["After some years of lugging my 7mm Wby Mark V up and down the mountains in my home state, I am considering a light weight "mountain" rifle (whatever that really is) for deer and elk.
My initial specs would be: 1) Rifle/scope combo weighing around 8 pounds total; 2) 30-06 caliber; 3) synthetic stock; 4) scope either a straight 6x Leupold FX or reputable brand 3-9x variable.
What make and model rifle would you recommend and why?"]
I've hunted for over forty-five years, in Central N.J., Eastern Penn., in Central Ill., in the low & high deserts of Central Ariz., in the Bishop area of Calif., and the N.W. forests/mountains on the Olympic Peninsula, Wash.
With everything from a 12 ga. to a .25-06. to .30-06, and a .50 cal./209 Blackpowder rifle, to a 70# compound bow.
And 95% of the time carried a 20-35 lb. knapsack in the field. And the older I get, I too am thinking lighter!
When you pick-up a hunting rifle in your hands, and cycle it's action, you just know it's built right, when you fire off it's first three rounds and see a tight group. It's the rifle you've been looking for. A Marine Corps buddy, let me shoot one he just obtained awhile back. (It's 7.1 lbs.)
I'm sold on the Mossberg 4x4, bolt-action, his was the .338 Win.Mag. and it's a tack driver right out of the box. At 75 yds. I fired three rounds at a sight-in target, with open sights and held a 1" group, with a sandbag rest. We proceded to install his scope open-rings and scope, an Alpen 3-9 x 40 wide angle, Kodiak model, and both our groups were under 1", that is what sold me !
Before this hunting season, I'll own two 4x4 Mossberg's, a .338 W.M. and one chambered for .25-06 Sprig. (6.7 lbs.) for the price of one high dollar rifle, that looks good in the gun cabinet, in the den.
When you have one in your hands, you will know what I mean.
Semper Fi !
Ski