Deer, Elk, Moose Griz 7-08

[sheephunter]

They seem the worst of both worlds.

I agree.....you are still trying to look through a confined space to find the sights...mitigating the advantage of open sights for quick target acquisition and the scope is so freaking high above the barrel or receiver that proper long-range sighting and shooting is imposible.

See-through mounts were popular when hunters first started making the transition from open sights to scopes and when there were very few reliable variable scopes around. I'd venture that you could acquire a moving target much faster in a 3X scope than you could through the confines of see through mounts. Quality variable scopes and now variable scopes with 4x, 6x and even 8x times zoom ranges have made see-through mounts on hunting rifles obsolete. There is a place for open sights but it's not on a 350 yard hunting rifle......ya I know Cat, there are exceptions but for the average shooter this is the case!

 

[Covey Ridge]

I don't see the compromise in wanting an iron sighted rifle that can shoot to 350 yrds, what exactly is it that I am compromising?

With those high mount see through bases, the first thing you compromise is the ability to point and shoot. You may also loose the ability to keep your eye on Griz. and bring your scope to your eye. I do not see the see through mounts as the best of both worlds, but the worst of both. Just my dumb assed opinion.

 

[Covey Ridge]

I don't like looking for moving animals within 50 yrds through a scope,

May I suggest that you practice keeping your eye on the target and bring your low powered scope to your eye?

I am looking at a 340 Weatherby Mag that is in a nice setup

My we are really different! 7-08 to 340 Weatherby Mag, with all those on the list that you do not like between the two?

 

[sealhunter]

I have see thru mounts on my 30/30 and I guess that's how I roll.

Years back I had a screw up hunting with a scope., most likely due to inexperience at the time. A gunsmith told the story to suggested I try these see thru mounts. The scope sits the width of my pinky off the barrel and the tube is the width of my thumb off the receiver. I have used my gun setup this way so often that is just natural for me that I look through the irons at anything within say 60 yrds and anything moving within say 80 yrds.
If at 200 yrds, I use the scope.

On my other rifles I use leupold QR mounts

Scopes
Again, a lot of personal preference comes into play here, as a lot of the big game could well be shot at very close range, ( within 50 yards) and a lot of the plains game may be out to up to 150 yards, I would highly recommend a variable power scope, now a lot of people get into great depth when discussing the type and make of scope, there are three top brands, Zeiss, Swarovski and Leupold, all similar in quality though I hear you say no they are not, actually, a lot of the reliability of a scope comes down to the mounts and these are what are the one consistent failure, with a heavy caliber rifle, the impact on the scope mounts is huge and so nice sold, heavy mounts are a must. If you are intending hunting elephant there is a good chance that you may be shooting at distances within 20 yards and you may prefer a quick release scope mount so that the scope may be removed in this instance.

Based on Nosler's long-standing reputation for producing premium hunting bullets that not only deliver performance on impact, but that are exceedingly accurate, this fine rifle offers a guaranteed accuracy potential of 1/2-inch or better three-shot groups at 100 yards with NoslerCustom 280 Ackley Improved hunting loads with 140 grain Nosler AccuBond® bullets.

The NoslerCustom Rifle is built on a double-square bridge, proprietary design action featuring unique integral scope mount bases that accept Leupold's field proven QR™ (Quick Release) scope rings. Nosler has integrated a 3-position safety design and Timney adjustable trigger set to a crisp, 3 lb. let-off into the action. The rifle's classic lines are enhanced by Ted Blackburn-style, one-piece bottom metal/triggerguard.

Also, for combination hunts, you may want a lower power scope for one type of animal, and more magnification for another. That was the case on a hunt earlier this year where I popped a Russian boar with a 1.5 x 6 x 36 Bushnell Elite 4200, but switched to a Sightron SII 3 x 12 x 42 Mil-Dot for a mouflon that was assuredly going to be longer range. It worked like a charm; the pig is in the freezer, the mouflon on the wall.

I have a Winchester Model 70 very similar to one mentioned earlier. About the only difference is that I have quick release mounts on the Leupold 1.75 x 6 scope. For big game, I think this is a great combination with lots of options. Like the earlier post, I bought mine for an African hunt but it will be with me next fall when I hunt moose in Alaska. I looked at the 1.5 x 5 and chose the 1.75 x 6 because it gave me a little more magnification. I took game in Africa out to 216 yards with no problem.

There are some features that the Winchester has that the browning doesn't (3 position safety). I have a browning Stainless Stalker in 30-06 that I am very fond of. Since I shoot lefty, I have no Remingtons since I refuse to pay double for a left hand bolt!!!!

I doubt that you can go wrong with any of your mentioned rifles in 375 and strongly suggest quick release mounts if you have to finish an animal in near dark.

Anyone who tells you that Quick release mounts are bothersome or not worth the trouble have probably never seen the situation in which they shine. If you are hunting out to 300 yrds and the possibility of a dangerous game defensive, Quick Release mounts and a fixed 4x would be a setup that I'd have confidence in whether hunting and guiding here in Alaska or on the plains of the Dark Continent. Good Luck!"

if I am ever found after struggling with dangerous game, you will find me with an emptied 375 H&H, quick release warne as well as a dead animal. When you don't find a body, you may find a pack with a perfectly good rifle in it though. Get a 375 H&H and Warne or Leupold quick detatch single lever. Have fun

I guess some people really like em, some don't and depending on who you ask.

Me does!!!

Anyhow, back to the calibre. Seems to be a lot of 375 H&H fans out there

 

[Wrong Way]

I gotta go back to the the see-through and/or QR thing.....

Why not look to the military CQB criteria for optics, and pick yourself up a 1X-4.5X variable? A true 1 power scope, due to the focal plane, when used with proper technique (both eyes open) gives a faster target aquisition, a wider fied of view, and higher accuracy.

Leave it at 1X all of the time, if you see something further away, zoom to 4...and 4 is plenty for any/all large game up to 400 IMO.

 

[Covey Ridge]

sealhunter,
After rereading your posts, you seem to be playing a game of pick me a lucky number between 1 and 8 except I don't want 2, 3,4,5, and 6, but 34 might be O.K.

 

[Covey Ridge]

but maybe I should look at 37?

 

[sheephunter]

Sorry for the confusion....I thought you were hunting elk and moose not following up wounded elephants and cape buffalo on the Dark Continent......

No doubt that QD rings have their place but I just don't see it on an elk rifle where you keep taking the scope on and off as you walk from meadow to cover and back to meadow but knock yourself out............

Maybe you could find the ultimate set up....QD see-through mounts?????

 

[sealhunter]

May I suggest that you practice keeping your eye on the target and bring your low powered scope to your eye?



My we are really different! 7-08 to 340 Weatherby Mag, with all those on the list that you do not like between the two?

Yes I do have different things I am interested in.
I hate 20 gauges, and would trade a good 12 for a good 16 any day.

I had a 223 wssm that was simply amazing but will never own a 223 that is not wssm.

You may also be surprised that I will be shooting a 6mm Freres Magnum pretty soon with the hope/opportunity to purchase.

Once again, my hunting style and equipment may not be everyones choice, but it has certainly served me well, and who wants what everyone else uses.

 

[sheephunter]

I gotta go back to the the see-through and/or QR thing.....

Why not look to the military CQB criteria for optics, and pick yourself up a 1X-4.5X variable? A true 1 power scope, due to the focal plane, when used with proper technique (both eyes open) gives a faster target aquisition, a wider fied of view, and higher accuracy.

Leave it at 1X all of the time, if you see something further away, zoom to 4...and 4 is plenty for any/all large game up to 400 IMO.

Actually, with some of the new scopes like the Z6 and 6500, you can get a much wider zoom range than conventional rifle scopes and still get all the advantages of a low-power and high-power rifle scope. The guys in Africa are buying these 6x zoom range scopes like crazy for that exact reason.....plenty of FOV when needed and plenty of magnigfication for the longer stuff.

 

[sheephunter]

I have used my gun setup this way so often that is just natural for me that I look through the irons at anything within say 60 yrds and anything moving within say 80 yrds.

You faced many charging bears with it?

 

[sealhunter]

I gotta go back to the the see-through and/or QR thing.....

Why not look to the military CQB criteria for optics, and pick yourself up a 1X-4.5X variable? A true 1 power scope, due to the focal plane, when used with proper technique (both eyes open) gives a faster target aquisition, a wider fied of view, and higher accuracy.

Leave it at 1X all of the time, if you see something further away, zoom to 4...and 4 is plenty for any/all large game up to 400 IMO.

That had never occurred to me.

 

[sealhunter]

You faced many charging bears with it?

I have practiced on setup charges with it.

 

[Covey Ridge]

Yes I do have different things I am interested in.
I hate 20 gauges, and would trade a good 12 for a good 16 any day.

I had a 223 wssm that was simply amazing but will never own a 223 that is not wssm.

I can see you have given this some rational thought.

You may also be surprised that I will be shooting a 6mm Freres Magnum pretty soon with the hope/opportunity to purchase.

Nothing surprises me, sealhunter

 

[sealhunter]

Sorry for the confusion....I thought you were hunting elk and moose not following up wounded elephants and cape buffalo on the Dark Continent......

No doubt that QD rings have their place but I just don't see it on an elk rifle where you keep taking the scope on and off as you walk from meadow to cover and back to meadow but knock yourself out............

Maybe you could find the ultimate set up....QD see-through mounts?????

No worries Sheephunter.

I am actually hunting Elk and Moose, same as some other guys who responded. Some did indeed mention the Dark continent,.. funny thing, some mentioned you as well...

 

[sealhunter]

I can see you have given this some rational thought.



Nothing surprises me, sealhunter

Rational thought only applies to my setup and what works best for me.
My not wanting a 300 mag is not based at all in rationality, I just don't want one. I would look at something similar, but not a 300 mag or a 30/06 or .308
It's just me. Some people puked at my 223wssm while they shot beside me with their 220 swift. That's OK. (I did have a 220 once swift though, I am not that foolish)

 

[sheephunter]

I am actually hunting Elk and Moose, same as some other guys who responded. Some did indeed mention the Dark continent,.. funny thing, some mentioned you as well...

Seal, what did you expect....you come here saying you want the perfect moose/elk/grizzly stopping tranformer gun somewhere between 7mm-08 and 375 but no 300s and you don't think people are going to have a little fun with it......relax man...it's the interweb!

 

[sealhunter]

Seal, what did you expect....you come here saying you want the perfect moose/elk/grizzly stopping tranformer gun somewhere between 7mm-08 and 375 but no 300s and you don't think people are going to have a little fun with it......relax man...it's the interweb!

I totally expect it,...

I didn't purposely out you...

I originally thought 7mm 08 was going to be the ticket. I had read some very positive feedback on it in regards to performance on Elk and Moose and Deer and Black Bear.
I then read some not so good feedback. The rifle itself, is just a "must have" in it's configuration, supposing I use it as a deer/antelope gun, ... I was interested in finding out oppinions on it as a Moose Elk Bear gun, and possible defense gun should the remote occur.

Everyone I know and their dog has a 300 win mag in a synthetic stock and evryone else has one in wood or laminate. That is just not for me.
I don't like the most common gun in the field.
If you guys honestly think that a 300 or the few I excluded are my only reliable options, then perhaps I will pass and stick to what I use now, or maybe find something a little bit different in one of the calibres I have excluded.

Open sights are a must, as are quick detatch mounts. I will chnage my mind on claibre before I will ever change my mind on the setup I use.

 

[7mmlefty]

I think it was Sheep hunter who said .338.

If I lived anywhere near Alberta or BC, I'd certainly own one for all that big game out there.

Dont like bear hunting, cause I dont eat it.

For self defense on a charging one, I think point blank shooting is required with sights or scope not required cause you'll be shoving that muzzle down it's throat or up it's as.k me where.. specially if I'm on the menu

For now a 243 to 308 works fine for me.

Never use them cheap see through scope rings. They will most likely let you down when you need that scope the most.

 

[sheephunter]

I guess the bearanoia on here should quit surprising me but you seemed to take it to a new level when talking about taking a scope on and off as you walked along depending on the cover.....I guess it's not for me to judge if it makes you feel more secure out there but you have to admit, that did take things to a new level. I truly thought you were kidding. I've just spent way too much time around bears to worry that much about them but for others that haven't, going to extremes like you are suggesting might seem rational and each to their own.

I still say see-through mounts are junk on a rifle that might see a 350 yard shot and is primairily a hunting rifle....actually they are pretty well junk on any rifle for the reasons outlined by several in this thread but I'm glad they seem to work for you. However, should you ever find yourself in a real bear charge, I doubt that you'd be so high on them. Looking through the tiny confines of the hole in the mount to the sights on the gun is definitely not conducive to quick sight acquisition. If you feel QD rings offer you an advantage, I'm not about to argue but I know they wouldn't offer me one and I was just pointing that out when you suggested they would. If you want to use them.....go right ahead.

Going back to the original question....I still say .375 Ruger as you seem to want to be outside the box. The .375 H&H is like a belly button....everyone has one.....