Sheep & goat cartridge and mountain hunting rifle selection

I'll skip my Friday night pizza and carry one of my Ruger M77 Ultralight's (not so ultralight)...
 
I'll skip my Friday night pizza and carry one of my Ruger M77 Ultralight's (not so ultralight)...

Does Ruger make anything that's actually light ? Even the tiny 16" barrel compact is not as light as it should be imo.

Still want one of those though ...
 
Does Ruger make anything that's actually light ? Even the tiny 16" barrel compact is not as light as it should be imo.

Still want one of those though ...

The M77 reciever has a lot more weight than most other production rifles. Given the same barrel and stock they will be heavier than a 84 or a 700.
 
Does Ruger make anything that's actually light ? Even the tiny 16" barrel compact is not as light as it should be imo.

Still want one of those though ...

The Ultralight's have a 20" pencil barrel and streamlined full size stock... compared to actual mountain rifles they are pigs at 6.5 pounds (short action)... but I keep a couple of synthetic stocks around in short and long action configurations, and can can swap stocks if I want to remove 1/2 pound. While they may be heavier than the featherweights, they are compact, streamlined and carry nicely.

IMG_5627%20CGN_zpsad1yarad.jpg
 
No love for Sako Finnlight ?

If you buy one in the ''short action''calibers you will be surprised at the weight of those.

I received mine this morning and wow !! The trigger, the stock coating (provide a very positive grip), the mag, the 20.4 inches barrel inn 0.308.

All of those are good attributes for a lightweight rifle.

I have ordered the Swaro Z3 3-10 x 42 that is only 12 oz.

Should be a nice little setup.

Mush
 
Just bought one that's on its way. 6.5 284. In a 700 action with a McMillan stock on it. I personally am a fan of the 700 action for access and price of parts. This will be my 3rd rifle built on a 700 action. One build is almost complete in a 300 RUM and another just started in 7mm weatherby. If it's a sickness, I don't want the cure.
 
You have a lot of information and suggestions to sort through.

The easy and cheap way is a new stainless T3 in 6.5 x 55 or 270 Win.

Another easy way that will cost a bit more, OK, about double, is a Kimber Montana in 270 or 280AI.
 
The Ultralight's have a 20" pencil barrel and streamlined full size stock... compared to actual mountain rifles they are pigs at 6.5 pounds (short action)... but I keep a couple of synthetic stocks around in short and long action configurations, and can can swap stocks if I want to remove 1/2 pound. While they may be heavier than the featherweights, they are compact, streamlined and carry nicely.

IMG_5627%20CGN_zpsad1yarad.jpg


I can't recall any of my wood stocked Rugers coming with the ebony forend. Did you add them?
 
R
The Europeans tend to make rifles that look traditional even though they are weather proof. Blaser, for instance uses nitriding as a barrel finish, about the toughest, most corrosion resistant finish possible. Far better than plain stainless steel. Others use teflon variants, or ceramic coatings. You just have to look into their literature more. And two piece wood stocks that are properly sealed are pretty much imperious to weather. They won't warp and affect accuracy / bedding like a one piece wood bolt action stock, both because of the design of the rifle and because of the small piece of fore end wood. Another thing to consider, modern German/Austrian single shots can be carried in complete safely with a loaded chamber. They do not use trigger block safeties ( like a Ruger #1) , rather a cocker/decocker. If you are happier with a bolt action, I totally understand, it's just that the technology and artistry of the Euro stalking rifles are under appreciated in North America so I like to promote them.

You're right about a two piece wood stock, the only wood stock that has any business being on the North Coast. I sealed this one inside and out, so including the stock bolt hole. It definitely still manages to find moisture, the wood veins can be far too easily perceived to the touch after a week in the rain, but they return to normal after a week in the safe.

This all said, nobody makes a better rifle for hopping around rocks for the price than Kimber. That may change with the way the dollar is going, but I'm up to five Kimbers now, and don't see myself slowing down. When you cut out underwear as Douglas has pointed out a bit silly to tolerate half a pound more on the rifle. Your earlier stalking rifle example at just over 5lbs is perfect, so to be clear you "get it" and not directed at you Longwalker, thread in general comments.

My final word as per the write up is a .270, stainless / synthetic Kimber.

 
I can't recall any of my wood stocked Rugers coming with the ebony forend. Did you add them?

No, these are the Ultralights, they come with a 20" pencil barrel and slimmed down stock with the black tip. The standards come with a beefier stock and 22" medium barrel.
 
Nice collection of ruger ultralights Hoyt. The fore end tip really sets the stock off. They will suffice in the mountains thats for sure. Im not really familiar with rugers, I might have to add one to my collection. The only ruger I have is a #1B. cheers pete.
 
Oh my next mtn hunt I'm taking my grandfather's old made in 1958 Husqvarna 3000 rechambered to 270 Wby rifle weighs appr 8.5lbs.

Last year I redid the rifle put it into modern clothes.

Had Hope Cerakote Cerakote the barreled action satin black and the new black McMillan Sako Hunter stock I bought new off the EE OD green mounted a VX2 4-12X LR reticle scope with Talley lightweight rings loads are 140gr TSX @ 3350fps.

Using my grandfathers rifle is more important to me than shaving a few lbs off what I'm packing in.
 
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