Desert bighorn hunt - the great rifle debate

[jblam]

Hello all - I have a desert big horn hunt coming up in November and went out to the range over the weekend to get some practice. I spent most of the drive time with a friend debating rifle selection.

The options I have (or have access to) are:
6.5 creed (ultra light)
6.5 x 284 (heavy)
6.5 prc (midweight)
30-06 (light)
7 prc (ultra light)
300 win mag (heavy)

I’d love to roll with the 6.5 creed or 30-06, but am open to opinions. Really hoping to keep shots sub 400. Opinions??

 

[ReddingArcher]

Get a 1955 model 70 in 270 and a luepold vx5. The finger of god.

In all seriousness, I’d use either the creed or the prc. And good luck on the hunt! Make sure you let us know how it goes.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Whichever gun you want to make these special memories with. Sometimes it comes down to more than pure ballistics.

 

[Steve O]

Obviously all those would do the job. I’d lean away from heavy and ultralight. I’m going next February and am almost sure I’m going to take a single shot .308 with a 6X scope…cuz that’s what pulls at my heartstrings.

 

[Wrongside]

My sheep rifle is an ultra lite 6.5CM. Really it’s my everything rifle. So I’d lean toward that option, as long as you shoot it well.

 

[chizelhead]

Obviously all those would do the job. I’d lean away from heavy and ultralight. I’m going next February and am almost sure I’m going to take a single shot .308 with a 6X scope…cuz that’s what pulls at my heartstrings.

K95?

 

[waspocrew]

Whichever you fell most confident in - I’d be leaning 6.5 PRC. Why? Because that’s what I’m taking for Dall in Canada this August haha.

 

[jblam]

I was surprised how similar the energy profiles are between a 30-06 and a 6.5 prc at 500 yards. Seems like most hunters get within 300 yards (??).

Ironically my aforementioned buddy is also doing dall this fall and is emotionally committed to 6.5 prc, great minds think alike!

 

[Bigred323]

My guide recommended a flat shooting rifle. He recommended 7 mag, 300 win mag, or 338 (a little overkill) lol. I went the 7 mag on mine.