Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle- Photo added

[JLDavid]

I am in the process of building myself a "sheep" rifle for use on big game in some high steep terrian. I would like your thoughts and suggestions on how you would build a rifle for these hunting conditions. Big game in this case would be deer, bighorn sheep and elk. Ranges of 100-600 yards in light cover. What action, barrel and contour, stock and scope? What chambering? Thanks for the suggestions.

**Here is the 6.5-06AI I recently finished for my hunting rifle. It weighs in at 11.25 pounds ready to hunt, not a lightweight for sure. This is the rifle I carried on the scouting trip mentioned later in the thread. Just by changing a few components, I could save about 2 pounds easily.**

 

[effendude]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

I am just finishing load testing for my latest rifle... A 7mmRUM
Stiller Action
Broughton 5c, fluted #5 contour barrel finished at 27" finished with a Centershot muscle brake
Wyatt center feed box
PT&G bottom metal
C&G 2 stage trigger
McMillian A3 Sporter in McWoody

It shoots .5MOA off the bipod, 180 Hybrids at 3150fps, 168 Barnes LRX at 3050fps
It is not the lightest rifle but it isn't too heavy for mountain hunts. I leave for Alaska in 30 days for sheep, moose, grizz and maybe a few more wolves.

I have another rifle awaiting the smith to finish in .284 Shehane on a Surgeon action with the same style stock. Should be a little lighter than the RUM.

I love the 6.5-284 but feel it is a little light for elk at distance.

Scott

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

What do you want it to weight? Why some one says a sheep rifle I think ultra-light. Mcmillan edge, #3 barrel, 7 wsm.

 

[CJ6]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

What do you want it to weight? Why some one says a sheep rifle I think ultra-light. Mcmillan edge, #3 barrel, 7 wsm.

Agree ..but with 7-08 AI 22" bbl 120-140gr. bullets. Elk at 600 I'd prefer a 30 cal (180gr+) w/ 200 or 220 better or 338 w/225-250gr as optimum. Bonded core bullets in all catagories.

 

[civil82]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

My long-range critter getter is in a High Tech Specialties stock, #5 countour Douglas XX, 700 Stainless LA, Leupold MK4 4.5-14x40 in Talley Rings. 25-06AI.

Complete rifle scoped is 9 pounds.

This is a dual purpose deer/varmint rifle. If I were in elk country, I would have gone a little heavier on caliber.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

My sheep rifle was built by PGW (Prairie Gun Works, Winnipeg, Canada) and utilizes their proprietary titanium M700 clone action, 24" Gailard SS fluted barrel, Lone Wolf synthetic stock and scoped with a Lupy 2.5-8X.

Chambered in 7mm-08 Ackley, it will launch the 120gr Barnes Triple Shock or the 120gr Nosler BT at just under 3,400 fps, shoots just under .5 MOA and weighs exactly 6.9 lbs "trailside" (loaded mag, sling).

A pure joy to carry in the high country here for mulies, and sheep when I visit family in BC.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

My sheep rifle was built by PGW (Prairie Gun Works, Winnipeg, Canada) and utilizes their proprietary titanium M700 clone action, 24" Gailard SS fluted barrel, Lone Wolf synthetic stock and scoped with a Lupy 2.5-8X.

Chambered in 7mm-08 Ackley, it will launch the 120gr Barnes Triple Shock or the 120gr Nosler BT at just under 3,400 fps, shoots just under .5 MOA and weighs exactly 6.9 lbs "trailside" (loaded mag, sling).

A pure joy to carry in the high country here for mulies, and sheep when I visit family in BC.



Now that sounds like a nice rifle.

 

[Coleridge]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

Chambered in 7mm-08 Ackley, it will launch the 120gr Barnes Triple Shock or the 120gr Nosler BT at just under 3,400 fps

Am I reading that right or is there a Typo in there somewhere??? That's seems like an awful HOT load. I mean really hot.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

I was finally able to build my dream rifle a few years ago. I chose Borden Alpine SA magnum, BDL magazine, Jewel trigger, 300 WSM, Hi Tech Sheep Hunter stock, #2 Lilja 3 groove 11 twist, and until just recently sported a Burris Timberline 4.5x14x32 BP, but now wears a 3x15x42 Weaver Super Slam dual-x.

I mainly hunt at 10-12k while at home, with the occasional trip to Nebraska and Wyoming, it has turned into my use for everything gun.

Current pet load launches a 165 NAB at 3300 ish, which is hell on elk and everything else too.

 

[bheadboy]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

after heart surgery I had the following built for my hunting at the 4-5000ft level

700sa trued, high tech stock, hart 9 twist fluted #3, 24" 7-08AI and topped with leu 4.5x14

weighs in at just over 7# loaded

140s nos part or Sierra sbt 3024fps and shoots in the .300's

160's in the high 2800s

no pressure signs and could bbe faster but there is the best groups.

bob

 

[mshelton]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

A 20lb 338 Allen Magnum and a gun boy to tote it all day.

 

[bobinpa]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

I bought a Remington model 7 stainless in 300SAUM. It didn't shoot worth a crap. 2" groups at 100 yards. I took it to my riflesmith and had him spin the barrel off. He had a few Rem 700 take off barrels in 300 WSM, so he borescoped them and picked the best one. He rechambered it and indexed it so the writing on the barrel was in the "factory" location. He also cut it down to model 7 length (22"). Then he glass bedded it in a McMillan factory style stock, black in color. I mounted a Leupold VXlll 4.5-14 in Leupold dual dovetail rings and the end result is a Remington model 7 in 300 WSM that weights 7.5 lbs with the scope. It shoots 165gr and 180gr Nosler Accubonds and Ballistic tips into .5 moa.
It is short, light and easy to carry.

 

[hogpatrol]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

Any caliber 6mm or larger you can confidently shoot .5 moa out to 600 yds.

 

[FeMan]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

Minute of meat on critters that big at 600 yards isn't too demanding for a custom rifle. I would go with a fast twist custom chambered rifle in a shorter cartridge and long action throated for secant ogive bullets. A .284, 7 WSM, 7 SAUM, 300 WSM. For a hunting rifle, a #3 is enough barrel weight especially to shoot 0.75 MOA for 3 or 4 shots. I would shoot the Nosler LRAB if you could get them. I like the HS Precision Sporter stocks for my hunting rifles. I would get a scope with a ballistic reticle or MOA marks on elevation and windage.

 

[slm9s]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

$$$ nula in 7-08
$$ Kimber Ascent
$ Kimber Montana
8)

 

[JRS]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

Remington 700 action, Broughton #3 - 9 twist 4 groove barrel, chambered in 6.5x55, or 264 Winchester magnum. McMillan game scout stock with standard fill, topped off with a Leupold 3.5-10x45 scope.

 

[Changeling]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

First off I'm a firm believer in penetration regardless of caliber!

That said, the choices I see are the 280 AI (7mm AI) well known for it's accuracy.

The 280 6.5 AI or 6.5 06 ( 30-06 necked to 6.5), preference being the 280 6.5.

Both these calibers have excellent penetration/Accuracy and energy .
The 280 AI (7mm-AI) would probably give you the best all around caliber, however both will get it done with High sectional density bullets.

I hope this helps you.

 

[people]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

AIAX in 338lm in left hand would be what I want.

 

[JLDavid]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

Thank you all for the input. The first rifle I built is a 6.5-06AI on a Remington 700 in a HS sporter stock. I put a medium Palma barrel in it finished at 29 7/8" and it wears a Sightron SII 6-24x42 in Talley aluminum one piece bases. It is shooting Berger 140 gr VLDs at about 3100 fps very well. I packed it on a scouting trip and it wasn't bad but kept looking at the adjacent mountain thinking to myself that it would be nice to have a much lighter rifle to pack to the top of that bad boy. I have not weighed my rifle but would guess it to be 10#+. A lot can be done to lighten this rifle up but I like it as is for hunting near home in easier ground.

I have another long Remington 700 action for my next rifle build. Whatever I build will be on that action, whether it is a magnum or standard cartridge. I really like the Ackley Improved cases so I am leaning towards the 280 AI. Stocky's has the B&C Alaskan stocks in stock and they quite a bit lighter than the HS sporters. The McMillian Classics or Hunter's Edge are really nice but a lot more expensive. I had one on a 25-06AI that I sold a while back.

Again, thanks for the input and keep it coming.

David

 

[searcher]

Re: Spec out your ultimate high country big game rifle

About 4 years ago, after much discussion with Lester Bruno of Bruno Shooters Supply, we arrived at "my" version of what I shot in the Marine Corps back in the 80's for my dream hunting rifle - but with my wanted improvements: BAT Magnum Repeated Action w/20 M.O.A. integral rail, long Watts blind box, Krieger 1-9 tw. fluted barrel w/Vais muzzle brake, Jewel HVR trigger, McMillan HTG camo stock, pillar and glass bedded, topped with a Swarovski Z6 5X30 Illuminated scope w/BR-1 reticle mounted with Nighforce lightweight rings. I presently shoot 140 gr. Barnes TTSX's @ 3,100 "well inside" 1/2" m.o.a. I want for nothing more. Good thing, as I likely won't spend that much on another hunting rifle.