Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New rifle help!!!

Been looking to add another hunting rifle in the safe. I have a MRC extreme x2 in 300wsm that I really like and have harvested a bull with, but I would like to add a small lightweight rifle to my hunting arsenal. The 300 isn't too heavy but with a 3-18x44 vx6 it's not a featherweight either. As I am getting more and more into backpack hunting I've realized every ounce counts. I'm looking at a Kimber Montana in a short action, I like crf rifles and a 3 position safety. Can't decide between .308, 7mm-08 or 6.5 creedmoor. It will be mostly used as a high country backpacking deer, black bear and possibly even an elk or two if the 300wsm doesn't come with me. 6.5 creedmoor seems very appealing, just don't want to hop on the bandwagon and regret it later. Any advice would be appreciated as I can't make up my mind!

The .308 is rarely a "wrong" choice, especially when you throw in the possibility of bear and elk.

My primary deer rifle, for the last 8 or 10 yrs, is a .308 Kimber Montana with a leupold VariX II 2-7x33. Makes a very nice handling and carrying package. The biggest risk is that it will spoil you and you'll start leaving you magnum at home.

How is the recoil in the 308 Montana? Is it comfortable enough to confidently shoot to 500 yards? The light recoil of the creedmoor seems nice and could make it easier for the longer shots. But I also see the benefits of shooting heavier 30 cal bullets. I see kimber offers a threaded barrel so maybe a muzzle brake can make the .308 feel very tamed in a really lightweight gun.

I've never had a shot ruined by recoil, .308 or any other cartridge, never really notice it in actual hunting conditions. Heaviest recoiling rifle I use is a .350 RemMag in about an 8 lb rifle and scope combo. I also don't shoot to 500 yds.

If you haven't used true light rifles (less than 6.5 lbs with scope, sling and ammo), there might be a learning curve. Some folks have problems with them.

* One could spend many pages on this thread, & not improve upon the very first suggestion.

* If you're brave, you could look up the epic ".308 vs 7-08" thread(s), but 'twould be purely for entertainment value.

* 500 yards might suggest higher BC (and therefore heavier) bullets, which would affect recoil some.

* FWIW, Kimbers are often mentioned favorably for a stock design that tames recoil very well. I have an 8400 in .300 WM that's easier to shoot than a .30-06 from another mfgr.

Good luck,

FC

hard to go wrong with a .308, I have one in a Kimber Adirondack, and it likes the 165-168 gr. pills very well. Last season it wore a vortex LH HD 1.8-8x which I upgraded to the 2-10x model recently with cameralands most recent sale. Right at 6# with scope, ammo, and sling...

I've always been a big 6.5 fan, and if going for a gun with 20"+ of barrel I would probably go Creedmoor, but I like 'em short, so I usually go with larger holes in the barrel for efficiency.

I'd go 308 and not look back.

Advances in projectile technology let a 150-grain monometal bullet perform like the 180-grain cup-and-core once did, and the 308 can move them well over 2,800 fps. That will work on pretty much anything in North America.

After having spent some quality time with a couple of 30-06's, a 308, and a chronograph, and I'm beginning to think that they're identical with factory ammo once you get forward of the muzzle.


Okie John

There's a proven 270 Montana in the classifieds, chop it 22" and roll on.