Last Minute Mountain Goat Rifle

[skierhs]

Unexpectedly drew a AK mountain goat tag, and now I’m on the clock for building a new rifle. I’m leaning towards a 7prc, 18-22” barrel, tbac 5 suppressor, with a NF 2.5-20 NX8, and the new Manner’s folding stock. I figure this should give me a solid kill range of 600 yards.

Any alterations do you recommend; and who would you go though for this build? I probably only need a barreled action. Looking to keep this whole thing under 8lbs.

 

[Elk Chaser]

I would get a Tikka 6.5 PRC, OG65 suppressor and drop it in a Peak 44 Bastion or Rokstok. I think the NX8 would be fine but I’d be more inclined to go with a 2.5-10 NXS or 3-15 SWFA.

A folding stock would be nice but not required in my limited experience of hunting Alaska. An 8lb or less 7 PRC would be a bear to shoot and really not necessary. Going the Tikka route will get you up and running fast and able to practice instead of waiting on a build to get finished.

 

[skierhs]

I would get a Tikka 6.5 PRC, OG65 suppressor and drop it in a Peak 44 Bastion or Rokstok. I think the NX8 would be fine but I’d be more inclined to go with a 2.5-10 NXS or 3-15 SWFA.

A folding stock would be nice but not required in my limited experience of hunting Alaska. An 8lb or less 7 PRC would be a bear to shoot and really not necessary. Going the Tikka route will get you up and running fast and able to practice instead of waiting on a build to get finished.

I apprecaite the feedback. I thought about going with the NXS, but I prefer using a first focal plane scope. Tikka is a good thought, although I have plenty of other rifles to use for practice in the meantime so I am less pressed about the time with a custom rifle. If I get it by May, I should have a few animals on the ground with the rifle before goat season arives.

I definitely want the folder, as I will be beating through alders and thick brush being in coastal SC AK. While being around 8lbs may not be "necesary," I already frequent the area I drew and know that cutting as much weight as practicable will go a long with. If I didnt care about weight, I would just bring my 338lm that tips the scale at over 13lbs.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I’d say build what you want to build, but having experienced that environment as well as been down a similar rifle path I have a few things to offer.

1. I agree on the can above, the OG or an airlock ZG are going to perform a lot better than tbac u5. Cheaper too I think.

2. Folders are cool but I think barrel length is also extremely important. 7PRC I’d say 20”, or 6.5 PRC in an 18” would be even better.

3. So for a chassis - 7PRC can rough. The “tuning fork” thing is very real with metal ones, at least it was for me. So I’d lean poly or carbon there. HNT 26 if folding although I really like the simplicity of the XLR, just not the recoil impulse. It’ll be less effective than an above bore butt pad stock, especially in a magnum, for follow up shops.

4. While PRC would be cool, if building “light” I think that’s a creed all day. Shoot the right bullet to maximize killing effectiveness and you’ll be set. I personally enjoy lighter/handier/smaller recoil with shorter barrel, and spend some weight on your optic. I would not build a magnum 8lb or less, I’d be 9-10 with 7 PRC. I’ve got an 8.5lb one and I can shoot it well (but follow ups are really hard), but my 6 creed enables me to run circles around it accuracy wise.

5. Concur on FFP scope.

Again if custom - ignore everything and just do what you want! Not sure on budget but that Alterra X rifle that breaks down would be super cool for a 7PRC or similar build.

 

[One300wsm]

I just harvested a Desert Sheep with a 8lb 6.5 WBY RPM I built 22” barrel HNT 26 stock with 156 Berger Elite Hunters doing 2950 fps @ 700 yards DRT. Pretty sure it would drop a goat.

 

[Kimber7man]

I would go Ultra 7 way before an Ultra 5.... Or a zero gravity 7mm can

 

[One300wsm]

Me personally I’m not seeing the advantage of a suppressor on a goat or sheep hunt. Grab yourself a pair of foam ear plugs. A folding stock is a plus easy to pack. The 25 CM would be an excellent choice with a 20” barrel in a HNT 26 stock with a NF NX 2-10x42 scope loaded with 117 Barnes LRX @ 3000 FPS. I just finished building one Weatherby 307 action CarbonSix 1-7 twist 20” feather weight barrel. Pushing the 117 LRX @ 3025 with small rifle primer and Superformance powder zeroed 3.2” high @ 100. See ballistic chart pretty impressive. I tried the 134 ELD-M but couldn’t get enough speed to beat the 117 LRX ballistics even though it has a higher BC.

 

[Antares]

A folder strapped to your pack is still going to hang up in the brush unless you’re thoughtful about how you pack it and keep the barrel short. I think a gun bearer type setup, paired with a short barrel, is easier to maneuver through the brush. Plus, I want immediate access to the rifle because I don’t pack a sidearm.

I think the NXS 2.5-10 is a good option here if you’re trying to save weight. Treat it like a fixed 10x that you can carry on 2.5x for bear protection and the FFP/SFP issue goes away.

 

[270-300]

Well im sure i will have someone throw a fit im telling you affordable gear works for hunting:

Since you say you dont have a goat rifle and are indicating a time and money crush to acquire one, why build? Why not just buy a glenfield model A in 270? They shoot lights out, meet your weight requirement, are $450 and you dont have to worry about tsa stealing it.

I would have preordered one if i did not already have a vintage rifle in 270.

 

[270-300]

Me personally I’m not seeing the advantage of a suppressor on a goat or sheep hunt. Grab yourself a pair of foam ear plugs. A folding stock is a plus easy to pack. The 25 CM would be an excellent choice with a 20” barrel in a HNT 26 stock with a NF NX 2-10x42 scope loaded with 117 Barnes LRX @ 3000 FPS. I just finished building one Weatherby 307 action CarbonSix 1-7 twist 20” feather weight barrel. Pushing the 117 LRX @ 3025 with small rifle primer and Superformance powder zeroed 3.2” high @ 100. See ballistic chart pretty impressive. I tried the 134 ELD-M but couldn’t get enough speed to beat the 117 LRX ballistics even though it has a higher BC.

Man im so glad to see someone point out suppressors are the most over rated piece of gear for mountain hunting. No way im ever lugging that weight and length around just to reduce some noise on one shot.

 

[270-300]

A folder strapped to your pack is still going to hang up in the brush unless you’re thoughtful about how you pack it and keep the barrel short. I think a gun bearer type setup, paired with a short barrel, is easier to maneuver through the brush. Plus, I want immediate access to the rifle because I don’t pack a sidearm.

I think the NXS 2.5-10 is a good option here if you’re trying to save weight. Treat it like a fixed 10x that you can carry on 2.5x for bear protection and the FFP/SFP issue goes away.

I think you get it but it amazes how man people dont understand sfp is a benefit, and the way to use it is to figure out a "point blank zero" that lets you shoot about 300 yards or so without scope dialing or hold over, and then for longer shots you have your scope at max magnification already so using subtensions is not a big deal. But, when your shooting 300 with scope on min you get the benefit of finer reticle.

 

[realunlucky]

I think you get it but it amazes how man people dont understand sfp is a benefit, and the way to use it is to figure out a "point blank zero" that lets you shoot about 300 yards or so without scope dialing or hold over, and then for longer shots you have your scope at max magnification already so using subtensions is not a big deal. But, when your shooting 300 with scope on min you get the benefit of finer reticle.

What about field of view? Of course you never need more than one shot so follows ups don't matter to you.

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