Ultralight Hunting: Towards a Coherent Definition

[Mike M]

Interesting :)

I found another Kimber Hunter; they’ve cut their models down to just two. I was looking for a .243 which was one of the calibers that was discontinued. After a two month search I gave up and ordered a Tikka instead. They sent me the wrong one and had to send it back. They didn’t have the one I wanted (and ordered), so….. I decided to look one more time for a.243 Kimber.  Lo and behold

I’ll put it on a slight diet and get it under 6# scoped

[David Thomas]

Mike, just imagine how much less it will weigh once you cut the tag off!

[Mike M]

Mike, just imagine how much less it will weigh once you cut the tag off!

at least a quarter pound I’m thinking :D

[Dave @ Oware]

Notice that the bigger the bore on those kimbers, the lighter the gun. Less metal.

I chose the 308 partly cause of that, but mostly because of bullet selection for handloading and I get brass cheap/free.

That badger is super interesting. Had a 30-30 single shot NEF. It was fun. Not as accurate as bolt guns, so I wonder how this break action does. Uses pointy bullets, which increases range a bit. Could tote it around for small game and use pistol powder subsonic reloads –like using a big 22.

[Mike M]

Notice that the bigger the bore on those kimbers, the lighter the gun. Less metal.

Yup- here’s my .308 before I touched it

 

.243, 2 oz heavier :)

[Dave @ Oware]

Weigh the cartridges next. Overall you may save weight on 6mm projectiles over 7.62mm if you carry many. ;^)

 

Looking at the Badger again, i saw weight quoted as 5.5 lbs at a shot show review. Do you think the website 2.5 is kilograms?

[Mike M]

2.9 lbs is what I’ve seen; no way that thing is 5+ pounds

[Mike M]

Have to keep this thread going :)

The credo of going in light and coming out heavy

 

[Luke Schmidt]

Hopefully I have some cool trips to share later. Working on a really light rifle. Also looking at my gear. As far as I can tell the only difference between a long day hunt (with a fly tarp and lots of layers) and a overnight is

• Extra food -16oz?
• Pad – 12 oz
• Quilt- 23oz
• Ground tarp or bivy 7 oz

So for 3 lbs 10oz I could skip going back to my bascamp at night. Or if I kill something right before dark I don’t have to hike out in the dark

Of course sleeping under your freshly skinned bear rub is an option…

[Mike M]

Having now three unplanned nights under my belt (two hunting, one work-looking for a hunter!) I view my “day” hunting pack differently :)

[jscott]

Mike, did you or anyone find the hunter? (“I had her in my sites but she slipped away. Big rack too!”) (wait that’s bar banter.)

[Mike M]

Yup- next morning; he was cold.  Had gotten badly turned around, but no worse for wear.

[Mike M]

Folks this looks like a very worthwhile podcast coming up here live

https://backpackinglight.com/backcountry-hunting-ultralight-gear-strategies/?utm_source=drip&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the+intersection+of+ultralight+with+wilderness+hunting

[Mike M]

In other news, I’m now down to one rifle. I sold my .308 and .243 and purchased a 6.5 CM—all three rifles are (were) Kimber Hunters. I can’t find a better and reasonably priced platform for a light hunting rifle.

Its odd being down to one rifle, but kind of neat too.

While the previous two rifle were shooters, this 6.5 is really a tack driver. It’s consistently shooting under 1 MOA—considering it’s light weight and short barrel (18”) even more impressive.

Im shooting Hornady 143 gr ELD-X’s and have no plans on changing

[Dave @ Oware]

Just tried the WA High Buck Hunt. Went to the Pasayten Wilderness and got spanked. The trail was not there and the GPS version steep, loose and cliffy enough to be downright dangerous with packs in the rain. At that point my buddy said we are not meat hunting anymore. Only a buck of a lifetime.

We were too high and saw a doe with fawn when we ranged lower. Lots of grouse. Kinda expected being near “Fool Hen Lake”.

Such a seldom visited place the fire rings had all the smoke washed away from the rains over the years.

Took a 5×8 tarp and a top entry bug bivy with solid fabric legs. With blowing mist I found the netting kept it off my face. Next time I am going with the next size up 6×9 tarp when I will be windy places.

Made up some new grouse loads for the 308 Kimber. 168 grain Hornady Match bullets with 13.5 grains of Trail Boss. Shoots 5 sub minute of grouse at 50 yards. I do have to compensate 2 inches right when sighted for the 178 ELD x big game load. Fun practice round, I try to hit the target push pins.

Trail Boss just came back on the shelves here. North 40 has it for $27+.

I use the second quality bullets that Midwayusa sells.  Last batch were $21 per hundred. I also shoot cast, but they require more windage adjustment than this load if I am both deer and grouse hunting together.

[Mike M]

Everyone loves to read about a sufferfest (unless they were there :))!

A couple of those basins across the way look pretty good.

[Dave @ Oware]

Some of those basins had trails and were where everyone else was.  At least 10 groups of Horse packers, Also speedy groups of young hunters pod casting their trips. The parking at the main trail head up to Billy Goat pass had more new, tricked out giant pickups than the best breakfast cafe in Bozeman.

Now we know not to trust the maps for trails in the Pasayten, we will stop before we get too far away from where we can carry out something in a timely, safe fashion.

[Mike M]

Ahhhh—well your trip was definitely worth a shot!

[Dave @ Oware]

Another heavy weather hunt.

Kettle Crest, Wapaloosie Mtn mule deer hunt. Hiked up in shorts, back down in down coat and rain gear.

 

Ironically half the mountain range was closed due to a wild fire. In the snow.

[Mike M]

^ that’s the kind of weather that can ruin your day or worse!

Was out three days for the elk opener—notta; just got back from a two day deer hunt/scout—not again. @Mr. Wisner is driving out from California as I speak, he drew a Montana non-resident tag and has five days to hunt, so we’ll see what we can can come up w/.

[Dave @ Oware]

 

Nice,

Spent some time on the nearby wildlife refuge. Up high its pretty, but fog and no sign.

Now I’ve been hanging out above a small meadow/lake with lots of elk sign.

[Mike M]

No deer or elk photos, but I’ve got a couple of pics

elk hunt

deer hunting

[Dave @ Oware]

Hunting buddy got his elk. Uphill a quarter mile from the truck. Not very “back” in the country, but two quick trips to pack out.  We just finished processing. “Meat’s in the freezer lets go skiing!”

He is a health officer. I asked him about the newly found CWD in deer here. He is taking the head to be tested, but says it is found in older animals, so this spike is very unlikely to have it.

Next week is late buck season. The last week for big game for the year.

[Mike M]

Congrats to your buddy!

[Author]

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