Thread: Insight / Discussion RE magnum calibres for mountain rifle

^ Haha yeah its a big indepth topic for sure. A lot of it is very situational as you said

@hotsoup. Like you I had been using a 7mmRM (T3 with Southfort stock and VX5 3-15) and would grab it whenever I was heading to the tops. Recently I have come to the realization I was
A. Not a good enough marksman to take advantage of the long range potential of the cartridge. (I hate wounding animals and alpine conditions leave too much uncertainty with shot placement at longer ranges for my liking)
B. Enjoyed spotting and then stalking animals rather than just seeing and shooting them.
I have ended up putting the VX5 on my 16" suppressed T3 308 and using it for everything. This means I shoot it a lot and am getting better and better with it.
I have sorted a subsonic load which (with the quick dial up of 6MOA) is now my go to rabbit gun. I have shot pigs, deer and a chamois with it standing, kneeling, prone and resting on trees. The more I use it the more comfortable I am with it. Now, no matter what I am going to hunt, I reach for it and am happy shooting it out past 400 yards (under the right conditions).
I have still got the 7mmRM and it may get used again but for now it is sitting in the back of the safe "resting".
My 308 is probably heavier than what you would want and I had considered getting a VX5 2-10x but for the sake of 50 odd grams and an inch in length I have decided to stick with the bigger scope until I am sure about what I want. I'm sure that with the funds from the carbon lite you could build a similar, but lighter, do all rifle.

^ Awesome thanks for the feedback Shearer

I was using a 7RM for alpine stuff But have stepped down to 280 rem so I could have more manageable recoil in a light weight rifle. A 6.5 would have been an even better idea But i wanted to run the 162 amax

I also have found not having enough weight forward of your front hand makes a rifle hard to shoot, and a longer barrel makes the wobbles less rather than more.

Originally Posted by Bill999

I was using a 7RM for alpine stuff But have stepped down to 280 rem so I could have more manageable recoil in a light weight rifle. A 6.5 would have been an even better idea But i wanted to run the 162 amax

I also have found not having enough weight forward of your front hand makes a rifle hard to shoot, and a longer barrel makes the wobbles less rather than more.

That's where a short barrel and suppressor give a good balance.

Originally Posted by hotsoup

Awesome that's what I was hoping to hear. My only concern was not being confident that a 260/6.5cm would be adequate for my needs.

Knocking over Tahr, deer and hoppers out to sensible distances quite happily with my go to rifle - the mighty .243. No need to carry an anti aircraft gun, sell it and use your .308 until you croak. You will have an excellent hunting tool and lots of money in your pocket to boot!

I used 243 a heap on thar when i lived in the south
Id prefer a 6.5creed given the choice
out to 300ish meters with bog standard winchester 80gr soft points 243 worked great
beyond that Id feel the need for a more exotic bullets

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

Knocking over Tahr, deer and hoppers out to sensible distances quite happily with my go to rifle - the mighty .243. No need to carry an anti aircraft gun, sell it and use your .308 until you croak. You will have an excellent hunting tool and lots of money in your pocket to boot!

Sold that 308 to a lucky member! May flick the 7mm and start considering calibre options next..

,277 job done LOL

@hotsoup if you do sell the RM I know someone who may be interested.

Greetings Hotsoup,
Perhaps I am not the first to suggest this but in NZ we are allowed to own more than one rifle. Perhaps rather than the 7 mm Rem Mag Or something else it should be the 7mm Rem Mag and something else. This opens up the possibilities for your bush rifle while not knee capping the long range wonder. Just a thought.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings Hotsoup,
Perhaps I am not the first to suggest this but in NZ we are allowed to own more than one rifle. Perhaps rather than the 7 mm Rem Mag Or something else it should be the 7mm Rem Mag and something else. This opens up the possibilities for your bush rifle while not knee capping the long range wonder. Just a thought.
Regards Grandpamac.

This was the problem I had @grandpamac. Which one to take.......

Originally Posted by Shearer

This was the problem I had @grandpamac. Which one to take.......

I can think of worse problems haha

I've been round and round the caliber circle many times but now I've settled on one rifle and caliber a Sako carbon light in .260 mine is surppressed with a VX5 on it it weighs 3.5 kg and is awesome to carry and shoot.
It has plenty of knock down power having taken a couple of animals at 500 yards one being a big old 10 point red.
The .260 or the Creedmoor are so easy to get shooting well and go just as well with an 18" or 20" barrel.

Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk

that's a mint photo and trophy in spectacular country well done. Plenty of options if you want to limit to 600yrds or less. My personal favorite for light weight mountain set up has got to be the 284, 20in bbl (you could go shorter if you wanted) topped off with VX6 2-12x42. Great to carry on the hill, mild recoil, will perform out to 800 - 900 yards with 160 TMK's or 162 AMAX/ELDMs.