Rockies Rifle
 

I am planning on hunting some mule deer & antelope during the next 3 years in open country. I would like to buy a nice, light weight plains rifle & have budgeted up to $1,000 for the gun. What caliber & model wood be recommended? Thanks.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

I would get a moutain rifle by remington, its a synthetic stock, very plain so its very lightweight. Get it rifled in either .270 or 7mm. both are very flat shooting for long range shot which is customary with antelope. I would lean towards the 7mm because a mulie can get rather large in that area, either would knock the life out of an antelope real quick. Good Luck

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

I would recommend the Remington Mountain Rifle as well, chamber in .270, 30-06, or 7mm....either of those calibers will do the trick. I have hunted Wyoming many times. I primarily use a Remington Model 700 in 30-06, but purchased the Remington Mountain Rifle in .270 caliber last year....It worked out great last fall....taking both Antelope and Mule Deer. Mule Deer was heavy 5 X 5 shot at 200 yds hit in shoulder, dropped in his tracks....and antelope shot at just over 300 yds, also dropped in his tracks. I would recommend the Remington Mountain Rifle.....caliber is a matter of preference, but .270, 30-06, or 7mm will certainly do the trick for you. As far as ammo choice...I find the Federal Premiums in 165 gr BTSP shoot best out of my 30-06, and the Winchester 130 gr power points shot best out of .270....FYI...for whats its worth.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

You can't hardly go wrong with a standard weight 270-Winchester. Weatherby make a ultra-lite stainless synthetic. Remington also chambers the mountain rifle in 270-winchester.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

Hard to beat a 270, 7mm or even a 300 magnum for this country out here. Good luck

shed

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

i know what ytour going through
i went the weatherby ultra light route in 06 for an all@ gun put a light scope on it an it comes in@6 3/4#s extemely nice to carrie in the mntns!even after the 5-6th day!!

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

Can't go wrong with a Remington Mountain Rifle 30.06!

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

i have shot a ruger .270 ever since i could hold it up and have never had any problem with it, i have even bought my wife a ruger .270 and she loves it. but ultimately you have to buy a rifle that you are comfortable with, regardless of what caliber. you could buy the best and baddest gun out there, but if you can't put the shot where it needs to be when it counts it really doesn't matter what gun you buy. so shoot a few different ones and go with what is best for you.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

Go .30-06 or .270 in any rifle that feels and looks good to you. Then get a nice Leupold scope. It's hard to beat an 06.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

Go with a .270 win - you'll have lots of loading flexibility -long flat shots or big game loads- Great sectional density. The best part is if you get a nice Kimber (one of the nicest light rifles on the market under $1K, it won't kick the snot out of ya. ) My buddy just bought a ultralight weatherby 7mm (6.25 # w/ scope?)- it will knock your teeth loose. Remember as weight goes down kick goes up.

Leave plenty of $ for optics- just as important as gun for plains.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

I like the heavier rifles even when they do feel like a ton at the end of the day. For me weight is not the factor its being in shape. Standard rifles and heavier one's make for better shots in the field in my experience. When an offhand shot like a follow up shot is a must then the heavier rifle is more steady in my hands than a light one. But this is just my experiances and what works for me.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

I would have to say a ruger, they have a nice 338 cal with a snythetic stock and you would have enough of your budget left to buy a good scope.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

Id say go with a 7mm remington mag. It shoots flat, hits hard, and has a pretty good variety of factory loads available. As for the rifle, I like the Browning A-bolt composite hunter. Its cheap, has a matter finish that wont reflect out in the desert, and is fairly cheap, so you will still have money left over to buy a nice scope.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

I would also consider a 257 Weatherby Magnum as long as you hunting deer and antelope.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

I'd consider a 243 or a 6mm if you are just hunting mulies and lope. Use a premium bullet like the 95 or 100 grain partitions and i am sure u can bag either without much problem. Both are extremlly flat shootin. Especially the 6mm it is the most flat shooting non belted magnum. I sure do like mine. ;)

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

.270 is a great gun for those critters. We consistently knock down elk without a problem with a .270 so power is not an issue. I have had one shot clean kills on antelope past 400 yards. Shoots very flat.

RE: Rockies Rifle
 

A 7mm or 270 With a synthetic stock. Here are some web sights:

www.remington.com
www.winchester.com
www.browning.com
www.weatherby.com

my vote....
 

i had a remington model 7 in .243.. it had an 18.5 inch barrel... weighed less then a mt rifle...they still make the model 7 but i believe you can get WSM calibers now...