Packable Mountain Rifle

[Garandimal]

Barrett fieldcraft 6.5 Creedmoor!!

Yeah, that was my first thought as well.

Or even the M70 EW/SS in 6.5CM - and a little extra time in the gym.






GR

 

[Chuck R.]

Also add the question.....what's your budget?

Occasionally there are folks that want "filet mignon" at "dollar menu single cheeseburger prices". What the OP originally asked for can be done, but it either:

won't be light
won't be accurate enough for his 600-1000 yards (combo rifle & optic)
won't be cheap

Normally when looking at that distance, you're looking at big, high magnification, externally adjusted turrets, with a mil or MOA reticle. Basically the opposite of "light" when it comes to optics.

IF it were me, I'd opt for light and accurate enough for 400-maybe 500 yds. I've missed enough steel swings or not gotten solid hits at past those distances to set that as my personal limit on game under field conditions.

 

[Newtosavage]

I've always hunted some pretty rugged country here in the GA mountains. I've hunted Colorado a couple of times as well as multiple hiking/camping trips there. The air is thinner, but the mountains aren't any steeper. I've been chasing light weight rifles my whole life. For the money in a factory rifle Kimber is hard to beat.

My 308 as shown is 6 1/4 lbs. With a lighter scope weight can be kept under 6 lbs.

View attachment 927476

But my go-to rifle most of the time is my Winchester 70 EW 308 in a McMillan Edge stock. It is about 1 pound heavier, but I find 7 1/4 lbs a good compromise. Not too heavy to carry in rugged terrain, but just enough weight to shoot it a little better. In my experience something between 7-8 lbs scoped is a good place to be. And the closer to 7 the better. If I get much below 7 lbs scoped they are a little harder to shoot well.

View attachment 927477

Neither rifle is a 600 yard gun. The Kimber is available in 280 AI and that might get you close. But I can't think of anything that would be suitable much beyond 500ish yards that will be light enough for me to want to carry in the mountains. And anything with enough power to shoot beyond 500 yards is going to kick the snot out of you in a 7 lb rifle.

If you want a lightweight mountain rifle, and a 1000 yard rifle I think you need 2 different rifles.

perfect logic IMO. And two great rifle choices.

 

[AFDoc]

Every ounce matters when you are on a spot and stalk hunt in the mountains. The way you carry that weight also matters! My setup works for me when I head out west.

Kimber 84M with a muzzle break in .308Win.
Eberlestock backpack with integrated rifle scabbard.

 

[Bwana John]

I think I read the title wrong... I saw the requirements and thought "Mountian Pack Howitzer".

 

[Newtosavage]

Lots of guys like to thumb their nose at the 6.5 creed just for the fun of it, but I’d be curious what self imposed standard by which some folks live which suggests a 147grn bullet at 1800fps with an SD of .30, reaching an elk at 800 yards with 1057ft.lbs. is insufficient. Given the right bullet, it’s certainly a better option than many cartridges which have been recommended for elk for many years. It’s only about 50 yards behind pretty common 7 rem mag loads in impact energy and velocity, frankly - and with a higher sectional density than the 150/154 class.

Stop with the facts. They have no place in an online discussion forum.

 

[Newtosavage]

Every ounce matters when you are on a spot and stalk hunt in the mountains. The way you carry that weight also matters! My setup works for me when I head out west.

Kimber 84M with a muzzle break in .308Win.
Eberlestock backpack with integrated rifle scabbard.

I loved my Eberlestock Dragonfly with the scabbard. Best way I've ever had to carry a rifle long distance.
Thing is though, that I realized after 2 10-day hunts that the only time I had my rifle in the scabbard was before and after legal shooting hours.

Now I use a F1 mainframe with a Kifaru Gun Bearer. 1/10th the weight and it carries my rifle just fine for the few occasions I don't have it in my hands.

 

[Sneakshot92]

I apologize for the lack of clarity. My 1000s of round comment most definitely was not meant in a sitting but getting comfortable with the setup and owning it long term.

600+ I agree is likely a bit optimistic.

Thanks for the input guys

Something in 300 WSM. I have a Weatherby Vanguard and It shoots nice with my handloads. Someday i'll experiment with some Accubond LRs and Barnes 165gr Triple Shoks.

 

[txcookie]

Man I'd likely go with my encore. Acceptable accuracy. No action so its light as a feather and comes in every cartridge you could want

 

[3Crows]

You folks are bad influences. I came upon a Kimber Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor. I was impressed with the sleek profile and minimal weight even compared to my Axis II. So now I have it. It is a tiny rifle, easily packable for mountain/afoot/hiking hunting and stalking. And the 6.5 CM might not be an 800 yard elk rifle but I am quite certain it will be sufficient for the more practical deer and elk shooting distances I would hope to encounter. Heck, if I pay a guide maybe he can get me within 400 yards . I hope it is a good rifle and you guys are not going to tell me it is junk and I shuld have gotten this (some) other one, undefined :/ .