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I know you said you don't want to count ounces but I would offer that you should. 6 pound rifles don't usually happen by accident. Every single component (action, barrel, stock, bottom metal, brake if used) will need to be accounted for to reach your goal. You could easily end up with a rifle that weighs way more than your goal if you don't count ounces. I only say this so you don't end up with another 9 1/2 pound rifle that you don't want to lug around.
Very true. The builder I'm going to use (High Tech Customs in Co Springs) builds some really lightweight rigs, and that is one of the first things he asks when designing your rifle...what's the goal weight?... So if it ends up 6.5 lbs, no big deal to me if it isn't 6lbs on the nose. If it's going to be 8lbs, then I will have to change some things up.
I thought you were sourcing the components for your build. If you already have a smith that puts together some lightweight rifles, then that's the "easy button" for sure! As long as that build is what you want. That's the whole point of a custom!
absolutely! Richie builds some really nice rifles that i've been drooling over for 5 years. Deciding on a cartridge is the hard part.
Are you talking bigger in caliber or looking for more powder behind the 6.5? That's one reason I'm keeping my 300 win mag for the thought of elk hunting even though I've been seeing guys take elk with a 6.5
I ordered a Kimber Open Range pro carbon in 6.5CM to replace my old custom made 257 AI. I was very satisfied both with the caliber accuracy and the rifle coming from an Italian smart gunmaker, but now I'm fed up of brass fire forming, shoulder bump and the like. So, for my hunting in the Alps ( chamois and roe deers) I decided to buy the Kimber despite the 3 months delivery time, because I was impressed by the carbon barrel, the low weight, by the 6.5 CM ballistics, and the reputation of the company.I'm turning 40 this year, and I want a custom rifle built. I already have the builder picked.
To get this I will have to sell 2 rifles, and take my wife's gift to me to get the custom.
I will sell a Kimber Hunter .280ai that I recently picked up (5lbs, 4oz).
I will sell a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight .300wby that i recently picked up as well (6lbs, 14oz).
I want a somewhat light rifle built, 6ish lbs. I will likely put a NF SHV 3-10 on it, maybe a 4-16 huskemaw.
This will be an all around hunting rifle, but really I need a mountain rifle. I bought the Kimber recently because I am tired of lugging around my 9-1/2 pound 7mmRM in the mountains. Hence the 6ish pound wish.
I have a 7mmRM, and a 338RUM, both remington 700s, both shooters....both pretty heavy. For the smaller critters i have a 6.5creed tikka.
This will be my deer/elk mountain rifle. 7mm or .30 cal.
Initially I am thinking something that starts with a 3. Something light will replace the kimber, and a .30mag of some sort to replace the weatherby.
But which??? 300win, 300wby, 300 prc, 30nosler, wsm, saum, etc. etc...
I handload so once i get components (one day maybe they'll be available again) I'll be set, no need for a lot of factory ammo.
I know a short action will be lighter, but I'm not building this to count ounces, I just want a generally lightweight gun, I do not have a specific ounce number in mind. I've also considered another 7RM since I already have components, but with a faster barrel so I can shoot the 178gr absolute hammers or other longer, heavier bullets that my current 9.25" barrel can't. My current 7RM is a **** dbm from the factory so further customizing it is really a pain.
With the cost of customs I really will only have 1. Anyone else been through this struggle? Part of me says keep what I have and get another factory rifle like a tikka 300win and have a new faster barrel put on it for a lot less money than a full custom. The other part says' i've been dreaming about a really nice rifle for a long time and i should just do it....
any ideas? I'm struggling here
i was talking bigger in caliber. for me a 7mm will be my minimum for elk, and if i ever do a rifle elk hunt i may end up taking the 338rum
I was leaning to the 7SS, i forgot about the 7MAX, dangit... I want to talk to Steve at Hammer and Rich (I think) for Sherman and see what they say about the 2 with the 172gr absolute hammer bullets.
