I have ZERO to add here as far as calibre choice as I have never gone sheep hunting before.... but just a question, wouldn't that big ten round mag be a pain in the ass to lug around?... I would think it could get caught on all kinds of stuff... I was interested in buying one as a stalking rifle for whitetail and changed my mind when I saw that mag sticking out.... Would this not apply in sheep country?
Which rifle for a sheep/elk hunt ?
- Thread starter gorky
- Start date
leveractionjunkie
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
5rd mags are available. I used the gun with a 10rder in my Eberlestock pack without problem though, so not sure how big of an issue it is.
To throw it out there then, if a hard hitting, wind bucking round is the order of the day, is this the time to try out my new Sako 85 375HH with NF 2.5-10x24
oh no it doesn't- mag boxes are built for a specific length- even those based on an 06 action utilize a SPACER to take up the extra room( mauser) or use a liner( colt) - either way, you still have the bullet sitting in the powder when you go over 180 grains-
Again... learning here... is 180 gr not enough?
5rd mags are available. I used the gun with a 10rder in my Eberlestock pack without problem though, so not sure how big of an issue it is.
To throw it out there then, if a hard hitting, wind bucking round is the order of the day, is this the time to try out my new Sako 85 375HH with NF 2.5-10x24
That's true.... I forgot you guys pack your rifles and don't need them slung or at the ready.... thanks.... JMOP, but I would look for any excuse to use that 375....lol.... those are nice looking rifles...
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Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
We'll agree to disagree, then. But there ARE guys mag loading the 208gr A-Max in .308 rifles. Not to mention it's pretty easy to remove a mag spacer.
Please go on about mag confines and the bullet intruding on powder capacity with a 180gr VLD vs. a 200gr RN...
I started hunting sheep with an old Tikka 30-06, then I thought that bigger is better and bought a 300 RUM. For day or horseback hunts it is fine, three years ago I started backpack hunting, I took that RUM on my first trip and started looking for a lighter rifle as soon as I got back. Bought a 7mm SAUM in titanium and put a Leupold VXII 3-9 lightweight on it. I handload 175 grain TSX for it and I'm very confident with it out to 500 yards. The best advice is your own experience. If you think that you'll kick yourself for taking the 308 then take the 300. It's amazing what you will do without when you're putting it all on your back and hopefully adding a couple trips of sheep or elk meat to it.
I'd love to call myself a sheep hunter, but have never put one on the ground. I've certainly spent a lot of time above tree line though. (Most of this time was not hunting, I climb.) Coming from a mountaineering perspective, weight is huge and is my number one thing. My ideal rifle would be a Kimber Montana in .280 Rem AI. Under 6 lbs and no shortage of power with the cartridge choice. Talley lightweights are a given.
As for a scope, I would look for not only light weight, but I like a compact scope as well. You can use low mounts and it takes away from the bulk of the rifle. The Nightforce 2.5-10x32 would be ideal (I like turrets) if it was not such a pig at 19 ounces. I'd consider the following:
-Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36mm (11.4 ounces)
-Minox ZA 5 1.5-8x32mm (12.9 ounces)
-Swarovski Z3 3-9x36mm (12 ounces)
I'd probably lean towards the Swarovski, although I've never tried their durability in the field. I can attest to the reliability of the Conquest, having dropped my rifle on a talus slope sheep hunting two years ago, and having it retain perfect zero despite a gouge to the bell. However their is no compact, lightweight Conquest. I'd also consider a Leupold VX-2 ultralightweight, however I didn't care for the optics in the one I looked through.
As for a scope, I would look for not only light weight, but I like a compact scope as well. You can use low mounts and it takes away from the bulk of the rifle. The Nightforce 2.5-10x32 would be ideal (I like turrets) if it was not such a pig at 19 ounces. I'd consider the following:
-Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36mm (11.4 ounces)
-Minox ZA 5 1.5-8x32mm (12.9 ounces)
-Swarovski Z3 3-9x36mm (12 ounces)
I'd probably lean towards the Swarovski, although I've never tried their durability in the field. I can attest to the reliability of the Conquest, having dropped my rifle on a talus slope sheep hunting two years ago, and having it retain perfect zero despite a gouge to the bell. However their is no compact, lightweight Conquest. I'd also consider a Leupold VX-2 ultralightweight, however I didn't care for the optics in the one I looked through.
I am toying with this variant as well - flip over one of the NF 2.5-10s that I have kicking around. The Sako 85 375HH with a NF 2.5-10 is noticeably lighter than my current 300WM setup.
While other scopes are lighter, I really like the NF scopes and trust them. I ditched all of my Leupolds in favor of the NF and would prefer to not take that step back
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Fortunately, I can have the best of both worlds with a Tikka T3 .25-06 and a Kimber Montana 7WSM, but if I had to choose between weight and power, I'd greedily trade away a couple of pounds of weight for a little less power. In a heartbeat.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Some of you guys are really surprising me with your responses. It's amazing that the native guides and old timers used to get any sheep at all, considering the fact that they used lever-action rifles...
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
While it's true that weight is a big concern when sheep hunting (or any type of mountain hunting really) there are places I'd rather shed weight than my rifle. Of the two rifles you have I'd pick the Sako 300WM. Myself I've taken a pre-64 Model 70 300 H&H on plenty of sheep hunts and I'm sure it outweighs your Sako but it shoots well and has the power to get it done if I shoot well. You could shed some weight from the optics on your Sako though.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Ardent,
Maybe so, but a .308 is a heck of a sheep rifle compared to a .32-20
Maybe it's just me, but the dude is saying that he's totally comfortable and confident with his .308 out to 600 yards. Do we really need the added range of the .300? If a bullet sent from the .308 goes through the lungs at 600 yards, it's game over. And if the wind is bad enough to rule out a shot with the .308, the .300 ain't gonna save the day.
Just ran the numbers through JBM using the atmospheric variables where I do most of my shooting:
Using the 168gr A-Max, 10mph crosswind, at 600 yards:
.308 2750fps - 26.6" drift
.300WM 3200fps - 21.4" drift
An extra 5" of drift at 600 yards isn't enough to dissuade me from packing the lighter, handier rifle up the mountain. To me, when I'm climbing mountains looking for sheep, it's all about the rifle. The weight, the bullet, and the shooter's confidence with a particular rifle, are important factors. Chamberings are a distant consideration (within reason).
Maybe so, but a .308 is a heck of a sheep rifle compared to a .32-20
Maybe it's just me, but the dude is saying that he's totally comfortable and confident with his .308 out to 600 yards. Do we really need the added range of the .300? If a bullet sent from the .308 goes through the lungs at 600 yards, it's game over. And if the wind is bad enough to rule out a shot with the .308, the .300 ain't gonna save the day.
Just ran the numbers through JBM using the atmospheric variables where I do most of my shooting:
Using the 168gr A-Max, 10mph crosswind, at 600 yards:
.308 2750fps - 26.6" drift
.300WM 3200fps - 21.4" drift
An extra 5" of drift at 600 yards isn't enough to dissuade me from packing the lighter, handier rifle up the mountain. To me, when I'm climbing mountains looking for sheep, it's all about the rifle. The weight, the bullet, and the shooter's confidence with a particular rifle, are important factors. Chamberings are a distant consideration (within reason).
limit time
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Cliffs of Dover
And we went to space with slide rules.
And wore blue jeans, wool and logging boots in the alpine
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Ardent,
Maybe so, but a .308 is a heck of a sheep rifle compared to a .32-20
Maybe it's just me, but the dude is saying that he's totally comfortable and confident with his .308 out to 600 yards. Do we really need the added range of the .300? If a bullet sent from the .308 goes through the lungs at 600 yards, it's game over. And if the wind is bad enough to rule out a shot with the .308, the .300 ain't gonna save the day.
Just ran the numbers through JBM using the atmospheric variables where I do most of my shooting:
Using the 168gr A-Max, 10mph crosswind, at 600 yards:
.308 2750fps - 26.6" drift
.300WM 3200fps - 21.4" drift
An extra 5" of drift at 600 yards isn't enough to dissuade me from packing the lighter, handier rifle up the mountain. To me, when I'm climbing mountains looking for sheep, it's all about the rifle. The weight, the bullet, and the shooter's confidence with a particular rifle, are important factors. Chamberings are a distant consideration (within reason).
And the .300's payload arrives at 600 yards with 45% more energy, and the better part of three feet flatter. The short .308's inferior any way you cut it, and sheep are very often shot at those kind of ranges. I'm a fan of light rifles myself and see what you're saying, but there are light rifles with real barrel lengths out there too. You're right that it could work, but when he's got a quality .300 in the cabinet there's not question from my perspective- any sheep guide would concur (if he can shoot it!). In the end, I have still yet to take a sheep myself, it's high on the list of at home hunts, so my thoughts are conjecture. Then there's the consideration .308 is on the light end for Elk anyhow.
