Elk timber in the Bitterroot, mule deer in the breaks and pronghorn on the open country east of Billings make Montana a place where a light rifle earns its keep. Every pound counts on a long climb out of a drainage with a pack on.

Fierce Firearms built the Mini Rogue family for youth, women and smaller-framed hunters, and the CT Mini Rogue XP weighs about 6 lb with a 12.75 in length of pull. Carbon fiber stocks, C3 carbon barrels on the XP, Mini Rogue 2 and CT models, and TriggerTech or Bix'n Andy triggers keep it light and accurate. Choose 6.5 PRC or 308 Winchester for elk, or 6.5 Creedmoor for deer, pronghorn and coyotes on the ranch. An integral bipod rail helps on the long prairie shots.

Fierce builds the Carbon Mini Rogue on its stainless steel two-lug action. A short 70-degree bolt throw keeps the scope clear, and the Bix'n Andy Dakota trigger can be adjusted to suit the owner.

308 Winchester is the classic all-round hunting round: proven on deer, hogs and black bear, with factory ammunition available everywhere. In a rifle this light, 308 recoil is noticeable for a small owner; a 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm-08 is the gentler start.

This rifle has a 20 in barrel, 4+1 capacity, and weighs about 5.8 lb. Finish: Purple Carbon Fiber Camo.

Out on the plains or in elk timber, a young hunter may shoot prone, off a pack or kneeling. Length of pull decides whether the rifle fits in all those positions, so go shorter rather than longer. Set the comb so the eye finds the scope without hunting for it. Learn with a 25 or 6.5 Creedmoor first; the 308 and magnums can wait.

Montana has no purchase permit, no waiting period and no registration. Name the licensed dealer nearest you at checkout, in Billings, Glendive, Libby or anywhere between, and the rifle ships there for the federal background check. Ammunition, optics and parts come straight to your door.

Questions buyers ask: What Mini Rogue caliber is best for Montana elk? 6.5 PRC, 7mm-08 Remington or 308 Winchester with a quality bullet are sound choices. Keep shots within the range the shooter has practiced. How does pickup work in Montana? The rifle ships to the Montana dealer you name. There is no permit or waiting period, and the dealer runs the federal check at pickup. What caliber is this Fierce rifle? 308 Winchester, 4+1 capacity.

Specifications come from Fierce Firearms' published data for part number ROGM308WIN20BP, UPC 853418901427.