Montana Antelope - What is your dream rifle set-up?


Stinger-Hunter

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I'm looking for a rifle for antelope hunting in Montana - exclusively. I will likely be hunting out there every year now. Shots typically are 200-250 yards according to my buddy who has been going out there for about 10 years.

If you were going out there every year - what would be your dream set-up (rifle, scope, bipod) for that type of terrain (prairie), hunting method (stalking), weather changes (90degrees - 35 degrees in 3 days), accuracy, caliber.

I'd like to stay under $1,000 for the whole set-up, so it shouldn't be a problem for almost any product line reasonable. In other words - the exotic brand and $1,000 scope won't be considered. I'll be using this set-up almost exclusively for Antelope.

BTW - I won't be buying anything for this hunt, but soon afterward I'd like to highly consider an exclusive set-up by using the best recommendation and justification from my bros on realtree.

Thanks, gents.

Edited by Stinger-Hunter
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I'm not sure if you guys have hunted Antelope, but at 250 yards they are still a pretty big target. I use a 4.5 X 14 Buckmaster on my varmit rifle and shoot prarie dogs at 500 yards with it.

If it was me I would get a Remington 700 CDL in 25-06 with a 3 X 9 Nikon Buckmaster. Oh wait I already did and have killed antelope with it every year I went.

I use a Stoney Point Mono pod. I find the Harris bi pod gets in the way when moving through thick sage brush.

Edited by hunterbobb
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the purpose of a higher power scope is for the longer shots. I have seen my dad kill a couple antelope and several deer at over 500 yards and he always would say that the animal was really small on 9 power. but storiale also said "your dream rifle". so you might only but a 3-9x but its my dream rifle and i would put a 4.5-14. i have killed antelope myself and all with scope on 9x. sure it worked fine but i just think 14x would be better.

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Great info guys. No quizzes here, just looking for practical advice. I saw on another forum the following:

"I chose the 25-06 even before they were a commercial cartrige. I've never regretted it and I have NEVER shot alongside someone that gave me an urge to buy their rifle but I have had a lot of offers for mine. This includes the .257 Weatherby. With my 90 grain antelope loads

VANGUARD SYNTHETIC PACKAGE

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard/synthetic_package"

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