Would you consider a 6mm Rem for mountain sheep/goats with long shots? I have a Remington Mod 7 in 6mm. Dad bought it in 1982 and it's only been fired 10-12 times. It's in my rack without glass as it is too short for me to use. But if I were to go on a backpack hunt it might be just the ticket.
What bullet and load would you suggest?


ETA: What scope?

Don't see why not! Maybe put it onto a better fitting, but lightweight stock, and give it a try.

I would think it would work with a premium bullet. Never hunted either, but have three different people who were nuts about it. One of my friends, now dead, scored two grand slams in his lifetime, which I think is real achievement now. Anyway, he swore by the 280 AI,even though he was a Jack O'Conner worshipper. The other two guys, interestingly enough, used the regular 280. It was their impression that the sheep were much tougher and heavier than a typical deer. Goats, while not big, needed to be anchored quickly in the places they hunted. I personally would not hesitate to use a 6mm with a nosler or controlled expansion monometal, if I had no choice. However, these hunts are often a once in a lifetime deal, literally, in some places (due to tag draws) so if I were able to go and lucky enough to get a tag, I would likely opt for something heavier.

Incidently, when you said it was too short for you, I had inklings of some sort of short light youth rifle. If this is true, and the barrel is also extremely short, you should keep in mind that the velocity you get with heavy bullets will be nowhere near the advertised or manual loads list.

Great cartridge! What the .243 Win should have been. Good for sheep and goats when used with a premium bullet.

Good cartridge but not a sheep and goat one. you very well could have a long shot and goats can be very tough. they are also a deceptive target with that long hair. Most people I know that have BTDT figure 270 class as minumum.

I must preface my comments by saying that I have never hunted sheep or goats....however I've seen quite a few while hunting elk and mule deer in the mountains of Wyoming. I also understand the potential distances one might be tempted to shoot at this terrain.

While a 6mm Remington might be totally adequate for this task, I'd not choose to go it with anything less than a .270 Winchester as the desire to carry energy to longer distances might be required. The 7mm Magnums might be the best alternative.

Sheep Yes...

Goats No...

Goats are some of the toughest critters in NA.

Unless you get right up close and get them with a perfect spine neck shot.

Goats are tough.

Sincerely,
Thomas

Id probably go for a larger more powerful cartrige since its kind of a rare hunt to get the oppertunity to go on. 6mm is an excellent cartrige but if I was lugging a rifle up and down mountains I wouldent want any doubts in my mind about the cartrige's adaquacy on sheep or goats.

Ive never hunted either but hope to get the chance one day, good luck and happy hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
While a 6mm Remington might be totally adequate for this task, I'd not choose to go it with anything less than a .270 Winchester as the desire to carry energy to longer distances might be required. The 7mm Magnums might be the best alternative.

A 280 Rem handloaded to the same pressure as a 270 would be right on the heels of the 7mm Rem mag & also fit the bill nicely.

Bob Hagle took one of the early rem 700's with the 20" barrel in 6mm after goat. The one he shot and the one his pal shot with a 300 H&H reacted the same, stood for a moment, then died.

This is the only reason to keep the rifle, it's tiny. The light little Mod 7 is so compact and light that it would be perfect to pack. Too bad it might not be powerful enough. Me thinks it is going to the gun shop never to return.

quote:

Originally posted by Gojoe:
This is the only reason to keep the rifle, it's tiny. The light little Mod 7 is so compact and light that it would be perfect to pack. Too bad it might not be powerful enough. Me thinks it is going to the gun shop never to return.

I have a small framed hunting buddy that worships his Rem mod7 in 6mm...too bad it takes so much to transfer a firearm to a Canadian, as he would buy it from you in a heartbeat!

quote:

Originally posted by Gojoe:
Would you consider a 6mm Rem for mountain sheep/goats with long shots? I have a Remington Mod 7 in 6mm. Dad bought it in 1982 and it's only been fired 10-12 times. It's in my rack without glass as it is too short for me to use. But if I were to go on a backpack hunt it might be just the ticket.
What bullet and load would you suggest?

ETA: What scope?

Sell that gun as it is and get a better one.

Are you very tall? Why is the LOP short for you?

In any case its a third rate cartridge as its too small for big game, the Rem design with their junk extractor, junk ejector, j. brazed on bolt handle, j. brazed on locking lug section are not good for hunting..

Sell it, get rid of it.

I suspect it is a bit harsh to suggest that the 6mm Rem is a "third rate" cartridge even though it might not be ideal for ram and goats at range.

Is an adequate tool for many species at reasonable ranges, but that can be said of many cartridges.

The lovely 1908 Peruvian I have in 6mm Rem certainly killed the heck out of a nice 8 point white tail.

Yes it’s a harsh comment. The 6mm Remington has the power to end the life of a Bighorn Sheep or a Mountain Goat but it’s not a good choice for them.

How many times did you apply for a “lower 48” tag for either one?

How much did that tag cost you?

How much did the outfitter cost you?

How much did the plane, hotel, car rental, etc. cost?

You may or may not get a shot on one.

You more than likely well have wind, moving up and down the mountain, side to side, swelling, who knows?

If you get a shot it may be 10 yards (if you're lucky) or a lot, lot, lot longer. And the long shot may be in the wind and high wind at that.

Why would you spend that much money on a hunt like that and take a “POP” gun with you?

Mick,

I do have to chuckle just a bit at your comments ... am usually the one accused of being "over gunned" by the fellas carrying .243s and such.

I have no problems with larger chamberings at all. and would probably choose to take a .264 Win Mag for that particular task.

Many folks seem to be recoil sensitive or averse to heavier rifles. Of the low recoil choices the 6mm Rem is not a bad one.