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A rimless designed made for use in the Mauser-style rifles, the .318 Westley Richards was released sometime between 1906 and 1910, and became one of the most popular medium-bore cartridges for hunting African game.

Those who venture into the backcountry—and especially those who hunt the mountains with all their gear on their back—appreciate a lightweight rifle. Here’s a look at seven top-notch options.

We’ve come to expect solid reliability from the Model 70 rifle, and the Extreme TrueTimber VSX MB doesn’t disappoint. It’s built for the backcountry and loaded with modern features like a threaded muzzle, fluted barrel, Cerakote finish and quality composite stock.

Sometimes it’s amazing what Mother Nature delivers, even after she delivers one of the worst natural disasters in a generation.

While it may lack the speed and shapely beauty of modern contenders, this nearly 150-year-old cartridge continues to prove itself in the field. Whoever said nothing lasts forever obviously never met the .45-70 Gov’t.

Leupold’s VX-3HD riflescopes are lightweight, rugged and well balanced, and included in the line may be the best value for a hunter looking to cover all the bases: the 4.5-14x40mm. With its 30mm main tube, this scope offers a wider range of elevation adjustment than its 1-inch counterparts, as well as better light transmission.

Carbon-wrapped barrels and stocks have become increasingly common in a number of custom and semi-custom rifles from boutique manufacturers. The AllTerra Carbon, however, is the only rifle we’re aware of with all the accuracy-enhancing features it includes. If you appreciate the ultimate in field accuracy wrapped in a practical carrying package, this rifle is worth a close look. And you have 90 days to test-drive it, risk-free.

The Backcountry Ti is one of the newest additions to the Mark V line, and a welcome addition to a fairly limited field of production rifles in its class. It features a titanium action, carbon-fiber stock and a very thin profile, fluted barrel.

You have to work hard and hunt smart to find a mature public-land mule deer buck. Here are the tools you need and the tactics you should employ in your quest.