Mountain hunting caliber
- Thread starter taz1977
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
You know we don't use you as the yardstick, right?
sharp shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Essex county (Ontario)
I think that would be my choice.
But then again, my 375 H&H Model 70 Alaskan with a VXII 1-4x is pretty dam light for what it is. I'll weigh it and post the weight with sling when I get home from work.
Its funny, we all have our own opinion on what WE think is the best choice but, its actually what we WANT. Want and best choice is not always the same.
Its like how I think Famke Janssen is the hottest but you may think Cindy Crawford is the hottest. We'd both get the job done with either.........
I do think this gets over-thought, any reasonably powerful, reasonably light rifle will do.
I spend a lot of time hunting on mountains (like many in BC), shots aren't as long as many think. Mountains can be covered with timber, windfall, be rolling grassland, rocky outcrops, etc. I mostly use the 303 and 8x57.
The mountains I hunt the most have Sheep, Black and Grizzly Bear, Muley, Elk, Cougar, Wolf, Moose, and the occasional high ranging Whitetail buck. The animal that I've encountered at the highest elevation was, of all things, a bull Moose in August.
Get what you like and feels good in your hands.
I spend a lot of time hunting on mountains (like many in BC), shots aren't as long as many think. Mountains can be covered with timber, windfall, be rolling grassland, rocky outcrops, etc. I mostly use the 303 and 8x57.
The mountains I hunt the most have Sheep, Black and Grizzly Bear, Muley, Elk, Cougar, Wolf, Moose, and the occasional high ranging Whitetail buck. The animal that I've encountered at the highest elevation was, of all things, a bull Moose in August.
Get what you like and feels good in your hands.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Not to be under-gunned I just take the Bear rifle. Stomps any of these.
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Mighty Peace
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Land of the Mighty Peace
Lots of good suggestions provided. The 270WSM with a 140gr Accubond is a great combo. I been using this since 2004-close to 3300 ft/s with my reloads. I had 2 in the Tikka T3 LS models - sold them to the inlaws when I found a mint Sako m75ss model in 2012.
Me, I would find a donor rifle (Sako m75/m85) go with a MacMillan Edge stock, maybe flute the barrel to shave some more weight. 280 or AI version, 7-08, 270WSM, 300WSM/WM would be good. Maybe a 6.5 Creedmoor for another suggestion if not said already.
Use what you are comfortable shooting for caliber and packing weight wise. Me, I would have no problems packing my Sako m75ss 300WM on a sheep hunt. Its been my Go-To rifle since new for me back in 1997 (until the rifle bug bit in 2004). 180gr Accubonds are its medicine.
Have fun !!
Maybe not THE yardstick, but maybe A yardstick.
There are plenty of people who have trouble with recoil, and others that really couldn't care less. Still others think it's sort fun, and more than a few think light recoiling rifles are boring.
Inevitably the recoil sensitive sorts think that it applies to everyone else. It doesn't.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
6 lbs 7 oz."This is the rifle you want if you like to go to the top. Up in the high country where every ounce counts and every yard between you and your trophy is vital..."
http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/x-bolt/discontinued/x-bolt-stalker-carbon-fiber-fluted.html
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Any reluctance to taking a blued rather than a stainless rifle? That Kananaskis weather can get pretty wet real fast.
"This is the rifle you want if you like to go to the top. Up in the high country where every ounce counts and every yard between you and your trophy is vital..."
http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/x-bolt/discontinued/x-bolt-stalker-carbon-fiber-fluted.html
Mine weights in at 8.6lbs with a vortex viper 6.5-20x50 scope and covers and sling
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Is that one of the ones WSS had on sale for $300? I wanted to get one, but once payday arrived they were all gone. I don't really care for 300 magnums per say (and even less the wsm's for no particular reason), but at that price I figured what the hell, I could use a bison/bear gun...
Jeronimoe83
CGN Regular
- Location
- Prince George, BC
Not sure. I picked this one up for $400 NIB from a private deal. Apparently the TC venture isnt available in the WSMs anymore according to seller. Was a great price, and an even better shooter.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
I agree, and a 284 win would work well in a short action light weight. That would be my first choice.
Stainless does have some advantages, but, if you leave a gun in your vehicle, or outside the camp until you get a chance to bring it inside for a good cleaning and oiling, you shouldn't have any problems. It's the temperature changes and condensation that seem to cause problems.
