Ultralight Hunting Rifle
- Thread starter cbh560
- Start date
I don't get it. Numerous factory options exist, depending upon budget and just how light you need/want to go. The budget you have set makes most of them viable options. But apparently, this needs to be a "build". A simple factory rifle from Kimber or Forbes just won't do (no matter how nearly perfect they may be), and I can certainly understand the appeal of paying good money for a rifle that is precisely yours and incorporates the elements and features that you value...so why ask the audience for suggestions? If you know exactly what you want, that's great...buy it. If you don't know, then what's the point of assembling a build that is designed by committee and doesn't really suit you any better than a straight factory job?
My choice started 6 years ago with a new Rem. 700 Ti in 260 Rem but after finding the barrel to be flawed I sent it away and had it re-barreled to 270 / 08.
With Talley rings and a Leupold lightweight scope it weighs in at a whisker over 6 lbs. and has proven more than adequate for Moose and Deer.
Total investment including dies was under $ 2000.
Would I do it again ?........ In a heartbeat.
I did a rem titanium in 300 wsm with a mcmillian edge in a sako 75 pattern. #3 PAC nor 24 inch. Bdl bottom metal. Lightweight firing pin and aluminum shroud with a rifle basix trigger. It comes it at 5lbs 15 oz bedded. Work was done by Corlanes and it shoots under Moa out to 600yards with Barnes 175 lrx and h4350.
Cost? Probably about 3200$.
If you went with an adl stock, aluminum trigger guard, aluminum mag box and follower with a couple inches off the tube you may get another 4-5 oz or so off that. An MPI stock or wildcat stock may get another 3-4 oz I would guess when it's all done with a recoil pad.
It was what I wanted for sheep hunting. Would I do it again? Well after loading for a friends T-3 in 300 wsm and getting almost as good accuracy for like 5 oz more weight.......
I think I'd look hard at a kimber ascent if I was looking again. You don't have to wait and if it doesn't shoot like you want you're only gonna lose a few hundred bucks selling it. Otherwise a tikka T-3 with a limbsaver and be done with it.
Cost? Probably about 3200$.
If you went with an adl stock, aluminum trigger guard, aluminum mag box and follower with a couple inches off the tube you may get another 4-5 oz or so off that. An MPI stock or wildcat stock may get another 3-4 oz I would guess when it's all done with a recoil pad.
It was what I wanted for sheep hunting. Would I do it again? Well after loading for a friends T-3 in 300 wsm and getting almost as good accuracy for like 5 oz more weight.......
I think I'd look hard at a kimber ascent if I was looking again. You don't have to wait and if it doesn't shoot like you want you're only gonna lose a few hundred bucks selling it. Otherwise a tikka T-3 with a limbsaver and be done with it.
The reason that I ask for the opinions of others is two fold: 1) for suggestions on lightweight components that I either do not know about or researched; and 2) if I can buy brand x factory offering weighing in at 6lbs for let's say $1200, is it possible to build a 5lb rifle for $2000?
I am willing to spend up to $3000 on the rifle, so if it cost the extra 1000-1500 to shave off another pound then I am willing to do so.
The main puprose is not to assemble something based on other's ideas, but to get suggestions of components to continue my own research. The factory suggestions are also appreciated.
The reason that I ask for the opinions of others is two fold: 1) for suggestions on lightweight components that I either do not know about or researched; and 2) if I can buy brand x factory offering weighing in at 6lbs for let's say $1200, is it possible to build a 5lb rifle for $2000?
I am willing to spend up to $3000 on the rifle, so if it cost the extra 1000-1500 to shave off another pound then I am willing to do so.
The main puprose is not to assemble something based on other's ideas, but to get suggestions of components to continue my own research. The factory suggestions are also appreciated.
Perfectly reasonable answer, and I hope I didn't sound too much like I was taking a shot at you with my question. I guess I've seen the word "build" being abused, beaten, mangled and otherwise molested in the Precision forum too many times!
"I don't care if it works or not...I just want it to look cool! And I need to know that everybody else thinks it looks cool too! HELP ME LOOK COOL!!!"
"I don't care if it works or not...I just want it to look cool! And I need to know that everybody else thinks it looks cool too! HELP ME LOOK COOL!!!"
An under 7 pound .308 will hurt to shoot and the muzzle blast will be astounding. I'd look at one of the 25 to 28 calibres.
However, a Ruger American Compact(18" barrel) runs 6 pounds with no sights though. A Hawkeye(16.5" barrel) runs 5.75 pounds. LOP is only 12.5" though. That's not a big deal.
Both of 'em come in 7mm-08 if a .308 isn't wanted. Muzzle blast won't be quite as a bad.
However, a Ruger American Compact(18" barrel) runs 6 pounds with no sights though. A Hawkeye(16.5" barrel) runs 5.75 pounds. LOP is only 12.5" though. That's not a big deal.
Both of 'em come in 7mm-08 if a .308 isn't wanted. Muzzle blast won't be quite as a bad.
sir_springer
Regular
- Location
- East Kootenays
You're right about muzzle blast and a short barrel. Had some experience with a Rem. 600 in 6mm and 18'5" barrel....OUCH!!!
Lot of ultra lights are made with 24" barrels now, avoids a lot of this noise!
Lot of ultra lights are made with 24" barrels now, avoids a lot of this noise!
I was reading an article where they weighed and compared components from a regular Kimber Monatana and a Mountain Ascent. The interesting part is that the stocks weighed +24oz. I suspect a fellow could pick up a Montana and drop it into an MPI Micro Light or a Brown Pound'r and save 6oz. On an 84M that should put you get you under 4 3/4lbs, which is pretty darned light.
I just had a couple rifles done this past year that were quite light. One 700 358Win (6.5lbs with 4x Leupold) and M7 7/08 (6lbs with VXII 2x7). I have found them to be almost to the point of being too light, esp the 358 which is quite a handfull with 250s at the bench. I would not want a lighter rifle than these and will probably add weight to them in the form of heavier scopes and mounts to improve handling.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I will definitely look into the Kimber some more. I'm unfamiliar with Kimber at all, so I will do plenty of reading. Recoil out of a light .308 doesn't concern me too much. Other than developing a load on the bench, its likely to only see a few shots per year. A couple to double check the zero, and one (hopefully) per animal that it takes. A 7mm-08 is also be closely considered.
When it comes to ultralight stocks, who's t he major players in the game? and who's the best kept secrets?
When it comes to ultralight stocks, who's t he major players in the game? and who's the best kept secrets?
