Tikka T3 Lite/stainless, Talley rings, and ultra-light Leupold scope - 6.85-ish lbs, scope and all, and about $1200. For less than the $300 still left in the budget, a gunsmith can shave the extra .35 lbs (and then some) off the gun for you; a Tikka has a fairly heavy barrel, lots of meat could come off of it.
Caliber - 308 Winchester; common, affordable, comfortable, available, will not be as deafening or suffer as much velocity loss as a magnum after the smith shortens the barrel a couple of inches as noted above, and when suitably loaded for the game in question - if a 308 Winchester ain't 'enough gun', then you probably need something more like a 375 anyway.
Rem 700's ain't bad either, but it just bothers me to no end to have to buy a gun and then spend a pile of money on it to get what you really wanted in the first place.
Word on the breeze whispers of a 338 Federal Montana coming this way soon. I am eager to see how it compares, hopefully like that 7-08!
Husky 7x57, 4100 lightweight hands down your best bet unless your hunting Grizz. Ignore the "slowtwist" post , don't know where that's coming from. 140 gr. up to 175 factory will be fine . Just depends on where and what your hunting. The only problem you'll have is trying to find one . And if you do getting them to part with it . Good luck.
What factory spitzer loads have you used that weigh more than 150 gr?
Ted
Norma 7x57 Mauser. On a side note , I do realize they have a one-twelve twist but again never had any problems with a heavier load. If anything, actually became more stable with weight. Go figure.....
......By the way , how did you ever find 5 Husky 7x57 featherweights ? There were less than 2000 made and that was 50 years ago.
Wow, it comes in an ounce lighter than the 7mm08....guess cause of the bigger hole! Should be a winner for guys that like a little bigger calibre sheep rifle in grizz country.
5 pounds 1 ounce......man that does sound enticing!



























