The "perfect" saddle rifle..

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H&Hhunter

H&Hhunter

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I have ridden many thousands of miles over the years with a conventional scoped rifle run through the stirrup leather on a saddle. While I get used to it I never have liked the feeling of that lump under one leg or the other. I am big on leg pressure while ridding and I always feel that this configuration messes with that subtle contact between the rider and the horse.

With that in mind my requirements for a saddle gun are as follows.

Short. It should be short enough to ride vertical in front of the leg and not hang down or stick up far enough to interfere with the horses leg or may ability to use the reins in any capacity.

Slim. Any time we are talking saddle gun it should be slim so as not to take up to much space or get hung on brush. Bolt handles can be a major PITA in this respect.

Powerful enough to reliably kill elk sized critters out to 300 yards or so.

Light. It should not be a total chunker but it doesn't have to be a featherweight either. Something in the 7 to 9 lb range loaded and scoped.

Here's the kicker I'd prefer it to be a repeater because going with a 22" Ruger number 1 would just be too easy and make to much sense!:D

Any thoughts?

Phase two of this project are there any of you horsemen out there who have a better way of carrying a full sized rifle on a horse? I'm open to thoughts on that too.
 
A short barreled Remington 760 or similar? If it is possible to pare down the massive forearm of course.
 
hmmm... Maybe either a remington 7600 carbine in 30'06 or a 338 marlin express?
 
Unconventional suggestion...... Saiga .308? 16", fully capable of connecting with any deer-sized vitals at 300 yards (as long as you do your part), and a variety of magazine options.
 
There is no doubt that it would have to be a Winchester 94 trapper in 30-30. Don't know about the scope though.

kenken
 
I will be less constructive by suggesting that the search parameters are at odds with the desired objective. I can't reconcile "the perfect saddle rifle" with "powerful enough to kill elk sized critters out to 300 yards or so".

I too think "saddle rifle" screams lever gun, in which case, I am thinking Marlin Marauder 16.5" and under 7lbs in 35 Remington. But that is (IMHO) 150 yard gun (200 at a stretch). JES and Nonnemans will rebore to 375 Winchester which would give the reach, but the recoil....

I think with the Big Game at 300 yards requirements you are into calibers that are the realm of bolt guns and the BAR, heavy and long. The one dark horse that I can think of would be the Ruger No 1 Medium Sporter in 300 Win Mag. 7.5lbs, 22" barrel but only just over 38" OAL. The No.1 medium sporter in 45/70 is the same length and slightly lighter.

I suppose the Kel-Tec RFB bullpup in 7.62/.308 would fit your parameters but I don't think your horse would have anything to do with it....

b_33c5cba5976e62bd471ae0e534396697RFB_left_6417hires.jpg
 
I hear what you are saying about having a rifle under your leg. It hurts your knee and it is hard to put a spur to the horse on that side. I have gone to a different scabbard that works quite well for scoped, bolt action rifles.

It is made by a company called Rawhide Gear.

http://www.rawhidegear.com/store.html

The scabbard clips to a pommel bag, so it keeps the rifle vertical in front of your leg. It also clips to the cinch to keep it from moving back and forth.
riflescabbard1000x665.jpg


They also make a bow scabbard that attached the same way and I love mine.
 
I had some of the same parameters I asked on here not long ago I went with the blr in .308 and it has worked perfect( though I use a normal scabbard, and only exert pressure with my ankles/spurs)
 
Find your self a Marlin 336 "Texan" in 30-30 load it with those pointy lever-evo bullets. The Texans were short carbines with straight stocks and with a proper vertical scabbard won't be in your way, or the horse's.

The Remington 760 is a great idea too.. they are pretty accurate rifles.
 
I'd say rcmodel and twoeyedjack have the your best answers. A BLR in any of the WSM chamberings is probably your best bet if you don't want a bolt action. On the other hand, trying that alternative scabbard would be a lot cheaper and if you like it, you could use your favorite bolt rifle.
 
Any thoughts?

Phase two of this project are there any of you horsemen out there who have a better way of carrying a full sized rifle on a horse? I'm open to thoughts on that too.
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Yep. First of all, see post 11. I have always carried a rifle in a saddle scabbard that way, hanging vertically, in front of the right leg.

Secondly, figure out what it is you want, to carry your rifle, or use your rifle.

If the aim is to simply carry the rifle -- that is, not use it from the saddle or with a quick dismount, then you could lash it to the pack saddle and ride unencumbered. In this scenario, of course, you would be riding to camp, but hunting on foot.

If you intend to use the rifle from horseback -- either in the saddle (bad idea, in my opinion) or with a quick dismount -- then a saddle ring and a protector would work well. The saddle ring has a thong or strap through it which loops over the saddle horn, and the protector is a length of light leather that "buttonholes" to the horn and comes between the rifle and the horse to protect the weapon from horse sweat.
 
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Across your pommel like a mountain man:)
Seriously, get a cheap nylon scabbard(thinner), and place the rifle horizontally up high(use both girths) it shouldn't affect leg pressure, you might need to adjust it so it doesn't rub the horse.

My credentials- horseman for 21yrs and I'm an equine veterinarian
 
Any thoughts?
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Well, I thought a 30-30 Trapper, or a 45-70 Guide-Gun wouldn't be a very good 300 yard elk rifle like the OP wants.

But I thought the Browning BLR in one of the longer range chamberings would be about ideal.

Thats what I thought!

rc
 
Well, I thought a 30-30 Trapper, or a 45-70 Guide-Gun wouldn't be a very good 300 yard elk rifle like the OP wants.

But I thought the Browning BLR in one of the longer range chamberings would be about ideal.

Thats what I thought!
Click to expand...

Can't argue with that -- I've ridden up on a group of white tails many a time, stepped down with my .30-30 and harvested venison.

But for an expensive hunt I'd choose the rifle first and figure out how to carry it afterwards.
 
.30-30 or .45-70 are very limiting in their capability when we are talking about western elk hunting.

So far I like that scabbard rig but it sure seems to hang down a long way. TEJ have you had any issue with it dragging in brush or big rocks?

For you guys with BLR's are you happy with them as far as quality, reliability and accuracy? I've heard some not so flattering things about BLR's in the past but I've never tried one for myself.

Thanks for the input guys. I sure do appreciate you chiming in.
 
.45-70 or .444 Marlin with LeverRevolution ammo? Sure, they both a beautiful rainbow trajectory, but if you know how it works you can hit elk 'way out there.

James
 
The correct answer has not appeared yet IMO....

It's a Savage 99 in either .300 Savage or better yet, in .308. I have a friend that has one and I'm gonna try my best to get it. Want to take it on a pronghorn hunt to Montana this fall. Wish it was in .250-3000 but I gotta take what I can get.

The Browning would work great, and I'm a big Browning fan, but you gotta love a 99. They are slick rifles.

I used my .30-30 for a bear hunt in Canada. Nice rifle, but no way it's a 300 yard elk rifle. You don't need an uber-magnum, but you need to use something bigger than a pea shooter.
 
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Model 71 with a scout scope in 348 might be a nice option. It would shoot significantly flatter than a 444/45-70 and carry about the same energy at 300 yards (depending on how hot the 45-70 is loaded, average lever gun loads).
Downside is there is putting up with trying to find or make ammo and the rifles are fairly expensive now.
It would be comfortable to carry horseback and pretty unique.
 
I like Strawhat's idea of a 1895 Winchester I might add a lyman 38 peep sight and go for the 30-06, But there are other caliber choices.

DMH
 
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