Barrel length in a mountain rifle

Gatehouse said:
It's been a year and I stil haven't changed my mind.
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Ditto! I was about to hit reply when I saw that I'd already done that, last December. And other than the fact that I've owned that sheep rifle a year longer, there's not a single word in the post I'd change.

I've either learned what I like in a mountain rifle, or else I'm a slow learner! :D
 
i have a 2506 tikka t3 . it has a 20 inch barrel. i like that shorter barrel on it .im still getting over 2900 to 3000 fps .with my 120 speer bullets.
 
Try this; short action, (blind mag.) favorable expansion ratio for caliber choice and anything from a 21" to 22" bbl.
Balance can be manipulated through stock design and, barrel contour and fluting.(but it is a consideration)

Consider an honest to gawd fiberglass or fiberglass/kevlar stock (not injection molded tupperware)
Tally LW rings and Bases, and a Leupold ultralite scope.

A rifle in this criteria will likely be based on a 308Win case ie. 7mm-08, or maybe be a 284Win.

All up, I'd suspect you could be set up ready to hunt with 3 or 4 rounds in the rifle and a sling and weigh in about 7lbs even.

As for the short vs. long barrel and accuracy, it aint no big deal, pick a smith who knows how to chamber thread and crown.
 
Have you given any consideration to the type of terrain you will be traveling through. I would think that crossing, climbing and desending very steep slopes (either in Ontario or B.C.) would require you to use both hands, so the rifle is slung over your shoulder. While slung a shorter barrel is a better thing, as it won't get ground into the rock face. I dont think the muzzle should be above the top of your head for a mountain rifle for climbing reasons. Check out the length of Austrian "mountain rifles", I think most are shorter barrels and length. accurcy at typical distances will be similar
 
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Here is the 700BDL 30/06 I put together to use as my "all round" gun including mountain rifle, it has a 24" barrel and weighs 8lbs as pictured. a bit heavy and long to take on a serious hike in hunt.?

The other is my most recent purchase of model 7 in 308 which I have fallen in love with.Its getting a 4x40 Scopechief and loaded with 180gr ammo to be my bush gun.

so my dilema now is thinking I should maybe sell the 700 and get another 7 as my "hike in" rifle. I was looking at the model seven xcr in 300wsm with 22" barrel...nice! I think this may be the perfect mountain rifle topped with a leupold vxll 3-9x40LR .I only worry that I will miss the 700 which I havent even shot yet. choices choices...what would you do?
if I dont swap the 700 I may get 2" cut off the barrel and then fluted to make it more what I want.
 
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xcaribooer said:
The other is my most recent purchase of model 7 in 308 which I have fallen in love with.Its getting a 4x40 Scopechief and loaded with 180gr ammo to be my bush gun.
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I too have fallen in love with a Mod 7 .308. although mine is SS/lam. 7lbs all up scoped ( leupold 2-7x33 in talleys) with a clean 20" pipe. it's a little butt heavy, but fantastic for all-day walking hunts. it saw a little time in the mountains this fall, but I hope to give it serious trials next fall work permiting.

Mountain rifles are what ever you're willing to carry. me, I like light, compact rifles. other then that, it really doesn't matter...


( I love mountain rifle threads. they are always dominated by the alpine hunters of the east)
 
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I was hunting once and suddenly realised I was in the mountains, with a rifle. But...I wasn't sure if it was a mountain rifle so I left. Probably avoided some serious embarassment there.
 
'Boo said:
Not at all. That would be a nice rig to hike along the fir slopes around here. If you plan on hunting the real heavy bush that M7 would be perfect.
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you are probally right about that Boo. I am going to try it (the 700)on a 3 day hike in hunt this sept and see if weight is an issue.
I am saving for a fly in up in northern BC next year and want everything to be perfect.

I may still get the barrel shortened to 22" and then fluted.
 
xcaribooer said:
you are probally right about that Boo. I am going to try it (the 700)on a 3 day hike in hunt this sept and see if weight is an issue.
I am saving for a fly in up in northern BC next year and want everything to be perfect.

I may still get the barrel shortened to 22" and then fluted.
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I've packed 8 pound plus rifles around the mountains for the past 25 years and I've always cursed the weight of the rifle but I'm not sure I'd have cursed a seven pound rifle any less. I finally broke down and got a sub seven pound rifle this week so I'll let you know after the fall is over...lol

Any rifle can be a mountain rifle and long before weight becomes a factor, accuracy and durability enter the equation. The 700 will do the job just fine and if you find you really want to seriously hunt the mountains, then a new rifle might be in the cards down the road. Right now I'd be far more concerned about clothing, boots, tents, packs, cooking gear, food, etc. Spend your money where it matters most and get by with the quality gear you have already.
 
sheephunter said:
I've packed 8 pound plus rifles around the mountains for the past 25 years and I've always cursed the weight of the rifle but I'm not sure I'd have cursed a seven pound rifle any less. I finally broke down and got a sub seven pound rifle this week so I'll let you know after the fall is over...lol

Any rifle can be a mountain rifle and long before weight becomes a factor, accuracy and durability enter the equation. The 700 will do the job just fine and if you find you really want to seriously hunt the mountains, then a new rifle might be in the cards down the road. Right now I'd be far more concerned about clothing, boots, tents, packs, cooking gear, food, etc. Spend your money where it matters most and get by with the quality gear you have already.
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Well said!
You are probably off saving a few pounds in camping gear and buying a best quality back pack (comfortable) than buying a new rifle.
Hiring a personal trainer with the money not spent on a new rifle is the biggest gain you will ever find in the mountains.

My elk rifle has been my mountain rifle for near 15 years....There is nothing foreign about it when it comes time to shoot.....Its just over 8-1/4 pounds.
Most of the factory ultra light rifles are very poorly balanced for off hand/field position shooting...The little short barreled Ruger being the worse (IMHO).

Try shooting a 6-1/2 or 7 pound complete rifle before you buy one...It should balance just at or slightly forward of the front guard screw....The best mountain rifles do.
 
sheephunter said:
I've packed 8 pound plus rifles around the mountains for the past 25 years and I've always cursed the weight of the rifle but I'm not sure I'd have cursed a seven pound rifle any less. I finally broke down and got a sub seven pound rifle this week so I'll let you know after the fall is over...lol

Any rifle can be a mountain rifle and long before weight becomes a factor, accuracy and durability enter the equation. The 700 will do the job just fine and if you find you really want to seriously hunt the mountains, then a new rifle might be in the cards down the road. Right now I'd be far more concerned about clothing, boots, tents, packs, cooking gear, food, etc. Spend your money where it matters most and get by with the quality gear you have already.
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true.in the big picture there are alot of areas I would need to upgrade in first before worring about a bit lighter rifle. I still use a trapper nelson pack haha.I guess the thing to do is sit down and make a list of possible items to upgrade then start collecting them in priority.This could turn into a whole new thread..
 
xcaribooer said:
I still use a trapper nelson pack haha.I guess the thing to do is sit down and make a list of possible items to upgrade then start collecting them in priority.This could turn into a whole new thread..
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Cool! I got one last summer but it looks so good for my display in my living room now I need another to use in hunting season.:) You have classic good taste!;)
 
xcaribooer, why go out and have the barrel fluted and shortened? If that was my intention, I would just buy a new barrel and have a qualified smith install it. There are so many great barrels out there, that will improve on acuracy and you can get them hand over fist for a rem. Hart, shilen, lilja, douglas, the list goes on. For a small investment over crowning and fluting, you could have a tack driver barrel installed, then your not far off of a few extra mods for a great custom build!
 
Any of you other oldtimers have a Trapper Nelson board and pack that is marked, "Indian Pack Board?"
Glad to see others on here who are also from "the old school!"
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mine is marked indian pack board as well. I regret that jones tent and awning ltd are no longer in buisness, they had some very cool and quality gear.If I ever see any of their stuff at a garage sale I will buy it.
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