Sheep/Goat rifle

[Mulligan]

I now have enough preference points for the Colorado draw that I better get serious about a rifle for the sheep and goat hunts. Fairly sure I will draw both in the next 4-5 years.

I want a lighter weight rifle for the hunt, less than 8 lbs total..... closer to 7 with glass would be better.

I have decided on a 7-08 for caliber.

Should I start with a Remmy Mountain rifle at 6.5 pounds and work from there or go total custom. The later is my preference from an accuracy perspective, just not on components.
Suggestions?
CW

 

[Albany Mountain]

I decided (again) to go for a different rifle that would cover all bases. I went with the Remington 700 mountain rifle in 270 win and a 3x0-50 Leupold scope with heavy cross hairs for early morning, late evening hunting. I broke the factory stock when I slipped on a rock and the gun hurled off my shoulder on the sling and hit a rock. I since replaced with Kevlar graphite stock and use it ever since. Glass bedded and free floated it did shoot 3/4" groups time to time. Its light and easy to carry and maintain. I use a military sling for carrying and shooting versus bipod.

 

[Hal]

Kimber Montana's are light or if you are going custom look at NULA rifles.

Hal

 

[wiuprof]

When I put together a "lightweight" package for my antelope hunt a few years ago, this is what
I came up with. It's a Savage Lightweight Hunter in 260 Rem. with a 4.5x-14x Burris scope and it came in under 7#.
Joe

 

[Prose]

Kimber Montana's are light or if you are going custom look at NULA rifles.

Hal

Very good advice on both accounts. NULA's can take over a year to receive.

 

[alf]

My ultimate sheep rifle a stainless 700, 23" Rock #3 fluted, in a no paint McMillan Classic stock with Edge Technology fill, Leupold VX-3 2.5-8 in Talleys, chambered in 7-08, weighing in at 6 lb - 13 oz empty.

It is milled out for a Wyatts box, and while I have good loads for 162 Amax or 168 Bergers, I put the regular mag box in it and have great matching loads of either 140 BT's or Accubonds at 2940.

 

[swd]

I have a TC Encore with a 7-08 barrel. Short, light, breaks down for travel and is accurate as hell. For another hunt put on whatever barrel suites you. Can't beat the versatility, accuracy and price.

 

[drover]

Consider a Tikka T-3 or T-3X, stainless, synthetic. Great out of the box accuracy, good trigger, good stock, and relatively inexpensive and lightweight.
There is a lot to be said for a rifle that all you have to do is mount a scope and it shoots right out the box. I have had a boatload of Remingtons 600's and 700's through the years, after shooting Tikka's I am down to one Remington.

I used a 30/06 for my sheep/goat rifle but the 7/08 should be a good choice also.

drover

 

[nakneker]

I've played around with three different Kimber Montanas . All three shot under an inch , one shot under a half. Incredibly light and they chamber for the 7-08. If you have the funds for custom make sure you think it out with your gunsmith. The first lightweight rifle I did ended up far short of what I thought it would when it came to weight, it was still close to seven pounds. The next one came in at the desired weight of 5.5 with much better planning on my part and the gunsmith's part. Basically a Ti action, minimum barrel tenon and a number one contour at 22inches.

Sheep and goat tags, life doesn't get much better than that.

 

[rcparker1]

i had kevin weaver build me a goat gun. pierce ti action, hi-tech stock, march 3-24 and a 24" #2 i believe in a 270wsm. complete gun with sling is 7.15lbs, went to shop and weighed on better scale

 

[Kurz]

I think that it's important to reiterate the concept of paying extremely close attention to selecting the components for an ultralight rifle. Rigidity, repeatability and consistency are necessary for these diminutive rifles. Every possible aspect of building and selecting components must be examined and confirmed for being the best in it's class. The builder is a key ingredient here. You, the shooter must be up to the task of controlling and shooting this assembly for accuracy. An ultralight rifle requires more skill (technique) than say rifles in the 9-10 lb. class.

Best of luck with your search!

 

[CharlieNC]

CW I have not owned a 7-08 but have read many reports that is a major challenge to develop an accurate load for this round; and a number throw in the towel. You may want to consider an easier option.

 

[hogpatrol]

Not a factory center fire rifle guy of any stripe so my two cents is a 28 Nosler or similar caliber in a custom #4 fluted barrel and Stiller or Pierce action, BDL floorplate setup.

 

[JLT]

CW I have not owned a 7-08 but have read many reports that is a major challenge to develop an accurate load for this round; and a number throw in the towel. You may want to consider an easier option.

I've never had much difficulty getting a 7-08 to shoot. One of my go-to medium game rifles is a bone-stock Savage Mod 11 FCNS and it shoots just about everything well. 139 gr. Hornady BTSPs propelled by H414 are especially accurate.

 

[stacy]

A MODEL 7 REMINGTON AND A CUSTOM BARREL IN 7MM-08 WOULD MAKE A FINE RIFLE FOR YOUR PURPOSE

 

[Mulligan]

CW I have not owned a 7-08 but have read many reports that is a major challenge to develop an accurate load for this round; and a number throw in the towel. You may want to consider an easier option.

I have never had any trouble developing loads for the 7-08. I figure the round is about "bullet proof". I wonder what the difference is?
CW

 

[Mulligan]

I have a TC Encore with a 7-08 barrel. Short, light, breaks down for travel and is accurate as hell. For another hunt put on whatever barrel suites you. Can't beat the versatility, accuracy and price.

I have one in a 300WM, never thought of it for my sheep rifle. Might have to ponder it a bit.
CW

 

[Mulligan]

A Remington model 700 Mountain rifle (22") and a model 7 (20") both weigh right at 6.5 lbs according their website.
A Leupold VX3 will come in at 13-15 oz.
With tally rings, that combo will weigh ~7.5 pounds out of the box.

I plan on getting the bolt fluted and bolt handle lightened up.....any idea of what might be shaved off there? @boltfluter

Any idea of much weight is added by swapping a detachable magazine for the standard 700 floor plate
I like a detachable mag, especially in cold weather.
CW

 

[boltfluter]

A Remington model 700 Mountain rifle (22") and a model 7 (20") both weigh right at 6.5 lbs according their website.
A Leupold VX3 will come in at 13-15 oz.
With tally rings, that combo will weigh ~7.5 pounds out of the box.

I plan on getting the bolt fluted and bolt handle lightened up.....any idea of what might be shaved off there? @boltfluter

Any idea of much weight is added by swapping a detachable magazine for the standard 700 floor plate
I like a detachable mag, especially in cold weather.
CW

About 3 to 4 oz. Should be about right. Happy gun building.

Paul

 

[6fatrat]

I finished building my ultimate mountain rifle this summer. It is a blue printed Rem. SA 700 with a number 5 contour 3rd time chambered Krieger barrel chambered for the 7 SAUM 24" long.
The HS Precision stock with the full length bedding block only adds 28 ounces to the package. Like Kenny I also shoot XTC and use a military sling as well.
I have used the 243 twice on sheep with no problem, but have been told that Goats are a much tougher animal.
My initial load is 63.5 H 4831SC with 150 gr ballistics tips that I used on a just completed Mule deer hunt in Montana, velocity is 3020 fps and it will ave. 1/2 MOA for 3 shots measured center to center.
Steve Bair