Mountain goats are arguably the toughest big game animal to hunt in North America. It’s not their physical size or strength that make them so difficult to kill—it’s their eyes, coupled with the rugged terrain of their alpine haunts. To even get close to a trophy billy is a feat, but shooting one and retrieving it without breaking its horns is a hunt of a lifetime.
The rifle that can hit a goat and anchor it is a special combination of attributes. It needs to be light enough to carry up mountains, must hit hard enough to kill the animal before it runs over or off a cliff, and still be light-recoiling enough to not kill the hunter on the back end of it. It also needs to have a relatively short action for quicker follow-up shots as needed.
Semi-autos are out because of the cruel weather and terrain of the mountains. Grit is everywhere, making gas or recoil operated firearms less than ideal. Single shots work but don’t offer a second or third shot if the need arose, and lever guns—with few exceptions—don’t offer the long, sleek bullets needed for long range shooting.
Bolt guns shine on top of the world because of they offer all these traits with simplicity and reliability.
Here are five rifle/cartridge combinations that have what it takes to kill a trophy mountain goat.
Kimber Mountain Ascent in .270 WSM
Kimber’s Adirondack is lighter, but the Mountain Ascent’s standard 24-inch barrel helps eke out as much velocity as possible. The .270 WSM provides about 200 fps more from the .270 Winchester cartridge, all from a shorter package. A removable muzzle brake helps tame the increased recoil and allow for more precise shooting when the shooter might have to lay prone or sit at an awkward angle to take a shot.
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Compact in .308 Winchester
Winchester’s shorter and lighter version of the Model 70 helps shave weight while still packing punch. The .308 Winchester with a sturdy bullet has enough velocity to shoot reasonably flat at mountain hunting ranges.
Remington Model 7 in .260 Remington
The Model 700’s little brother seems like an odd choice when paired with the .260. The round is considered a mid-range cartridge best suited for white-tailed deer. The combination makes better sense when paired with handloaded 160 grain bullets. The case is a .308 Winchester necked down to .264, making it a flat-shooting cartridge while still being capable of killing a goat. Snipers use the round for shots past half a mile. Pair it with the synthetic Model 7’s light weight and short barrel and it becomes a stellar mountain gun.
Another Winchester Short Mag pairing, the X-Bolt has a rounded magazine well that provides a good grip in rough terrain. The .325 is more than enough gun for goats, and with the unconventional 23-inch barrel, it has plenty of velocity for long shots up and downhill.
Savage Model 16/116 in .338 Federal
The .338 is a necked up .308 that handles .338 caliber bullets. Federal Premium loads it with 200 and 210 grain bullets, which hold good trajectory and hit hard without heavy recoil.
Cover Image: Thinkstock
Rifle photos via their respective companies