What would be the best long range lightweight rifle caliber? 270WSM looks good but will it be around in the future? 270 Win also looks good but is it worth the extra weight? 7mm Rem is it to much recoil in a lightweight gun? I am planning to build a lightweight sheep and goat rifle and looking for the best caliber.

I think a 7mm08 would be sweet.

That was my first idea but after reading about long range shots I started thinking I need somthing flatter shooting. Am I wrong? I do not have a lot of long range shooting experence. 200 yards has been max for me. I am looking for advice from all of you long range shooters!

I've been in on a few goat killings and don't remember one being shot further than 175 yards or so. Sure you can purposely setup for a longer shot but it usually ain't needed.

If you feel real frisky get an elevation turret slapped on and practice at some distances.

"nuff said"

257 stw

Another vote for the 7-08

Great choices so far. Nothing wrong with a cartridge you might already have for deer like a 270 or 280.

My own choices are the 6.5-284 for sheep and a very light 300WSM for goat. But the 6.5-284 is perfectly fine for both IMHO.

I'm voting for the .280

264 win mag

270 wsm w/ 21" barrel w/ 140's

7X57

For the longest time, I've thought a good answer to this question would be a NULA in 6.5X284.

Your going to carry that rifle alot more than you are going to shoot it. I'd want somthing that I could change to a bit heavier round in the event it was needed.

Hence, Model 70 Classic Short Action in .308 using a good 140 grain bullet. And load up a few 180 grain Nosler Partitions or other good bullet in the event you need them.

If you are really concerned about weight, and I think you should be, I'd worry about long range capabilities of the rifle last.
I'd build something that I could shoot well first.
Rounds like the 7-08 or the 7X57 kill very well out to 400 yds. If you build something with more recoil than that, you may well find that it is tough to shoot well, not at all fun.
6.5 lb. '06's I find to be a bit much, even from off hand. From prone, or over a pack, they wouldn't be anything I'd want to shoot much.
So, I suggest you try out a few in these weights. Once you learn what works for you, then go for a build. E

Ok 7mm08 it is. Now custom turret, how do they work? I have never used them.

contact Leupold's custom shop and they can work it all out with you. i believe that they also have custom reticles that you can have put on your scope if you know what your average velocity is for the load you use, and the average altitude where you will be hunting. Leupold is a great outfit to work with. they are well built, and reasonably priced in their custom stuff.

i just had Leupold put an M1 elevation turret on. zero at 100, and shoot to 500 or so. record the bullet drop. then plug your bullet and estimated velocity into JBM Ballistics and tweak velocity until it matches your true bullet drop. then print a range card and tape it to your stock (and carry a spare in your pack). This system is not as slick as a BDC retical or knob, but it allows you to change bullets and/or velocity with nothing more than a trip to the shooting range and a new range card from JBM

my 7mm-08 is the lower rifle in this pic.

As stated the 7mm-08 is a good one for sure. My next choice would be a 280Rem.

Get whatever Leupold you like, send it off to them for an elevation turret, I'd go Target Turret (they have the screw on cap, just like a regular only taller).

Get it all together and we'll walk you through the turret stuff.

Turret is number 1 through 15 (15 is actually the zero again).

Anyways, get the BC of the bullet and the velocity and plug it into a ballistics program and it will give you drops out to say 1000 yards.

Here we go: 120gr Barnes TSX BC .411 velocity 3000 with a 200 yard zero, puts the bullet 1.5" high at 100.

Drop at 250 is 2.6 inches

Drop at 300 is 6 3/4"

Drop at 350 is 12.5"

Drop at 400 is 20"

Move the decimal point on the yardage two to the left and divide that number into the how much the bullet drops at that range.

So 250 yards becomes 2.5. Divide 2.5 into 2.6 so that gives you 1MOA. You don't need to count clicks just turn your turret to 1 and you are dead nuts on. Assuming 1/4 clicks you will have 3 hash marks between each whole number.

Again, 300 yards becomes 3. Divide 6 3/4" by 3 and you get 2 1/4MOA. Turn your turret to the first little hash past the number 2 and so on and so forth.

I also have a program that will spit out the MOA values in a neat little sheet that you can print out and tape to your stock, no math needed.

Forgot to mention, you obviously need to verify the numbers by shooting at those distances but I have found it to be pretty damn close, so close I pegged a 8x5" Crown Royal box at 700 yards with the second shot. First was a tad low and I need another 1/2 MOA dialed in.

Ok, I lied to you. The Target Turrets are numbered every 3 (3, 6, 9 and 12) the M1's throughout.

Target turret with your 1MOA dialed up for 250 yards (course I wouldn't sweat 2.5" of drop)





Target turret with 2 1/4MOA dialed in for 300 yards





M1 turret for 250yards





M1 turret for 300 yards

Wow! that was informative! you ok?

I have to jump in here -- tradition is being disrespected.

What about the 25-284 #2 countour pac nor 22" tube in an McMillan Edge with a 6x42 Leupold with Silly-Whets?

That is THE PERMISSIBLE answer.

All else is second best . . . . .

BMT

My good deed for the year.....

Besides, I remember our first go with turrets.

True!

You buy a gun yet???

I just picked up a new scale and found a range too! been a good weekend!

Negative. Went to Cabelas but nothing turned my crank, at least nothing I was will to drop the coin on. Saw a sweet custom Sako Vixen but it was $3K.

They are pretty proud of some of there stuff. Was looking for a used Marlin 30/30 for a project and they had several, all beat to hell and back and going for $400.

WOW! that's crazy! i can remember finding those for 250 brand new not too long ago!

Careful, the Pacnor #2 is a pretty stout contour. I would opt of a #1 if I used Pacnor.

I'm partial to my Nesika model T 6.5x284 - single shot, #3 HART 21" fluted tube, McM stock, built by Sid Goodling ......(replaced 700 trigger with a 12 oz. Jewell HBR bottom safety)

Davidson bases, Kelbly rings, front of stock bobbed a few inches to accomodate balance, look, & feel of 21" barrel

I think you would be hard pressed to find a better combo than a Model 7 in .260 dropped in an Edge and topped off with a 2.5x8 Leupie in Talley LWs

+1. My initial sheep rifle was a 6.5-284 on a Ruger action and when I decided to have a seriously light rifle built I went with a NULA M20 in 6.5-284. Both very accurate. One's light and the other lighter. BTW both wear synthetic stocks and 2.5-8x36 scopes.

Figure my Montana in 7WSM would be my sheep rifle, if I ever went sheep hunting. Mountain Guide 7-08 would serve as backup...

I thought someone here had one! Can you get three in the mag on the NULA? Willing to share the specs/pics of the Ruger?

Steelhead- Big thanks for the turret info.

Thanks Steelhead! To me the M1 looks like the way to go for a hunting gun.