Thinking of building "mountain" rifle

The Forbes 20B should be out very soon. From what I understand they are already taking orders. At ~$1700 and 4 3/4lbs, or a bit more, you'd be hard pressed to put something together for similar weight and money.
 
Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
GTFO talking like anyone who owns a decent shooting Kimber are "lucky guys".
As crazy_davey said you haven't even fired that Forbes yet. Myself and others on this forum have forgotten more about Kimbers and lightweight rifles in general than you may ever know.
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Ligthweight rifle are only a game for me, i wanted one, bought one, if it's a good one, i will be pleased, if not, i will just not used it and tossed it in the safe, Sig SSG 3000, Nemesis, Scout Steyr, Steyr Luxus are more my game, i will never pretend knowing what i dont know about lightweight rifles, others peoples out there know to handle a rifle and i will never tell them to learn how to shoot because they never handle a Nemesis.... JP.
 
1899 said:
The Forbes 20B should be out very soon. From what I understand they are already taking orders. At ~$1700 and 4 3/4lbs, or a bit more, you'd be hard pressed to put something together for similar weight and money.
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I agree with the above, it will be down to Kimber and Forbes in that particular niche. Wing safety vs hokey ass modified rem safety, CRF vs push-feed, light vs heavy bolt lift, full length bedding vs free floating, cheekpiece stock vs classic-style.
So glad we have choices, happy to see these two companies commitment to the market.
It will be interesting to see how the barrel contour on the production Forbes affects the bottom line on the scale.
My NULA 20 comes in at 5.07lbs with rings, and thats with the douglas 22" in #1 contour. I have heard the Shaw barrel on the Forbes will be closer to a #2.
My Kimber 84M went 5lbs 3oz's with talley lows. I think it will be some close.
 
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c-fbmi said:
This is my ultra lightweight mountain game rifle I put together, but significantly above your budget stated.
Remington 700 Ti 300 WSM barreled action, with PT&G alum bolt shroud and firing pin c/ speedlock, Brown Precision 14 oz Kevlar stock, leupold Vari XII 3-9 compact in weaver rings. 5 lbs 15 oz all up with ammo and sling.
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Lots of rifle in a very light package. Nice!
 
domyalex said:
Looking to complement my .308 Vanguard S1 and I'm thinking that a lightweight "deer" rifle could just be the thing. To make it that bit more special, I'm thinking of doing my first build.

So far I'm thinking

Rem 700 SA action ($400?)
Barrel: 22", no idea which one, this will be a hunting rig, _consistent_ 1 moa is the target. I'm thinking a #2 countour could be ideal (no pencil barrel accuracy/heat issues, but still lighter than standard sporter) ($315)
Caliber: .260
Stock: McMillan Rem Mountain Rifle ($537) Is it really _that_much better than, say, a B&C?

Some back-of-the-envelope math shows this would be doable for $1.6k-$1.8k, correct? (would be happy to spend less)

Besides the gunsmithing expenses, anything else to keep in mind?
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Why not look for a stainless Model Seven 7/08 and put it in an Edge?
 
SuperCub said:
Why not look for a stainless Model Seven 7/08 and put it in an Edge?
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Good suggestion.
Better yet, find one used on the EE from someone who has done just that.
I see scads of semi-custom lightweight remington builds go up for sale on here every year,that is really where the value is and what I'd recommend.
What rifle loonie hasn't spent a scary amount of cash on a full custom with the wait time that accompanies it only to sell it at a 30% plus loss to finance the next "latest greatest?"
Exceptions are some of the guys who have the tools and skills to do their own work.
double gun, Blargon and brno284 come to mind...much respect.
 
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Thx all,

I want lightweight, not ultra light, so Kimber/Forbes et al are out. I'd also like push feed 22" .260 with floor plate.

I guess I can get a standard Mountain rifle in short action and swap the barrel; then I can slowly customize it :)
 
Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
Good suggestion.
Better yet, find one used on the EE from someone who has done just that.
I see scads of semi-custom lightweight remington builds go up for sale on here every year,that is really where the value is and what I'd recommend.
What rifle loonie hasn't spent a scary amount of cash on a full custom with the wait time that accompanies it only to sell it at a 30% plus loss to finance the next "latest greatest?"
Exceptions are some of the guys who have the tools and skills to do their own work.
double gun, Blargon and brno284 come to mind...much respect.
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The "semi-custom" Model Sevens I see in the EE are all as much or more than a Kimber 84M Montana.
 
I have a Tikka T3 lite SS in 7mm mag and happy about the weight but was told the Kimber is very nice but more $$.

For now the T3 suits my need and for under $1k (rifle alone) its pretty good for what it is.
 
Sun_and_Steel_77
I think I remember the Corlanes build you sold. If I remmber correctly it was a 284 and you stated in your write up that the balance point was to be on the front action screw, which you then posted a picture of.
Saw that ad first thing in the morning before I went to work and thought about nothing else all day. Fired up the puter when I got home to send you a I'll take it only to find that it had sold.
I've been kicking myself ever since.
 
Nipigon Jack said:
Sun_and_Steel_77
I think I remember the Corlanes build you sold. If I remmber correctly it was a 284 and you stated in your write up that the balance point was to be on the front action screw, which you then posted a picture of.
Saw that ad first thing in the morning before I went to work and thought about nothing else all day. Fired up the puter when I got home to send you a I'll take it only to find that it had sold.
I've been kicking myself ever since.
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Good memory! Sorry you missed it,it was a nice rifle especially at the price I sold it for.
I got insane velocities out of that rifle using RE17 that I can't even come close to with the NULA.




 
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That one belongs strapped to the side of a Harley! :D

Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
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Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
Good suggestion.
Better yet, find one used on the EE from someone who has done just that.
I see scads of semi-custom lightweight remington builds go up for sale on here every year,that is really where the value is and what I'd recommend.
What rifle loonie hasn't spent a scary amount of cash on a full custom with the wait time that accompanies it only to sell it at a 30% plus loss to finance the next "latest greatest?"
Exceptions are some of the guys who have the tools and skills to do their own work.
double gun, Blargon and brno284 come to mind...much respect.
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Not to be misleading, I had the talented Mr. Leeper do the smithing on mine. My skills end with bedding, stock finishing, and blasting/armacoating
 
caramel said:
Now that 84 is all scratched up as it serve as a pick up truck rifle, i gave it to one of my inlaw, could not sell that rifle to nobody, knowing that it was not an accurate rifle, i compare them to a GM car once you had a bad one, you want no part of them anymore... Happy for the lucky guys who got a good one.. and Mister Davey, if the Forbes is a bad rifle to, i wont be shy of telling it, i am not paid by anybody, i pay to make my own idea... JP.
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Carmel, I came across this and thought of your experience when I read it. This is the observation of a pal of mine who shoots a Weatherby Ultralight in .280, it shoots 168 gr Bergers backed by a moderate load of H100V to the exclusion of all else. Skip down to the second last paragraph, where he talks about loads and accuracy, perhaps you didn't give that Kimber a fair chance . . .

http://www.americanrifleman.org/art..._content=Kimber-text&utm_campaign=DefensePlan
 
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Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
Good memory! Sorry you missed it,it was a nice rifle especially at the price I sold it for.
I got insane velocities out of that rifle using RE17 that I can't even come close to with the NULA.




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Now there's a long range rig if I ever saw one; with the sun glittering off that thing you'd never get within a half mile of game. ;)
 
Well "mountain rifles" generally have barrels under 22". Closer to 19-20 I should think. The barrels are usually of the light weight or feather weight variety as well.
Length of pull is usually shortened on the stock and glass is limited to compact sizes with favor towards fixed power scopes and back up iron sights.
Your action type and caliber selections are on the money however, most mountain rifles are not built from Remington actions however.
 
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