I have gotten myself back to contemplating what I want to take on my ibex hunt. I have come down to two calibers, the 7mm mag or the 300 win mag. I'm leaning more towards the 300 win mag, but if I can find what I wan't in 7mm mag, I'll take it. I would like a CRF rifle that's light weight. I don't care what the stock is or the barrel, but S/S would probably serve me better. Does anyone know of a company that makes what I wan't. The only light m70's are in the new WSM cartridges, which I don't care for. Does it look like I'll have to restock a rifle or maybe have MRC make a barreled action and I buy a stock? I don't really care for rugers, hear they have some accuracy problems. Anyone have any ideas where I can find what I'm looking for. Maybe an older pre-WSM m70 feather weight? Thanks.

Sevens

You are probably going to have to have a rifle made. If you aren't totally comitted to the CRF concept I would recommend you look at a Sako in a McMillan stock. I have one (blued) in 7mm Rem Mag, and one (stainless) in 300 Win Mag. They do have very good extractors, and real fixed blade ejectors, not spring/plunger junk. Both of mine feed exceptionally well - have never bobbled. For your hunt I would recommend the 300 Win Mag. I used my 7mm extensively for fifteen years, but now feel much more confident with the 300 Win. I use either the 180 or 200 grain Partition. Nothing trendy, but it surely is effective. I was practicing on the 300 and 400 meter steel plates at the range today from field positions with a 180 PP Partition. It was drilling them right in there.
I will eventually sell most of my present guns and get an Echols Legend in 300 Win, and another in 416 Rem, but until that day I am very happy with my Sakos in those calibers.
Good hunting,
JCN

Since you didn't mention how light or any budget constraints I would have to agree with the above poster. The Sako is one of your better choices. Don't get too hung up on the CRF thing. A good choice would be the Sako Finnlight in 300WM, light and reliable.

The Sako is sort of a CRF, correct. How much does the finnlight weigh? I would not object to a sako since I don't believe I'll be hunting DG with it. I'm just curious, does the sako hold onto the cartridge or push it like a push feed? Oh, how much does one cost? Thanks.

Sevens

Sevens- If you go to www.sako.fi and click on hunting rifles, then Sako, then key concepts you can run the pointer over the pictures and it will explain in good detail how it works. Better than I could describe it anyway. According to Beretta USA's website the MSRP is $1440.00. You would have to check with one of your fellow Americans to find out where to get the best deals. I'm sure you can buy it far less than that.

They look nice, but are a bit expensive. Maybe a used one. Are there any other suggestions?

Sevens

Sevens- You mentioned earlier that you didn't like the WSM's but I would ask you to reconsider. I have a couple of friends in the military that use those cartridges in their own rifles and I can tell you they are very accurate. Ballistics are virtually identical to the 300WM and there seems to be no problem finding ammo. Now, I would like to propose a suggestion to you: http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=931&cat=001C
This is a serious rifle. The price is right and the bolt is the best of both worlds. Savage has had that concept on their DGR for a number of years and I think you will see more manufacturers go this way. I think you will find this a very viable alternative for you. Let me know what you think.

Hello Sevens,

I sent you a PM.

Regards,
Davaa

You can find a very nice used Sako for $600.00 (if lucky) to $900.00 (from a gunshop that is proud of their merchandise.
They do push the cartridge from the magazine into the chamber, but once the extractor snaps over the case rim it is held straight and tight. So long as you don't pull the bolt all the way back to where the ejector blade kicks the case out you can go back and forth all day, just like a traditional CRF.
I have a full sized stainless Sako 75 in 300 Win Mag. It is relatively comfortable to shoot, and not too onerous to carry. I think that a Finnlight in that caliber might be a handful to shoot.
Good hunting,
JCN
My girlfriend and I just bought her a used Sako in 30-06 for $695.00. After we cleaned it up and lightly lubed the moving parts, well, just say that she is not going to let that rifle go. Once you get a taste for well engineered rifles with lots of steel parts and some pride in wood/metal fit it is hard to go back to what comes off the assembly lines at Remchestuger.

I'm not too worried about recoil. I can shoot a 500 jeffery with little discomfort. 300 win mag can't be that bad compared to the 500.

Sevens

Finnlight might be just the ticket then. They are pretty handy to carry, and the velocity loss with the shorter barrel probably isn't the end of the world. There are still a few Berretta Mato's around. The ones I've handled (never shot one) seemed to feed well. Seemed well made.
JCN