Must have gun feature

[Glizock]

Hello all,

Been lurking in the forums here for the last couple of months. I'm interested in getting in to the long range shooting/hunting. Basically starting from the ground up.

When looking at back country/long range hunting rifles, what is the must have feature you look for and why? I feel like weight is importent, but don't want to skimp on quality barrel, action, etc for the sake of saving weight. Looking for some opinions.

Appreciate your time.

 

[shootallday]

How far you looking to shoot or hunt, any ideas on what cartridge you want.

 

[Glizock]

I haven't zeroed in on a cartridge yet. I've looked at 280AI, 6.5PRC, 26N, 7mmWSM, 28N, 308, 300WM/WSM... basically i have no idea. Looking at hunting mainly whitetail, but Elk and Black bear are likely as well.

As far as range: for hunting j think I'd like to keep it around 400 or less. Only reason being I feel like should be able to close distance when hunting... maybe a bit naive. As for range time, likely about 6-800 due to limitations of the areas I can shoot.

 

[shootallday]

I haven't zeroed in on a cartridge yet. I've looked at 280AI, 6.5PRC, 26N, 7mmWSM, 28N, 308, 300WM/WSM... basically i have no idea. Looking at hunting mainly whitetail, but Elk and Black bear are likely as well.

As far as range: for hunting j think I'd like to keep it around 400 or less. Only reason being I feel like should be able to close distance when hunting... maybe a bit naive. As for range time, likely about 6-800 due to limitations of the areas I can shoot.

I'm in the middle of saving up for a kimber Montana, there made down in Yonkers. They really seam to be about the perfect deer rifle, more so since the weather for hunting seasons have been all over the place the last few years.

 

[Glizock]

I'm in the middle of saving up for a kimber Montana, there made down in Yonkers. They really seam to be about the perfect deer rifle, more so since the weather for hunting seasons have been all over the place the last few years.

I've eyed a couple I've seen pop up on classifieds here and there. My concern is I've read some mixed reviews. I know every product is going to have people who just can't be satisfied, but it gives me pause.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

Well my requirements are pretty simple I am more of a hunter than "shooter" so:

1. Short--or better say compact. I see a lot of guys have rifles with 28-30 in barrels--and I always see them say--the long barrel has not affected their hunting--well it does mine--and other than some extream cartridges I do not see the gain of much over 24-25 in barrels. I prefer tubes between 20-22 inches on hunting rifles--and cartridges that complement that length.
2. More of a vertical grip. This took awhile for me. I prefer a manners EH1 style stock really nice shooting off a PACK or prone.
3.Cartidges that are not extream. While I love speed I find the 6mm creedmoor, 6.5 creedmoor/PRC,7mm-300 SAUM/WSM,308 win, plenty to shoot as far as I hunt. Really out to 800 yards.
4. Lighter--while it does not have to be a flyweight--I sure shoot for 10 lbs or under scoped and loaded for most of my rigs.

 

[Glizock]

Well my requirements are pretty simple I am more of a hunter than "shooter" so:

1. Short--or better say compact. I see a lot of guys have rifles with 28-30 in barrels--and I always see them say--the long barrel has not affected their hunting--well it does mine--and other than some extream cartridges I do not see the gain of much over 24-25 in barrels. I prefer tubes between 20-22 inches on hunting rifles--and cartridges that complement that length.
2. More of a vertical grip. This took awhile for me. I prefer a manners EH1 style stock really nice shooting off a PACK or prone.
3.Cartidges that are not extream. While I love speed I find the 6mm creedmoor, 6.5 creedmoor/PRC,7mm-300 SAUM/WSM,308 win, plenty to shoot as far as I hunt. Really out to 800 yards.
4. Lighter--while it does not have to be a flyweight--I sure shoot for 10 lbs or under scoped and loaded for most of my rigs.

I was doing some reading about barrel length not affecting the performance of a bunch of rounds (obviously to a certain degree). Basically, you can go shorter without sacrificing as much, if anything. Which flies in the face of alot of thoughts.

Do you have any experience with certain calibers that you feel perform well with a shorter barrel?

 

[shootallday]

I've eyed a couple I've seen pop up on classifieds here and there. My concern is I've read some mixed reviews. I know every product is going to have people who just can't be satisfied, but it gives me pause.

I don't see to much bad talk with the newer 2016 models, a lot of the problems are guys not shooting light rifles properly. On barrel length a 20" should be all that's needed for here in ny. What's your budget.

 

[348 fan]

I hope I'm answering what you are asking.......400 yards can be reached with a 22 inch sporter in any 30-06 based case or 308 based case or even easier with a 7mm RM or 300 WM. I'd not go smaller than .27 caliber for the game you mention IMHO. I say sporter because if you are back country hunting and it sounds like you would rather close the distance......you will keep the rifle around 9 pounds with a 40mm 3 x 9 or even a 4 x 12 range scope.....I'm a Browning fan but I think about any bolt action platform will work for you that's readily available over the counter.

I think you asked about 1 must have feature.......optics....don't skimp...don't go too big.

 

[shootallday]

A locking bolt is a must for me.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

Do you have any experience with certain calibers that you feel perform well with a shorter barrel?

Most of the short mags seem to do pretty well--I have played around a lot with the 338 RCM (I know I had a friend build one with a 22 in barrel and I have one with a 19...now I know that is not a lot of difference (3 inches)but only average of 22 fps difference in velocity I feel that could just be the barrel.

I have a 7 SAUM with a 22 in barrel a guy I shoot with at the range has a LR gun in a 7 SAUM with a 26 in barrel--in most of our loads ther is less than 100 feet per second difference--but honestly he is running different powders--and in some cases different bullets of equal weight--so really not apples to apples.

The difference between my 22 in 338 Norma and my 24 in 338 norma is 27 fps adv...

My gunsmith uses a 7 STW 24 in barrel and he swears he loses very little--as to numbers on that I am not sure

I have always found hunting either in my gator or putting it in my stand or pack a 20-22 in barrel just "fit". Now that is not to say I don't like to squeeze everything I can. I will rebarrel my very old 257 weatherby and the tube will not be less than 24 more likey 25 inches but it will not be 28 inches... I put a 24 inches on my 338 norma to get everything out of it. So this was a really long answer to say the rounds I have had good luck with in barrels shorter than 26 that I saw little or no decline in performance are some usual suspects so really nothing enlightening :

224 Valkyrie
6mm creedmoor/6mm Remington/243 win
243 WSSM
6.5x47 Lapua
6.5 Grendel
6.5 Creedmoor
7-08 (id love to do a SAW)
7 SAUM
300 WSM
338 RCM
338 Norma
9.3x62

 

[memtb]

Hello all,

Been lurking in the forums here for the last couple of months. I'm interested in getting in to the long range shooting/hunting. Basically starting from the ground up.

When looking at back country/long range hunting rifles, what is the must have feature you look for and why? I feel like weight is importent, but don't want to skimp on quality barrel, action, etc for the sake of saving weight. Looking for some opinions.

Appreciate your time.

Long Range "HUNTING", for big game...... accuracy, bore diameter, velocity, and a rifle weight of less than 10 pounds (scoped, loaded, and slung). For myself, I definitely want a synthetic full - length bedded stock. IMO.... in a "hunting rifle", a full-length bedded stock reduces the possibility of debris and or ice getting between the barrel and stock and changing the barrel harmonics. There are many good barrels, actions, and stocks available to the hunter/shooter.....this is merely a preference by the shooter. Perhaps most important.....a very competent gun smith to put the package together! JMO! memtb

 

[Glizock]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Most of the short mags seem to do pretty well--I have played around a lot with the 338 RCM (I know I had a friend build one with a 22 in barrel and I have one with a 19...now I know that is not a lot of difference (3 inches)but only average of 22 fps difference in velocity I feel that could just be the barrel.

I have a 7 SAUM with a 22 in barrel a guy I shoot with at the range has a LR gun in a 7 SAUM with a 26 in barrel--in most of our loads ther is less than 100 feet per second difference--but honestly he is running different powders--and in some cases different bullets of equal weight--so really not apples to apples.

The difference between my 22 in 338 Norma and my 24 in 338 norma is 27 fps adv...

My gunsmith uses a 7 STW 24 in barrel and he swears he loses very little--as to numbers on that I am not sure

I have always found hunting either in my gator or putting it in my stand or pack a 20-22 in barrel just "fit". Now that is not to say I don't like to squeeze everything I can. I will rebarrel my very old 257 weatherby and the tube will not be less than 24 more likey 25 inches but it will not be 28 inches... I put a 24 inches on my 338 norma to get everything out of it. So this was a really long answer to say the rounds I have had good luck with in barrels shorter than 26 that I saw little or no decline in performance are some usual suspects so really nothing enlightening :

224 Valkyrie
6mm creedmoor/6mm Remington/243 win
243 WSSM
6.5x47 Lapua
6.5 Grendel
6.5 Creedmoor
7-08 (id love to do a SAW)
7 SAUM
300 WSM
338 RCM
338 Norma
9.3x62

Do stock lengths vary as much as barrels? Is there an overall length that you look for along with barrel length?

 

[MagnumManiac]

I have 2 lightweight rifles I regularly use for LR while stalking in rugged mountains. I have a few of each in differing calls.
They are Kimber 8400's in either Classic or Montana configuration in 300WM & 338WM, or Winchester Model 70 EW's in 300WM & 338WM.
Either of these run right around 8.5lbs slung/loaded and using bags can safely take game to 800+mtrs. Have even used my pack as a rest and taken hame beyond 700mtr.

I don't see the QC problems with Kimbers like there was in the early days anymore. My rifles, which I have Classics, Selects, Super America's & Montana's all shoot very small groups in the knowledge that they are NOT target rifles and require slow fire to keep those skinny barrels from heating up and walking shots.
With their limitations, they do an astounding job if you look after them and let them cool between groups and only shoot 3 round groups.

Cheers.