Mountain hunting caliber

I have no worries hunting in the rain with a stainless laminate or composite rifle. For a light rifle I have a 358 Win. Browning Lightweight '81 Stainless Laminate Takedown that totes and handles nicely. Weighs only 7.5 lbs scoped.

I load it with 310gr Woodleigh RN bullets at 2100 fps MV and have taken Moose with it. A flatter shooting load could be developed, such as a 225gr TSX at ~2500 fps MV.

BLR_sling.jpg
 
I hunt sheep in an area where it seems there are more grizz than sheep. I found a kimber montana in 325 WSM and at 7lbs 1 oz w/ scope, I think I've found a great combo for my needs. Not saying a big boomer can protect you if you have a charging grizz....your gun is only as good as you are at dealing with filled shorts!
 
taz1977 said:
Mine weights in at 8.6lbs with a vortex viper 6.5-20x50 scope and covers and sling
Click to expand...

I'd swap out that scope and mount a quality light weight scope like a leupold 4x33, 6x36 or ultralight 2-7 and mount it in the lowest rings I could shoot with effectively. I'm not sure of your sling so can't say if I'd swap it for lighter as well.
 
You need an ultra light rifle in a hard hitting long range caliber to do mountain hunting right..... 300 SAUM ai in a titanium action, carbon fibre barrel, carbon fibre stock and some high end long range optics. Weigh it all in around 7 lbs or less. That's what I'd want!
 
Slamfire said:
Any reluctance to taking a blued rather than a stainless rifle? That Kananaskis weather can get pretty wet real fast.
Click to expand...

I did 5 days in 406 once where it rained every day, slept in a tent each night. No issues with a blued rifle. Now I use stainless just for the extra piece of mind. My sheep hunting partner uses a blued T3 and tends to get a layer of surface rust by the end of the hunt, but it comes off with oil.
 
cam1936 said:
I did 5 days in 406 once where it rained every day, slept in a tent each night. No issues with a blued rifle. Now I use stainless just for the extra piece of mind. My sheep hunting partner uses a blued T3 and tends to get a layer of surface rust by the end of the hunt, but it comes off with oil.
Click to expand...

I was out with my Ruger No.1 and got caught in the rain. Never again. Seeing the rust form traumatized me for life. I kick myself for not getting the stainless laminate model instead now that Ruger stopped making these.
 
Jim870 said:
I'd swap out that scope and mount a quality light weight scope like a leupold 4x33, 6x36 or ultralight 2-7 and mount it in the lowest rings I could shoot with effectively. I'm not sure of your sling so can't say if I'd swap it for lighter as well.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm changing the scope and rings and getting a lighter sling for sure
 
jack88 said:
I hunt sheep in an area where it seems there are more grizz than sheep. I found a kimber montana in 325 WSM and at 7lbs 1 oz w/ scope, I think I've found a great combo for my needs. Not saying a big boomer can protect you if you have a charging grizz....your gun is only as good as you are at dealing with filled shorts!
Click to expand...

From what I've seen it, connect and it will drop. Just make sure to connect.
 
Slamfire said:
I was out with my Ruger No.1 and got caught in the rain. Never again. Seeing the rust form traumatized me for life. I kick myself for not getting the stainless laminate model instead now that Ruger stopped making these.
Click to expand...

This was a blued synthetic M77. Just wiped with oil each night. No rust.

I baby my No. 1. I take it out only on sunny days when it's warm or any day when it's cold enough that the snow doesn't melt and get it wet. I have other rifles for the rain.
 
cam1936 said:
This was a blued synthetic M77. Just wiped with oil each night. No rust.

I baby my No. 1. I take it out only on sunny days when it's warm or any day when it's cold enough that the snow doesn't melt and get it wet. I have other rifles for the rain.
Click to expand...

My preference nowadays is stainless. I hope Lipsey's gets a run of stainless No.1's in heavier calibers sometime soon and I will be sure to get one. No worries then about keeping it out of the rain.

ss1.jpg


4570SS.jpg
 
Last edited:
cam1936 said:
I did 5 days in 406 once where it rained every day, slept in a tent each night. No issues with a blued rifle. Now I use stainless just for the extra piece of mind. My sheep hunting partner uses a blued T3 and tends to get a layer of surface rust by the end of the hunt, but it comes off with oil.
Click to expand...

My trophy Bighorn Ram mount. Makes a cool wall decoration and brings back memories of that hunt. :d

The Kananaskis, what a scenic paradise! Rugged beauty throughout. Near the headwaters of the Elbow River.

sheep.jpg


DSCN0071.jpg
 
Slamfire said:
My preference nowadays is stainless. I hope Lipsey's gets a run of stainless No.1's in heavier calibers sometime soon and I will be sure to get one. No worries then about keeping it out of the rain.

ss1.jpg


4570SS.jpg
Click to expand...

There is a used one in .375 H&H i have been drewling on for a while... in NL too!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom