22" barrel or less unbraked mountain rifle

[the hunter]

Why not a tikka t3x superlite in .30-06 with a swarovski z5 or leupold vx5hd? If you could git some copper .180gr bullits for it would be a very good all round big game gun at all practical ranges.

 

[angus-5024]

the .30-06 has definitely crossed my mind too. I just have a fondness of .338's

 

[Holycity73]

If anyone is looking, I've got a Ruger 338 Federal with ammo that's about to come up for sale...

 

[sable tireur]

This can be a tedious search for a desired combination when you have the limitations listed. Yes, you can certainly have what you want but it might have to be built to your specs.

Curtis Axiom actions:

http://www.curtiscustom.com/product/axiom-4/

Get the barrel you want in the contour you feel is appropriate then let a gunsmith build it for you. There is a fair selection of carbon fiber stocks available now so weight can be kept down.

An easy solution to the cartridge search is the .338 Win. Mag. Lots of ammunition on the shelves of stores and there is a good selection of bullet designs and weights readily available on the shelves. Testing ammunition for the right balance of accuracy and performance could become a little expensive but that's what happens when you go with store bought.

Find yourself a great, lightweight scope and go enjoy yourself!

 

[edwells69]

browning stainless steel stalker everything you want,but it has a 26" barrel

 

[Elkeater]

This just me but if I wanted a rifle in your specs, I'd get a rem700 action screw a 22" proof research barrel on in .338 Win Mag then stock it with a carbon fiber stock. It doesn't address your 60 degree bolt throw but rem700 actions are easy to fix. You can get 338wm ammo at the gas station around here.

 

[the hunter]

the .30-06 has definitely crossed my mind too. I just have a fondness of .338's

If you are going to git a .338 that is 6.5 or 7 lbs. your going to whant a break, and that is going to ad 1 1/2" to 2" on the barrel.

 

[adk hunter]

Have two kimber .338 federals. Nice big holes one loves the 210 ssii and the other shoots 160ttsx in one clean hole! Of course the plan was to shoot the same bullets...Leupold firedot great whitetail/timber rig

 

[Pete FARR]

I think a .338 is great. I killed a moose with my Sako Greywolf. The ballistics are similar to a .300 Win Mag. out to 300 yds. with out the recoil. .308 case blown out to .338.

 

[Pete FARR]

Correction in previous post. .338 Federal

 

[lancetkenyon]

.325 WSM?

 

[angus-5024]

I have looked into the .325 WSM. Its a little more popular around here than the Federal. I just don't see it doing anything special enough to bother with the lack of ammo availability.
I think that so far my best bet is still a tikka t3 lite in 300 wsm or .338 win mag, or find another Remington 700 XCR in .338 Rum and have it chopped 2''and deal with the firebreathing dragon...

 

[WildRose]

My 6.5 pound (Fully dressed) 338 RCM wanted to climb badly with the 225 grain bullets with no brake, so fast follow up shots were out of the question. Measured recoil was 40.2 ft/lbs without a brake. (Mean but not unmanageable).

With a tuned brake, recoil was reduced to 18.9 ft/lbs (Less than a 30/06) a little more than 54% reduction. Not great but it did make the little rifle behave and be very manageable.

It is a lot of power in a small package.

J E CUSTOM

No doubt. I was referring to his wanting to do a .338L in such a platform.

 

[WildRose]

Thanks for the input guys. There are some great suggestions here.
I guess I should have been a little more clear though. I need to stick to more common calibers. I am a B.C resident, so being in Canada firearm components/ammunition is substantially more difficult to find. I travel to northern B.C once a year and if anything happensto my ammunition It can be a pretty long drive to get more.
So I guess I was hoping someone knew of a .338 Cal rifle/caliber that gives 2600-2700 fps with a 250 grain bullet out of a 22-24 inch barrel... or just go to the 300wsm.

As far as recoil goes, I handle African rounds from the bench for 50+ rounds holding good groups. Not that I want that kind of recoil, but I can handle it.
The main thing would be spotting my own shots, follow up shots in close, and the one I hand not thought of- flash at dusk.
I carried a 340 wby unbraked for years, and it was fine (8.5lbs). That or the rum would be a great caliber but its the long barrel and hard to find ammo.

As to the "lose some weight and suck it up, carry the heavy one" mentality... All due respect, I don't need it. I knew that someone say it. The key thing is the barrel length. I'm crawling under deadblow for 3+km sometimes before hitting open county, so 4"+ of barrel length does make a difference. Also, I compete in combat sports where I need to weigh in, so my weight is on point to say the least.

I guess that I was in the right general direction with either the 300wsm or .338 Win in a tikka or sako. Im tempted by a wby, but no detachable mag. I have also thought of fierce.
Is there a good custom action with a 60* throw that excepts DMs and with fit a Lapua diameter cartridge?

Thanks guys. Keep it coming if you think of anything.

A simple solution to this problem is to hang your rifle perpendicular to your body by your hip with your sling thrown over the shoulder.

Sometimes hunting in the mesquite and brush country in Texas is as bad as trying to crawl up a bear track in the willows.