Mountain caliber

03 March 2007, 17:52

Hï¿½ctor Carlos Roveda

Mountain caliber

Mountain hunt, reed deer or ligth animal, ligthweith rifle, premium bullet, long shot (200 to 350 meters).
What is your caliber choise?
7-08; 308; 8x68; etc.
Hector

03 March 2007, 18:08

HondoLane

Me personally, if I were to purchase a rifle for this type of hunting I would go with a 25-06 or a 257Wby. They are light enough in the recoil department to practice with alot and will reach out and on the long shots mentioned. Also, since premium bullets were stipulated, a good 100-120 grain pill launched from one of these cartridges would seem to me to be a perfect fit for this criteria.

03 March 2007, 18:36

Wstrnhuntr

Ive got a 257 AI that fills the bill nicley. lightweight, low recoil and launches 115 gn BT's 3100 fs.

A good 260 Rem could also be a good candidate.

03 March 2007, 18:48

thismortalcoil

260, 7-08, 6,5x55, 7x57 would all make excellt liteweight rifles that would easliy fit the bill

03 March 2007, 18:52

Iron Buck

My choice would be a 280............and I am building one in a lighter weight mountain rifle style now

03 March 2007, 18:59

bartsche

6.5 X 55 with at least 140 gr. bullets.

roger

03 March 2007, 19:05

Brad

Hector, I'm of the opinion you wouldn't go wrong with any of the cartridges you mention. Of the three you mention I'd prefer the 308.

My current "Mountain Rifles" are a Kimber Montana in 270 WSM and an SS M70 Fwt in 30-06.

A 6.5 lb 270 would be "perfect" IMO.

03 March 2007, 19:07

ozhunter

7x64, 6.5x57 and 300 Wetherby are my preferred mountain calibers for game such as Chamois, Thar, Red Deer and Ibex.
I would like to try the 6.5x65.
ozhunter

03 March 2007, 19:35

vapodog

one will do just fine with the 270 Winchester, the 280 Remington or the 7MM Rem Mag.

Of the three the .270 can be easily found in a light weight package and will do the

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03 March 2007, 19:55

wildboar

My actual mountain rifle is a Tikka T3 light, cal 270 WSM and I'm VERY pleased with it; rugged, light, accurate, smooth to operate and reasonably priced.

03 March 2007, 19:59

scubapro

I have bought myself a .30-06: shoots perfect, but sometimes I think I should have taken a .270 Win instead...

Klaus
www.titanium-gunworks.de

03 March 2007, 20:26

308Sako

quote:
Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
Ive got a 257 AI that fills the bill nicley. lightweight, low recoil and launches 115 gn BT's 3100 fs.

A good 260 Rem could also be a good candidate.

This is as good an answer as I could make. My .257 AI is only good to 3,000 ft/sec's with the 115's, and the .260 is the next choice. Great rounds which will satisfy your needs.

03 March 2007, 22:18

Bwana-be

6.5x55 or 7x57. Real hard choice that one.

04 March 2007, 00:05

cewe

7x64 or 8x68S

04 March 2007, 00:12

fredj338

Of the calibers you listed, I would go 7-08. I went w/ the .280 in a rifle that goes a bit over 7# ready to hunt. I find the recoil pretty light even w/ a 160gr bullet @ 2800fps. Using 140gr @ 3000fps, it's as flat shooting as one needs.

04 March 2007, 00:30

Gerry

.308!

7x57 would be my next choice.

04 March 2007, 00:59

FMC

270 Win 130gr bullet

04 March 2007, 01:33

mho

quote:
Originally posted by Hï¿½ctor Carlos Roveda:
Mountain hunt, reed deer or ligth animal, ligthweith rifle, premium bullet, long shot (200 to 350 meters).
What is your caliber choise?
7-08; 308; 8x68; etc.
Hector

Hector, what kind of red deer?? Light as in Scotland or the European Alps?? Scottish stags or Central European hinds - .270 Win.

Heavy red deer as found in Caucasus and other mountain ranges: a .300 of some sort, or the near perfect 8x68S (if you can handle the recoil).

- mike

04 March 2007, 02:16

Idaho Sharpshooter

6.5x68Schuler...you can find them if you shop a little in those lovely double set trigger-ed german Guild Guns.

Rich
DRSS

04 March 2007, 02:46

Thomas Jones

So many cartridges to choose from that would be good, how about my Ruger #1A in 7X57.
It would be hard to find a rifle that is easier to cary. I also have a ruger 77Mk2 ultra light in .257 Roberts, loaded with a good bullets its a prety good choice too
My Model 70 featherweight .308 would not likly let you down either.
...tj3006

04 March 2007, 17:30

Hï¿½ctor Carlos Roveda

Thanks to all answeres.
First: in my country only it's legally hunt big game with caliber of not less of 6,5 mm (out .257, etc.)diameter.
Second: the reed deer of Argentina have not less of 200 kgs of weight and we shot (in the south of Argentina - mountains territory-) at 200 to 350 meters or more . I hunted previously with the 6,5 x 55 and he need more caliber.
8x68 S, .308 Win or one of the seven 7-08 / 7x64 are my candidates for a realy custom light rifle (22" barrel).
I'm inclined for the .308 with premium .165 gr bullets (aviability of ammo and components of reload and good energy remaining at 300 meters).
Best Regards.
Hector

04 March 2007, 17:30

Hï¿½ctor Carlos Roveda

Thanks to all answeres.
First: in my country only it's legally hunt big game with caliber of not less of 6,5 mm (out .257, etc.)diameter.
Second: the reed deer of Argentina have not less of 200 kgs of weight and we shot (in the south of Argentina - mountains territory-) at 200 to 350 meters or more . He need a "punch" caliber.
8x68 S, .308 Win or one of the seven 7-08 / 7x64 are my candidates for a realy custom light rifle (22" barrel).
I'm inclined for the .308 with premium .165 gr bullets (aviability of ammo and components of reload and good energy remaining at 300 meters).
Best Regards.
Hector

04 March 2007, 17:53

BNagel

Hector

What about your .300 H&H (with 150-grainers)?

BNagel

04 March 2007, 18:56

huntnjim

My choice for mountain sheep, goat and timberline bucks is a 300 win mag necked down to a 270. I load the Nosler AB in 140 grain.

04 March 2007, 19:05

El Deguello

quote:
Originally posted by Hï¿½ctor Carlos Roveda:
Mountain hunt, reed deer or ligth animal, ligthweith rifle, premium bullet, long shot (200 to 350 meters).
What is your caliber choise?
7-08; 308; 8x68; etc.
Hector

I think the 6.5X55 or 6.5X57mm, or a .270 Win. would do well. Of course, the 7X64mm and .270 use longer actions (unless you go with a Ruger 1A!!) which increases weight. With the Ruger, you can use any cartridge length that suits you with NO increase in gun weight.

The .264 Win. Mag. and 6.5X68 are both superb long-range open country rounds as well! The 8X68S is suitable for a lot bigger game than you mentioned, as well! A very fine cartride! And if you are building a custom job, consider a Ruger No. 1, a Dakota No. 10, or a German single-shot in 8X75RS.

For game up to elk, I use a Ruger 1B in 7mm Remington Magnum with a fixed-X, 6-power scope for a mountain rifle.

04 March 2007, 20:01

z1r

quote:
Originally posted by bartsche:
6.5 X 55 with at least 140 gr. bullets. roger

6.5x55 or 6.5x57. If the range were longer and the rifle a tad heavier then the 6.5x68.

04 March 2007, 20:55

akrange

The Best Mountain Cal. is 7mm Rem. Mag. and the 6.5-06 is a better choice than the 6.5x55 the 260 Rem.. The only bad point about the 6.5-06 is You have to handload it..
AK

05 March 2007, 02:34

9.3 rifleman

My favorites for mountain mule deer are the 7x57 and the 6.5x55 (best if handloaded). My father and I have also taken large bodied elk with the 7x57 loaded with 160 grain bullets and it is quite effective. I think your choices of the 7x64 and the 8x68 are great choices. I have always wanted to try the 8x68.

05 March 2007, 05:33

fredj338

quote:
Originally posted by akrange:
The Best Mountain Cal. is 7mm Rem. Mag. and the 6.5-06 is a better choice than the 6.5x55 the 260 Rem.. The only bad point about the 6.5-06 is You have to handload it..
AK

Using a 280 w/ the same bbl. length & you only give up less than 50yds to the 7rm w/ a lighter rifle that hols more ammo & recoils less. Plus the 7rm is pretty watered down in factory loads, still need to handload to get the best from it.
HEctor, the 7x64 would be a bit better at longer ranges than the .308 using 160gr bullets. It is pretty much the same as my .280 & it will do quite nicely in a 7#, something the 8x68 will not do.

05 March 2007, 06:21

Dwight

You all know my choice by now. 7mm08 is forever my choice. It is the most friendly for ease of loading and shoots 100gr to 160 gr bullets in tight groups, has good velocity and kills deer easily at 350yds. The other choices are also good but not good enough for me to switch.

05 March 2007, 07:26

akrange

Fred
At times Life is a Spectator Sport.. And the
reality is the velocity king {when we compared the 7mm Rem Mag. and the 280 Rem.} is in fact the 7mm Rem Mag.. Of course if you like primers that fall out when You beat the bolt handle open you could match the 7mm Rem Mag..Spectator Sport.. No
AK

05 March 2007, 07:44

Dr. Lou

Kimber Montana in 7-08.

05 March 2007, 09:55

Blacktail53

Yeah, What Doc Lou said.

If your wanting to put together a light weight stalking rifle, my vote would be 7-08 Rem.

Everything is there: moderate recoil, flat trajectory, great bullet selection..all of that equals = easy to hit and kill with.

More powder capacity, larger diameter bullets...the only really noticable gain will be recoil...IMO BT

05 March 2007, 13:03

N E 450 No2

Inside 250 yards I like the 308....

If I think there is a good chance ranges will be longer, especially past 300 yards I like the 300 Win Mag.

05 March 2007, 14:08

Jim Manion

300 WM.

05 March 2007, 16:22

scubapro

quote:
Originally posted by BNagel:
Hector

What about your .300 H&H (with 150-grainers)?

BNagel

.300H&H sound slike a dream rifle for me...

05 March 2007, 17:11

Hï¿½ctor Carlos Roveda

BNagel:
Because my .300 H&H are a heavy rifle (Musgrave South African).

El Deguello:
I'm like too the .8x75 JR in a single action rifle, but it's impossible to reload from Argentina. No find this cases here.

AKrange
I just beggining to reload the 6,5.06 and I like very much, but I think it's very slow to a long shot (140 gr at 2.850 fts).

Fredj338
I have a Sauer 200 in 7x64 Brenneke who shot 3 160gr ball in 1" at 150 meters but, same problem of my .300 H&H, it's to heavy.

I'm thinking in the .7-08...
Regards.
Hector

05 March 2007, 18:19

mouse93

quote:
Originally posted by Hï¿½ctor Carlos Roveda:
Mountain hunt, reed deer or ligth animal, ligthweith rifle, premium bullet, long shot (200 to 350 meters).
What is your caliber choise?
7-08; 308; 8x68; etc.
Hector

...350 m is a long one and since there are reds in question - it is what 8x68S was suppose to do from beginning - I have a R93 in the caliber and with 25" barrel, incl. scope and full magazine weights just about 4 kg (~-8 pounds) thanks to R93 overall length is 109 cm which is handy compared to 115 cm in "Mauser type" rifles...recoil is sensible but nothing to worry about...

05 March 2007, 18:27

.366torque

quote:
BNagel:
Because my .300 H&H are a heavy rifle (Musgrave South African).

Ok that's a given, can't be lugging a heavey rifle up in thin air

quote:
El Deguello:
I'm like too the .8x75 JR in a single action rifle, but it's impossible to reload from Argentina. No find this cases here.

Use your '06 brass or whatever you're using for your 6.5-06

quote:
AKrange
I just beggining to reload the 6,5.06 and I like very much, but I think it's very slow to a long shot (140 gr at 2.850 fts).

Don't let the velocities get to you. In a 6.5 you can use lighter grain bullets and not sacrifice B.C.

quote:
Fredj338
I have a Sauer 200 in 7x64 Brenneke who shot 3 160gr ball in 1" at 150 meters but, same problem of my .300 H&H, it's to heavy

quote:
I'm thinking in the .7-08...
Regards.
Hector

Nothing wrong with a 7-08, just find out which is more accurate, the 7-08 or the 6.5-06.

05 March 2007, 18:43

BlackHawk1

While either a .260 Rem or a 6.5x55 (loaded with 125-140gr Partitions) in a trim, lightweight rifle would work well, I would probably want to take my 7mm Rem Mag (light sporter weight) loaded with 160-175gr Partitions for the animals and conditions you are describing Hector.