Making a gun lighter

Sakoman

Sakoman

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What is the best way, or is there a way to do it?? I am looking at a Sako 85 in .270 WSM but can't get past the synthetic stock. Th e stainless laminated is very nice but at 7.5 lbs quite a bit heavier than I would like. Is there a way to get the gun down to 7lbs or less without taking any of the barrel off??:confused:
 
Maynard

Thanks for the tip. Forgot some people from Central Canada don't know about Alberta. We have these funny things called mountains that an 1/2 pound extra can feel like 20 by the end of the day.....Did I mention we can walk up to 20 km while hunting in a day?:D
 
Are you adding optics? I think Leupold has a light weight option.

As far as less for the rifle, you could hollow out the shock under the recoil pad to drop a little weight.

Adam
 
get the kimber montana 8400 put a leupold 4.5-14x40 and your gun will weigh under 8lb I got one and with the 14 bullets I carry on it and a sling its under 9lb
 
The most effective way to remove weight is to recontour the barrel but it's pretty hard to get 1/2 pound off a hunting weight barrel. Hollowing stocks out doesn't remove a lot of weight. Reshaping the outside of the stock is more effective but also more expensive.
If you want a real light rifle, you have to buy a real light rifle. Regards, Bill.
 
Sakoman said:
Thanks for the tip. Forgot some people from Central Canada don't know about Alberta. We have these funny things called mountains that an 1/2 pound extra can feel like 20 by the end of the day.....Did I mention we can walk up to 20 km while hunting in a day?:D
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Sorry Sakoman I just could control myself with that jab. And hey, I am from SW Ontario, way down in the Bannana Belt. The land here is pretty flat.

So back to your question.... What is the difference in weight between a wood stock and the synthetic for your rifle? What glass is on it and could you save weight there? Restocking and rebarreling both cost a few bucks. If you need to go the expence of both, a new rifle might be cheaper.
 
Get a lightweight stock, aluminum bases and rings and the lightest/smallest scope you can shoot well with. Other than that, get a Kimber or 700 Ti.

FWIW, my .308 Finnlight weighs 7.5lbs with the SS Optilocks and a VXIII 2.5-8, and with the mag in.
 
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Depending on the length of the barrel, you build a sparking mechanism that is activated by the trigger that ignites a fuel impregnated wick that sticks out of the end of the barrel and voila, a gun lighter.
 
MD said:
Depending on the length of the barrel, you build a sparking mechanism that is activated by the trigger that ignites a fuel impregnated wick that sticks out of the end of the barrel and voila, a gun lighter.
Click to expand...

I was just thinking that and then I scolled down to the last post.....:)

ROTFLMAO....

PS...go with the flutes...AND the fibreglass stock.....
 
Putting the Hunting Rifle on a diet !

.... For some further ideas, have a look at the measures the British went to "lighten" the No.4 SMLE, in the creation of the No5 "Jungle carbine" ! Hollowing the bolt head, milling of excess from the side(s) of the receiver, carving massive grooves the "Knox form" and of course, shortening the barrel ! Hollowing out the butt, and even shaving it down and making a skeletonized butt plate!..... 'guess every little bit helps toward the total loss of excess weight ! ..... David K. .....:canadaFlag:
 
Lots of ways to lighten your rifle. Probably the most effective way is to replace the factory stock with a lighter one. Normally you can shave about 1 pound with just that upgrade if you pick the right stock. Costs upward of $600 to do it but its worth it. Lightweight scope leupold makes a 3-9x33 that weighs just over 8 oz. Lighter recoil pad, should be installed on the new stock. New lightweight rings/bases like Talleys. All this can be done without messing with the metal on your rifle and over a complete rifle/scope package should save you a bunch of weight.

If money is an object but you still want a lightweight gun then sell your sako and buy a Browning Ti or Remington Ti. It will be cheaper in the long run.
Been there done that.
 
Rem 700 6.7lbs 24' Hart barrel
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MD said:
Depending on the length of the barrel, you build a sparking mechanism that is activated by the trigger that ignites a fuel impregnated wick that sticks out of the end of the barrel and voila, a gun lighter.
Click to expand...

Actually, I always wanted to do that ... Something about lighting the BBQ outside with the neighbors wondering WTF is going on would be just priceless ...
 
We have these funny things called mountains that an 1/2 pound extra can feel like 20 by the end of the day.....Did I mention we can walk up to 20 km while hunting in a day
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spend alot of time in them mountains?
 
How about a Tikka

Not quite as nice as your Sako, but it's still a close relative. My T-3 Hunter with a nice piece of factory wood weighs in at about 6.5lbs, I mounted a VX-III 2.5 X 8 in burris zee rings on weaver bases. Nice light setup and very accurate, plus it looks a pile nicer to me than synthetic. I bet with a clip full it's still under 8 lbs.

Homesteader

P.S. It's a .338
 
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