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Whats your Sheep gun ?

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23 December 2006, 03:47
bwest
Whats your Sheep gun ?
Out of the box Browning Stainless A-bolt 270, Leupold 3-9 on Leupold mounts. Shoots 150 Nosler partitions into a 3 shot group always under an inch at a hundred yards. My thought on the weight of the rifle is that it is far more important to worry about the greater weight around your beltline. Also you do not need a rifle shooting a large,hard kicking round. Happy Holidays to all
23 December 2006, 04:44
surestrike
I've got a Dakota M-97 Light Weight Hunter with a 24" barrel in .300WM. It shoots nice it feeds nice it carries nice and in my humble opinon it is about $1000 bucks over priced.

It is a nice rifle but it just ain't $2000 worth of nice.

If you are looking at one of these save your money and go get a Kimber 8400 in 06 or something simular.



23 December 2006, 05:32
SGraves155
Right now, its a Rem 700 .270Win.
Have also used Mod 70 .270win, a S&W 30/06, a Rem 700 30/06, and a Rem 700 .300 WBY


Steve
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25 December 2006, 02:28
dawaba
I'm surprised that Ultra Light Arms isn't more popular. Melvin Forbes builds a great/light rig here in the US in West Virginia. Mine is a ULA (now NULA) in .284 Win. With scope, sling, and ammo, it weighs under 6 lbs and shoots at least 1 moa with 140 gr partitions all day long.


A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. G.B. Shaw
26 December 2006, 03:11
Gatho
I have taken several stone sheep with my old trusty 30-06 savage, with a 3x9 leupold scope,not a fancy gun,nor real light but it shoots straight and I know it well, Irecommend you use whatever gun you have that you are comfortable with
01 January 2007, 04:14
ColoCowboy
6.5-06 Ackley Improved in a pre-64 model 70 with a 26" Shilen Select Match barrel. The action is trued, parkerized and pillar bedded. 4.5-14 VariX III. It shoots 120 gr. Barnes X at less than an inch at a hundred. Although I'd probably switch to 130 gr Barnes TSX (my elk load) now.

Its not light, but I'm willing to "pay the freight."
02 January 2007, 14:27
Finley
Rem Ti in 7mm08AI with talley LW bases and a Leupold 2.5-8 scope. Ready to hunt this rig weighs 6.0 lbs. If you have a light weight 7mm-08 your ready to go. Plenty of power and range for most situations. Perfect sheep round IMHO.
04 January 2007, 22:14
Don B
Make mine a NULA in .30-06 with Leupold 4.5-14


05 January 2007, 01:39
sherpi
Hey Canuck what is a 6.5 gibbs? I am a big fan of 6.5x55


Sauer and Zeiss, perfect match.
Sherpi
06 January 2007, 09:15
Canuck
Hi Sherpi,

The 6.5 Gibbs is basically a "6.5-06 maximally improved". It is based on the '06 case (ie. not the 270 case which is slightly longer). The case taper is minimized and the shoulder is blown forward about .25", and is 35 degrees. That leaves a minimal neck (.25").

It requires a little more fiddling around to form cases, but it will, on average, generate about 100fps more than a 6.5-06 AI.

Rocky Gibbs invented this line of cartridges in the early '70s, starting with the 270 Gibbs.

I quite like mine and will likely have another built, but the truth is due to the case forming the average guy is better served by a 6.5-06 or 6.5-06AI.

I have a soft spot for all the 6.5s. The 6.5x55 is a great cartridge.

Cheers,
Canuck



06 January 2007, 11:20
Madgoat
It would be nice to draw a sheep tag so I can figure out what my sheep gun would be..... dancing

MG
06 January 2007, 12:35
HARDBALLER
Madgoat,
Just move to Alaska, I did. then you can just get your sheep "harvest ticket" at Carr's/Safeway or Walmart for free and go hunting. dancing
07 January 2007, 21:22
ldkier
First Mt. goat rifle:
Browning BAR .270. Leupold 2-7. Took a 9 1/2 inch nannie at 325 yrds est. 1969. A real "pig" of a rifle for the mtns.
Second Mtn. goat rifle:
Ruger #1A 7x57. Leupold 2.5x8. Unsuccessful, enjoyed a 9 day stalk. Couldn't get in reasonable range. Not a bad rifle, but a little "piggy for the packin'" too.
Bought a Winchester M-70 Featherweight 25wssm last year. Topped it off with a Zeiss 3-9.
Really am impressed with this set-up. Extremely accurate (after some tweeking"). A fantastic handling rifle. LOVE the Super-Short action and cartridge. This would be my choice for another Mtn. goat hunt


"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"
Hamlet III/ii

08 January 2007, 04:01
David Craig
quote:
Madgoat,
Just move to Alaska, I did. then you can just get your sheep "harvest ticket" at Carr's/Safeway or Walmart for free and go hunting.

Thats just not right. Big Grin
08 January 2007, 04:13
Madgoat
quote:
Originally posted by HARDBALLER:
Madgoat,
Just move to Alaska, I did. then you can just get your sheep "harvest ticket" at Carr's/Safeway or Walmart for free and go hunting. dancing


Eeker Eeker Eeker Eeker

I just applied for a resident mountain goat license the other day. Toughest part, was determining which area to put in for. One had odds of .48% while the other one had .45%.

As for bighorn sheep, I think I should be able to draw a tag in approximately 10 years...don't know if I can hold out for that long!!! CRYBABY

MG
10 January 2007, 19:41
Pegleg
Mine is a composite stocked Model 70 with a detatchable box mag. in 270 win.


The only easy day is yesterday!
18 January 2007, 07:56
DaveC
I use a Lazzeroni L2000 mountain rifle in 8.59 galaxy (.338 short mag) with a 3-12x42 S&B scope. 7.3 lbs, very accurate and lethal.
19 January 2007, 03:33
akpls
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bwest:
......... My thought on the weight of the rifle is that it is far more important to worry about the greater weight around your beltline.[QUOTE]
This is the best advice of all!
19 January 2007, 03:39
Northway
tikka t3 in .300 wsm. VERY Light and is accurate as hell. Quite an upgrade in the weight department from the Rem. 700 bdl 8mm mag!!!!
21 January 2007, 22:32
Chuck Nelson
Stock LH Model 70 sporter chambered for the 30-06. Barrel turned to factory featherweight contour and trigger massaged by Bill Leeper. Williams extractor FX II 6X36 in DD's (soon to be talley LW's), and a McMillan EDGE stock. Weighs 7lbs 4oz's.


22 January 2007, 08:47
Mike_Dettorre
Well if I was ever fit enough to hunt sheep...it would be this lightweight rifle I had built in 308.

6 2/3 lbs scoped and loaded.

Rem 700 ADL, Leupy 2.5x8, Lone Wolf Stock, #2 Contour fluted 22 bbl, aluminum shroud, skelton bolt handle, fluted bolted handle, titanium I think firing pin.




Mike



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
23 January 2007, 05:19
scr83jp
If I was a sheep or goat hunter I'd look around for a 03-A4.
23 January 2007, 08:24
Brad
I've gotta say, the "Sheep Gun" just may be the most overrated rifle category around. Truth of the matter is carrying a rifle in an average alpine enviroment after sheep is easier than the average Northern Rockies public ground elk hunt.

Chuck, I sure like you rifle! What a beauty...
23 January 2007, 08:56
Chuck Nelson
Brad, did I mention it was my Whitetail, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Moose, Elk, and bear gun as well. Wink I think you knew that though. In fact, there is a bunch of black fur in that tarp. Funny enough, a couple of days after wacking that Black Bear on a sheep hunt, I watched a Ram wander within 15 feet of where the bear met his end. You just gotta love the Rockies!

Chuck
23 January 2007, 09:31
Brad
Chuck you forgot to mention it's a "truck gun", "coyote gun" and beer can gun" too... I've got one of those myself (grins).
23 January 2007, 14:34
Spartan
I use a Remington 700 synthetic stocked 308 that wears a 2.5x8 Leupold for all my backpack hunts. I'd love a new, shiny lightweight Remington Titanium in 7mm mag, but feel it would be just plain wrong! I've been using the 308 for too long to ever consider retiring it.

Having never hunted sheep, can someone explain to me just how hard sheep contry really is? I've hunted tahr and wapiti in some mountains in New Zealand that has left me in a cold sweat. In my limited experience, it seems much of NZ goes straight up, or straight down. Unfortunately it hasn't got many flat bits - well that how I remember some of my hunters.
23 January 2007, 17:53
Buglemintoday
Ruger #1 in .280 Remington


"Let me start off with two words: Made in America"
24 January 2007, 07:31
Canuck
quote:
average Northern Rockies public ground elk hunt.


Big Grin I assume you mean Southern Rockies, eh? Wink

Cheers,
Canuck



24 January 2007, 09:13
Brad
Ok, Central Rockies :grin:
26 January 2007, 23:58
Chuck Nelson
quote:
Having never hunted sheep, can someone explain to me just how hard sheep contry really is?


It varies considerably. But you are in the mountains, and the sheep can use every part of them. I had to quit rams, on more than one occasion, this year as they went where following required climbing gear.

Here is one picture from this year.


27 January 2007, 01:25
AlaskaCub
Yeah its not just that you are carrying a rifle its the light 45lb pack your carrying in and the potentially 125Lb pack your carrying out. Its nice to have a rifle that is light just like the rest of the gear you have selected.










27 January 2007, 05:25
ted thorn
quote:
Originally posted by ok hunter:
I will be headed for a Alaskan Sheep hunt and was thinking of using a Kimber Montana in 7mm-08. What's your Sheep gun??


That is a great gun and caliber...if I was going I would pack my .270 Win or my .270 WSM both with 130 grn. bullets


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27 January 2007, 08:42
Cold Zero
chuck nelson;

nice set up and nice view. hope you had a good time. cheers


Cold Zero
27 January 2007, 09:31
Iceman
My pet sheep rifle is a custom Rem 700 ADL in 6.5-06. Brown's Precision kevlar stock, 24" barrel, timney trigger, weaver stainless rings and bases with M8-6X Leupold. It hucks a 140gn partition at 3050fps. If you look closely at the photo at the top of the page you can just see the end of the barrel.

Keep the wind in your face....

Iceman
29 January 2007, 08:07
cobrad
AlaskaCub your pic's are killin' me! I like to ski in the winter, but been looking forward to summer and hunting since last hunting season ended. Your photo's look just like the alpine terrain I fish and hunt in here in CO. It doesn't help that I bought a dirt bike two weeks ago either. Thanks for sharing your pic's.
29 January 2007, 10:15
AlaskaCub
quote:
Originally posted by cobrad:
AlaskaCub your pic's are killin' me! I like to ski in the winter, but been looking forward to summer and hunting since last hunting season ended. Your photo's look just like the alpine terrain I fish and hunt in here in CO. It doesn't help that I bought a dirt bike two weeks ago either. Thanks for sharing your pic's.


Yeah them pics are killin me too, cuz life outside dont look anything like it does in them pics right now!!!BURRRRRR
06 February 2007, 14:47
1894mk2
In my 2004 Alps trip I carried 182lbs and a 6.5lb 6.5x57R Blaser K95. In 2007 I carry 172lbs and an 8.5lb 243 Sako AII. The weight loss results from my refound love of running, the weight gain from my dislike of aiming light rifles at expensive trophies while my heart pounds.

I go back in 2008 and will carry the Sako in a light weight top fastening canvas slip until the animal is spotted and the stalk commences.

Gone is my loden roe sac replaced with my ex army bergen with waist strap and liner to take the yearlings I hope to shoot.

I like to think I learn from experience!
14 February 2007, 08:50
WPN
I had a full-length stock 1961 MCA Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine in .270 Win that I took to the Brooks Range for Dall sheep a few years ago. That was a cool sheep gun. Sold it though.

I think a new Steyr Scout in .308 Win with the 2.5 power forward-mounted Leupold scope would make a great sheep gun now.


___________________________________________________________________________________________
14 February 2007, 10:08
luv2safari
Mine is a well used but highly accurate Husqvarna HVA in 7X57 AKLY with a 3.5X10 older Leupold. The checkering is worn smooth, and except for the improved chambering, the rifle is unaltered in every way. I took a nice desert with it years ago and a Montana goat with it MANY years ago (scoped with a Weaver K-4). Countless speed-goats have fallen to it. I clean it once a year, whether it needs it or not, and I won't be doing anything else but that to it. It ain't broke, so I won't fix it.
14 February 2007, 10:14
Chuck Nelson
Sounds like a fabulous rifle!

Chuck