Opinions on Sheep Rifle

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OK I've decided to buy myself a new rifle this year before hunting season. It will primarily be used for sheep. Maybe with a new gun I'll finally connect on a ram...

So here's my dilemna - which rifle to get, and what cartridge? This rifle will primarily be used for sheep, but also for elk and probably deer. I currently use a 7remmag for all around big game, it's a good rifle. Should I go with the same cal, or try a different one? I'm thinking of anything from 270WSM right up to 325WSM, I like the 300mags, would love a 30-378, want something with a good punch. The shortmags sort of appeal to me, mainly because in looking for a sheep rifle I want something fairly light, say no more than 7 or 7.5 pounds with a scope. I will even consider a stainless/synthetic (do not own one as of yet).

So, opinions?, what do you guys recommend?
 
The cheapest way to get what you want it to put a ultralite leupold on a Tikka t3 lite. You'll get into the weight range you want for reasonable money. Get Talleys if they offer them for tikkas, light and strong.

I can't think of any other factory rifle in a Magnum caliber that will come into the weight you are looking at with scope. With the exception of the two Titanium models.
 
Two rifles I'd consider if I were looking for a factory sheep rifle is the Rem 700 Titanium or the Kimber Montana and throw a Leupold 2-7x33 VXII in a pair of Talley LW's.

My sheep rifle is 6lbs 0oz scoped w/bulter creek flip ups, and I'd not want it any heavier. It should be very easy to reach the goal you've set of 7-7.5lbs (those are not sheep rifles... they're sendero's (grin)).

As for the chambering... a no brainer for me... make mine a 7-08 Rem. Not an elk, sheep, or deer around that will know the difference between your 7 Rem Mag and the 7-08 Rem. Simply THE perfect cartridge.

Good luck

280_ACKLEY
 
A Remington Model Seven with a Basner or Wildcat stock in .308 with a 3-9x33 Leaupold compact and Talley lightweights would be a good choice. This should put you between 6.25 and 6.5lbs, which is nice. I've only hunted mountain goats, not sheep, but I think the hunting should be similar...other than tamer country on sheep hunts.;) :p
 
I think you're going overkill on the cal, .30-378 is just way, way overkill, and in a light rifle will kill the shooter more often than the game. ;)

I'd follow the flow here and suggest a 7mm-08 or .280, perhaps a 7mm RM if you really must have a 'magnum' :p, but 7mm-08 will serve your purposes very well and will be light and manageable in recoil.

And a T3 lite is a good suggestion if you're not going custom, as is the Remington Mountain Rifle.
 
Last year I picked up a Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic Stainless for a song and a dance. Is 300WSM. From same dealer I also got a firesale price on a Leupold 3-9x40 VXII for it.

I sent the rifle immediately to Dave Jennings who is one of the Canadian Weatherby service centers and had the trigger rebuild and tuned, glass bedded the gun, floated the barrel, and had a crown cut.

Now, for the money its more than spot on enough for hunting. The 300WSM really likes 180gr rounds, most of all the Accubonds and Barnes TSX. With the TSX there has been nothing "large" that has ever moved after one well placed shot, including 500 odd pounds of bear.

Best of all I did not end up with a show piece and feel very comfortable hauling it through the bush, mud and rain of the interior of BC.

Lots of great hunting rifles out there under $1000 cnd, add a couple of hundred to get a little bit if fine tuning done and voila! Good bush gun your not afraid to cart around!

Happy hunting all
 
My vote is for a 7mmWSM or 270WSM. Very flat shooting, in a short action.
Low Budget, Savage model 16: 6.5lbs plus lightweight scope and rings = ~7 pounds.
Medium Budget: Browning A-bolt, ~7lbs all in
Large Budget: A-bolt Mountain Ti. Or rem 700Ti in 7-08. ~6lbs
 
Here's another vote for the Kimber Montana or the 8400 in blue. If non magnums like the 260 suit you then the Kimbers again would be my first choice for light weight.
bigbull
 
sheep rifle

I own a Win.featherwieght in 270 WSM that shoots 130s at 3300fps or 140s at 3175fps, i think it would be a perfect calibre for sheep with partitions or accubonds, thier are other lightwieght rifles that are great but i love the featherwieght (very accurate).
 
My M70 Fwt in .270Win. feels damn light after lugging around my laminated stock Ruger .338WinMag :D The little .270 is topped w/Leupold M8-6x in Leupold rings/bases and will put 140gr Accubond handloads inside an inch @ 100 yards. Plenty accurate, light & flat shooting for any medium-size mountain game. But if you feel the need to hurt yourself, get a super-expensive, 5lb "mountain magnum" :rolleyes: and have at it.
 
Thanks for the replies, I appreciate all advice...

I have a large list now of what I want to look at. Another 7-10 days out here in the bush and I get a week off, so I'm going to go fondle as many guns as I can.

Right now, I seem to be leaning towards "the need to hurt myself", I looked online at the Browning A-Bolt Mountain weighing in at 5.5 lbs, after talking to a couple guys with that rifle in 300wsm and 325wsm, I may go that way, they both said recoil isn't a factor - I'm thinking 270wsm or 300wsm... what I like about the 300wsm chambering is I could load 150's or 180's depending on what I'm using it for...

I'm typically a one-gun per hunting season kind of guy, except for one early season sheep hunt if I get the time off, my hunts are for sheep and elk, and sometimes moose, so thats why I'm thinking one of the light shortmags - good for sheep and also all round big game...

A couple of us are taking the trip in to the gunshow in Dawson Creek on Saturday, we may stop at Corlaines afterwards...
 
With my 300 WSM, I'm loading 68.5 grs of RL 19 on a Barnes Tripple Shock X 180gr round. Chrono = 3000fps. No pressure signs. Drops EVERYTHING!! My budget Vanguard groups as well with the TSX or better than anything else I run through.

Kimber makes a HOT gun of your looking into the WSM'S.

Corlaines can also provide some quality work as well.

Good luck!
 
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