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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 31
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 31 |
I'm looking to upgrade my Elk hunting rifle. I do a backpack hunt every year and have been using an older model M70. I'd like to upgrade to something nicer and in a synthetic/stainless combination. My question is what brand would be a good choice? I like the reviews I've seen of the Kimber Montanna and the Model 70 in synthetic might also be a good choice. Any suggestions? And caliber reccomendation? I'd like to hunt Elk and Deer with this rifle. Currently I'm using a 30.06 but would like to consider other calibers like the .300 WM.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,282
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,282 |
I'd get a light Kimber MT... 84M 308 Win, or 84L 270/30-06... they all work.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 31
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 31 |
Brad,
So no need to step into a magnum? I've never owned or shot one so I tend to agree. What is the difference between a 84L and a 84M? Anything to look for when buying a new Kimber? I've seen some mixed reviews..........some bad out of the box and some good..........and one last thing scope?
Thanks!!
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,282
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,282 |
Though I've used various magnums, I've never found I needed them and over the years have drifted back to the "standard" cartridges I started with.
For backpacking, "light is right" and I doubt you can do better than the Kimber Montana for the price. Put a 6x36 (KISS) Leupold (I prefer dots in my scopes) on top in Talley Lwt Low mounts. Add a Butler Creek Mountain Sling and that's about all you need to know for a non-custom BP rifle.
I'm not a believer in the idea of "best" anything, but the Kimber works for me... and yeah, I've had more than a few.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,201
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,201 |
Hard to beat a 30-06.
Any of the Remington Mtn rifles in a Ti or Edge stock will do the trick and will come in just a little heavier than a Montana. I've got a 700 SS Mtn rifle in an Edge stock in 30-06 that weighs 6lb 13ozs with 3.5-10x40 Leupy. Depending on budget those two are probably your best bets under $1000. I've got a NULA but you are talking more money there. Rifles Inc and a few other make lightweight rigs too.
No need for a Magnum but if you do, one of the 300 wsm/saum or 7mm wsm/saum would be a good bet. A 30-06 will kill anything you need though short of big bears (and it has done that too). A 300 WM or a 7mag will certainly be nice but not needed and come at the expense of recoil and powder.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,464
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,464 |
I'm running a 1st generation Remington 700 Ti in 7-08. Would just assume have a Kimber Montana, but the Remington came at the right price and I don't see it not working anytime soon.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11,048
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11,048 |
Choose a short-barreled, lightweight, short-cartridge rifle (Or lever or single-shot). The ammo load will also be lighter.
"There's more to optics than meets the eye."--anon
"...most of us would be better off losing half a pound around the waist than half a pound on our rifle."--dhg
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,168
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,168 |
My personal favorite is a Kimber Montana in 300 WSM. I put a Kahles 3-9x42 scope on it and you could take it anyplace in just about any conditions.
I agree that you don't necessarily NEED a magnum, but I prefer it that way. If you go the 300 route, the WSM is probably a better choice for back pack hunting than the long action 300 win mag. It will be shorter and lighter.
donsm70
Life Member...Safari Club International Life Member...Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Life Member...Keystone Country Elk Alliance Life Member...National Rifle Association
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,168
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,168 |
My personal favorite is a Kimber Montana in 300 WSM. I put a Kahles 3-9x42 scope on it and you could take it anyplace in just about any conditions.
I agree that you don't necessarily NEED a magnum, but I prefer it that way. If you go the 300 route, the WSM is probably a better choice for back pack hunting than the long action 300 win mag. It will be shorter and lighter.
donsm70
Life Member...Safari Club International Life Member...Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Life Member...Keystone Country Elk Alliance Life Member...National Rifle Association
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,869
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,869 |
I won't say what is best, but totally agree with Brad on 308 or 06. Mine is an original Ti and can't see any canges anytime soon.
Good Shooting!
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277 |
I'd have you think about do you want light weight and a light tube, or would you prefer pretty darn light and some weight forward to the tube. Personally I like some weight forward to it and am not a fan of skinny tubes (or skinny ski's). Point being, if light and skinny is fine then take a close look at a Montana. Now if you wish for a bit more weight forward I'd go M70 (cal of choice, Talley's, 6x36 Leo w/dotz, and a Hunters Edge. Mines in a 300 WSM and it's a total rock star. Dober
"True respect starts with the way you treat others, and it is earned over a lifetime of demonstrating kindness, honor and dignity"....Tony Dungy
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130 |
There's a Montana in .300WM in the Classifieds, right now.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,727
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,727 |
I think that in terms of availability, price and what you get for the price, the Montanas are hard to beat.
I have 2 right now, a .243 and a .308.
Another that I really like is my Tika T3 Lite S.S. in.30-06. A very good shooter, out of the box.
It has the appeal of a 2x4, but it works.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,660
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,660 |
Save $$ and pick up a Tikka super light fluted barrel T3 30-06 from Bass Pro at 5.8 lbs and only $598 add Talley's light weights $40 and a Leupold Fx-II 6x36 LR $300. the whole package is under 7lbs and under a grand!
Ted
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,237
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,237 |
Choose a short-barreled, lightweight, short-cartridge rifle (Or lever or single-shot). The ammo load will also be lighter. I used my Savage scout for backpacking this year. In 308 it is enough for elk, and the ammo is lighter than other choices. If you are willing to use a single shot, and reload, you can build some very light rifles on T/C Contender actions. I have a .358 ALPO that weights under 3 pounds with scope. And, none of the components is exotic except the custom barrel. Leupold scope, Choate stock, and a Dave White http://www.dandtcustomgunworks.com/ barrel with an aluminum muzzle brake. Power level is similar to a 356 Winchester, but you can use pointy bullets, I use 225 grain Noslers. I used the Savage this year because I moved and did not have enough 358 ALPO ammo, but the rain is starting so I should get some reloading done this winter.
Ignorance is not confined to uneducated people.
WHO IS JOHN GALT? LIBERTY!
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,063
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,063 |
Kimber Montana's 84L or 84M, Weatherby Ultralights in standard calibers (six lug action), the Faux Rem. 700 TI's, TI's, NULA rifles, Tikka Superlights all should do the trick in a light rifle. Of course you can run a tad heavier and put a standard rifle in a McMillan Edge.
JOC was right. The 270 Winchester on a Model 70 is a great combination as is the 30/06 and 375 H&H
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,109
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,109 |
Get a tikka in 280 if you can find it,it will likely shoot circles around the montanas remingtons and winchester mentioned
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,219
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,219 |
From what I have seen of some Tikka's and the only Kimber I have shot, I bet the Tikka would shoot circles inside, not around, the Kimbers, Remingtons, and Winchesters. My Model 7 is my go to for backpack hunting, .260 Remington, leupy 2.5-8 x 36 and shoots like a charm with 100's and 120 grain bullets. Going to get it set up with 140's here soon for elk.
Keep Smiling
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,381
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,381 |
will ditto others Kimber montana is the best bang for the buck via a factory gun. heck they give customs a run for the money. deep down i'm a rem 700 fan. currently there are 2 rem 700 280's on gun broker. where it me i would buy a rem 700 280 and drop it in a mcm edge classic if you want to save a few more oz, get a rem 700 280 mtn rifle and drop that in a edge mcm mtn rifle stock either of those would work fine, shoot it as is then later rebarrel, lots of options, 25-06ai, 280ai, 284, 6.5-284, 270, 30-06 I'm in the process of building a similar rifle now rem 700 l.a. #3 rock, edge classic, still waiting on the barrel but here is the factory barreled action dropped in the stock.
Last edited by ShootOne; 10/31/11.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,555
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,555 |
I picked up the Gander Mountain edition of the Rem 700 in 7mm-08. The gun is identical to the original TI version but with a SS action, 3.5x10-40 in Talleys with a full belly under 7lbs. With the proper bullet, sensible distance and shot angle, it will do the trick. (Available in .308 too)
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