I've been shooting for a while, mostly for fun and hunting, but I've recently started getting into competition-style setups. The elevation here definitely makes things more challenging especially when it comes to adjusting optics and loads. I’d really like to know what others are using for long-range or mountain hunts. Also, has anyone found lightweight builds that can still hold zero after a rough hike? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
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- Thread starter sisqo_
- Start date
ducky
Member
What is your idea of light weight? I hauled a 9 lbs suppressed M700 .308 on my elk hunt in 2021. I had COVID and still hunted, because of it I took a couple nasty falls due to being weak and tired all the time. One fall had me landing on my rifle and bashing into a rock when I slipped in the snow working my way down a ridge. I still managed to get a bull and shot my elk at 265 yds no issues.
Here is the rifle. M700 .308 Win 18" barrel, Greyboe Trekker stock, Warne Mountain Tech rings with 20 MOA base, Night Force 3-10X42 SHV with MOAR reticle. The bipod was removed for the hunt but the Mountain sling stayed on. The NF scope is built like a tank and will hold zero after being beat around and tumbled down a mountain.
I also have a Howa Superlite .308 Win. That rifle goes 7lbs .08oz with my NF scope and Omega 300 suppressor. That rifle has some sharp and fast recoil. The NF still holds zero. Now, I don't shoot that rifle well enough to be confident beyond 300 yds with it. The rifle is impossible for me to shoot well with bullets over 168 grains.
My theme for the last few years has been to swap my NF SHV to whatever rifle I'm primarily hunting with. This year it's on my faux Howa Alpine 6 Creedmoor. The SHV 3-10X42 won't break the bank being less than $1000 new, and it only weighs 22 oz. I've dialed it out to 500 yds and back and several targets in between and it returns to zero on multiple rifles. You also have a reticle that'll get you on target a long ways out depending on cartridge capabilities.
The scope isn't feature rich, and is a second focal plane so reticle is only correct when set on 10X power. You do have to be careful as there is no zero stop as well, so I don't like to dial more than one revolution if I have time hunting. As most things in life there are trade offs, the more bells and whistles you get the heavier the optics become.
I would have preferred the Mil version, but I bought the optic second hand for $600. My scope has side PA adjustment which I like a lot. The newer scopes don't have this but do offer illuminated reticles. It has been the best purchase for hunting I've made as far as rifle scopes.
Here is the rifle. M700 .308 Win 18" barrel, Greyboe Trekker stock, Warne Mountain Tech rings with 20 MOA base, Night Force 3-10X42 SHV with MOAR reticle. The bipod was removed for the hunt but the Mountain sling stayed on. The NF scope is built like a tank and will hold zero after being beat around and tumbled down a mountain.
I also have a Howa Superlite .308 Win. That rifle goes 7lbs .08oz with my NF scope and Omega 300 suppressor. That rifle has some sharp and fast recoil. The NF still holds zero. Now, I don't shoot that rifle well enough to be confident beyond 300 yds with it. The rifle is impossible for me to shoot well with bullets over 168 grains.
My theme for the last few years has been to swap my NF SHV to whatever rifle I'm primarily hunting with. This year it's on my faux Howa Alpine 6 Creedmoor. The SHV 3-10X42 won't break the bank being less than $1000 new, and it only weighs 22 oz. I've dialed it out to 500 yds and back and several targets in between and it returns to zero on multiple rifles. You also have a reticle that'll get you on target a long ways out depending on cartridge capabilities.
The scope isn't feature rich, and is a second focal plane so reticle is only correct when set on 10X power. You do have to be careful as there is no zero stop as well, so I don't like to dial more than one revolution if I have time hunting. As most things in life there are trade offs, the more bells and whistles you get the heavier the optics become.
I would have preferred the Mil version, but I bought the optic second hand for $600. My scope has side PA adjustment which I like a lot. The newer scopes don't have this but do offer illuminated reticles. It has been the best purchase for hunting I've made as far as rifle scopes.
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