Top two mountain cartridges

[mtnwrunner]

Man, its fun to spend someone else's money!
Damn easy choice.
-----6.5 creedmoor.
-----300 win mag.

Let me know if I can help you build them....

Randy

 

[FlyingScot]

Judging by the thread, this will hardly be an original answer, but I can't help but echo the 6.5 Creedmoor/.300 Winmag combo. Those two will just about do it all, and if you don't handload, both have tons of great choices for ammo.

X-Bolt is a great choice, I looked long and hard at an HC Speed before picking up my T3x SL

 

[UtahJimmy]

243/30-06

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Reburn]

If weight is a concern
6.5 creed
300 wsm

If weigh is not a concern
25-06 or 270
300 win

 

[Matt W.]

My vote is .308win and .338WM. : )

 

[archp625]

Like others have said, you are going to get a ton of different responses and opinions.

1) .270 Win
2) .300 Win Mag

You can buy ammo for both of them about anywhere in the world in a pinch.

 

[VernAK]

I'd only get one rifle but upgrade quality and reliability [and cost] and chamber it in 280AI. Spend the remaining funds on the next trip.

 

[ericF]

Change it up and get brothers.
270 WSM
300 WSM

Since you don't care about anything longer range, then I would go with something light and fast for the smaller caliber. A 270 WSM shooting Barnes 129gr LRX at around 3268fps will get you out to 400 yards with 19 inches of drop. A 6.5 Creedmoor will send a Barnes 127gr LRX at around 2800fps and will be just under 28 inches of drop. So almost 10 inches difference at your max range.

Then the 300 WSM is a nice step up from 30-06 without going all the way up to 300 WM. If you load, you can also run a little bit lighter when you don't need the velocity. I've got my 300 WSM loaded specifically for ~3000fps with a Barnes 168gr TTSX to match the Zeiss RZ-600 reticle on it.

If you were going longer range, then I would still stick with brothers and get a 6.5 PRC and a 300 PRC.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

my mountain rifles are 308 and a 6.5cm, I have a 30-06 that also works as a mountain rifle.

Ive never felt the need for anything more but I have an interest in a kimber Montana 338wm.

 

[brisket]

I'm gonna break some rules of the game and say take the money you would have spent on 2 rifles and only buy 1. Not knowing your budget or preferences, I'm going to guess at cost... Assuming ~$700 per rifle and ~$500 per scope you're at $2400 for the pair. That money can net you a nicer, lighter rifle with a better optic.

With that said, 30/06, 270, 280 (ai or not), 308, 7mm rem, 300 WM would all fill the role well. Bonus is that you only have to practice with 1 rifle and can maximize your proficiency with that rifle.

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

Stainless Xbolt 30-06, NF NXS 2.5-10x42, 178 grain Hornady eldx. Go hunting for anything anywhere on the planet. Then, for when you need a nice change and want to class up the woods you grab your Winchester Featherweight walnut & blued in 270 with a leupold vx3i 3.5-10x40 and dual dovetail mounts.

 

[wind gypsy]

6.5 Needmoor and 30/06 or 300 WSM.

Initially thought win mag but I don't see enough benefit in the extra rifle weight/recoil for 400 yards and in. I think a win mag is a half pound heavier than wsm in most x-bolts.

 

[elkduds]

Go big for your # 2: 338 06 or 35 Whelen. Both could start out as a Browning 30-06.

 

[Cant hit em]

.270 and 7mag would work

 

[elkguide]

For me any rifle combo has to start with and include a .300 Win Mag.
As to your other rifle... I'd probably go with a 7mm08.

After many years of buying, selling and buying more rifles, I'm now into the mode of buying less but buying higher quality. I'd buy one rifle and I'd look at a Christensen Arms, Cooper, Fierce or one of the many higher quality rifles and yes, it would be in .300Win Mag with a really high quality scope.


While I don't live by this old adage...…. "Be afraid of the one gun hunter!"

 

[30338]

6.5 creedmoor and 30/06. Buy factory ammo and be happy.

 

[huntsman22]

get a pair o' Percy's.

6.5 PRC
30 PRC

 

[CorbLand]

.280 Ackley Improved and spend the remaining on a good scope and sometime at the range.

 

[Azone]

7-08 and 300 wm.

I second this lineup.

 

[buckchaser]

Thanks everyone - this thread was a much needed distraction as my grandfather passed peacefully this morning.

As an eastern deer hunter, I have a 243 X-Bolt and BLRs in 7mm-08 and 308 (one has a 1 - 4 x scope, the other a red dot) so my "quick and fast" hunting is well covered.

I'm thinking these combinations are the front runners;

270 and 30-06 or 338-06/35 Whelen (would require a rechambering)
270 WSM and 300 WSM/325 WSM