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Thanks mate.

I am surprised the Alps are taller than the Rockies. Everything is bigger and rugged than soft Europe! But I would guess the Rockies in land area are far bigger.

I was surprised when in Peru and standing on a big flat desert like plateau that it was I think higher than anything in the Rockies, at just over 5,000 metres. At about 16,500 feet. The air was certainly thin. Walking on relatively flat ground from the bus and climbing a few stares to a monument was breath taking enough. I'd have trouble climbing up and down slopes hunting at such an altitude.

The guide told us some rubbish about the heights of any mountain in North America. I believe the guide used only the Rockies, and did not include Alaska.

This area in Peru was not snow capped peaks which were across the border, across Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. I think it was. Lake Titicaca and Cusco was elsewhere from this high plateau though.

BACK to mountain rifles. Seeing my admission on my depleted lung capacity, once Olympic athlete level, not any longer, and all of my rifles are fairly heavy. The lightest is probably my Steyr 6.5x54 mm. Not even scoped yet. Nor have I shot it. Waiting for Ozhunter's ammo order to come through. And the other is probably my BLR .308. Funny a lever action as a mountain rifle, but why not. Both are shorter as well.

So for a mountain hunt, I could carry a crappy cut back ex-mil Greek Steyr/Mannlicher.

Or a lever action .308.

Both probably have similar ballistics. I will have to weigh them sometime. And some other rifles.

In terms of cartridge chamberings my Mauser M03 in 8x68S or 6.5x65 is what I would choose. But a heavy rifle.

In an ideal world, I would get a light mountain Kipplauf in such a handy and readily available chambering as 7 mm Super Express vom Hofe!!!

Or if a more British styled single shot, but still lightweight, .300 H&H Mag or Flanged.

I've always liked the idea of a flatter shooting "magnum" velocity cartridge for mountain hunting. Though many experienced people seem to choose medium cartridges such as .308.

A 7x57 might be another choice.

A single shot is easier to make lighter. The barrel can be longer, as the chamber can be positioned further back without a bolt needed to be catered for. And/or the whole rifle can be shorter and more handy. If a magnum sized rifle, a 26 inch barrel can be catered for. As the article indicates, if a break open action, or a takedown by other means, the rifle can be packed in a shorter bag or in a pack.

The down side just one shot at a time. Will focus the mind on a better shot, first shot, everytime. And on a mountain, a second shot might still be possible, if the beast is unaware of where the shot came from, what happened, or stops at some point for a look around.

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In my opinion the Canadian Rockies are some of the most beautiful.. Love the area around Banff .. also Glacier in Montana.. and the ones around Jackson Hole, Wyoming.. all are nice, these just seem more majestic..

Yes, I am not a huge fan of a heavy rifle while hiking around at 12-14,000 feet..where we elk hunt the elevation is reasonably low.. 6500 ft or less.. so not much of an issue really.. my home town is just shy of 5000 ..so not much of a change.. for flatlanders it is an issue when they first arrive.. takes a bit of an adjustment for the body to catch up..

As to caliber--there is nothing wrong with a .308.. have seen many of elk fall to that caliber..the big magnums are not necessary.. but do seem to tip them over a bit easier once the adrenalin gets moving.. and a bit flatter shooting when the shots get to 400 yards and above ..

I am not a fan of a single shot for elk.. all things perfect they will drop to one shot.. but this is hunting, not target shooting so very rare for all the planets to line up correctly..

Just my thoughts..but I am sure someone out there will be offended..

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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