yeah I got frustrated trying to decide on which direction to go so I just made probably one of my more impulsive financially irresponsible decisions and grabbed that Zero Compromise 5-27x 56.
itll only hurt for a litte while…….hopefully
Lightweight Elk Rifle Build
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yeah I got frustrated trying to decide on which direction to go so I just made probably one of my more impulsive financially irresponsible decisions and grabbed that Zero Compromise 5-27x 56.
itll only hurt for a litte while…….hopefully
The weight of the rifle isn't as big a factor as people think. For example, can the hunter lose 5 pounds between now and the hunt? Will he/she? And after the animal is dead picking that meat up - you don't have a choice on an extra pound - you have to carry it all out. So build a nice rifle that is accurate and that you can shoot and lose the 5 pounds off of 'you'. Only 1 in 100 will do it
COBrad
Well-Known Member
Interesting thread. Started out on light weight rifles and ending with 12 pounders. My 12 lb, or heavier rifles ars built and used for long range shooting. My primary hunting rifle is a NULA that runs 7 lbs ready to go with a NF 2.5-10x42, according to my bathroom scale. So far I've shot it out to 800 yds with sub-moa accuracy. Easily a 500 yard elk rifle shooting over my day pack. For me taking that 5 lbs off the rifle is far more noticeable than 5 lbs off my gut.
trophy8
Well-Known Member
cabelasken
Well-Known Member
12 lbs qualifies for a lightweight elk rifle??? My 338 is under 8.5 with sling and loaded with ammo and my 300 WSM is about 8. And I consider these on the heavy side, but I don't use a muzzle break and the recoil of these two is right at my limit.
No I don't think it is either. It did start that way though. The added weight of this optic didn't help. Plan was 10lbs-ish. Decided to run a 26" barrel instead of the 22". Those 2 last minute changes is what put me over the top.
Apex Custom Rifles
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As the OP after getting all my parts together, mine should weight in a hair over 8lbs ready to go. I could have opted for a lighter scope and a slimmer profile barrel which would have taken the overall weight down to just under 7 lbs. I think at 8 lbs with the components I have listed prior that is a fairly lightweight rifle for its overall profile.
I know you can get ultra lightweight with 5-6 lbs rifles, but I don't don't want to be shooting a 300 PRC or any magnum in a 5-6 lbs rifles.
I have plenty of capable accurate custom rifles with wood stocks and whatever profile barrel that weight in from 10-13 lbs. Not hard to make a rifle with those weights shoot with good components. I personally would rather not carry 4-5 extra pounds 10 miles a day up and down mountains for a week.
If I had a spot where I posted and didn't do as much hiking or hunted closer to motor vehicle access, a heavier rifles wouldn't be a big deal.
Getting to 8 lbs and under with a sendero or similar contour barrel takes a little more planning and money.
I think for me personally making it right at or really close to 8 lbs and making it a rifle that will hit where I make it at whatever range I feel comfortable shooting is the trick. I hopefully only will need one good shot.
I know you can get ultra lightweight with 5-6 lbs rifles, but I don't don't want to be shooting a 300 PRC or any magnum in a 5-6 lbs rifles.
I have plenty of capable accurate custom rifles with wood stocks and whatever profile barrel that weight in from 10-13 lbs. Not hard to make a rifle with those weights shoot with good components. I personally would rather not carry 4-5 extra pounds 10 miles a day up and down mountains for a week.
If I had a spot where I posted and didn't do as much hiking or hunted closer to motor vehicle access, a heavier rifles wouldn't be a big deal.
Getting to 8 lbs and under with a sendero or similar contour barrel takes a little more planning and money.
I think for me personally making it right at or really close to 8 lbs and making it a rifle that will hit where I make it at whatever range I feel comfortable shooting is the trick. I hopefully only will need one good shot.
trophy8
Well-Known Member
8-9 lb magnums are perfect. Heavy enough to hold steady and be accurate with. Light enough to carry around the mountains. My bore rider 7 mag is a handful without a brake though. My brother has a lightweight 338 win that's probably 7-7.5 lbs. I sighted it in for him. Screw that thing lol.
CBH Australia
Well-Known Member
Well, you have one now. No more wondering what if I went with what I wanted first time round.I just pulled the trigger on a Zero Comprise 5-27 for my 7 Max build. 100%
impulse buy. Haha. Went from trying to figure out whether I wanted a 4-32 NX8 or a 5-25 MK5 to "screw it" ZCO it is!
Congratulations, long time shooter hoping to learn some long range skills on a budget.
I do appreciate good glass and I have a conundrum of what point is enough.problem is O would not know how to drive this but If I buy an S&B or Tangent Theta , or others then I'm committed to learning.
Nightforce is the obvious "Compromise" but like you I might night the bullet
Cheap set up at 7lbs on the dot, with 5 rds under the bolt and scoped.
700 action blueprinted, Hart 1-8 twist with Remington factory contour at 21", Leupold 3-9x33 LRD. Shoots knots with factory Hornady ammo or Varget and 120 Speer gold dots at close to 3000 fps.. 6.5CM. Got QR Talleys on order for bit nicer setup for the scope and base.
700 action blueprinted, Hart 1-8 twist with Remington factory contour at 21", Leupold 3-9x33 LRD. Shoots knots with factory Hornady ammo or Varget and 120 Speer gold dots at close to 3000 fps.. 6.5CM. Got QR Talleys on order for bit nicer setup for the scope and base.
I don't like really light rifles. This is as light as I have made one and I think I love it. 10.6 pounds suppressed.
LiveToHunt7
Well-Known Member
Apex Custom Rifles
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Well, I started this thread back in April expecting to get my main lathe back in a month or two. Here we are 5 months later and about 3 weeks out from my elk trip and I am hoping I can get it chucked up in my lathe tomorrow, turn the barrel and get it bedded over the weekend and assembled.
Been sitting on most of the parts for a few months now but I really wanted to build this rifle using my newly rebuilt lathe vs my old SBH10. Ill try to remember to get progress photos as I'm building it.
Been sitting on most of the parts for a few months now but I really wanted to build this rifle using my newly rebuilt lathe vs my old SBH10. Ill try to remember to get progress photos as I'm building it.
