Opinions on Sheep Rifle

Rocks said:
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?



When I went up and shot my dahl it was with a borrowed gun,cause of being in the states..I regreted not having mine so it could be in pictures with me,however I cant gripe cause the guy up there obviously knew what he was doing...Was a rem action to a douglas mid weight barrel on a synthetic stalk with an older 2-7 loop vari x ii in 7mm mag .He gave me that and a 18" long set of fibre glass sticks, and man what a light accurate potent package
 
Personally, I'd go with the Montana in either 7mmWSM or 300WSM. Nice light rifle, until you pull the trigger...........
 
Rocks said:
Thanks for the replies, I appreciate all advice...

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've got a 300 WSM in a Tikka T3 Lite. From the bench, recoil is a factor and I am sturdy built individual, but that is only with the 180 grn bullets. 165 is comfortable to shoot. When hunting, I don't notice the recoil. I am flirting with getting a detachable muzzle break installed just for the range, or at the very least a good recoil pad.

I got the 300 WSM just for the same reason speak of as an all round gun. I don't think it will handle 200 grn bullets as well as other conventional mags but 180 is pretty damn fine. (Although I voted 7MM WSM below for sheep, if its an all round gun you want, 300 WSM has my vote with 7mm WSM close behind.)
 
get Corlane's to build you something like this...a 280 Ackley Imp on a 700 action with stainless fluted 24" tube in a Brown Precision stock..weighs 7lbs 14oz with 3-9X Leupold in Dual Dovetails. Not too light, not too heavy. If you don't reload get the same setup in a 7mm Rem Mag or a 7WSM or a 7SAUM.

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Well, I went and did it... after all the advice from here, friends, acquantences, people I never heard of and people I never met, I ordered a T3 Lite in 270WSM at Corlanes, they are going to flute and powdercoat it, put Talley lightweight bases and rings and a VX-II 3-9X33 Ultralight on it. Just under 7 pounds for the whole rig complete, and about 1800 bucks. Handled the rifle, I like it a lot.

Could have got a custom for more or a used for less, maybe another facory for a little less or a little more; but decided to go with this after hearing so much positive about the Tikkas...

I'm a wood/blue guy, but this is more of a tool to me, saying that though, I'm very happy with it. We put the SS and the Synth/Blue on the scale, the SS was 2 oz lighter than the blue. I'm actually looking really forward to getting this gun more than almost any others i've gotten...

The Corlanes guys were fantastic, I talked to them at the show then went over to their store to order my gun. If anyone wants a cool rifle they should check out the RMR's; they are nice... they had a 7-08 scoped at the show that was just under 5 pounds I think...
 
Good on ya, Rocks. Sounds like a winner! Let us know how it preforms when you get to put 'er thru the paces. So how was the gunshow? Anything interesting other than the usual array of dealers with overly high asking prices?...KF
 
sheep rifle.

i have a tikka t3 blued in a 300 short mag.i handload 200 grain bullets in it.soon i will chrony it .this rifle likes the 200 grain bullets .it has a good snap to it when i shoot it.from what i hear the titanium browning is a very nice rifle .that one in a 7wsm .would be nice.
 
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