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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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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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Campfire Greenhorn
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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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Campfire 'Bwana
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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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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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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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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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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


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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


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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!
IC B3

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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.

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Dober


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There's a Montana in .300WM in the Classifieds, right now.




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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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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!


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Originally Posted by pal
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.


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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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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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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.


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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.

[Linked Image]

Last edited by ShootOne; 10/31/11.
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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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