Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Wanted: Flat shooter, light weight

Never shot a .260, but used the .25-06, and .270 quite a bit.. Also have the 7mm-08...

I felt my three favorite calibers for hunting would be the .22-250, .25-06, and .300.. But after shooting the .270 for the last 4 or 5 years, I could easily put it in the .25-06's spot.. Especially if I were using it more as a big game rifle, and less as a varmint round...

I would love a 22-250 Montana, that would be simply UBER.

Kimber 270 with 110 TTSX would be about as flat shooting as a fella could want. Creeps on 7RM territory with 120's. But its funny that the 7RM is ok, but the 270 isn't.

I'd also like to try Jordan's idea with the 85 TTSX in the 243.

Wonder how that would be on fur?

Hey Sam - I'm glad, and was hoping, you'd chime in on this. Recoil between most of the cartridges isn't going to be a problem. I didn't say I was a recoil wimp!

The weights you posted are a good data point. My buddy's 8400 36-06 weighs a couple ounces under 7 lbs in similar configuration as yours. I knew the 84L was lighter but wasn't sure how much.

Thanks for the input and taking the time to post pics.

B, I've never shot a 300 WSM Montana but have an A7(300 WSM) that weighs about as much as your 8400(just over 7lbs scoped) and it does kick. Not terrible but you do have to 'watch' it every shot.

The 270 84L is about the top of my fun limit, anymore the 300 WSM is a little past fun.


Get the 270!

When I helped a friend get into deer hunting a couple years ago I had him pickup a montana in.270 as a do all. When I helped him sight it in the recoil to me was hardly noticeable, I know the stock design works for many folks.
Another thought is, when in the past I had owned a couple 84's they seemed too "smallish" for me (I'm 6'2" on a good day), the feel of the 84L was much favored. I'd suggest Bwinters, you handle both long and short montana's before you buy.

If you don't reload, the .270 can't be beat. If you do reload, .260 would be my top choice. I really like the 7-08 as well, but the .260 has been edging it out, particularly when recoil is an important criteria. 100 grain at 3250 is perfect for open country antelope and deer, and the cow elk I shot this fall with a 120 gr mono was deader quicker than one I shot several years ago with a .375 H&H.

The big cushy pad sure don't hurt....grin



Awesome stocks though for sure.



The 84's handle like a magic wand, and I could see where a bigger dude would think the same about the 84L.

I've been thinking about trimming the barrel 1.5-2", maybe someday.

Flat shooting and light = 270 winchester IMHO

Short action fan = 260 Remington is a good one

And a 22" 270 will still make damn near 3000fps with a 140 on a warm day and H4831sc.

Anyone try the Howa Alpine yet? 5.7 lbs rifle is right in there with the Kimber offered in .243, 6.5 CM, 7-08, and .308. If I could find a 6.5 CM as cheap as the one I linked in .308, I'd be tempted to give it a go.

If "flat shooter" isn't a major factor, I'd go 7-08. I suggested .243 and 80 TTSX because flat trajectory was one of the primary criteria. I've got a Montana in 7-08 slinging the 162AM at over 2700fps, and it may not be nearly as flat shooting out to 400 yards as the .243 and 80TTSX, but it cuts the wind nicely and kills with authority.

A bud just killed a bull moose with this combo a couple of weeks ago, in fact. I was the spotter, and the pair of 162's seriously impressed me, from the bull's reaction to the shots, to the autopsy findings.

48" or less drop at 500 (100 yd zero)
20" or less drift (10 mph500)
2000 FPS impact at 500 yds


Good juju and easy to find across a slew of chamberings. Generally what gains you might make in drop, you lose in drift.

I'm shooting a 140gr Sierra PH in my 22 inch barrel Marlin XS7 and getting 2815fps avg.

I am with Sam on the 270 as I had intended to maybe use it on elk. As a matter of fact, just a few weeks ago I did. My new favorite rifle, at an ounce over 6#, without a doubt.

I really like the versatility of the 7mm-08. There is a great selection of 7mm bullets (weights) with good ballistics from 110 to 162+ grains for varmints up to elk. While my 25-06 is a real shooter and I've taken more deer with it than any other rifle I own, the 7mm-08 is hard to beat for its versatility. My Tikka T3 is probably the most accurate rifle I own. It shoots factory and hand loads equally well.

Working up a new load now for a 708, 120gr Nos BT is clocking at 2824fps. That's on top of 43.5gr of RL15.. 44gr is the book Max.

There ya go. Though I do wish Kimber would make .260 Montanas, or put the Creedmore in the Montana. The Adirondack is kindly spendy...

No sweat.

A 7 pound 270,280,or 280 AI in a standard action. 7/08 in a short action.