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

I'm looking at re-vamping my rifles - moving more towards portability and less recoil. I'm chewing on ideas for a portable flat shooting rifle. Recoil figures into the equation – I’m looking for reduced recoil. I must be getting old. The older I get the more I gravitate to lighter rifles that recoil less.

If someone was to pick from the Kimber Montana line-up and was looking for a flat shooter for mule deer and antelope, what would your pick be and why. I’d also like to know bullet choice.

Currently I’m leaning 270 or 25-06 shooting 130PT/140AB in the 270 or 110 AB/115 PT in the 25-06. I think the 280 AI is more recoil than I want in a 7lb rifle but I’m open to all suggestions.

I shot my first mule deer and antelope in WY in 1982 with a 270 and 130 Hornady. It worked as expected. I’ve shot several deer with a 25-06 and first gen TSX’s – and wasn’t impressed with the TSX on deer. I switched to Partitions in the rifle and it was a killer but the PT didn’t group near as well as the TSX’s. I have zero experience with the 25-06 out west and would like to hear comments by those that have. My concern with 25 cal bullets is that they aren't all that slippery plus at 25-06 vels bullet integrity needs to be there when they are fairly close.

.308 and the 100 grain Barnes TTSX.

270 or 7mm08...the performance difference between the two really isn't that big. They both kill well. The 7mm08 will kick a little less, and save you a little weight. I'd be happy with either.

I'd get a short action rifle in 260 or 7-08 and shoot the 120-130 class of bullets. Both are mild recoiling. Any bullet in that class will kill deer and antelope with aplomb. Both calibers will run 2900-3000 FPS.
No need for a long action anything but it sounds like nostalgia may play a part in your decision.

"Flat shooting" is relative but typically is interpreted as fast, more powder and more recoil...typically.

Somebody will tell you the 270 is gay, which I believe it may be from what I read on here.

well since everyone is talking 7-08, and you want lightweight, get a T3 Light.

My -06 makes me think I'm carrying air...

This is why I posted - I hadn't really considered one of the short action calibers. I have zero experience with 260, 7mm-08. I'll do some ballistic gacking on those 2.

I also learned the 270 is gay from the 'Fire. Who knew?

Any competent numerologist will tell you that the number 6 is totally feminine and therefore calibers with a 6 in them are going to be girly: .260, 6.5, etc.






Okay, I made all that up.

Mornin Mr B:

Talk about opening Pandora's Box !! Asking this ? here.

Around 1981 when Win introduced the XTR FTWT I immediately fell in love with that stock. (still have the '81 Win gun catalog) I ordered the FIRST one in Hammond, La.

Anyway don't remember the yr. but shortly after that Ruger introduced the 77 UL (tanger model). HAD to have one.

Long story/short, I've been on the 'light' rifle kick SINCE 1981. So today we have a catalog (so to speak) of light rifles. IMO you'll probably get as many suggestions as post count responses.

Seriously, Good Luck in your search and with you pick.
I suppose you already know WHICH cartridges you prefer so IMO it boils down to WHICH rifle & HOW MUCH you want to spend.


Jerry

From what you're saying I'd pick up a kimber in .270 and be done.

I live and hunt in prairie/plains country and my ideal rifle would be a 25-06/260/270/7-08 Montana.

Bought a 243 Montana a few years ago and a 270 Montana seemed like it would make a good combo so I ordered one this past Spring. Almost went with a 7-08 but wanted to try an 84L.
It handles about the same but the rifle is a little longer. Of course that makes zero difference out in open country but it isn't quite as handy inside the cab of a pickup.

243 is the coyote/dog truck gun and the 270 will be a walk around mule deer hunting rifle.

A 25-06 or 260 would be a great as well.


I shoot the 140 Accubond in the 270 because I know it flat puts the hurt on deer.

An ADDENDUM:

I would NOT pick a cartridge I was unfamiliar with.
(poor grammar) You might end up UNhappy.


Jerry

FWIW, here's a comparison between the 84M(243) and the 84L(270).




The 270 does have a little kick to it but isn't bad and that is also obviously subjective.

For mule deer and pronghorn, I'd probably pick the 243 Win out of the current Montana line up. Though the twist precludes some of the bullets I'd like to use, I think the 95gr BT and/or 90gr Scenar would be more than enough for either. Second choice would be a 308 to shoot the 125grAB or 130gr TTSX. Out to normal ranges I'd think it'd be a whole lot like a 130gr/270 load...

Might be able to find a used 84M cheap enough that having it rebarreled with a 243 or 260 with an 8" twist would be worth it. Would increase your bullet options.

I would find a 7-08 for it's light kick, good ballistics, and flat out kills. I am a .308 whatever guy but truth be I could hunt about everything with the 7-08 if starting over.

Kimber 257 Roberts, you get short action and close to 25-06 performance.

I was surprised that no one had mentioned the 243 sooner. Personally, I've not been that interested in the cartridge, and having seen the 260 in action I probably never will. But with the right bullet construction, I don't see a whole lot of difference in the short action cartridges (243, 260, 7mm/08). At least until you get up in the 140gr and up bullet weights, which I feel un-necessary for the game mentioned.

If you are thinking that the 280ai is going to be too much in the recoil dept, is the 270 and 2506 really going to be that far behind?

Kaiser Norton

Here is just what you need and listed for sale. Remington Custom Shop KS in 270. It will shoot quarter sized groups at 100 yards with factory ammo. I can send a picture of a target showing that with Federal Fusion 150 grain ammo. PM me if you want more info.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10648978/Re:_For_Sale:_Remington_700_Cu#Post10648978

Kimber Montana 243 rebarreled to a 1-8 twist. Shoot 105s. You can even get it in AI. I am shooting the 105 Amax at 3140. It will give you a noticeable reduction in recoil, and the 105s will give you the "flat shooting" you desire.

Hard to believe that a 7lb 270 is a mistake for a flat shooting, moderate recoiling deer/antelope rifle!

.243 and 80gr TTSX at 3350-3400fps is about nirvana for what you're looking for...