Lightest weight non-restricted semi auto precision rifle available?

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Runt

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Hello,

First off I'm a bolt gun kind of guy, I'll admit it. I have tried building a few semi autos over the years.

AR10 tricked out rifle from DnD run...too heavy. - sold

XCR-M .......too heavy - still have it. Might sell it.

Tried a heavily modified M305 re-barreled with 18.5", custom light fiber glass stock etc. & lots of nice parts. It was the lightest of the three & shot awesome...but alas I thought it was too heavy & sold it & regret it.

So now im continuing my search and simplifying in 2018 for the lightest, most accurate non-restricted semi auto available. Those are my parameters. Rifle would be used for hiking, and hunting. I love hiking and I love shooting and like combing the two. Hunting season changes to moving targets.

It seems my remaining choices in order are BCL102 & custom parts which may be an option once there is more information and builds based off of the stock model. Maccabee lower with custom parts which may be an option once there is more known about them or available for that matter. Latest XCR-M key mod version...not sure which barrel contour...I really like everything about the XCR-M except the weight. Modern Hunter...could be bumped up in order depending on build, DesertTech MDR when & if available. IWI Tavor 7AR when and if available, Keltech RFB last on list because it's likely the heaviest.

Is there something out there I'm missing? Too me, out of the list I mentioned there are massive pro vs con scenarios and much to learn about and likely some long wait times if possible to get at all. To me the Maccabee lower if approved non-restricted seems like a great option to build the ligtest weight, most accurate non-restricted .308

Opinions vary so let them fly! How would you build the lightest weight, most accurate non-restricted semi auto .308 or 6.5 Grendel?
 
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Primarily target shooting and carry when hiking. I like hiking and often take a rifle for bear issues and target shooting. During hunting season it's moving targets.
 
What were the weights of your other guns?

If you are set on a .308, building up a BCL 102 with all new parts (keep upper & lower) and spending a small fortune you should end up with something in the 6.5lb-7lb range. There really won't be anything better for a NR in Canada. My ATRS MH is now just under 7.6lb, that is a with a 18.6 proof carbon barrel, fortis 12" handguard & CTR stock and a few V7 weapon systems light weight parts. I'm hoping to drop another 0.5lb with a titanium BCG, getting it to around 7.1lb.

A Macabee in .223 could be done in the 5.5lb range quite easily. It will not be cheap, the light weight parts are hard to get and expensive. I built a 11.5" AR that is 4.2lb, I'm into it for over $3400 and I don't have a optic on it yet.

All weights are without optics.

Good luck on your quest. Let us know how it turns out.
 
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My experience is that generally, light weight, semi auto, and accurate, are incompatible.

How light do you need it to be?
How accurate?
Which is more important?
If you are a bolt guy, why do you want a semi?
 
Cameron SS said:
My experience is that generally, light weight, semi auto, and accurate, are incompatible.

How light do you need it to be?
How accurate?
Which is more important?
If you are a bolt guy, why do you want a semi?
Click to expand...

I tend to agree so far.
Around 7 lbs
MOA
Accuracy
I actually don't have a good answer for this other then it seems like I want what I don't have. I do enjoy auto loaders and possibly this is my last attempt now that there are options available to get the weight down for a semi-auto.
 
For a semi auto, you are not going to beat an AR for the basis of a precision rig, especially when weight is a factor.
I’m hoping the BCL-102 is going to fit the bill to at least provide a basis for one
 
Well it seems you can get either the 308 or the 6.5 G to the 7 lb mark.
Maybe the 6.5 down to 6.5 lbs.

I guess it depends on what’s best for beer Defense...:)

:)
 
Not semi auto but a Troy par can get real light. The short barrel and no buffer keep the weight pretty low. Honestly though, although being 8 lbs my old RFB was the lightest handling gun I have had. Shouldered it was lighter feeling than my proof barreled modern Hunter, but it was harder to shoot accurately than the Hunter. I felt the problem was more with me than the rifle. That being said the MDR is my next great hope for a precision light weight semi, followed very closely by the RDB which should show up here after shot show! Fingers crosssed. Time will tell how they turn out. The RDB-S is 5lbs, the normal version 6.8lbs.
 
Kel Tec su16 is a rifle I've been entertaining for a while. I think only available in .223 but love the compact folding package with 2 mag storage in buttstock
 
An m1 carbine is a nice light rifle, some of them have a non restricted barrel on them
The su 16 is probably the lightest one out there as it's mostly made of plastic
 
Runt said:
I tend to agree so far.
Around 7 lbs
MOA
Accuracy
I actually don't have a good answer for this other then it seems like I want what I don't have. I do enjoy auto loaders and possibly this is my last attempt now that there are options available to get the weight down for a semi-auto.
Click to expand...

No way will you find something that fits those criteria. 7 lbs is your average weight for a sporter bolt gun, do you think it's possible with a semi with more parts to be just as light AND accurate? A more realistic standard imo is 8/8.5 lbs and 1.5 MOA accurate. M305 the BCL 102 are your best options. Unless you are also considering 223s, but you asked in the ''main battle rifles'' section so I assume you want a 308 or similar.
 
The SU16 is very light to the point of being flimsy . If you can get by with that they are good shooters and are about the cheepest / lightest thing out there other than something custom/ pricey. They are a little funny to clean( different) but doable with Patience and a soft touch. One of the better things about them is that they take ar mags and are quite enjoyable to shoot they fit well to smaller stature shooters , a good step up from a 22lr , will feed and shoot 223/5.56 with out problems. 100 yards shots ,open sight easily .
 
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