame.

Now-a-days, it could be something in the 5.5-8.5 Lbs (sans optics and as marketed) with everything from a CF Stock to a Chassis and a Varmint O.D. sized CF wrapped or fluted/spiral barrel… Oh.. and don’t forget the muzzle brake and 5rnd magazine..its gotta have a muzzle brake and magazine <eye roll>

It wasn’t that long ago, people were chastised for carrying a Rem Sendero setup with huge Tact optics up a hill or into the “backcountry”. Now we’re seeing some of the new factory offerings in those weights (9-10 Lbs) and profiles as the new norm for a Mtn/Alpine/BackCountry LR setups, so go figure.

I’ve done the Sendero/Varmint profile setup recently (3 yrs ago?) just to say I’ve tried it and it’s not overly fun tbh. Like, not warm n fuzzy or cake and confetti type of fun folks… Guaranteed I created new & improved expletives getting it in and out of there..

The Sendero/Varmint, new LR Style of setups definitely have some merits to it for that kind of LR work in large open wood cuts here in N Ont and out West, but at 10+ Lbs and 26” of length it’s not that handy getting to those spots. Which is probably why I can’t wrap my head around a Chassis type of setup for here either.

Then again I’ve carried a 9-3/4 bordering on 10Lb Wood Stocked 375 H&H into there before as well so.. I guess it’s all up to user interpretation of whats acceptable or workable in the moment…

All of which kinda led to my question posted here..
 
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