Caliber of choice for the high country!

[shag]

I was wondering what caliber and cartridge you all prfer for backpack hunting?

I almost bought a whby ultralight in 338-06 last spring.  Kinda whish I had it now.  I have seen some brusier bears in the sub-alpine stuff!!  This year it looks like I'll be packin a .260  which will most likely become a 6.5-284 next year!!

My son is packin his Rem Mtn rifle in 7-08.  just thinking out loud and wondering what you all prefer for big bears and big bucks in the high country!

CD

[brush hunter]

45/70 BFR 10" BBL.

[ZEN]

30-06 Handi: Sporter Barrel. Choate Var. stock. 6-20 Simmons WhtTail Classic.  Carries like a carbine.  Shoulders fast with a close balance.  Not at all heavy on my front hand at only 38 inches.  NOthing fancy but I like the compact power.  You have to mean what you say though.  It's a single shot.  Not the best for bears maybe. I'm thinking about a heavier puncher next year too.  Why the 6.5-284?  I don't know anything about it.  (Anyone use a lever action as their pack gun?  My wheelzer turnin.)

PS I recommend a googling 45/70 BFR 10" BBL.  Pretty tuf looking gun.  Glass?  How does it do at the range?

[boneaddict]

30-06  either 150 or 180 grain Horn. handloads.  Both always get the same results.

[kirkl]

My remington mountain rifle in 270 cal. with 140 grain ultra core lokts.  Some good medicine.

[Craig]

I have a Tikka .270 WSM.

[shag]

Zen, here's some info on the 6.5-284.

http://www.6mmbr.com/SixFive284.html

A good friend of mine converted his .260 Rem Ti into a 6.5-284 and loves it!!  It feeds slicker than snot and has the same case capicity of a 25-06!  The 6.5 is a long range performer!  It will egual the 270 and maybe better it.  All with less recoil in a short action.  And with the high BC's of 6.5 bullet selection it is taking the bench rest competition's by storm!  Becomeing very popular amongest the 1000 yd shooters.
   I've always wanted a longrange bomber that won't kill the shoulder!  It will also handle bears and even elk just fine.  The 6.5 is time tested and a  proven moose killer in scandanavian countries!

  Nothing wrong with the .260 as my pard killed  174 inch mulie with a .260 last year at 510yds with a 130 gr scroccio!!  I'll prolly have some 125 gr partitions loaded up for either the .260 or the 6.5-284!

I'm ready!!

CD

[brush hunter]

ZEN, For glass I have a Bushnell Elite 2x6-32.  1" groups@ 100 yrds.

[ZEN]

(BRIEF HIJACK)
I know a lot of rifle hunters that wish their guns would group 1"@100.  Impressive.  From a rest?  What kind of rest do you use in the field?  I'm not hand gun savvy.  I didn't realize a handgun could have that kind of performance down range.  What is the best performance a shooter could hope for out of a HG?

[Ray]

I didn't realize a handgun could have that kind of performance down range.

A good friend of mine has a nice pistol that can hit clays in the dirt at 200 yards w/ iron sights. Very effective although it costed more than my rifle 

[high country]

rem 700 ti in 270 win. or a rem wby ultra light in 257wby.

[jackelope]

trying to slide my dads thomspon contender in 7mm tcu away from him when he's not looking, problem is he's always looking.

i'd love to hunt with a handgun

[Ridgerunner]

Either my Remington Mountain Rifle in 30-06 or my CDL in 270.

[saylean]

tikka 300 wsm for me.

[finnman]

Wthrby ultra light weight in .280 rem. using 140gr bonded bullets, topped with a Burris 3.5x10 44mm scope.

[bowpredator]

Will be using my good old bear killer. Rem 700  7mm 175gr core loct, 3x9x50 leupold dead nuts 300yrds. bought it strictly for bear 5 bears 5 years not to bad.

[ICEMAN]

Don't ask me, I started packing a 300 RUM, 28" around the last few years. Shot my bear last year at 250yds. Awesome rifle, but a bit much... 180gr scirroco.

For the lighter pack hunt, I would stick with a .270 or similar. Remington 721 rules.

[brush hunter]

(BRIEF HIJACK)
I know a lot of rifle hunters that wish their guns would group 1"@100.  Impressive.  From a rest?  What kind of rest do you use in the field?  I'm not hand gun savvy.  I didn't realize a handgun could have that kind of performance down range.  What is the best performance a shooter could hope for out of a HG?

I do most often use a rest, this would be a tree , log, rock, wife's shoulder (although she don't like this method) anything you would use with a rifle.

[bobcat]

The cartridge really isn't that important. They're all about the same, especially if your shots will be 300 yards or less. For high country hunting, I'd want a relatively light rifle. My Browning 270 would be my choice.

[Curly]

Below are the specs for the Remington Model 700™ Alaskan Ti.  That may be the perfect rifle for the high hunt.  As far as cartridge selection goes, I'd probably go with a short action cartridge to reduce the weight; and not a magnum because the recoil would be too much in that light of a rifle; so the choice would be the 7mm08.
_________________________________________________________________________
Model 700™ Alaskan Ti
 
We know the high country demands high standards, that’s why we’ve built the all-new, amazingly light Model 700™ Alaskan Ti. Weighing only 6 1⁄4 pounds long action and 6 pounds short action – it’s the ultimate rifle for high-altitude spot-and-stalk hunting.

The key to its lightweight feel starts with a titanium receiver that’s impervious to weather (drilled and tapped for mounts) incredibly strong, and half the weight of steel. Complementing the super-light receiver is a bolt featuring spiral-cut flutes and a 24" magnum contour barrel with light-varmint-style fluting. The action is pillar bedded for outstanding shot-to-shot consistency. Its premium Bell & Carlson stock features their MaxxGuard finish for enhanced durability and R3® recoil pad.

25-06 Remington  24"     6 1/4 #       

270 Win              24"     6 1/4 #

270 WSM            24"        6 #

280 Remington     24"        6 1/4#

7mm-08 Remington 24"      6  #
 
7mm Remington Mag  24"  6 1/4 #
 
30-06 Springfield   24"       6 1/4#
 
300 Win Mag       24"         6 1/4#
 
300 WSM           24"           6 #