Lite Weight Rifle ?

[buckykm1]

Father time is sneaking up on me, and I am considering going to a lightweight Rifle, and maybe dropping a pound or so.
I am currently using a Remington Model 700, in 300 Win. Mag. and I love it, but with a Scope and Sling it is a little over 9 lbs.

I think that I would like to stay with a 30-06 or 300 Win. Mag.
I am looking at Tikka

But am open to any suggestions on a decent Factory Rifle that would be a little lighter ?, without going totally crazy on price.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[Schaaf]

Killed animals with both the Howa Alpine Mountain and the Kimber Mountain Ascent last year. Couldn't go wrong with either of them in my opinion.

 

[406LIFE]

I love my Xbolt Hells Canyon in 300WM.

 

[noharleyyet]

Post the words light, accurate, and economy on any hunting site....Tikka will be a Steve Harvey best answer.

 

[Big Fin]

Obviously, I'm biased, having the first prototype of the Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle as one of my " go to" rifles.

That said, whatever you choose, I would suggest crossing the 300 Win Mag off the list with a lightweight rifle. That round in a lightweight set up will beat the hell out of you, the scope, and the rifle.

Another point where I have formed biases based on personal use. Since the .308 Win and .30-06 are very close ballistically and you can get the .308 Win in a short action that is easier to cut weight, that may be an option to think about.

 

[noharleyyet]

Obviously, I'm biased, having the first prototype of the Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle as one of my " go to" rifles.

That said, whatever you choose, I would suggest crossing the 300 Win Mag off the list with a lightweight rifle. That round in a lightweight set up will beat the hell out of you, the scope, and the rifle.

Another point where I have formed biases based on personal use. Since the .308 Win and .30-06 are very close ballistically and you can get the .308 Win in a short action that is easier to cut weight, that may be an option to think about.

Substitute value for economy and I completely agree with ya Fin....lot's to like about the Alpine's price point to components ratio.

 

[mtmuley]

I'd take your .300 and maybe re-stock it. Get the bolt fluted and handle skeletonized. Check out a different scope. I'd never dissuade anybody from buying a new rifle, but for one pound gain? To me, a lightweight rifle is 7 pounds or so. Still manageable to carry, but won't pound you in "normal" cartridges. I like a platform that is steady enough to shoot accurately at longer ranges if need be. Lightweight may seem appealing, but it also creates other issues. mtmuley

 

[Tikka06]

I have 2 light weight rifles in the safe. Now days they are all I use. My primary is a Tikka T3 superlite in 06 and the other is a Remington model 7 7-08. Both are under 7 lbs with scope which I have found is my ideal weight. I love them both but the tikka is a flat out nail driver. With a limbsaver pad it is really not bad to shoot. I handled a Howa alpine the other day and was pleased. If ever I need another light rifle, it will probably be one of those or a kimber montana.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

+1 on the Kimber Mountain Ascent

 

[Big Ears]

Tikka T3, great lightweight rifles

 

[jeffraines]

Do yourself a favor and go buy a past recoil pad now. Use this for range days/etc. The once or twice you shoot it in the field won't kill you.

As far as suggestions, the Tikka T3s are nice and a favorite... I also have a few Weatherby Vanguards in the lightweight offerings that are a little heavier than the Tikka but also shoot lights out. Savage has a model 16 in a lightweight offering that looks tempting as well.

The scope is another place that can be weighty as well - I recently switched out some of my scopes for Leupold VX2(11 oz) and a VX3i(13 oz?)... coming from ~18-20oz scopes, thats a big difference.

 

[buckykm1]

I'd take your .300 and maybe re-stock it. Get the bolt fluted and handle skeletonized. Check out a different scope. I'd never dissuade anybody from buying a new rifle, but for one pound gain? To me, a lightweight rifle is 7 pounds or so. Still manageable to carry, but won't pound you in "normal" cartridges. I like a platform that is steady enough to shoot accurately at longer ranges if need be. Lightweight may seem appealing, but it also creates other issues. mtmuley

mtmuley, I actually thought about restocking it, with something lighter, a few months ago, But, the ones that I saw, they were talking $400 to $600 for a new lightweight stock, but as much as I love my model 700, I figured at that price I may as well just buy a different Rifle.
if there are some lightweight stocks out there at a more reasonable price, I am definitely open to suggestions ?.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[buckykm1]

Do yourself a favor and go buy a past recoil pad now. Use this for range days/etc. The once or twice you shoot it in the field won't kill you.

As far as suggestions, the Tikka T3s are nice and a favorite... I also have a few Weatherby Vanguards in the lightweight offerings that are a little heavier than the Tikka but also shoot lights out. Savage has a model 16 in a lightweight offering that looks tempting as well.

The scope is another place that can be weighty as well - I recently switched out some of my scopes for Leupold VX2(11 oz) and a VX3i(13 oz?)... coming from ~18-20oz scopes, thats a big difference.

I have a 200 yard Range set up right at my house, and I use a lead sled for most of my practise, so recoil isn't a issue, and I put Scientific labs recoil pads on my Rifles, they are awesome.
A different Scope is a great idea, I didn't think about that, I really like the Bushnell Legend that I use, but it is in that 18 to 20 oz. range.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[Madman]

I love my Xbolt Hells Canyon in 300WM.

Same here, just went from an A-Bolt to the X-Bolt Hells Canyons. Lighter and built well, although apparently there is a small supply in 300 Win Mag

 

[Curvebow]

I have two Remington Model 7 FS models, one in 7mm-08 and one in 308. They are my go-to rifles! The FS models were made for a few years in the 1980's. They weigh 5.25 pounds out of the box. With a Leupold VX3 2.5-8, 5 rounds and a Mountain Sling, they weigh 6.5# total. But, they are tough to find.

If I was buying a rifle today, I would consider the Kimber Adirondack for short action calibers at 4# 13 ozs and the Kimber Mountain Ascent for long action calibers (like the 280 AI I'm dreaming about!).... Of course, those are very pricey.

I would also consider a Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle, but have not held one to be able to provide more info.

New Ultralight Arms, by Melvin Forbes should also receive consideration. I have seen and held these, but have not shot one.

Unless its a bench gun, all my hunting rifles have to be light weight. I'll take recoil any day over carrying 2 extra pounds....

 

[Melman]

I have the Howa Alpine in .308 and really like way the rifle handles and shoots. I also really like the 20" barrel after shooting a 24" barrel for so long. I don't think you will miss the Magnum after shooting the .308

the Kimber Montana I had was very nice as well. I had it in 300wsm and just didn't want the magnum in that light of a rifle

 

[sneakem]

Savage has a model 16 in a lightweight offering that looks tempting as well.

They also have a Model 11/111 as well. They advertise 5lbs 8oz on both, but in reality its close to 6lbs on the money. I believe both are also available in LA calibers as well as short.

 

[buckykm1]

Well I went shopping today, looked at pretty much all the lightweight Rifles the local gun Shops had in stock.
decided to stop at our relatively new Field & Stream store on my way home, they had a couple of Tikka T3 lites, one in 30-06 and that is really what I wanted.
with a sale price of $499.99 I couldn't pass it up, got the Rifle and a Leupold VX2 3-9x40 with the long range reticle.
put it all together with the sling and everything, tips the scale at 7.39 Pounds, a full 2 pounds lighter than my Remington model 700.
I think that I will be happy with it.

Kevin

 

[noharleyyet]

Good choices.

 

[1_pointer]

Good choices.

Agreed!