Western Hunt- Which Gun/Scope Combo? - Page 2

reynolds357 · March 11, 2020, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handlerer2

Yeah, I'm a little grumpy today. I'm getting on up there, being born during the Truman administration. So I ask the forums indulgence, while I go on a mild rant.

What have we come to, when the advice is, buy a new rifle to save one pound of weight. I don't know if anyone asked the OP how fit he was.

I have hunted and hiked in the Beartooth-Aborka wilderness. If anyone is interested, this contains the largest plateau over 10,000 ft. in North America, and is truly God's country. I know how tough it can get.

Look at our fathers and grandfathers generations. I know some of them were grateful to even have a rifle or shotgun to hunt with. I could tell stories here, but this is a mild rant, so I will get to the point.

Do I need to take two midols and change my pad, or doe's anyone else think it preposterous to buy a new rifle to save a pound of weight.

I don't hunt anymore, but when I did I carried a 300WBY, and they are heavy, because that's what I had. None of my excursions killed me, although halfway through the haul out, I may have wished I was dead instead.

Ok, I have my coffee now. Rant over.

I pretty much agree. Worry about 1 lb of rifle weight. What you going to do with several hundred lbs of meat? Feed the wolves?

taylorce1 · March 12, 2020, 09:04 AM

handlerer2, here is the issue I have with comparing to what others had "back in the day". Being a resident hunter in CO for nearly 40 years, as well as an infantry soldier. I can tell you heavy hunting gear slows you down and doesn't allow you to hunt as well. The more you carry even in the best shape will wear you down faster than carrying fewer pounds. The crux is finding the right balance, as the lighter it gets the more stuff you'll want to carry and then it doesn't help you to have lighter gear.

Paul B. · March 12, 2020, 02:08 PM

"Do I need to take two midols and change my pad, or doe's anyone else think it preposterous to buy a new rifle to save a pound of weight."

I just have to answer that one. Any excuse to buy a new rifle is a good one.

Paul B.

Paul B. · March 12, 2020, 02:29 PM

Well I've hunted in the west life. Did my first deer hunt when I was 11 years old. The year was 1948, Labor Day weekend. Shot my deer with my Great grandfather's old 30-30 at all of 20 feet, give or take. Most of my hunting early on was in coastal California and it wasn't until around 1962 that I hunted in another state. Nevada to be exact and used a butchered up 1903 Springfield 30-06 with the old El Paso Weaver 4X scope. I used that rifle until 1973 when I decided it was too damned heavy when hunting up at the 9,000-9500 foot MSL level. FWIW, I was living in Nevada but never shot a deer past 150-175 yards. In 1973 I bought a Remington 660 in .308 and frankly was concerned about its effectiveness at potentially longer ranges. First hunt with it, my hunting partner wounded a roughly 225-250 pound Mule Deer that was running off. He was way out yonder but I took him with the first shot, down and out. He came over to where I was and we paced it off at 426 paces, call it at least 400 yards. Scope for that rifle was an other 4X Weaver. Fast forward to the the mid 1980's, area1 in the White Mountain of Arizona. Shots it that area can come at extremely long range so I carried a .300 Win. Mag. I had a cow tag and the shot came at a lasered 530 yards. One shot, down and out. When I checked the 3x9 Leupold it was still set at 3X. The only other fairly long shot was a cow elk at 350 yards with a .35 Whelen. All the other deer and elk I've taken from 1973 to today with the exception of those mentioned have been at 200 yards or less, most less.
Of the choices the OP posted I'd go with the 7-08 and the lightest scope he owns, or he does have a legitimate excuse to but a new rifle.

Paul B.

Kreyzhorse · March 12, 2020, 03:19 PM

Quote:

It's funny--a guy I heard about this past season went on a western muley hunt-- he spent thousands on a Gunwerks rifle and another chunk on a Nightforce, and he and the guy he went with both ended up shooting their bucks at 100 yards.

One thing that could be nice with the high magnification is thIat I can use it as a spotting scope since I don't have a spotting scope

It's funny, your first time out west you think you need a rig for 300+ yard shots.

I've killed more antelope under 100 than I have over 300. Hell, I've killed antelope at 25 yards. Shorter eastern shots present themselves more often you think.

reynolds357 · March 12, 2020, 08:19 PM

I have only killed one Elk. 740 yards lazer ranged. 7 Rum. No wind. Dialed up 750 and hit where it was supposed to. Shot prone and built the perfect rest out of a coat and hard packed snow.

Rangerrich99 · March 12, 2020, 09:05 PM

Not going to say much about the gun itself; that always seems to be more of a personal choice than anything. I would basically choose the lightest gun that would do the job on a mule deer out to 400 yards and call it a day.

As for optics, I see no reason for a 5x25 or whatever to shoot a muley at 400 yards. I'd be looking at a 3x9-3x12 at the most. I personally have a 2.5x10 that I would consider more than adequate for 400 yd shots at such a large animal. Any Vortex Diamondback scope (or similar) would fill the bill, IMO.

big al hunter · March 12, 2020, 09:55 PM

Well Franklin, if I was you I would use what I had. That would be the 7-08 with the Swarovski scope. You don't need to be able to dial up with the reticle on the Swarovski. It has calibrated marks on it for the distances you will likely need. Sight in dead on the cross hairs at 100 yards. The marks below the main cross hairs will be very close to perfect at 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards. Practice with it and go hunting.

The only time I have let weight be the determining factor was when I was buying a new gun. I have hunted in Idaho and Washington since 1987. The longest shot I have had available when I had a tag in my pocket was about 500 yards. I didn't shoot because the rifle had iron sights. Since then I haven't shot an animal that was more than 125 yards away. This year my deer was at 33 yards with a bow. My elk was about 30 yards with a rifle. You are more likely to be able to get close enough to use the 7-08. If you practice enough, and the gun and ammo are up to the task, 500 yards is not unreasonable. But I would bet your rifle, that you can get to within 200 yards.

FranklinTN · March 14, 2020, 06:32 AM

Thanks for all of your responses. I always appreciate a thread that sticks to the topic and gives it's opinion without heated debate.

burrhead · March 15, 2020, 12:57 AM

I live in West Texas, not Colorado, Wyoming or Arizona. Though it's is rough country, true mountains are few and far between. You'll most likely be below 4,000' but there could be a lot of hiking up and down, especially while hunting Aoudad. Antelope will be principally in the Panhandle and it's pretty flat up there. Most of the mule deer hunting will be riding around in a truck or 4 wheeler till you spot one and then it's a short stalk.

I hunt with a Browning X-Bolt.308 topped with an older Leupold 3-9x40, 7 1/2 pounds, and it's plenty good enough for anything here. Use the 7-08; you'll be fine.

oprod · August 22, 2020, 07:44 PM

From your list the 7 mag out of your closet would be my choice, it’s really too much, but it’s nice for long range. Your glass choices are a bit strong for my taste, I grew up on 3x9, moved to 4x12, and my favs are 4.5x14. I’ve nightforces too, and some 6x32 scopes, but for hunting, really they are a bit much. Here in the west it’s not uncommon to hike. A lot. Those big scopes are heavy. And there is a lot of mirage to contend with over 14x

March 12, 2020, 09:04 AM	#27
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,248	handlerer2, here is the issue I have with comparing to what others had "back in the day". Being a resident hunter in CO for nearly 40 years, as well as an infantry soldier. I can tell you heavy hunting gear slows you down and doesn't allow you to hunt as well. The more you carry even in the best shape will wear you down faster than carrying fewer pounds. The crux is finding the right balance, as the lighter it gets the more stuff you'll want to carry and then it doesn't help you to have lighter gear. __________________ NRA Life Member

March 12, 2020, 02:08 PM	#28
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	"Do I need to take two midols and change my pad, or doe's anyone else think it preposterous to buy a new rifle to save a pound of weight." I just have to answer that one. Any excuse to buy a new rifle is a good one. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

March 12, 2020, 02:29 PM	#29
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Well I've hunted in the west life. Did my first deer hunt when I was 11 years old. The year was 1948, Labor Day weekend. Shot my deer with my Great grandfather's old 30-30 at all of 20 feet, give or take. Most of my hunting early on was in coastal California and it wasn't until around 1962 that I hunted in another state. Nevada to be exact and used a butchered up 1903 Springfield 30-06 with the old El Paso Weaver 4X scope. I used that rifle until 1973 when I decided it was too damned heavy when hunting up at the 9,000-9500 foot MSL level. FWIW, I was living in Nevada but never shot a deer past 150-175 yards. In 1973 I bought a Remington 660 in .308 and frankly was concerned about its effectiveness at potentially longer ranges. First hunt with it, my hunting partner wounded a roughly 225-250 pound Mule Deer that was running off. He was way out yonder but I took him with the first shot, down and out. He came over to where I was and we paced it off at 426 paces, call it at least 400 yards. Scope for that rifle was an other 4X Weaver. Fast forward to the the mid 1980's, area1 in the White Mountain of Arizona. Shots it that area can come at extremely long range so I carried a .300 Win. Mag. I had a cow tag and the shot came at a lasered 530 yards. One shot, down and out. When I checked the 3x9 Leupold it was still set at 3X. The only other fairly long shot was a cow elk at 350 yards with a .35 Whelen. All the other deer and elk I've taken from 1973 to today with the exception of those mentioned have been at 200 yards or less, most less. Of the choices the OP posted I'd go with the 7-08 and the lightest scope he owns, or he does have a legitimate excuse to but a new rifle. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

March 12, 2020, 09:55 PM	#33
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	Well Franklin, if I was you I would use what I had. That would be the 7-08 with the Swarovski scope. You don't need to be able to dial up with the reticle on the Swarovski. It has calibrated marks on it for the distances you will likely need. Sight in dead on the cross hairs at 100 yards. The marks below the main cross hairs will be very close to perfect at 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards. Practice with it and go hunting. The only time I have let weight be the determining factor was when I was buying a new gun. I have hunted in Idaho and Washington since 1987. The longest shot I have had available when I had a tag in my pocket was about 500 yards. I didn't shoot because the rifle had iron sights. Since then I haven't shot an animal that was more than 125 yards away. This year my deer was at 33 yards with a bow. My elk was about 30 yards with a rifle. You are more likely to be able to get close enough to use the 7-08. If you practice enough, and the gun and ammo are up to the task, 500 yards is not unreasonable. But I would bet your rifle, that you can get to within 200 yards. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

March 15, 2020, 12:57 AM	#35
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	I live in West Texas, not Colorado, Wyoming or Arizona. Though it's is rough country, true mountains are few and far between. You'll most likely be below 4,000' but there could be a lot of hiking up and down, especially while hunting Aoudad. Antelope will be principally in the Panhandle and it's pretty flat up there. Most of the mule deer hunting will be riding around in a truck or 4 wheeler till you spot one and then it's a short stalk. I hunt with a Browning X-Bolt.308 topped with an older Leupold 3-9x40, 7 1/2 pounds, and it's plenty good enough for anything here. Use the 7-08; you'll be fine. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

March 12, 2020, 08:19 PM	#31
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I have only killed one Elk. 740 yards lazer ranged. 7 Rum. No wind. Dialed up 750 and hit where it was supposed to. Shot prone and built the perfect rest out of a coat and hard packed snow.

March 12, 2020, 09:05 PM	#32
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	Not going to say much about the gun itself; that always seems to be more of a personal choice than anything. I would basically choose the lightest gun that would do the job on a mule deer out to 400 yards and call it a day. As for optics, I see no reason for a 5x25 or whatever to shoot a muley at 400 yards. I'd be looking at a 3x9-3x12 at the most. I personally have a 2.5x10 that I would consider more than adequate for 400 yd shots at such a large animal. Any Vortex Diamondback scope (or similar) would fill the bill, IMO.

March 14, 2020, 06:32 AM	#34
FranklinTN Junior Member Join Date: February 29, 2020 Posts: 9	Thanks for all of your responses. I always appreciate a thread that sticks to the topic and gives it's opinion without heated debate.

August 22, 2020, 07:44 PM	#36
oprod Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2008 Posts: 13	From your list the 7 mag out of your closet would be my choice, it’s really too much, but it’s nice for long range. Your glass choices are a bit strong for my taste, I grew up on 3x9, moved to 4x12, and my favs are 4.5x14. I’ve nightforces too, and some 6x32 scopes, but for hunting, really they are a bit much. Here in the west it’s not uncommon to hike. A lot. Those big scopes are heavy. And there is a lot of mirage to contend with over 14x