Best cartridge for Light Mountain Gun

[Huntin' Gun]

I'm wondering what people think of as an ideal mountain cartridge. The theoretical gun will be 7lbs all in, so some considerations to recoil should be made, and the cartridge should be comfortably capable of downing a bull elk. I don't really want this to become a discussion of what is suitable for elk or not. This doesn't have to be limited to short actions, but obviously they would be better fit for a lightweight gun. Wildcats are also worthy of including.
So, what does everyone think?

 

[Amphibious]

what's the best car for driving to walmart?

 

[shredder0]

.260 rem Nuff said.

 

[Gatehouse]

260, 708, 308...

I'd suggest a 270WSM or 7WSM too, but the recoil might be a bit harsh in a really light rifle.

 

[Canada Ammo]

.308 or .270

 

[H4831]

what's the best car for driving to walmart?

A Honda, of course.

 

[double gun]

.260 rem Nuff said.

 

[AWOL]

I have a 6 lb. Rem 700 Mountain in .270

The recoil is relatively harsh with 130gr & 150gr bullets. It is not too bad with 90-115gr bullets.

The moral of the story is that recoil can be managed with smaller, lighter bullets.

 

[220Swifty]

I have pondered this many times over, and always end up at the 7-08. If you want to add a bit more jam to the equation, then make it an AI variation. Since weight is a consideration, think loaded weight. It might not my much, but the weight of 10 rds of 140 gr loads vs 10 rds of 180 gr loads will make a slight difference. When you are counting every ounce in your pack, all the small things will add up.

 

[blargon]

260, 708, 308...

Any of those will work...

 

[CV32]

6.5x55mm.

 

[Ruffed Grouse]

+4 for the .308-based suggestion. But does 'mountain gun' to you necessarily mean long shots, or is it more about being light on weight? i.e., are the elk likely to be in timber? if so, .338 Federal or .358 Winchester (the latter being coolest). I think this could still come out fine recoil-wise too.

RG

<><

 

[dutchhunter]

if i was going after bigger game like mooses and elk or even bear i would go with the 308 .if just deer size game mayby a 260 .308 is hard to beat and you can get ammo every were DUTCH

 

[altaberg]

7mm08 IMO

that's what I'm using anyway

 

[Demonical]

I have a M-700 .30-06 that was originally an ADL, (1980) with that tacky shiny plastic finish and blind magazine they had back then. I junked that old stock, got a Wildcat Composite stock on it, with a Balvar 3-9x scope on it, it weighs in under 7 lbs.

It would make a perfect 'mountain' rifle.

I never bought that crap about short cartridges being very important, other than as a marketing thing...

 

[ben hunchak]

.260 rem.,.257 roberts.,.250 savage, even the lightest rifles should not have bothersome recoil.

 

[Joep17]

284 Win. Mel Forbes of New Ultralight Arms builds more in that Caliber than any other.

I like the 6.5-284 as well.

I have a 270 Win and 270 WSM. The 270 WSM from Corlane is excellent featherweight rifle.

 

[gpracer]

6.5 x 55 Swede

 

[JamesM]

Jack would say the .270win, I'd say the .280rem cause even he admitted it was better.

 

[sir_springer]

.270 wsm.