Choice of Lightweight Mountain Rifles

chambero · Jan 11, 2005

I'm tired of toting my 9+lb 7 mag A-bolt around. I'm looking at some of the ultralight rifles being made such as the Weatherby Super Big Game Master and the Kimber 84M or 8400 Montana. A lot of unbraked lightweight rifles are being sold in .308. I'm seriously thinking of getting one, but I'm really wondering about common opinion on its use on elk. I know the numbers on ballistics, but would be interested in feedback on those who have used them or who know people that do. If I back out on the .308, I would probably go to a 270 WSM, but I most of the guns are a pound heavier.

BCHunter · Jan 11, 2005

A shoot a Browning BLR in the 308 (I'm left handed). Mine works great shooting Ferderal HE 180 rounds. I wouldn't be trying any 500 yard shots with it but anything less than 400 yards you should be fine. BC

oregonmuley · Jan 11, 2005

chambero,
I know you will get a million opinions on your question, its like asking what the best diesel 4x4 is. But I will go ahead and give you my $.02, I have a Remington Custom Shop KS Custom Mountain rifle on 280 REM. It weighs 6.5 lbs. without the scope so add whatever your scope choice is and you are still under 9lb. I would guess. It comes with fiber stock, costs around $1300 in stainless and its a dream to shoot. I had some work done on the trigger so its about 3lb which really made a difference. It shoot better than I do - I've made some really amazing shots on elk and had several one shot kills- again its because of the gun, not trying to say I'm the greatest shot in the world. Anyway, get on the remington website and take a look, or see if you can find one in a sporting goods store, I doubt you wouldn't like the look/feel of this gun. Good luck, its always fun shopping for a new rifle.
Frank

kirkl · Jan 11, 2005

I dont one as fancy as Franks but i have the remington mountain rifle in 270 caliber, and its a shooter, weighs 6 5/8 poounds without scope. They also make it in 280,7mm-08 and 30-06 calibers. Its a great light weight rifle.
Heres the webpage for mountain rifle.
http://www.remington.com/firearms/centerfire/700mtndm.htm

HunterHarry · Jan 11, 2005

I have done real well with a .300 Weatherby Ultra Light that I won at a Safari Club dinner.
I have taken Muleys, Blacktail and a Kodiak Brown Bear with it.
I put a Swarovski 3-10 on it and am real confident with it.
It is easy to pack around and it doesn't kick too bad either.
I would like to have a custom ultralight though.
I remember how nice those Mountain Rifles Inc. rifles were...
HH

intimidater37 · Jan 11, 2005

i have a model 111fxp3 savage 270 wsm 7.25 lbs with scope recoil is manageable and it is very accurate

Boman · Jan 12, 2005

Well depending on how much you want to spend you could look at a few different rifles. Since you were looking at the wby sbgm rifles I'm guessing your willing to spend up $1200. Given those parameters I'd suggest:

Remington Titanium-.308, .270win=5 1/4lbs or my pick is .300SAUM at 6 3/8lbs.

Remington custom shope-AWR .300SAUM 6 1/8lbs.

Kimber Montana

Or if you want to go really lightweight and high quality custom then I'd suggest going custom with High Tech Customs- Rich Reilly. I had him do a rifle for me its a .340wby and weighs about 6 1/2 lbs With scope. Its shoots bugholes as long as I do my job. Good luck I hope this helps

2_Point · Jan 12, 2005

I have a 280 Rem Mtn Rifle. It is a great shooter. I really like the 280 cal, and it is only a little slower than your 7mag, but the elk, moose, moutain goat and deer I have shot with it can't tell the difference; they're all dead. My wife uses it on her hunts and it is a dream to pack. You can spend an extra $1,000 on a custom rifle or you can spend that $1,000 on a good hunt. I am not into Mags for Lightwieght rifles, but everyone is different.

PAL · Jan 12, 2005

I've also got a Remington Mountain rifle in stainless with laminated stock in 7mm-08 that I use for deer out here in Caly. It's a shooter and it's a dream to pack up and down the steep. The .308 has probably killed more elk through the years than even my beloved 30-06.

blacktailBC · Jan 13, 2005

I've got a browining 7mm wsm that I use when hiking a lot. It weighs 6 3/4 pounds and shoots 140 grain bullets at 3300 fps. Under 1" groups after a trigger adjustment. I think you will find the short magnums offer much better ballistics for elk than the standard non-mag cartridges, and they offer this in a lightweight package. With a limbsaver recoil pad and no muzzle brake the recoil is very managable with this rifle.

koyote · Jan 14, 2005

This is a no brainer for me now that I own a Tikka T3 lite 270WSM. I am a light rifle junkie and have owned several, but for the money ($550) the tikka T3 is awsome. It's under 6.5lbs has a great trigger it shoots better than any lite rifle I've ever owned and you dont have to sacrifice barrel length. I used it this year on two mulies one white tail and about ten coyotes, my confidence level is high with this gun and I don't think I'll be selling this one.
Jeff Riley
EASTERN Oregon

JimR · Jan 14, 2005

I bought two of the New Ultra Light Arms (NULA) rifles last year, and will order a third in the next week or two. Melvin Forbes builds an excellent light rifle with quality material and stands behind his work. Because he uses neutral bedding, not floating the barrel, most loads shoot to the same point of impact. My 270 weighs 6 pounds, two ounces loaded, scoped & ready to go. It will put 130, 140 & 150 grain loads to the same point of impact. The man knows his guns, and I would highly recommend talking to him about any light weight rifle plans.