Mule deer/ antelope hiking rifle ideas

[killitgrillit]

Howdy all,
Thinking about a lightweight build for backpacking/ hiking, lone peak TI action, mcmilly edge stock, adl configuration and now what caliber to build, let's say 600yd max.. ideas on caliber please

 

[Tikkashooter]

6.5x284 or 284 win !

 

[RT2506]

6.5 Creedmoor

 

[killitgrillit]

You think the 6.5 creedmoore has enough thump at 600yds??

 

[elkaholic]

I have the same on action on a super light weight build. It is chambered in 270SS with a 21" Brux #3 fluted barrel. I shoot 150's at 3152' and the rifle weighs exactly 7 lbs. scope and all.......Rich

 

[Barrelnut]

You think the 6.5 creedmoore has enough thump at 600yds??

Yes it does. RL26 has really stepped up some 6.5 cartridges.
Using Berger load data for the 6.5 Creed with a 135 Gr Berger Classic Hunter.
Max load of RL26 nets 2977 FPS out of a 24" barrel

Now take that load and shoot it at 6000 Feet elevation in WY...
At 600 yards you get 2272 FPS and 1547 Ft-Lbs.
At 1000 you get 1860 FPS and 1037 Ft-lbs

You could probably take an elk at 600 yards, with the right shot....

I was gonna get a 6.5x284, but now I'm working on a new 6.5 creedmoor.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Yes it does. RL26 has really stepped up some 6.5 cartridges.
Using Berger load data for the 6.5 Creed with a 135 Gr Berger Classic Hunter.
Max load of RL26 nets 2977 FPS out of a 24" barrel

Now take that load and shoot it at 6000 Feet elevation in WY...
At 600 yards you get 2272 FPS and 1547 Ft-Lbs.
At 1000 you get 1860 FPS and 1037 Ft-lbs

You could probably take an elk at 600 yards, with the right shot....

I was gonna get a 6.5x284, but now I'm working on a new 6.5 creedmoor.

Rl-26 turns that little cartridge into a totally different critter. I never thought I'd see an average of 3014 fps come across the Chrono with a 140!

 

[desertcj]

Winchester model 70 featherweight in .264 Win mag....hunt on.

 

[desertcj]

Or 7 rem mag, forget the details, enjoy the country.

 

[Rich Coyle]

If you don't have the action yet you could get a Weatherby Mark V six lug ultralight. Mine, with a Swarovski z5 5-25X52, weighed six lb 13 oz. The action weighs twenty-six ounces.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Or 7 rem mag, forget the details, enjoy the country.

Yep... More than enough cartridge at 600, and will handle much longer shots just fine.

 

[FEENIX]

Howdy all,
Thinking about a lightweight build for backpacking/ hiking, lone peak TI action, mcmilly edge stock, adl configuration and now what caliber to build, let's say 600yd max.. ideas on caliber please

The .300 WM is my go to chambering from antelope to elk size game up to 1K yards (my self-imposed limitation at this time). Load it with 215 (or 230) Berger and you're golden. If you're fortunate enough like me to hunt with mix bags of games (antelope, deer (WT and muleys), elk, black bear, wolf, mountain, etc ...) on the same hunting area, you'll appreciate why. Not sure what you're idea of lightweight but I mine are 10-12 pounders.