Curious to see what everyone has chosen as their mountain/Backpack rifles. Calibers/Weights/Rifle Scopes/etc

AS mentioned elsewhere, mine's a Tikka T3 stainless/plastic in 270WSM that I bought for NZ tahr hunting. It only weighs a bit over 7lb with a Nikon Monarch 4-16 in the Tikka alloy mounts. I think the big scope is a bit vulnerable to being knocked, though, and the powers are too high for anything except extreme range, so I've replaced it with a humble Leupold 2-7 for use in Australia.

How are you liking the Tikka? I've been looking at those as well. The T3 Lite looks like a great choice

kimber montana 325WSM lep 2.5-8

depending on the game I'm after it's one of these two, both built on pre 64 Model 70 actions.
280 AI, pac-nor fwt,mcm edge swaro Z3 3-10x42
300 H&H,#2 lilja, echols legend (edge fill) swaro Z3 3-10x42.
They both weigh a bit under 8lbs ready to go.

Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 358 Win topped with a Leupold VX II 2-7x33 scope. Strapped and fully loaded it comes in at just over 8 lbs.

Remington 700 mountain rifle 30/06 with lightened action 2x7 Leupold in lightened Talley mounts with walnut stock walk away weight with sling and loaded 6lb13oz

Ultra Light Arms Model 20 in 257 Roberts & Leupold 3x9 Compact scope comes in right at 6lbs.

Rifles Inc. Titanium Strata in 280 AI, topped with Swaro Z3 3-10 X 42, #2 fluted Lilja, jewel trigger, and blind magazine. 5 lbs 13 oz.

Rifle...

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/...8274_138598647_o.jpg

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
How are you liking the Tikka? I've been looking at those as well. The T3 Lite looks like a great choice

It's a good, light, accurate rifle at the price.

My only criticisms are that the plastic stock is noisy in the Australian bush, the safety could be a fraction quieter and I would make sure the bolt handle is right down before you try to shoot.

Without going to the gun cabinet tonight, I think it goes like this: if the bolt handle is up against the limit when the safety is on, you might find it gets stuck when you want to shoot.

I have a Colt light rifle in 300 Win. Mag with the Leupold 3-9 Boone and Crokket reticle, and a Moose surpressor.Weighs in at 3,9 kg.

Blaser K95 break open single shot. It is light and accurate and breaks down which makes it very convenient for travelling and allows you to put it inside your pack once the hunt is over if no grizzlies around. Their detachable mounts allow to take the scope off too, as their return to zero is absolutely perfect. You can interchange barrels and use different cartridges depending on the hunt. while mountain hunting the one I use most is the 7x65R, a European 280Remington, shooting 150gr Balistic Tips at 2,950fps. For a scope, I nornally wear a AV Swarovski in 4-12x50, or a 5-15x42 Victory with Zeiss' ASV ballistic turret.
Difficult to beat this combination!

Alvaro

If I'm just camping and hiking (i.e. not hunting) I'll carry:



Its light and easy to carry with strap-on sling or stuck in a back pack. No scope to get bumped off zero. The ghost ring is on at 50 yds and real quick to get on target. Flip to the lob sight and its accurate&precise at longer ranges.

Kimber Montana 84M 7-08 24"Lilja barrell. Talley screw lock detachables with 2.5/8 VX-3. Comfortably sub MOA for 3. I take a spare sighted in Leupy in rings if trip is particularly rough. 6lb 5oz.

If I'm likely to need more horsepower it's a Kimber Montana 84L 30-06 with 2.5/10/42 Zeiss Victory in Talley lightweights. MOA for 3. 6lb 11oz.

Both skim bedded with 2.75lb trigger pull. Weights are empty and no sling.

For me, it's a Win., Mod.70, Extreme Weather in .270 WSM. Have a Leupold 2-7x on it in addition to a set of open sights my local smith installed for me.
Since we hunt a lot of open country, the rifle is strapped across my packboard most of the time. I don't like carrying my rifle in my hands. If need be, I can get my pack off very fast and undo the straps with no problems. Of course, in open country, you still keep your eyes open for bears.
Bear in Fairbanks

Brown Precision built 300WM. Built in 1982,as a light weight mountain rifle, I've carried this little cannon for 30 years, all over the world. With it's Z6 1.7 X 10 Swarovski scope it weighs in just under 7 pounds.
In the last 3 months its taken Bighorn in BC, Marco Polo in Kyrgyzstan and 4 Ibex plus a Mouflon in Spain. She's a little work horse and a pleasure to carry.

I have one of the Magnum receivers, TCR-83 take down single shots. Double set triggers for fine work. Extreme conditions, 30-378 Wby bbl. Less so, 7mm Rem Mag or 30-06. I was able to get a 12 gauge 3 1/2" Mag with choke tube. Slugs would be enough for bear.

It will break down, and fit in a 26" case.

6 lbs plus scope.

Frostbit,
You won't need to carry that Tikka, Brett will be carrying the Bansners rifle when you guys hit the mountains come August.....heck Brett will just about have everything you need, you'll just have to bring an extra pair of socks and underwear....

quote:

you'll just have to bring an extra pair of socks and underwear....

What, no sharing? :-)

quote:

Originally posted by AKsheephunter:
Frostbit,
You won't need to carry that Tikka, Brett will be carrying the Bansners rifle when you guys hit the mountains come August.....heck Brett will just about have everything you need, you'll just have to bring an extra pair of socks and underwear....

Word is he's leaving the Basner home and borrowing my Tikka.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Tikka T3 Superlite

What caliber and optics do you use?
I need a t3 light for myself .......

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Tikka T3 Superlite

What caliber and optics do you use?
I need a t3 light for myself .......

It's all in the thread I think.

Rifle - T3 Superlite (flutted Finnlyte barrel) from Sportsman's warehouse in 7 mm Rem Mag. Rifle weight off therack is 5 pound 8 ounces for about $750.

Scope - Swarovski Z3 3-10 x 42

Rings - Talley Alloy

Final weight unloaded - 6 pounds, 14 ounces.

Sorry missed the infos in the other threas, Jim.
The T3 Superlite costs more than double here

Dennis

quote:

Originally posted by Caracal:
Sorry missed the infos in the other threas, Jim.
The T3 Superlite costs more than double here

Dennis

I fear we won't be far behind you in the future.

I have used a Remington 700 Ti. It is a short action in 7mm SAUM. It shoots all ammo into an inch @ 100 yards. Handloads...much better. Scope is a Bushnell fixed power with water proof coating on the lenses.

I will be going to a Blaser K-95 this year. Easier to pack through the Alders in a pack, then assemble and still be zero'd. That will be a 6.5x 55.

Matt

MG Arms 300WSM built on a M70 action with a thumbhole stock. With a Z3 Swarovski with the ballistic turret. It's very accurate and very light - under 7 pounds. I had it in Zimbabwe in September and it was a pleasure. I backpacked with it for mule deer in October and it was great slid down in the gun compartment of a Eberlestock just one pack.

Win Mod 70 featherweight 280rem. Browns Precision lightweight stock with graphite implants. Conetrol mounts & a Leupold 2.5x8 scope. Its got a second hand barrel, looks like a fencepost, covered in chips and scars but is totally dependable. The first rifle I grab if heading out on a hunt. I cant begin to imagine the amount of game ive taken with it

Kimber Montana in 300 wsm or a Kimber 84L in 30.06.
Nothing overly sexy or flashy about either, they just work in a lightweight package.
Bill

Rocky Mountain Rifle in 270WSM topped with a Zeiss 4.4-14x44 Conquest with Rapid Z 800. Right at 7 pounds scoped.

Awesome photo! Great looking rifle!

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I was able to get a 12 gauge 3 1/2" Mag with choke tube. Slugs would be enough for bear.

By the chamber length, I take it you would use the heavier slugs.
The old 1oz ones might make a big hole but people here question their performance, even against large deer.

my is custom single shot 7x65R,LIGHT PRECISE AND SUPERB QULLITY ,ALONG SWAROWSKI 3-10X40

I backpack a bit and the rifle I carry depends as much on my mood as anything else. On a long trip (15 days) in bear country, I carried my Mauser in 35 Whelen. About 8 3/4 pounds.
On a shorter trip in sheep country, a model 70 in 308 Norma. About 9 1/2 pounds.
Since I usually carry the rifle in my hands, I always look for rifles that balance and carry well at my side. What I really need is a rifle that shoots like the 308 Norma but carries like a 94 Winchester! I'm still looking. I'm going to build another single shot this year and try that. Regards, Bill.

I usually carry a .338 WM built on a M700 action, a light Douglas barrel, Brown Precision stock, and a Leupold 2.5x8 scope. Total weight with sling and 3 rounds of ammo is 8 Lbs. 1 oz.

quote:

Originally posted by Seamaster:
I usually carry a .338 WM built on a M700 action, a light Douglas barrel, Brown Precision stock, and a Leupold 2.5x8 scope. Total weight with sling and 3 rounds of ammo is 8 Lbs. 1 oz.

Elmer Keith would be impressed. What weight bullets do you shoot in it?

Mostly I shoot 210 Nosler partitions.

My previous "light rifle" was a Rem. AWR in 7mm Saum topped with a Leica scope. It was 7# empty.

This year I'm going to do a goat hunt and I think the answer will be my Merkel K1 in 7mm RM at under 6.5#. The main reason is the breakdown capacity. That will make it much easier to get from point A to B.

My light rifle, to carry, is an HS Precision in .270 WSM at under six pounds. The scope and mounts adds another 1 1/2 #. Carries well, shoots under an inch @100 yds, kicks real hard as well.

Larry Sellers