Back from East Wa Hunt...Looking at mountain guns now

[jackelope]

.45-70. 0 at 100 yards, 10" low at 200.



.500 S&W 0 at 100. 20" low at 200.




If you like to hunt up close and personal go for it. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with either of your 2 choices for a mountain rifle.

That's using a 430gr bullet. the Hornady Leverlution is a bit better trajectory wise than that, but anyways. the only "new" cartridges I'm willing to add are 45-70 or a 308. so is there another light, small gun in either 30-06, 25-05, 7mm, 308 or 45-70?

Buy a TC Encore or Pro Hunter with a .308 barrel. When someone says mountain rifle, I think lightweight, somewhat compact etc.
I just weighed my Encore. It's a 24" SS .280 Rem, 4-16x42 Vortex scope, claw sling and a Harris bipod. It weighs 9.2 pounds with all that stuff. I'd drop the bipod and lose a pound or so if I was hunting in the mountains. If I wanted to save more weight id put a smaller scope on it. I could be under 8 pounds ready to roll. You could do the same thing with pretty much whatever caliber you want.

[Bob33]

By ruling out bolt actions, you eliminated the vast majority of the best mountain rifles.

[JimmyHoffa]

By ruling out bolt actions, you eliminated the vast majority of the best mountain rifles.

Think there's multiple definitions being thrown around here.  The current sales/gun writer use for 'mountain rifle' is a really lightweight/ long, contoured barrel, generally bolt gun in a flat shooting caliber.  Even the muzzy world is doing this--shaving off weight and it now becomes a 'mountain rifle'.

[beaslayer6]

If you are looking for light gun buy a bolt gun. tikka is great or or the Kimber ascent in a 300wsm or 270wsm or have one built.. I have a 338rum in a light which is a bear to shot but awesome to carry around in the mts. in a Alaska. its right at 6.5lbs with a scope. but its not friendly. If you don't like heavy recoil rifles.. a guide gun in a 45-70 would be sweet to own but. for a mt. gun they don't have the best ballistics as jackelope pointed out.. 10" low at 200yards. Where do you plan on hunting with this gun. The bush would be where I would be with it.

[Curly]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,184688.msg2438920/topicseen.html#new

Here you go.  Check out the link above. Not my idea of a mtn rifle, but maybe would fit your definition.

[Fl0und3rz]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,184688.msg2438920/topicseen.html#new

Here you go.  Check out the link above. Not my idea of a mtn rifle, but maybe would fit your definition.

I was just thinking about this, too. 

Many options are out there.  I would probably go with the Remington 700 Mountain or Ruger All Weather.  Both are about sub-8# with scope.  If you want a brush gun, go with the Marlin.  I have all three.

With the OP specs, I'd go with a TC, but with a flatter shooting caliber.  I need one of these.

[Longbowz]

As already mentioned a Tikka T-3 Lite or Ultralite is probably the best deal in a lightweight mountain rifle going.

Another option if you can find one is a Remington 600 or 660.  I recently found a 660 in .308 that was in almost new condition.  My problem now is as soon as my wife saw it she claimed it as her new rifle!     

[Curly]

Mongo,

BTW - that BLR that is for sale weighs in at only 6.5 lbs.  That is 1/2 pound lighter that the 2 options you were considering.  Plus in .308 win, the trajectory would be much better than a 45-70.

BLR '81 specs

[Mark251]

The Tikka is a great choice...lightweight, accurate and durable.  I think Cabelas has them marked down to $500 right now....I believe they are also adding $50 worth of "Cabelas Bucks" to use on your next purchase.

[MountainWalk]

Handi-Rifle?

[high country]

A point to consider, the 45-70 may be a light and handy rifle, heck I have some and they are.....but the extra mag capacity adds a possibility of gaining nearly a pound of ammo. Those big slugs add up fast.

When I go to a mountain rifle, I consider the ammo. Can I carry a few extra shells without a noticeable weight gain? Not in a big bore....

[yorketransport]

You might want to message YorkeTransport on here and get his opinion on a Savage Striker. 

I saw that guy on the interwebs, he seems legit!

Since you don't want a bolt gun and you like the Encore, why not an Encore Prohunter pistol in 7-08? It will weigh less, offer better range, and do anything that the rifles will do with a little practice.

Or I can help you slap together a bolt action pistol in 300 RUM if that's more your speed Mine weighed less than 7# scoped and would duplicate the 300 win mag's ballistics without even breaking a sweat.

Andrew

[mountainman]

.45-70. 0 at 100 yards, 10" low at 200.



.500 S&W 0 at 100. 20" low at 200.




If you like to hunt up close and personal go for it. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with either of your 2 choices for a mountain rifle.

That's using a 430gr bullet. the Hornady Leverlution is a bit better trajectory wise than that, but anyways. the only "new" cartridges I'm willing to add are 45-70 or a 308. so is there another light, small gun in either 30-06, 25-05, 7mm, 308 or 45-70?

Buy a TC Encore or Pro Hunter with a .308 barrel. When someone says mountain rifle, I think lightweight, somewhat compact etc.
I just weighed my Encore. It's a 24" SS .280 Rem, 4-16x42 Vortex scope, claw sling and a Harris bipod. It weighs 9.2 pounds with all that stuff. I'd drop the bipod and lose a pound or so if I was hunting in the mountains. If I wanted to save more weight id put a smaller scope on it. I could be under 8 pounds ready to roll. You could do the same thing with pretty much whatever caliber you want.

9.2#'s? Would not class that as a lightweight mountain gun. Love the TC's, but there are better choices that will get down under 6.5#'s complete!

[huntnphool]

Savage 111 Lightweight is short with a 20" barrel and comes in at 5.5# without the scope, http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=518026429 good deal on one right here in 7mm-08.

[TeacherMan]

Love my Kimber Ascent in 308. Topped it with a 4.5-14 Leupold and its golden!