Help me choose the right rifle out of my safe

[Wetwoodshunter]

Alright, first off I guess I used to be an archery hunter but have branched into the rifle world the last few years and have 2 main rifles that I have the opportunity to hunt with for the 2020 season and am currently planning an OTC hunt in some state chasing primarily elk up in mule deer country. Details of this hunt are far from ironed out but I could potentially be up in the mountains for 2 weeks. I will have both tags in my pocket but elk>mule deer and I will be focusing more on them. Talking with a buddy that has hunted here 400 yards is all I would need to be comfortable with for most shots, the possibility of a 600 yard shot does exist though.

So here is my dilemma, I have a completely custom 7mm Remington Magnum that is a proven killer and I can reach out and hammer things. This rifle scoped weighs in at around 11 lbs and in my opinion is not a mountain rifle, packing it for 2 weeks would be a chore. I built it thinking mainly of long pokes in MT and took it to AK for caribou.

My other choice for a rifle is a browning X-bolt in 7mm-08 that I have never harvested an animal under my ownership but is at least 4 lbs lighter. This gun is also a shooter so pokes to 400 shouldn't be an issue. I have no real world experience with the leathality of it on elk in the 400 yard range. I'm assuming that I could load it with about 140 gr Barnes, Nosler ABs or a Berger bullet and be accurate at that range but is it going to do the job assuming that I do my part?

I have about a year to decide what I want to use for the hunt if it materializes.

[boneaddict]

Id keep them safe in the safe and buy a third.

[CaNINE]

Of the two choices I'd go with the 7RM.  11 pounds is a bit on the heavy side for a mountain rifle but you can tough it out.  If it's a proven killer and your confident in it then I'd cowboy up and buck that rifle around.

I agree with Bone that if it's in the budget swing for a new rifle that tops out in the 8 - 9 pound range fully rigged.  Step up to a 30 cal pushing big heavies.

[jasnt]

7rm. 

[Taco280AI]

Sell the 11 pounder and get a 7-8 pound 7mm mag.



Or deal with carrying it around the mountains.

[b23]

What are the specs of your custom 7mm Rem mag??

Since it's some type of full custom, it could be worth re-configuring with a smaller contour barrel, a lighter scope, or a different stock to get the weight down.  Depending on it's current configuration, any one, or even all three, could potentially take a few pounds off of it and you could sell those items to help pay for new ones.

[Wetwoodshunter]

What are the specs of your custom 7mm Rem mag??

Since it's some type of full custom, it could be worth re-configuring with a smaller contour barrel, a lighter scope, or a different stock to get the weight down.  Depending on it's current configuration, any one, or even all three, could potentially take a few pounds off of it and you could sell those items to help pay for new ones.

It is a McGowan 1:9 twist barrel with a fairly heavy contour, I think 2 sizes up from sporter. HS precision pro series sporter stock, blueprinted action, jewell trigger and topped with a VX6hd 4-24. I did not have this rifle built with lightweight in mind. I guess I could sell it and fund a different rifle. I have regretted just about every firearm I have ever sold though and my best group was .3 MOA with 168 ABLRs from a sled.

[bobcat]

If you're strong enough to carry a whole antelope on your back, you should be able to carry an 11 pound rifle in the mountains.   

[jasnt]

If you're strong enough to carry a whole antelope on your back, you should be able to carry an 11 pound rifle in the mountains.   

Last year I would have called ya a sissy.
I often hunt with a much heavier rifle and it’s not terrible.  This year I took my 338/375 ruger barrel off and screwed on my old 300 wm barrel...feels like a toy it’s so light. Sure is nice to pack!    Manners T2 in carbon and a short sporter or heavy sporter would make a great mountain rifle

[Yondering]

I would just use the 7/08 if it were me.

[Bofire]

400 yard max, which is farther then most can shoot, 7mm08 is fine.
Carl

[b23]

What are the specs of your custom 7mm Rem mag??

Since it's some type of full custom, it could be worth re-configuring with a smaller contour barrel, a lighter scope, or a different stock to get the weight down.  Depending on it's current configuration, any one, or even all three, could potentially take a few pounds off of it and you could sell those items to help pay for new ones.

It is a McGowan 1:9 twist barrel with a fairly heavy contour, I think 2 sizes up from sporter. HS precision pro series sporter stock, blueprinted action, jewell trigger and topped with a VX6hd 4-24. I did not have this rifle built with lightweight in mind. I guess I could sell it and fund a different rifle. I have regretted just about every firearm I have ever sold though and my best group was .3 MOA with 168 ABLRs from a sled.

Can't really tell what contour your current barrel is but if weight is a concern and you like the gun, you could go to a smaller contour like a 2B or #3 contour, ditch the muzzle brake as well and probably drop 2lbs.  A 7mm Rem mag doesn't use a whole lot of powder and they don't really kick much so you could easily go with a 24in tube and not use a muzzle brake.  You can still have it threaded for a brake and use it when you want though.  You have a shorter smaller contour barrel chambered up and fitted to that gun and it'll feel like a whole different rifle to you.  That'd be the direction I'd go versus buying a gun off the rack then hoping it shoots well. 

There's no doubt a 7-08 will kill an elk, but for me personally, I'm going to reach for something else.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Id keep them safe in the safe and buy a third.

I went around in circles trying to figure out the cost to rebarrel and then decided every rifle has a purpose. I have regretted every gun I have ever sold so the 7mm will stay in the safe.

It will have some new company though. I guess you could say I "accidentally" bought a Christensen Ridgeline in 300WSM yesterday I th il no I am going to put a leupold VX3i 4-14 on it, it should be about 7 lbs 4 oz scoped.

[Sakko300wsm]

Id keep them safe in the safe and buy a third.

I went around in circles trying to figure out the cost to rebarrel and then decided every rifle has a purpose. I have regretted every gun I have ever sold so the 7mm will stay in the safe.

It will have some new company though. I guess you could say I "accidentally" bought a Christensen Ridgeline in 300WSM yesterday I th il no I am going to put a leupold VX3i 4-14 on it, it should be about 7 lbs 4 oz scoped.

I just bought the same rifle in 300wsm a few weeks ago - put a VX5 on it, awesome shooter!

[usmc74]

Id keep them safe in the safe and buy a third.

I went around in circles trying to figure out the cost to rebarrel and then decided every rifle has a purpose. I have regretted every gun I have ever sold so the 7mm will stay in the safe.

It will have some new company though. I guess you could say I "accidentally" bought a Christensen Ridgeline in 300WSM yesterday I th il no I am going to put a leupold VX3i 4-14 on it, it should be about 7 lbs 4 oz scoped.

300WSM is a good round!