Any recommendations for a sheep hunting gun?
- Thread starter lastwest
- Start date
Anything that will shoot 1 moa. Probably the most important part of sheep hunting is physical shape and mental stamina. I’d get a tikka if it was my money. 30-06, 308, 270, 280, 7 mag. 6.5 PRC/creedmoor/swede…. Doesn’t really matter sheep aren’t that tough.
The rifle i used for the bulk of my sheep hunting wasn't that light. A tikka 695 300 winmag. I had lighter rifles and a specially built lightweight 270. the areas I hunted had plenty grizzly and the 300 gave a level of comfort a 270 couldn't provide.
Am I recommending a 300? Only if you can shoot it comfortably.
For shooting 700 to 1000 yds, choose cartridge and bullet first, and narrow it down by available rifles after that.
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fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
Im with Jet on this one, a .300 will give you a lot of leverage for any shot you will encounter...hard hitting in a bear charge and still be capable at long ranges, something the bigger-harder hitters cant duplicate.
Two other suggestions for a sheep hunter...use the widest, sturdiest shoulder sling you can find...I can tell you that after miles of high altitude-low oxygen walking your shoulder/body will be thankful....also a "very good rangefinder" is essential now that they are available. With the big wide open mountain vistas you will encounter, judging distance for very long shots can be very difficult...dont waist a $5000 dollar hunt on a $300 range finder---get a good one that can "hit consistently" at 1000 yrds
Two other suggestions for a sheep hunter...use the widest, sturdiest shoulder sling you can find...I can tell you that after miles of high altitude-low oxygen walking your shoulder/body will be thankful....also a "very good rangefinder" is essential now that they are available. With the big wide open mountain vistas you will encounter, judging distance for very long shots can be very difficult...dont waist a $5000 dollar hunt on a $300 range finder---get a good one that can "hit consistently" at 1000 yrds
- Location
- Northern BC
I'd completely steer you away from a 300 coming from a guy that hunted sheep successfully.
I'd first ask you what is your max range that you would ethically take a ram at, personally speaking i try and set up my rifles for 5-600 max.
I've practised with said rifles out to 1k.
The other side of things there are massive trade-offs of shoot-ability the lighter you go. I've had builds be sub 6lb with a scope and still have stuff into the 6.25lb range. My kimber 280ai that I have customized is shooting speeds like a 7rm and is right at 7lbs flat with a NF compact. Its shoot able but even the 3/4lb to 1lb difference is dramatically different to be behind and spotting POI. This goes both ways up and down on the weight scale and even cartridge wise dropping down to a 6.25lb 6.5cm comparing to a 7lb 280ai. Even with side ports its noticeable, the creed is a lot harder to shoot well. Shooting a 8lb 6.5prc clymr comparing to my 280ai is easier to be behind. Everything has a tradeoff. Generally a bit of weight, a good stock design and a side port brake increase the shootability.
Bullets matter more than headstamps. Pair whatever you choose with an ELD-X or TMK and go murder some stuff without having a worry in the world.
I'd first ask you what is your max range that you would ethically take a ram at, personally speaking i try and set up my rifles for 5-600 max.
I've practised with said rifles out to 1k.
The other side of things there are massive trade-offs of shoot-ability the lighter you go. I've had builds be sub 6lb with a scope and still have stuff into the 6.25lb range. My kimber 280ai that I have customized is shooting speeds like a 7rm and is right at 7lbs flat with a NF compact. Its shoot able but even the 3/4lb to 1lb difference is dramatically different to be behind and spotting POI. This goes both ways up and down on the weight scale and even cartridge wise dropping down to a 6.25lb 6.5cm comparing to a 7lb 280ai. Even with side ports its noticeable, the creed is a lot harder to shoot well. Shooting a 8lb 6.5prc clymr comparing to my 280ai is easier to be behind. Everything has a tradeoff. Generally a bit of weight, a good stock design and a side port brake increase the shootability.
Bullets matter more than headstamps. Pair whatever you choose with an ELD-X or TMK and go murder some stuff without having a worry in the world.
- Location
- Northern BC
I'm into the same train of thought here.
If it were my money:
Stainless lite 6.5prc tikka $1250
Drop it into a Unknown munitions rokstok $1250
Chop barrel to 22" and get a flush side port brake. $350
Salmon River Solutions pic rail $100
NF ultralights 30mm 0.885" Lows $200 used
Sell the leupold throw on a NXS compact or NX6
Probably realistically finish off at 8lbs but the shootability on that setup is unreal. Its the poor mans gunwerks clymr.
mine was a tikka 300wsm in a wildcat stock.
I had a radial brake put on, it hits the same place with the brake on or off, so I carry it without. Then if I have time to put the ear plugs in, I also have time to screw the brake on.
Do i need a 300wsm for sheep, not at all, but I sleep better solo in the middle of nowhere with it.
All in (brake, mag, scope - Razor LHT 3-15) it weighs 7 lbs 5 oz. I did have with a lighter scope, but found it harder to shoot.
without the scope its 5 lbs 14 oz.
I could have shaved off weight going to the superlight or a shorter barrel. Its still rocking the 24 inch barrel.
Although I am building a new sheep rifle right now.. because why not. lol
I had a radial brake put on, it hits the same place with the brake on or off, so I carry it without. Then if I have time to put the ear plugs in, I also have time to screw the brake on.
Do i need a 300wsm for sheep, not at all, but I sleep better solo in the middle of nowhere with it.
All in (brake, mag, scope - Razor LHT 3-15) it weighs 7 lbs 5 oz. I did have with a lighter scope, but found it harder to shoot.
without the scope its 5 lbs 14 oz.
I could have shaved off weight going to the superlight or a shorter barrel. Its still rocking the 24 inch barrel.
Although I am building a new sheep rifle right now.. because why not. lol
Bustercluck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
There’s a few other good threads on this already. Personally I think 6.5prc is probably the best balance of shootability and ballistics. The problem with a 6.5 is getting a bear bullet that helps you sleep at night. Reality is a 6.5 creedmoor is all you really need. If you’re worried about g-bears than get a 7mm like the 280ai or similar. Or if you’re hunting with a partner, one of you packs a big .308” and the other packs a 6.5 for shooting.
Unless you shoot alot with your rifle than your realistic max distance will be somewhere between 500-600 yards. You’ll need a bunch of other gear to get out there too. I pack a range finder, kestrel and a bipod.
I’m shooting a 7saum with 168 barnes at the moment and trying to dial it back a bit to shoot better.
Unless you shoot alot with your rifle than your realistic max distance will be somewhere between 500-600 yards. You’ll need a bunch of other gear to get out there too. I pack a range finder, kestrel and a bipod.
I’m shooting a 7saum with 168 barnes at the moment and trying to dial it back a bit to shoot better.
Bustercluck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
Whereabouts are you? I went through a few rifles off the shelf before I had one made the way I wanted it. See if you can try a couple out locally before you dive in with a $5k purchase.
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
Depends on the country you’re hunting. Sheep in grizzly country is recommended 7 cal and up. I personally use a .338 caliber rifle when hunting in Grizzly areas.
Non grizzly areas I mean you could start at 6mms and go up. I like the 6.5 PRC and the 6.5x55 Swede. CM would fit the bill to along with any .270 and even some newer .25 Cals.
It’s a wide range of products that can do the job but all depends what your plans are for hunting. All of these will do the target practice you want some better than others.
B
Non grizzly areas I mean you could start at 6mms and go up. I like the 6.5 PRC and the 6.5x55 Swede. CM would fit the bill to along with any .270 and even some newer .25 Cals.
It’s a wide range of products that can do the job but all depends what your plans are for hunting. All of these will do the target practice you want some better than others.
B
Sights4Nights
Regular
- Location
- the CT Parking Lot
The Sako 85 CarbonLight in 6.5 at Precision Optics would be my first buy with a $5K budget
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
With Sheep,you'll likely be looking at some fairly long shots. I'm partial to Ruger M77 SS in .270Win to 7MM-08.
- Location
- Northern BC
People rag on the creed but at the realistic ranges 95% of people hunt at with the right bullet its can be a 500 yard gun. Ive packed a creed into the mountains many a times without a concern on bears. Even shot bears with it. They are fine.
Ive seen bears pile up just as fast with a 6.5 and a 7 bullet making no reasonable difference. Don't overthink it. But whatever makes you sleep soundly at night.
I've owned one, there are better rifles for the money.
Rival >
Fierce CT RIVAL XP 2.0 7mm PRC - 24" - Graphite Black Cerakote - Carbon Forest - NIX Brake
https://www.precision optics.net/Fierce_CT_RIVAL_XP_2_0_7mm_PRC_24_Graphite_Bl_p/flt1748.htm
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