BackcountryMT
WKR
Yeah, this is another caliber selection thread!
I've always been a big archery guy but in the last year I've become increasingly interested in rifle hunting again. I currently have a somewhat custom Ruger 7RM that shoots better than I can but the gun is very heavy at 11lbs loaded. I would like to get into a lighter gun for backpacking while still maintaining some good accuracy for medium distances. Here's where it will get tricky, I would also like for my wife to pack the gun when we hunt together so I'm looking for a lighter caliber in recoil terms, and something more maneuverable for her.
My main criteria's are as follows:
Lightweight (subjective but I'd like to keep it around 8# or under)
Lighter recoil
600 yards max on deer
400ish on Elk (If I'm expecting longer shots I have my 7RM)
Factory ammo options available
Short action
I've always been a .284 fan so I've looked into the 7-08 as I would still be able to load it heavy in the case she draws moose. Another round really catching my eye is the 6.5CM as well. Preferably, I'd probably go with a 300WSM for myself but as stated earlier, I want this to be a gun my wife can handle too. Out of either gun I'd probably go with a 130-140grain load. I'm entertaining the idea of Ruger Predator in 6.5 as a cheaper gun for her for now and if I like the round I can buy something higher end later on. Thoughts?
I've always been a big archery guy but in the last year I've become increasingly interested in rifle hunting again. I currently have a somewhat custom Ruger 7RM that shoots better than I can but the gun is very heavy at 11lbs loaded. I would like to get into a lighter gun for backpacking while still maintaining some good accuracy for medium distances. Here's where it will get tricky, I would also like for my wife to pack the gun when we hunt together so I'm looking for a lighter caliber in recoil terms, and something more maneuverable for her.
My main criteria's are as follows:
Lightweight (subjective but I'd like to keep it around 8# or under)
Lighter recoil
600 yards max on deer
400ish on Elk (If I'm expecting longer shots I have my 7RM)
Factory ammo options available
Short action
I've always been a .284 fan so I've looked into the 7-08 as I would still be able to load it heavy in the case she draws moose. Another round really catching my eye is the 6.5CM as well. Preferably, I'd probably go with a 300WSM for myself but as stated earlier, I want this to be a gun my wife can handle too. Out of either gun I'd probably go with a 130-140grain load. I'm entertaining the idea of Ruger Predator in 6.5 as a cheaper gun for her for now and if I like the round I can buy something higher end later on. Thoughts?
I have a tikka t3 lite in 300 wsm was a handfull before the break but not bad now.
Unlucky 13!
