Post by: Wetwoodshunter on October 17, 2019, 11:36:14 AM
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.
Post by: boneaddict on October 17, 2019, 11:42:10 AM
Post by: CaNINE on October 17, 2019, 12:01:25 PM
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.
Post by: jasnt on October 17, 2019, 12:38:57 PM
Post by: Taco280AI on October 17, 2019, 12:46:22 PM
Or deal with carrying it around the mountains.
Post by: b23 on October 17, 2019, 01:06:20 PM
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.
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on October 17, 2019, 01:38:05 PM
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.
Post by: bobcat on October 17, 2019, 01:52:22 PM
Post by: jasnt on October 17, 2019, 02:15:57 PM
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. :o:yeah:
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
Post by: Yondering on October 17, 2019, 03:46:06 PM
Post by: Bofire on October 17, 2019, 04:43:54 PM
Carl
Post by: b23 on October 17, 2019, 05:16:49 PM
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.
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on October 19, 2019, 07:18:55 AM
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.
Post by: Sakko300wsm on October 19, 2019, 07:58:09 AM
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!
Post by: usmc74 on October 19, 2019, 08:06:23 AM
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!
Post by: kukusya on October 19, 2019, 08:15:43 AM
Post by: Brushcrawler on October 19, 2019, 08:46:48 AM