ATRS Sheep Hunting Rifle...

[Ardent]

Slick pack gun, that TC. Pretty versatile package you've put together carver.

 

[carverk]

Slick pack gun, that TC. Pretty versatile package you've put together carver.

it is the only practical option I have
will be going on Haida Gwaii elk and deer and hopping to get out for sheep and pronghorn hunt as well this year in Alberta its not the perfect rifle but dam near perfect lol

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Holy crap.....I just had a look at the Pierce site... They can make you a shot action that comes in at 17oz, or long at about 19oz - both weights without rail or recoil lug. For comparison the ATRS actions are 37 and 42oz - but that's with recoil lug and rail. Not exactly apples to apples, but sounds like a very real weight savings to me.....

Our actions are built like tanks for a reason. They were never designed to be used for ultralight rifles.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Our actions are built like tanks for a reason. They were never designed to be used for ultralight rifles.

I wasn't suggesting they were, hence the apples to oranges comment. Was just a point of reference.

 

[cam1936]

OR... If after the lightest of the light, instead of building a $4k+ project rifle, you can just buy a Kimber; 4.8lbs short action, 5.3lbs long action... and it comes in .280AI. I built a ~$12,000US full titanium actioned custom (not just the receiver like most Ti's, but the whole action) and it came in heavier than my Kimbers (6.25lbs pre-optics, but it's a .375 2 1/4" Nitro for Grizzly duty).

Many folks seem to insinuate a few extra pounds don't matter, I can assure you they do, but the style of hunts matters too. All my operation's mountain goat hunting is backpacks and boots from a drop off lake, no horses, it's heavily physical naturally. I had an in shape guide from Alaska in his 30's come last year and he puked from exertion, pounds don't matter... Ounces do! I also in the same breath recognize mountain hunting means different things in different places, many have less footwork to do, horses, or easier terrain.

People will bring up the "greats" from the past and their Featherweights that weighed what we now consider a standard rifle, and I'd like to remind them they'd have taken a 5lb rifle if it was available and losing weight can only help. Not all mountain hunting is created equal, either, I caution clients booking you're far better off with a sub-6lb .270 Win than an 8lb .300 and the lighter rifle will bring you more opportunities and a better experience.

Yes... I agree the easiest place to cut weight is on your body, and that's a continuing challenge for clients. But all else being equal every ounce we can cut, perfect, every pound... Well no further explanation required! I fly into extremely marginal alpine lakes at high altitude and saving every smidgeon of weight there is a safety consideration too. As soon as one says "It's just a few pounds" the slippery slope has begun. The good aircraft manufacturers understand weight and one of the helicopters I fly at the day job is running a wire reduction program right now to cut grams... Let alone pounds.

I'm admittedly weight crazy, gear is shaved to the bare minimum as for where I operate it brings better experiences. Where lmart is and for what he's doing his new rifle could well be perfect, though if he was booking a mountain goat hunt here I'd suggest he picks up a Kimber to beat up and leave his nice new build at home. He's not, and I wish him luck in the fall on his sheep, it'll no doubt kill them nicely and I'm interested to hear how it shoots. No doubt extremely well like all stuff that rolls out of Rick's shop.

As for the tough crowd, this is the internet, bring a helmet.

Ardent have you got the Saterlee finished? I never saw a thread on it completed.

 

[cam1936]

I firstly want to say that i didn't think posting "my new sheep rifle" would cause such a stir. Truth be told, i hunt only sheep with a rifle. All other big game i hunt with my bow. So when i say that this is my new sheep rifle its because it will probably only ever chase sheep.

When i walked into ATRS back in January i was looking for brass for my my wifes 6.5. I started chatting with Rick about the carbon fibre barrels and the light weight but strong gun i thought about building one day. To my surprise i walked out of ATRS with a receipt in my hand and the waiting game began. When discussing with rick about my needs, i told him i wanted a gun that was fairly lightweight, but very strong and built with components that i could trust. Simplicity was my goal. As any hunter knows, the rifle needs to work as intended, period and end of story.

A couple of years ago i purchased a "ultralight" Forbes Rifle from a shop here in Alberta. After a few hunts, the "kevlar" stock started to fall apart and there was a major malfunction with the bolt. After that fiasco i always said i would never again trade a bit of weight for quality.

In my mountain hunting carreer, i have found that people will always try and shave mere ounces off anything they can to lighten the load, but wont lose any ounces (or pounds for that matter) from around the spare tire they pack around their waist. I have no problem with my new 8.5 pound sheep rifle as i constantly work to lose and keep off the pounds that really matter so i can enjoy a few of the comforts of home when i am way out west. Specifically, a virtual tack driver of a rifle.

As well, as Carverk pointed out with the link to that youtube vid, i like the idea of taking a strong rifle capable of withstanding some punishment.

Thanks for all of the feedback. Should be out to the range in the next few days. I will post the results.

I personally think the Forbes were duds. Well at least some of them. Not all ultralights are fragile. Mine sure isn't. Neither are Kimbers, or a real NULA or a whole host of other quality ultralights.

 

[rem338win]

Glad you're happy with it. It should service you well and I'm betting the cost was significant. I too find when the term "sheep rifle" is used this day and age it's synonymous with under 6.5lbs bare. I can confidently say that the gross majority would these days.

as for a reliable, ultralight sheep rifle I can say many are made today. Bill Leeper built me two that both came in at under 6.5 scoped and out the door. These are 1/2" rifles. Mick McPhee barreled a .284 that I stocked with a wildcat that went under 6lbs scoped and was an easy sub-MOA gun as well. All are very sturdy and started with Remington 700's.

NULA, Rifles Inc., Kimber, Fierce and quite a few back door smiths make ultralights that shoot lights out and use good components.

I think the point you wanted to make OP was "look at the unique gun I built. I'm taking it sheep hunting" and that got lost in this multi-page hoopla.