Just posting this to see what others think and might be a good conversation thread too. I drew a S9 rifle sheep tag in CO. Sangre do Cristo's. Ive got 3 rifles narrowed down for this that I have, like, and shoots well, and know will do the job. From what I have gathered this is very rugged country and light weight rifle pry be in my best interest. My primary gun that I use for alot of rifle hunts I dont want to carry up these mountains, 300 Wthby Mag
1) 6.5 X 284 in a Savage Lightweight Hunter
Got 3 loads worked up that shoot. 130 Nolser Accubonds, 140 Grain Hornady A-Max, and 100 grain Nolser BT's.
Set up with Leupold 3.5-10 Boone and Crocket
2) 280 Remington Mountain Rifle
Got 1 load it really likes, 140 Grain Nolser Partation
Set up with Leupold 3-9
3) 300 WSM Kimber Montana
Got 3 loads it like. 165 Grain Hornady SP, 168 Grain Berger VLD, 190 Grain Berger VLD's.
Set up with Leupold 3.5-10 Boone and Crocket
If it was you, what would you take and why? Personally at the moment Im leaning towards the 6.5 X 284. Just curious what peoples thoughts are. Not that I need to decide now at this moment, but I like to make a decision in the near future and stick with it so I can practice extensively with that gun and make sure to buy as much loading compontents when I see it aviable (bullets and powder) not to risk running out during the summer practice routine.
The Savage I bought acouple years ago in antisipation if I ever drew a tag like this I would use. Never hunted with it yet. The Remington, my first gun I got for big game hunting and used for a few years in my earily stages of hunting. The Kimber I bought few years ago as a multi purpose gun thats lightweight and rugged for deer and elk on back pack style hunts and its served me well on the hunts Ive used it.
By the way, this is my first sheep tag and as you can pry tell, Im more excited than a pig in mud.
1) 6.5 X 284 in a Savage Lightweight Hunter
Got 3 loads worked up that shoot. 130 Nolser Accubonds, 140 Grain Hornady A-Max, and 100 grain Nolser BT's.
Set up with Leupold 3.5-10 Boone and Crocket
2) 280 Remington Mountain Rifle
Got 1 load it really likes, 140 Grain Nolser Partation
Set up with Leupold 3-9
3) 300 WSM Kimber Montana
Got 3 loads it like. 165 Grain Hornady SP, 168 Grain Berger VLD, 190 Grain Berger VLD's.
Set up with Leupold 3.5-10 Boone and Crocket
If it was you, what would you take and why? Personally at the moment Im leaning towards the 6.5 X 284. Just curious what peoples thoughts are. Not that I need to decide now at this moment, but I like to make a decision in the near future and stick with it so I can practice extensively with that gun and make sure to buy as much loading compontents when I see it aviable (bullets and powder) not to risk running out during the summer practice routine.
The Savage I bought acouple years ago in antisipation if I ever drew a tag like this I would use. Never hunted with it yet. The Remington, my first gun I got for big game hunting and used for a few years in my earily stages of hunting. The Kimber I bought few years ago as a multi purpose gun thats lightweight and rugged for deer and elk on back pack style hunts and its served me well on the hunts Ive used it.
By the way, this is my first sheep tag and as you can pry tell, Im more excited than a pig in mud.
