Kimber_Hunter Report post Posted February 4, 2016 I'm planning my first Coues hunt this fall in southern Arizona and wanting opinions on two rifle choices. - Kimber Montana 280 Ackley - 2.5 x 10 x 42 Nightforce MOAR reticle & zero stop Or - Custom 7 mm RM /M70 with 26" #3 Pacnor - McMillan Edge Stock - Nightforce 5.5 x 22 x 50 MOAR reticle & zero stop Thanks in advance for any advice Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roninflag Report post Posted February 4, 2016 I like a little more power for coues they are small challenging targets, so the 5-22 scope. . the cartridges are similar. I would use a 140 berger or a 120 ballistic tip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimber_Hunter Report post Posted February 4, 2016 Thinking 168 Bergers for 7RM 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimber_Hunter Report post Posted February 4, 2016 It seems to like the heavier bullets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AverageJoe Report post Posted February 4, 2016 7rm as far as caliber. Why people think they need a heavy military scope for hunting i will never understand though. Go with something that has better glass like a Zeiss or Swarovski scope. The Nightforce is a heavy chunk of metal with midlevel glass at best. IMO 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big or Bust Report post Posted February 4, 2016 You backpacking or day hunting from camp? Accuracy would determine my choice but packability a close second. Either is way enough for coues... The rifle is such a small part of the equation. Don't get hung up on rifle choices... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Titanium700 Report post Posted February 4, 2016 I'd worry about getting a tag first... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
208muley Report post Posted February 4, 2016 Both will work. My kimber mountain accent in 280 ai loves the 168 bergers. As you know, the 280 doesn't punish like the 7 mm does. I can shoot more which means better shooting which means better accuracy at longer ranges. To me that is what matters most, but everyone is different... dead with a big magnum or dead with a non magnum is still dead... Good luck in the draw and enjoy the hunt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azsugarbear Report post Posted February 10, 2016 I have two rifles for coues whitetail. If I am humping the mountains, I go with my Rem model 7 in 243. It is light, fast and shoots tight groups with the 105 gr. Bergers. If it is day hunting, I go with my 65.506 AI. Both are plenty of gun for coues. To my mind, the rifle is not important - as long as it is accurate. Most all calibers can kill coues at distance. Focus on your optics - from scope to binos to spotter. You can't kill 'em if you can't see 'em. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossislider Report post Posted February 10, 2016 I vote for the 7RM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Okbow87 Report post Posted February 12, 2016 Not that I am an experience coues hunter or anything, but my vote would be for whichever rifle you shoot better and feel more confident with. If I had to guess, you probably shoot the 7 mag better, those ultra lightweight rifles like the mountain ascent are tough to shoot and really bring out any flaws in a guys form. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss50 Report post Posted February 14, 2016 Which ever you shoot better for your main rifle, and the other for backup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
