Rifle Build for Backpacking

Trying to decide on specific build for backpacking in Alaska and Idaho. Target game in Alaska will be all DIY so Caribou, Moose, and Sitka Deer. In Idaho target game will be Elk and Mule deer.

Rifle goal specs would be lightweight 5-6 pounds bare, 16-18" barrel, suppressed (Magnus), and either MDT HNT-26 or something like a Manners PH. I've never had a chassis before so I'm unsure if I would like it. What's your opinion on the HNT-26?

Unsure on cartridge but would have to spot my own impacts and max distance I will shoot is 800. Curious to hear suggestions on cartridges? I should add I do my own reloading.

I am looking at a lightweight rifle myself and am looking hard at the Howa Superlight in 7mm-08 for next year's season. They have 16.5 " and 20" barrel lengths to choose from and weigh right at 4.5# with their Stocky carbon fiber stock.

My 16.5 and 18" 6mm Creedmoor shooting the nosering DTAC 115 or 108 ELD-M has killed everything I've pointed at from whitetail to moose and is a dream to pack or carry.
Defiance AntiX
Proof Carbon barrel
One is in a MCS PH mini chassis, one is in a XLR 4.0 Element folder, like them both equally
TBAC Ultra 5

The 108 leaves the barrel at 2725 and carries 1900 fps to 800 yards which is the bullet's optimal terminal ballistics

Some type of magnum that will launch 180 plus pills at 2800 or more. For elk size game at 800y.

Saums, win mags, PRCs, whatever you can handle.


As far as the HNT-26, you'd be hard pressed to tell me what it offers over cheaper options. Other options like the XLR magnesium.

If you end up not liking piecing together a rifle with specific components, the Manners LRH is about 30oz. So just a few more ounces than the PH.

Lastly, check out if anything PSE makes tickles your fancy.

Fenix Outdoors said:

My 16.5 and 18" 6mm Creedmoor shooting the nosering DTAC 115 or 108 ELD-M has killed everything I've pointed at from whitetail to moose and is a dream to pack or carry.
Defiance AntiX
Proof Carbon barrel
One is in a MCS PH mini chassis, one is in a XLR 4.0 Element folder, like them both equally
TBAC Ultra 5

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I was looking at a 6mm variant of some kind using the 115s. Either 6 Creed or 6UM.

dfanonymous said:

Some type of magnum that will launch 180 plus pills at 2800 or more.

Saums, win mags, PRCs, whatever you can handle.


As far as the HNT-26, you'd be hard pressed to tell me what it offers over cheaper options. Other options like the XLR magnesium.

If you end up not liking piecing together a rifle with specific components, the Manners LRH is about 30oz. So just a few more ounces than the PH.

Lastly, check out if anything PSE makes tickles your fancy.

E-Tac Ultra light Stocks

Hand-made carbon fibre tactical rifle stocks from PSE-Composites. E-Tac Ultralight stocks typically weigh less than 1000 grams / 35 Oz

www.pseriflestocks.com

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I was thinking about a 6 variant, 6.5-7 PRC Imp, 300 Rum, or 338 edge. Worried there would be too much recoil with a rum or 338 with that weight.

DirtNap35 said:

I was thinking about a 6 variant, 6.5-7 PRC Imp, 300 Rum, or 338 edge. Worried there would be too much recoil with a rum or 338 with that weight.

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I wouldn't use anything under a 7mm for 800y on an elk sized animal. If the wind changes and you hit that shoulder plate, you want enough momentum to push through.

The 300 mags would kick for sure. You either have good recoil management and solid technique base or you'll find out real quick you don't with that gun.

That's just my advice.

A 25 cal short mag flavor with 133s or a 6 mm creed with 115is what I would run if 800 is your limit.

A 6.5 and 7 short mag are more than enough, and carry a bit more recoil than necessary. But, they are manageable and can run in a short action.

Having seen others kill elk with my personal 7mm with 180 vlds out to 1100 yards (in good conditions) and comparing it to kills with my 25 with 133 eh, from 100 to 750 yards, I couldn't tell the difference.

I shot a caribou at 100 with my 7 and another with my 25. Both blew out a baseball sized hole out the offside and I saw blood and lung fly out through my scope.

The 25 is just a bit easier to shoot with reduced recoil.

No deer, caribou, elk, or moose scapula will slow down any bullet going at least 1800 fps (even 6 mm). It's gonna pop right through and the extra pieces of bone will create even more wounding. A good bullet will kill it dead. Same even with a long bone. The velocity will break off bone bits that are extra shrapnel.

Im looking to do something similar, will have to pay attention to this thread.

I also shoot a 16.5" 6RSAUM with 115 DTAC noserings and kills elk and moose no better than my 6 Creedmoor with the same bullet. Leaves the barrel at 2860 fps, so optimized terminal ballistics with the DTAC or the 108 ELD-M pushes out to 1000 yards. Zips right through a moose or elk scapula, creates a oblong football-width wound channel and penetrates 16" long. You don't need a 7mm or bigger to kill big game. Optimal terminal ballistic performance of bullets kill big animals, not calibers or ft/lbs of energy.

Fenix Outdoors said:

I also shoot a 16.5" 6RSAUM with 115 DTAC noserings and kills elk and moose no better than my 6 Creedmoor with the same bullet. Leaves the barrel at 2860 fps, so optimized terminal ballistics with the DTAC or the 108 ELD-M pushes out to 1000 yards. Zips right through a moose or elk scapula, creates an oblong football-width wound channel and penetrates 16" long. You don't need a 7mm or bigger to kill big game. Optimal terminal ballistic performance of bullets kill big animals, not calibers or ft/lbs of energy.

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Are you running a short or long action? I'm thinking about long just to have that option of changing if I ever wanted. Was looking at TiX even though I'm not a fan of titanium actions, but at 18 oz hard to pass up.

For a 5-6 lbs rifle I'd look at a pierce titanium action, magnum bolt face for the longer shots on big animals, put it in a Peak 44 stock ( they advertise them as being 20 oz, but mine came in at 19 oz), and use a pencil contour barrel to keep weight down. If you use a carbon fiber wrapped barrel it weighs more than a pencil contour barrel. Keep in mind that a lighter rifle recoils more, using a suppressor means you have to add weight.