Post by: Craig on July 12, 2017, 04:01:45 PM
I have a Rbros 7mm SAUM with a Big Nightforce scope on it that I can shoot great out to 500-600 yards. It will shoot farther but 600 is my limit for now. Only issue is that its a heavy sucker. 12+ pounds. Or I have a T3 270wsm that shoots great but has a small 3x9x40 scope. I have set my limit to 400 Yards with this set up. No dials or anything. have to just hold over for anything over 300 yards. Its about 8 pounds.
I have a primo deer tag in Colorado and want the best rifle with me but don't want the rifle to be a pain in the butt during the hunt. will have to hike in 2-4 miles probably and be hunting at 11,000-12,000 feet in September.
Post by: h20hunter on July 12, 2017, 04:09:49 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on July 12, 2017, 04:11:23 PM
12,000 feet ? Yikes you are gonna be sucking wind that high - go with the .270 and aim for high shoulder.
Post by: jackelope on July 12, 2017, 04:15:11 PM
Post by: kselkhunter on July 12, 2017, 04:18:32 PM
My heaviest is my long range setup w/Swarovski scope. Around 9.2lbs with sling and a magazine of ammo. My other rifles I use in backcountry are 8lb and 7lb, respectively....albeit those are for shorter range shots. My typical backcountry hunt is setting up camp 3-6 miles deep from the trailhead and hunting a 2 mile radius.
The good news is it's easier to be more accurate with a heavier rifle. If you're comfortable with hiking it into your desired area, and think you need that extra range go for it.
Post by: idaho guy on July 12, 2017, 04:24:44 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on July 12, 2017, 04:27:36 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on July 12, 2017, 04:29:18 PM
Does this count? Easily makes 12lbs with a ten round mag. I purchased a Eberlstock pack to haul it.
But thats another 10# :chuckle:
Post by: jackelope on July 12, 2017, 04:30:59 PM
Are you hiking in 4 miles every day with your rifle or backpacking into a camp 4 miles in and then staying for a few days? That might influence my decision I guess.
If you don't have 40 pounds of other backpacking gear with you, it wouldn't be horrible carrying the rifle. Still heavy though......
Post by: Craig on July 12, 2017, 04:36:12 PM
Post by: fillthefreezer on July 12, 2017, 05:01:29 PM
Post by: Brushcrawler on July 12, 2017, 06:00:08 PM
Post by: Bill W on July 12, 2017, 06:10:12 PM
Post by: savagehunter on July 12, 2017, 10:23:13 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 12, 2017, 10:44:08 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on July 12, 2017, 11:07:57 PM
Thought about trading the .270 for a 300wsm ? Just kiddin - thats a real can of worms ! :)
Post by: Stein on July 12, 2017, 11:26:51 PM
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Post by: grade-creek-rd on July 13, 2017, 08:39:23 AM
I know your not in the market for a new rifle...but I am now shooting a Kimber Mountain Ascent in .280Ackley Improved with a Vortex Razor HDLH...the rifle has a 24" barrel and the scope has built in turrets and the total weight is just at 6 pounds...with that said, will you be hunting the 2-4 miles each day from a basecamp, so all you are carrying is an empty pack, lunch, water and rifle? If so, then I say take the heavy one that you like the most...but if you also have to pack in camp then I would think twice about all of your gear. It would suck to have to plan two extra days of just packing gear/game as well as burning yourself out. When I do the high hunt in WA I know that I am packing my entire camp in with me, and if I kill an animal then I have to add a day to get out. One day packing meat/hide (especially bears) and one day for gear...unless I go ultra-light.
Grade
PS. Hope all is well...and you co-worker that goes with me to Idaho always carries a cannon!...he couldn't believe how light my Savage lightweight hunter in 7mm-08 was after packing his Browning .300 all week... :)
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on July 13, 2017, 10:16:07 AM
I shaved some weight this year in other areas, but when you've got a lights out gun, it doesn't do you any good in the safe at home.
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Post by: Taco280AI on July 13, 2017, 10:40:10 AM
Post by: CaNINE on July 15, 2017, 06:12:50 AM
I went through the same decision this spring for my wyoming bear hunt at 8500 ft. Take the 6 pound backpacking rifle or the 12 pound precision rifle? I chose the 12 pound rifle. If I had the 6 pounder I would not have been able to execute the shot and taken the bear that I did. Did it suck carrying that rifle around? Yes. Do I look back and remember that? No. I remember the hunt and the bear I was able to take.
My advise is keep options open and take the most capable rifle.
Post by: The scout on July 15, 2017, 06:21:32 AM
Post by: Okanagan on July 15, 2017, 07:21:12 AM
I have listened to men tell me that the extra weight of a long heavy barrel makes the shot so stable that they will carry it after goats. Have also talked with those who save every ounce. My son carried a heavy barreled rifle on alpine hunts when he was younger because it was so accurate and he loved the way he could shoot it, and he had young strength and muscles. I carried a heavy rifle for many years, sometimes on multi-day backpack hunts, because it was the only rifle I owned.
About mid-life two things happened to me that gravitated me toward lighter rifles: age and more money.
Personally, I carry as light weight a rifle as I can, whether for low land deer or on many-day backpack hunts in alpine (which I do less of as I age). I like a rifle that still feels light to carry at the end of a long day. Most of my game shots are methodical, with a rest which compensates for lack of weight, and if not it means that the animal is very close and sub minute of angle precision isn't needed.
FWIW as an objective measure, I spent three nights on a backpack hunt in late Fall one year at timberline in the North Cascades with a total carry weight of 26 lbs. including pack, rifle, everything. I weighed it. I hate carrying anything but meat. :)
Post by: Bill W on July 15, 2017, 08:55:53 AM