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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
Do any of you back pack with more traditional Wood and Blued guns? Having used both myself I can appreciate how tough modern synthetic and stainless can be, but still prefer wood and blued if given a choice.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228 |
I have backpack hunted a lot with a Kimber 84M 3.08 that is wood & blue. I also have Kimber Montana's in .338 federal and .325 WSM. In really wet country I'd go synthetic, otherwise there isnNothing wrong with wood & blue 'cept for you are packing a little more weight.
Ed T
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
How do like the Montana in 308? I think for a factory gun they are about as light and handy as you can get. I had one in 300WSM but found it hard to match factory MV. I think if I was to do it again I'd get a 308 or 30-06 and call it good. I am working with a Winchester SS in 325WSM that shows some promise. I hunt in Alberta and I don't think we get as much rain as some other areas so stainless is not as much of an issue. I also started using the rifle rain cover from Kifaru and that really helps with a blued gun.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
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The .308 I have is the wood/blue 84M and I like it a lot. I've taken a couple sheep and a bunch of elk with it. The 338 Federal in the Montana is going to get lots of use. This will be its 1st season. I have been very pleased with all 3 Kimbers.
Ed T
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
Ed,
Sounds like a very successful partnership. Like I mentioned earlier, I'd look at another Kimber in 30-06. The only question is do you go with nice wood/blue or do you pick the synthetic /stainless...decisions,decisions.
SJ
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
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Buy one of each. A .308 or a .338 Federal in a Montana and 30-06 in a nice classic wood 'Course then you'd have to decide which to take along, but there are worst choices in life.
Ed T
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
I like your thinking!! What bullet are you using in the 338 Federal if you don't mind me asking?
SJ
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
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sheep,
I'm still in the process of working up loads. Looking hard at the 210 accubond.
Ed T
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
Ed,
Those should work out well in the 338 Fed. I've used the 210 Partition a fair bit in the 340W as it really likes them. I'm developing loads with the 210 TTSX and so far it looks pretty good. This is a cross over rifle. Hunted many years with the wood stock however now that I'm spending more time in the mountains I've put a synthetic on it as the wood takes a beating when strapped to my pack.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,831
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2008
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I have a Kimber Montana in .308 and its a tack driver and pretty light. Scope, rings, sling, and 4 in the mag is still right a 6lbs all up. Gotta love that!!
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
Thanks for the replies guys. Both of you mentioned using the Montana in 308. Do either of you feel you passed up a shot or were in some way handicapped at all using the 308? Sorry if it's a dumb question but I've been using some of the larger magnums for so many years I think I'm suffering from permenant brain trauma;).
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228 |
sheep,
I have shot sheep at lazered 347 yards and elk at 390 yards with my .308 with 150 gr TSX, so I don't feel at any disadvantage
Ed T
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Same here. Though I just got my Kimber Montana .308 last year and had to pass on a grizzly bear that was getting too dark in my mad scramble stalk I was 500 yards away with failing light and 300 yards of nasty alders between him and I......but I wouldn't have taken that shot with any rifle at that point.
However, grew up shooting the a .308 just not my new Kimber Montana. It was a model 7 and taken a couple grizz, 5 caribou, and 3 moose with it. Including 2 300+ yard caribou, but all the moose and bear were 150 yards and less.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
That's a bit of an eye opener for sure. I guess it should'nt be becuase I always knew the 30-06 was capable. With the weight savings of the gun and ammo I could pack a couple of extra days food and stay on the mountain longer...hmm , Montana in 308.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,947
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,947 |
I have BP�d with my CZ 550 (9.5 lbs) but now use a SC model 70 Featherweight in 270 Win (~7.75 lbs). Honestly I didn�t find the CZ too terrible to carry. Then I got the Winchester and it is more pleasant for all day carry. Not so much because of the weight but balance, compactness, and slimmer stock. I simply do not care for the feel of composite stocks but understand their advantages. I don't hunt in rainforests like some do. They are �cold� and noisy. Anything less than 7.5 feels a little too svelte for me. Just go try and few rifles and see what feels right to you - that's all that really matters. I like blondes too
The truth angers those whom it does not convince
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
Yup Blondes are good!! I have to agree with djb in that you can get to much of a good thing with weight reduction. My 270 Weatherby ULW is a good combination of balance and packable weight, but it's far from a fly weight by todays standards. I find the worst is a really muzzle light rifle. Having said that, I think I would consider another Kimber Montana, but in something like 30-06 if I wanted a really light rifle.
SJ
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,678 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,678 Likes: 2 |
sheep,
I'm still in the process of working up loads. Looking hard at the 210 accubond. In seeing what my 338 Win does with 200gr Ballistic Tips/Silver Tips I'd think they'd be very good in a Federal. I've not caught one, even at 300yards on an elk. Mule Deer's had a similar track record with them as well.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 41
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 41 |
Sheep, I haul my blued and walnut 375 for backpack hunts. In fact, it goes on every hunting trip I go on. Overkill, yes, but I had the rifle custom made for me, and love it. I've used it both for personal hunts as well as for guiding, and I have never thought I was at a disadvantage. Wipe it down occasionally with a sock or dishtowel, throw some oil on it, and you're fine.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44 |
Hansol,
I really like your 375.It looks well built with well layed out wood. When I make the big trip to the "happy hunting ground" I'd like it to be with my Win70 375 and a handful of 300 gr Nosler Partitions.I've hauled it all over hells half acre, through all kind of weather (wood/blued) and it still looks good. I'ts never let me down or failed to do what I asked of it. Alas,I use the 340 Weatherby (wood/blue) more in recent years and like it a lot as well. I started another thread regarding back packing in Grizzly country and a lot of this thread could tie into the other thread. I've started taking a 270 Weatherby for mountain hunting,which is one of the few synthetic stainless guns I own.
SJ
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