I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to my quandary.........however I'm waffling and need some support and possibly reasons to go ahead, which I have not considered as of yet.
#1 son wants an ultra light rifle for mountain hunting, I picked him up a Mod 7 SS in 300 SAUM and was going to build him one. However it will never be super duper light because of the steel action and fairly stiff barrel.....I can turn the barrel but that risks stresses and a loss of accuracy.
On the other hand I have my 700 Ti in 300 WSM already done up and weighing in at under 6 lbs c/w scope and ready to go. I spent a sh!t load of money getting this one exactly where I wanted it to be and it has proven itself as a good light accurate hunting rifle. I have a good load worked up using 150 gn Barnes TTSX, so it is a "good to go" ultra light that is capable of dealing with a mountain grizzly if necessary.
Should I invest a ton of work and some money in the Mod 7 to end up with a descent compromise light rifle for him, or should I just give him my Mod 700 Ti and loads? He has many years of sheep and goat hunting left and I fear my mountain days are done. I always have my medium light 300 Wby that I have hunted the world with and don't feel the extra pound or so. If I were to go for sheep again (I might for bighorn) I could always get him to send it to me for the hunt and return it after, or just use any one of my other light weight rifles (not ultra light but still around 7 lbs or so).
I know he would appreciate it and would make good use of it on many high country hunts yet to come.........whereas I MAY actually use it as intended ONE more time in my life............
I know I should be boxing it instead of typing this diatribe but I'm having a hard time parting with it, I spent a lot of time and money getting it just right..........and I have a lot of pride and sense of accomplishment in this rifle and I'm just having second thoughts about giving it up.
#1 son wants an ultra light rifle for mountain hunting, I picked him up a Mod 7 SS in 300 SAUM and was going to build him one. However it will never be super duper light because of the steel action and fairly stiff barrel.....I can turn the barrel but that risks stresses and a loss of accuracy.
On the other hand I have my 700 Ti in 300 WSM already done up and weighing in at under 6 lbs c/w scope and ready to go. I spent a sh!t load of money getting this one exactly where I wanted it to be and it has proven itself as a good light accurate hunting rifle. I have a good load worked up using 150 gn Barnes TTSX, so it is a "good to go" ultra light that is capable of dealing with a mountain grizzly if necessary.
Should I invest a ton of work and some money in the Mod 7 to end up with a descent compromise light rifle for him, or should I just give him my Mod 700 Ti and loads? He has many years of sheep and goat hunting left and I fear my mountain days are done. I always have my medium light 300 Wby that I have hunted the world with and don't feel the extra pound or so. If I were to go for sheep again (I might for bighorn) I could always get him to send it to me for the hunt and return it after, or just use any one of my other light weight rifles (not ultra light but still around 7 lbs or so).
I know he would appreciate it and would make good use of it on many high country hunts yet to come.........whereas I MAY actually use it as intended ONE more time in my life............
I know I should be boxing it instead of typing this diatribe but I'm having a hard time parting with it, I spent a lot of time and money getting it just right..........and I have a lot of pride and sense of accomplishment in this rifle and I'm just having second thoughts about giving it up.




















































