Lightweight Elk Rifle Build

[TheLongRanger83702]

Looking for a few suggestions on a few components for an elk rifle I'm building myself for an upcoming MT trip. Will be hiking 7-10+ miles a day so trying to keep weight down. I run my own rifle shop so I can build whatever I want. I have plenty of other rifles that will do the job, but they are for the most part 9+ lbs w/o glass.

This week I'm going to start ordering components.
-Defiance AnTi LA
-AG comp. CAT stock
-Trigger tech special
-Proof barrel
-bdl bottom metal

Leaning towards a 280 improved with an 8 twist barrel. I've shot one of these with one of my competition rifles and it does very well. Otherwise ide go with a 7rm or a 30, but would like to use this for antelope and deer too if I wanted to do more backpack style hunting.

Main question here is what would be a good scope/base/ring combo for light weight? I'm use to building accurate rifles, but I'm usually not worried about building as light as possible. Last PRS rifle I built was 18lbs complete.

In doing a little research, the vx5hd in 3-15x44 looks to be a good bang for the buck at about 22oz, was also looking at a NF 4-14x50 F1 SHV MOAR, but that's about 30 oz.

With the 280 imp and a 0 MOA base i was thinking the Hawkins LR Hybrid rings. That should get me to 800 yards w/o a canted base. I don't plan to shoot past 4-500 yards which I am extremely comfortable shooting accurately. The NF has 90 MOA adjustment, so I wouldn't need a canted base, but I don't plan to shoot that far on elk, but maybe smaller game.

Trying to decide if the extra 8 or so oz is worth it when I'm going to be hiking several miles a day with the NF. I don't care about the CDS dials on the leupold because I can do my own dope.

I figure my rifle will be 6lbs, 8 oz w/o a scope, hawkins hybrid rings 4 oz.

Rifle with NF 8lb 10 oz
With leupold 8 lb 2 oz.

Better add a Limbsaver butt pad to your list.

 

[Mike Matteson]

3 x 15 or 18 are good choices. I would tend towards using a 50mm up front for more light gathering at start of morning or end of day times. Field of view is very important and to high of powder really cut that down.

 

[7070yshot]

Looking for a few suggestions on a few components for an elk rifle I'm building myself for an upcoming MT trip. Will be hiking 7-10+ miles a day so trying to keep weight down. I run my own rifle shop so I can build whatever I want. I have plenty of other rifles that will do the job, but they are for the most part 9+ lbs w/o glass.

This week I'm going to start ordering components.
-Defiance AnTi LA
-AG comp. CAT stock
-Trigger tech special
-Proof barrel
-bdl bottom metal

Leaning towards a 280 improved with an 8 twist barrel. I've shot one of these with one of my competition rifles and it does very well. Otherwise ide go with a 7rm or a 30, but would like to use this for antelope and deer too if I wanted to do more backpack style hunting.

Main question here is what would be a good scope/base/ring combo for light weight? I'm use to building accurate rifles, but I'm usually not worried about building as light as possible. Last PRS rifle I built was 18lbs complete.

In doing a little research, the vx5hd in 3-15x44 looks to be a good bang for the buck at about 22oz, was also looking at a NF 4-14x50 F1 SHV MOAR, but that's about 30 oz.

With the 280 imp and a 0 MOA base i was thinking the Hawkins LR Hybrid rings. That should get me to 800 yards w/o a canted base. I don't plan to shoot past 4-500 yards which I am extremely comfortable shooting accurately. The NF has 90 MOA adjustment, so I wouldn't need a canted base, but I don't plan to shoot that far on elk, but maybe smaller game.

Trying to decide if the extra 8 or so oz is worth it when I'm going to be hiking several miles a day with the NF. I don't care about the CDS dials on the leupold because I can do my own dope.

I figure my rifle will be 6lbs, 8 oz w/o a scope, hawkins hybrid rings 4 oz.

Rifle with NF 8lb 10 oz
With leupold 8 lb 2 oz.

The NF SHV's are pretty nice and have good low light capability the elevation dial is a bit small and is only 12MOA per revolution but not a big deal if you are only shooting within Max PBR. On the heavier side, slightly, are the Sig Whiskey3 or Tango4 and Tango6 scopes.
I highly highly recommend the Sig Kilo3000 Bino's for viewing and range finding. Absolute must unless you are in more open country and need an actual spotting scope.

elk are considered thin skinned animals - my personal rules are 30 cal under 500 shoot in heart or neck - over 500 shoot in neck - it totally disrupts all critical systems in any animal - I've surprised guides before my DRTing animals with neck shots - with a few exceptions it doesn't destroy the mount.
The GARMIN DELTA TACTIX SOLAR WITH Applied Ballistics software is an incredible piece of kit for hunting and many other activities - with solar backup the battery charge will last weeks.
My 2 cents

I also shameless sell these products but I also use them a lot

 

[CApighunter]

Something to consider about the Zeiss V4 is that the 4-16 won't fit on a long action with talleys unless you use the offset fronts which aren't available for defiance actions. I'm in a similar boat with a 30 nos build on an Anti and I'm going to probably end up switching to a huskemaw 4-16 for the longer tube length.

 

[Weatherby Fan]

I built a 280 AI on an Anti Action, 23" #1 contour fluted Benchmark 1-9 twist barrel, alloy bottom metal with a Wyatt's mag box kit, Wildcat IL stock, I used Talley's and a VX3HD 4.5-14x40 ZL-CDS 30mm tube scope
Rifle weighs 5lbs 2oz, scoped weighs 6lbs 3.7oz

 

[Apex Custom Rifles]

I have been contemplating making a 7saum, especially since I spent they day yesterday trying to find an AnTi action. I have the reamer and everything for the 280, but if needed I'll do the saum or even a 7 RM at this point. I think I'm going to be getting the NF and once I get the rifle built, I'll see how it handles, I may always switch back to the leupold if I think it's too heavy.

I have not looked at a Swarovski in a long time. I know when I sold guns at Cabelas almost 20 years ago, I always looked at those and dreamed about putting a scope that expensive on one of my rifles some day. I just put a NF ATACR 7-35x56 F1 Mil-XT on my PRS rifle, and that is a really nice scope!

 

[Apex Custom Rifles]

I built a 280 AI on an Anti Action, 23" #1 contour fluted Benchmark 1-9 twist barrel, alloy bottom metal with a Wyatt's mag box kit, Wildcat IL stock, I used Talley's and a VX3HD 4.5-14x40 ZL-CDS 30mm tube scope
Rifle weighs 5lbs 2oz, scoped weighs 6lbs 3.7oz

That sounds like a nice rig, what kind of FPS are you getting with that 23" barrel? what bullet?

 

[L.Sherm]

The VX3 has alot longer tube than the VX5 AND 6.
Let me rephrase this the VX5 and 6 have less mounting space

 

[Backcountry sports]

Looking for a few suggestions on a few components for an elk rifle I'm building myself for an upcoming MT trip. Will be hiking 7-10+ miles a day so trying to keep weight down. I run my own rifle shop so I can build whatever I want. I have plenty of other rifles that will do the job, but they are for the most part 9+ lbs w/o glass.

This week I'm going to start ordering components.
-Defiance AnTi LA
-AG comp. CAT stock
-Trigger tech special
-Proof barrel
-bdl bottom metal

Leaning towards a 280 improved with an 8 twist barrel. I've shot one of these with one of my competition rifles and it does very well. Otherwise ide go with a 7rm or a 30, but would like to use this for antelope and deer too if I wanted to do more backpack style hunting.

Main question here is what would be a good scope/base/ring combo for light weight? I'm use to building accurate rifles, but I'm usually not worried about building as light as possible. Last PRS rifle I built was 18lbs complete.

In doing a little research, the vx5hd in 3-15x44 looks to be a good bang for the buck at about 22oz, was also looking at a NF 4-14x50 F1 SHV MOAR, but that's about 30 oz.

With the 280 imp and a 0 MOA base i was thinking the Hawkins LR Hybrid rings. That should get me to 800 yards w/o a canted base. I don't plan to shoot past 4-500 yards which I am extremely comfortable shooting accurately. The NF has 90 MOA adjustment, so I wouldn't need a canted base, but I don't plan to shoot that far on elk, but maybe smaller game.

Trying to decide if the extra 8 or so oz is worth it when I'm going to be hiking several miles a day with the NF. I don't care about the CDS dials on the leupold because I can do my own dope.

I figure my rifle will be 6lbs, 8 oz w/o a scope, hawkins hybrid rings 4 oz.

Rifle with NF 8lb 10 oz
With leupold 8 lb 2 oz.

I use a cooper model 92 its 5 3/4lbs with scope and mounts setting at 7lbs in 7mm

 

[Maineak]

Building one also. I do backpack hunting in CO every year.
LPA Razor or Razor Ti?
Hawkins Hybrid rings
Proof Research barrel

• 6.5 PRC Hornady
• 24" 8 twist
• 5/8-24 threads
• TS Alloy 4 port brake

McMillan Game Warden Edge Adjustable

• Full cnc inlet and bed
• 2 flush sling sockets
• 3 slot picatinny bipod rail
• Kryptek Highland with a bit more green

Cerakote metals one color

Hawkins Precision floor plate or detachable magazine? Probably the mag.

TriggerTech Special Pro Curve

Leupold VX6 3-18X44 but I looked at the VX5 3-15X 44 and Vortex Razor HD LHT 3-15X42 which are bothl good choices for a light mountain rifle.

 

[TexHunt]

Should have mentioned used ones generally pop up between 1k and 1200, I have bought both of mine used and have no regrets. Sorry I hate when folks recommend things way outside my price range too

I agree with the above. I have two of the NF Compacts and love them for a light weight option, and one I bought used for @$1200. If you are gonna dial, that is about as light as it gets for a reliable set of turrets. The other that is more cost conscious and as I understand is a reliable turret is the SWFA scopes, but I don't have any to speak to.

The other option that I have liked even better is a fixed MOA reticle. For 500 yards and under hunting, I find this to work well for me. Quick, and has been accurate once I calibrated my dope to the rifle and load. I landed on a vortex LH 3-15 with the MOA reticle. These have been discontinued, but weigh 16 oz. I zero high at 100 and calculate and practice out it 500 with the reticle. I use this on a light weight 30-06 and is my 500yd and less light weight rig. I shot an elk at 380 yds two years ago and it worked perfectly. Just something else for you to consider. I am sure you could find one of these out there used for a good price.

 

[lightacres]

Imo...go with scope you want regardless of its weight...save weight on barrel, consider fluting it, buy aluminum rings and bases, remove excess material from your stock, get a lightweight bipod,
Lightweight backpack, lightweight boots...etc...

 

[Wolf76]

You'll get many thoughts and suggestions with this inquiry. In terms of lightweight scope mount, take a good look at dnz mounts. One piece, light weight, and very well built.
In terms of what caliber, I'd lean towards a 30 cal. and do something cool like a 30 rpm. Far easier to download a cartridge than hot rod it. Your self impressed maximum range doesn't really justify a high priority on BC. I haven't had any issues with the Leupold scopes and think the 3-15 is about optimal for a hunting scope.
You have a great plan, good luck with the build.

 

[112Savage]

I have both the Leupold VX5 3-15x44 HD ZL2 and the Vortex LHT 3-15x50. The vortex is mounted on a 24" 280AI and without the zerostop installed had no problems dialing to 1160 yds with 160gr Accubonds. I have since switched to the 175 ABLR so I should be able to go further than a lightweight rifle will allow. With the zerostop inserted you get slightly less than two revolutions of the turret. I actually prefer the vortex to the leupold due to the illumination/reticle combo and an apparent increase in magnification compared to the leupold even though they are both advertised as 15x. I will say about the repeatability, I have spent more time with the leupold and it has been very consistent I have had some trouble with the vortex LHT but I found some other issues that may have not been the scope's fault. I have the older vortex razor LH on another rifle and it has been solid to 1017yds dialing.

For mounts, I like both DNZ and Talley lightweights, I like the DNZ's slightly better