horsemans mountain rifle

[tony m]

short,clean,accurate-perhaps a single shot,25/06 rem (24" barrel).fits a scabbard or gun boot easily,will have compact scope.must hold poi.Is there anything out there?Pretty does not matter.I have good bolt action rifles,ruger#1 and used several lever action rifles.Nothing really designed for this exclusive purpose that I can see .Custom job?This seems to be no mans land to me.thanks

 

[Broz]

Tony, It is on my "to do" list and has been for a few years now. I have played with it in my head and here is what I am thinking.

Out to 700 ~ 800 yards max.

Light stock composite, pillars and full bedding out to the barrel lug. Side flush cups so you can pull a sling from the saddle bag if you need to go on foot. Harris Bipod with quick release that can be also in the saddle bag when not in the scabbard.

Keep the weight in a barrel about 24" plus brake with a muzzle dia around .750" Fluted all metal cerokoted flat black. Chamber in 7mm-300 win with an 8 or 8.5 twist to be ready for the release of the 195 Bergers. Or some 200 gr we are trying to get built.

Rem 700 long action or clone. repeater with single stack wyatts bag box. 3 down carry chamber empty.

Timney trigger at 1 1/2 to 2 lbs for durability and able to with stand some cold and dust.

Nightforce 0 can't rail base with Nightforce .885 ultralite rings. 3 rings for durability.

Nightforce 2.5x10 x 32 compact scope in .25 moa with NP-R1 or MOAR reticle.

Rail mounted US optics level with protector.

Easy in and out of the scabbard, scabbard can be hung vertical or under your leg while mounted, durable as it gets and able to hold groups of 4 or 5 " at 800 yards.

What ya think?

Jeff

 

[tony m]

Wow.you have thought about-just a tad.What would this the max weight you would allow on this rig?For myself,400 yards is a huge shot in this steep country,especially solo,when game recovery is key of course.We probably frequent the same type of terrain(rocky mountain)Sounds like a dandy though.Tell me some more stuff,if you can.take care

 

[MT4XFore]

Glad to see you back, Broz. I've missed ya. As for your idea on the mountain rifle, I'd say you are right on the mark.

I think of ya every time I go through Townsend.

Jim

 

[Broz]

Thanks Jim,

Tony, this rifle should come in about 9 lbs complete. I simply do not want a rifle lighter here where we hunt. Weight is stability I find necessary to keep in the .5 moa area out to 800 yards. The bullets I intend to use will have a G1 BC of close to .8 and the chambering should push them close to 3000 fps. from a short barrel. I have a real short one going together now so I will be able to confirm that. This would make the shot at 800 yards very doable even in mountain or canyon winds with adequate practice.

My main reason for this build would be for wolf hunts, so small targets at distance are in the plan. But this also would double for an elk rifle when I draw that tag in the limited areas and go deep for a real trophy. I may also use it for some bear hunts on horseback.

Jeff

 

[tony m]

Thanks.Good info..wolf hunting does have its own requirements.Well today and for the next while I'm winged(again) no chores,work or otherwise.Hell ,just hard to look at all the work around in the spring and not dive in to it.so ,great to exchange ideas.Man, around here you see wolves briefly, if at all.Tough to trap too.

 

[Broz]

Had my 300 win with a braked 28" barrel, NF 5.5~22 x56, for this hunt. But that scabbard under my leg made for some discomfort after 6 or 7 miles. Thus the reason I want something smaller and easier to carry and for sure something that deploys faster from the scabbard.

Jeff

 

[tony m]

I know what you mean.Have tried most scabbard locations.I at times do lots of riding,some cow work,roping etc.I guess thats my main issue,for me anyways.Thats why I am considering a single shot rifle,very short action and easy to carry(like a carbine)We have different needs but its fun to exchange ideas.Actually, what I really need is a fully functional boot that can swiveled to one side somehow.easy opening and closing.I have not seen this type of arrangement though.Ruger does not make what I need,I don't know and don't find the#1 that dependable.Maybe its me.take care

 

[Varberger757]

Could you imagine hunting with a slick single shot break action (SSBA) rifle like Blaser 95K, Krieghoff etc.? Should be marvellous for mountain hunts on horseback in the USA. F. ex. calibre 30R Blaser, full 26' barrel -length provided + muzzle brake all together ca. 6,5lbs without scope and OAL 1,10 meter/1,20yards length!

 

[cowboy]

But that scabbard under my leg made for some discomfort after 6 or 7 miles.

Jeff

Jeff:
Have you ever tried putting your rifle on the other side ("on side")? Put the stock to the back (Horses rump) and barrel pointing forward and angled down. You now have the thinnest part of the rifle under your left leg - the barrel. There are advantages and disadvantages to every position but I have found the on-side method works best for me. You dismount and rifle is right there - you pull it to the back of the horse to remove from scabbard. The down side is I have my scope facing down and rifle is out of site if you don't look for it. I started doing this many years ago when leading pack strings - I am right handed and always felt more comfortable holding pack horse lead rope in rt. hand. The first couple trips with a not so wise pack horse and I wanted nothing in the way to get the lead rope tangled up - particularly my rifle.

The whole key to this is to get the butt of rifle as high as you can - if the back "D" ring for your rear cinch isn't high enough you can always add a ring just below your wangs where you tie something down behind your saddle. Your front strap on your rifle scabbard may need to be lenghtened from the standard size but a new strap shouldn't be more than a couple bucks. You would need to play around a little to get it to ride correctly, make sure it's not effecting front left leg of your horse, but IMO it is well worth it. I ride with spurs all the time and I can't stand having a lump (rifle) under my leg.


I have tried all 4 locations and the above is how I've been packing a rifle for 25 years.

 

[tony m]

Nothing is ideal..I've settled with it on the offside too/barrel forward/no weight on the scope..so far. exactly why this rifle is not gold plated work of art...hate to forcast it but trouble can be around the corner.tag your it.

 

[etisll40]

I've got a TC Encore with an MGM barrel, trigger is about 1.8 lbs. It shoots 1/2" or less. 6.5x284, 27" barrel fluted. 13/16" bull contour. 22 shots to load development, 140 grain Gameking. 23rd shot 505 yards, mule deer dropped on the spot. 1 shot at an animal. Gun probably weighs 5lbs. maybe 6 with scope. Very cool little rifle. Put a pistol in your pocket for dangerous game and go hunting. No bs, these can shoot, seems odd but they aren't really.

 

[tony m]

Realized what I tried to say made no sense.I just meant no need for an expensive gold plated rifle-a horse could roll on it or who knows what could happen to it.Expect the unexpected..I really don't know much about these threads etc or how they work but the tc encore had caught my attention ,good to here positive feedback about it.

 

[tony m]

Tell us more about the blaser 95k .Have you tried this? thanks