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Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn MtnHtr #15787504 02/14/21
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle
ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky	Originally Posted by MtnHtr Any tips on dealing with low growing cactus when crawling or stalking? Those little cactus balls with needles....... Will Filson chaps help? Industrial knee and elbow pads. Not kidding. "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

GB1

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn MtnHtr #15787544 02/14/21
Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 9,387 las vegas, Nv. L lvmiker Campfire Outfitter
lvmiker Campfire Outfitter L Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 9,387 las vegas, Nv.	If you envision yourself crawling much then tactical knee and elbow pads work OK. Bear crawl or low crawl when carrying a rifle is a special kind of hell, best left to the young. mike r Don't wish it were easier Wish you were better Stab them in the taint, you can't put a tourniquet on that. Craig Douglas ECQC

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15787559 02/14/21
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,801 Missouri but my hearts in the ... T tankerjockey Campfire Regular
tankerjockey Campfire Regular T Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,801 Missouri but my hearts in the ...	I heard you can just set up on any hill and snipe them from as far as you can see them. As long as you are packing your Creedmore. 😙 Isn’t that all ya need. 🤷‍♂️ Its not always easy to do the right thing, But it is always the right thing to do.

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15787704 02/14/21
Joined: Dec 2016 Posts: 5,506 Wind River Wyoming S szihn Campfire Tracker
szihn Campfire Tracker S Joined: Dec 2016 Posts: 5,506 Wind River Wyoming	Light weight is as important as YOU want it to be. Here is one I killed with a rifle that weighs only 6 pounds and 14 oz. 6.5X54 Mannlicher 2018 #1 Ant. Buck by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] Here is one I killed with a 9 pound rifle Winchester M95 in 270 IMG_20190918_192827625 by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] Here is one I killed with a 12 pound rifle. M1 Garand 30-06 M1 2020 Buck 2 by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] I have killed more than I can count and I use what ever rifle I feel like using from my very light 25-06 all the way up to my scoped 375H&H and a lot of them in-between as well as having killed several with 357 magnum and 44 magnum handguns. The antelope don't know the difference. Use what you enjoy and you'll use it well. Those you enjoy you'll often shoot the best, because you shoot them most. The gun is less important then the hunter.

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15787748 02/14/21
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 13,931 PA moosemike Campfire Outfitter
moosemike Campfire Outfitter Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 13,931 PA	I like a heavier rifle because I've found the prairie winds move around a light rifle a bit too much while trying to aim

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Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn szihn #15787845 02/14/21
Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 8,759 M MtnHtr Campfire Outfitter
MtnHtr Campfire Outfitter M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 8,759	Originally Posted by szihn Light weight is as important as YOU want it to be. Here is one I killed with a rifle that weighs only 6 pounds and 14 oz. 6.5X54 Mannlicher 2018 #1 Ant. Buck by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] Here is one I killed with a 9 pound rifle Winchester M95 in 270 IMG_20190918_192827625 by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] Here is one I killed with a 12 pound rifle. M1 Garand 30-06 M1 2020 Buck 2 by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] I have killed more than I can count and I use what ever rifle I feel like using from my very light 25-06 all the way up to my scoped 375H&H and a lot of them in-between as well as having killed several with 357 magnum and 44 magnum handguns. The antelope don't know the difference. Use what you enjoy and you'll use it well. Those you enjoy you'll often shoot the best, because you shoot them most. The gun is less important then the hunter. Pretty darn cool right there!

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn MtnHtr #15787910 02/14/21
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 21,191 N.. Newaukum, Washington J Judman Campfire Ranger
Judman Campfire Ranger J Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 21,191 N.. Newaukum, Washington	Originally Posted by MtnHtr Originally Posted by szihn Light weight is as important as YOU want it to be. Here is one I killed with a rifle that weighs only 6 pounds and 14 oz. 6.5X54 Mannlicher 2018 #1 Ant. Buck by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] Here is one I killed with a 9 pound rifle Winchester M95 in 270 IMG_20190918_192827625 by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] Here is one I killed with a 12 pound rifle. M1 Garand 30-06 M1 2020 Buck 2 by .com/photos/156296479N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep] I have killed more than I can count and I use what ever rifle I feel like using from my very light 25-06 all the way up to my scoped 375H&H and a lot of them in-between as well as having killed several with 357 magnum and 44 magnum handguns. The antelope don't know the difference. Use what you enjoy and you'll use it well. Those you enjoy you'll often shoot the best, because you shoot them most. The gun is less important then the hunter. Pretty darn cool right there! I agree, good work szhin.👍 Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies. Ain’t easy havin pals.

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn ingwe #15787944 02/14/21
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,182 MT J Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker
Just a Hunter Campfire Tracker J Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,182 MT	Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by MtnHtr Any tips on dealing with low growing cactus when crawling or stalking? Those little cactus balls with needles....... Will Filson chaps help? Industrial knee and elbow pads. Not kidding. You got that right

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15787963 02/14/21
Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 17,790 Likes: 1 Wyoming W WyoCoyoteHunter Campfire Ranger
WyoCoyoteHunter Campfire Ranger W Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 17,790 Likes: 1 Wyoming	I like a heavier rifle.. Not bull guns but heavier.. Had a .280 mt. rifle one fall.. After the first trip, it went down the road... Molon Labe

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15788070 02/14/21
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,473 Where the wild things are. Sakoluvr OP Campfire Outfitter
OP Sakoluvr Campfire Outfitter Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,473 Where the wild things are.	This has been a great thread. Thanks for all of the responses. Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is. dogzapper After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box. Italian Proverb

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Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15788103 02/14/21
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle
ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky	This rifle would be kinda average weight wise...Im guessing #8 all up. Its a .223AI and I took this pic right after killing my last antelope, which is a tiny speck 308 yards from the muzzle in this pic. "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15788306 02/14/21
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 17,527 Colorado D dogcatcher223 Campfire Ranger
dogcatcher223 Campfire Ranger D Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 17,527 Colorado	My son stepped on a cactus and went right though his shoe when he was 8. I felt like the worst dad ever for not having him in boots. I had to piggy back him a half mile back to the truck, then hike back without him to pack the antelope out.

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15788396 02/14/21
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 13,931 PA moosemike Campfire Outfitter
moosemike Campfire Outfitter Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 13,931 PA	I always end up with needles in my knees and my hands

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Rossimp #15789519 02/14/21
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 24,263 Likes: 10 PNW R ribka Campfire Ranger
ribka Campfire Ranger R Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 24,263 Likes: 10 PNW	Originally Posted by Rossimp What state? My hunts were all on BLM land in Wyoming. 257 Wby is a jewel of a chamber, TTSX is not necessary for pronghorn, would be more inclined to use Hornady 110 gr ELD-X load in the 257 Wby if not hand loading. The 257 Wby was made for wide open western plains hunting, it can be a nice equalizer when distance is in play. The Creedmoor is plenty good at distance and bucking wind but it will be around 600 fps slower at the muzzle and it will take almost 600 yds out before you will start to see its real advantages with doping the wind. Of course much can be accomplished with a proper riflescope dialed in for drift and drop. I like a heavier rifle antelope hunting especially in heavy winds. I used a CTR this past year and the wind was blowing over 40 mph and it was difficult to hold it steady prone 2019 again really strong winds Last edited by ribka; 02/14/21.

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15796115 02/16/21
Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,220 Rapid City, SD, US Boise Campfire Tracker
Boise Campfire Tracker Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,220 Rapid City, SD, US	Depends if you wish to kill them at long distance or enjoy stalking up on them. You'll likely kill a bigger goat if you can shoot 1000 yards but then who knows how much wind you'll have. I found myself doing a lot of belly crawling on my last hunt but I enjoyed getting up on animals that other's thought impossible. I used a 25 WSM in a 700Ti at 6.5#. The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15796164 02/16/21
Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 29,885 Likes: 6 Burns/Hines, Oregon, USA 1minute Campfire Ranger
1minute Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 29,885 Likes: 6 Burns/Hines, Oregon, USA	Accuracy is my sole consideration. Weight does not enter the equation. 1Minute

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15796201 02/16/21
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,458 Likes: 2 State of Jefferson T T_O_M Campfire Outfitter
T_O_M Campfire Outfitter T Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,458 Likes: 2 State of Jefferson	Originally Posted by Sakoluvr Spotting will mostly be done by vehicle then stalk. Is a heavyish rifle/ scope a big mistake? Not talking bull barrels here. McM standard fill game scout and heavy Zeiss or NXS Nightforce, magnum sporter 26" barrel. Can go lighter with a a Rem CDL SF walnut and a Zeiss V4. Never been out West hunting but have a Pronghorn hunt planned for the Fall. What you describe will be just fine. While I have not killed a pronghorn yet I have walked many many miles in sage brush / pronghorn country, sometimes with them in sight, hunting / calling coyotes and jackrabbits. I'm happy with anything from 7-1/2, maybe 8 pounds, up to about 10 pounds. Going super light won't help much with the walking but a bit of heft may be handy if you're shooting offhand in wind that is trying to push you around a little. Tom Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip. Here be dragons ...

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15796279 02/16/21
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 17,268 Cheyenne, Wy Fotis Campfire Ranger
Fotis Campfire Ranger Joined: May 2009 Posts: 17,268 Cheyenne, Wy	To me not important at all. Most of mine are indeed on the heavy side. I have shot them with a 243 to a 416 Bee and everything in between. https://thehandloadinglog.wordpress.com μολὼν λαβέ "Weatherby was too long so I nicknamed it "Bee""

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn moosemike #15796666 02/16/21
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,317 Anchorage, AK C cwh2 Campfire Tracker
cwh2 Campfire Tracker C Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,317 Anchorage, AK	Originally Posted by moosemike I always end up with needles in my knees and my hands I have heard methadone can help prevent this.

Re: How important is a light rifle when hunting Pronghorn Sakoluvr #15797024 02/16/21
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 21,191 N.. Newaukum, Washington J Judman Campfire Ranger
Judman Campfire Ranger J Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 21,191 N.. Newaukum, Washington	Gues I have used a lightweight rifle for em, 10-12 years ago, mark V ulw, 240, 85 tsx Bout 70 yards Last edited by Judman; 02/16/21. Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies. Ain’t easy havin pals.

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