LIGHT WEIGHT / WALK ABOUT LR RIFLE???

[dlebeck]

I don't think I made my point clear. What I am building is a VERY light weight rifle that my broken down old body can carry with ease. Mostly whitetail, mule's and maybe an elk. Mostly ranges under 500, but maybe at 500 or a little past. Not too hard to shoot, not too hard to carry. What I think I have decided on is this:
Rem 700
MCM Hunters Edge Stock
Rifle Basix LV-1 trigger
Kriegger barrel - #1 or 2 cromolly
6mm remington
no brake
VariX III 2.5x8

Hope I didn't piss you guys off and thanks for the imput. It means more to me then you know

Douglas Lebeck

[ol mike]

Doug ,

I plugged 243cal ,w/ 105 a max w/500 bc at 2900fps and it will have roughly 980 lbs of energy at 500 yds.I'd guess that to be a minimum for big mule deer under field conditions.
90% of the time you hunt w/the gun a 6mm would probably be fine.A 6.5 -284 sure would make a nice short action light gun.
A 6mm was my first centerfire cartridge back in 1978 @ the ripe young age of 17...
Your component list is top notch!!!!!!!!

[dlebeck]

Thanks, I do like the 243 and it is actually tied with the 6mm. I really do like the 6.5x284 as well. See that's my problem. I have a Ruger #1V in 6mm and that thing just likes to kill. I have narrowed it down to two smiths: Chris Matthews (#1) and Darrel Holland (#2). Thanks and if anyone else has imput, please lets hear it.

[davewilson]

personally i think a 6mm and 500 yards for big game is just not the ticket.especially when you're making it a very light gun.not saying it won't kill even past those ranges, but you have no margin of error. keep your shots to 300 and under for big game and get another gun for elk.with a good brake a 7wsm won't kick any harder than a 243.use the 160-180 gr bullets and you've got an elk gun well past 500 yards.