Pursuit of a Light Weight Hunting Rifle

[badthirtyone]

To each thier own, had a couple of high dallar customs but hunt with Tikka t3 lites these days. The favorite unit (6.5Sweede and Vortex diomandback tac) can fill tags to 700 easy enough and even with the bipods on is light enough to carry around all day.
Like Wildrose said getrdone asap as tags and age make it tuffer as the years go by

Oddly enough, these days I hunt with high dollar Tikka T3 Customs!

 

[codyadams]

Mine was close to that....and that is even buying some items from the classifieds.

Bat Vampire - $1855

XLR Element MG, folder, carbon stock/grip- $1265

Trigger - $185

Magazines - $80

Proof barrel - $645

Seekins rings - $150

Gunsmith work - $450

Supressor - $800

Total - $5430

A good (REALLY good) friend of mine gave me a March 2.5-25x52, I just saw one on the classifieds the other day for a screamin deal of $1750, add that in and your at $7180. If you go off of a normal purchase price for that optic, you are around $7630.

 

[Nomosendero]

Yes, not long ago I carried Sendero's whatever all day but at 68 I look at things a bit differently!

 

[COBigJohn]

I'll be the first to say... Custom Rifles are awesome and a point of pride.

Do they shoot better than rifles off the gun store rack, even cheap ones????

...only slightly better.

 

[Mark37082]

I'll be the first to say... Custom Rifles are awesome and a point of pride.

Do they shoot better than rifles off the gun store rack, even cheap ones????

...only slightly better.

I agree. Sometimes you just have to scratch an itch. When you move past the 60 year mark, you start to thinking about bucket list items more seriously.

 

[BrentM]

Everyone has their own priorities and desires, but attempting to find the perfect balance between weight, cost, and pleasant to shoot is often difficult. Compromising always seems to be the end result. Lugging a 10+ lb rifle into the back country is not pleasant to me. Shooting a 10+ lb rifle from the bench is great. Shooting a 7 lb rifle in a heavy recoiling cartridge is not pleasant, but wanting a cartridge that will cover the bases is desired. I decided to take cost out of the decision to build exactly what I wanted. Set a limit of 8.5 lb ready to hunt (not loaded). Carbon fiber has helped to keeps the weight down in stocks and barrels. Looked at Titanium actions, but ultimately decided to go Defiance Anti X. Shaving an ounce or two here and there with 24" vs a 26" barrel, Titanium brake, lighter weight scope, etc., has put be at 8.4 lbs or close to it. Decided on 280ai to keep the recoil down to reasonable level for more pleasant practice.

Now the cost is running close to $7K all in with only $2K allotted for a scope. I just thought I would post this to give those pursuing a similar goal some perspective. Im not whining (well maybe a little), just stating this reality. Oh BTW I did not include the cost of reloading components (dies, brass, etc.). Another $600 so far.

Be careful when getting caught up in the "I want that" world of LRH.

Yep. You can buy a few factory options in light rifles that'll get a guy there on a budget but the compromises are a personal desire. Me, I have no regrets with my decision but I realize the price is hefty and not something everyone can afford.

 

[Earnhardt]

Yep. You can buy a few factory options in light rifles that'll get a guy there on a budget but the compromises are a personal desire. Me, I have no regrets with my decision but I realize the price is hefty and not something everyone can afford.
View attachment 349264

BrentM, what action is that?
stock?

 

[Reemty J]

Lefty but the reloads are right handed !

 

[ridgewalker]

I truly understand the weight in the mountains! On my 75th year now I need a lighter 30 caliber for the Rockys. I like the way my Rem 7600 in 30-06 carries for dark timber, but it's getting too heavy. Thinking of selling some stuff and getting a Kimber Montana in 30-06 for my mountain elk gun. Should be able to keep it near 7 lbs ready to hunt.
Don't have the $ for your high end rifle, but would love to see what you come up with!

 

[Mark37082]

Those Kimbers are super light. I seriously considered one in the past. Probably would have bought one if they had a faster twist in the 280ai.

 

[ridgewalker]

Those Kimbers are super light. I seriously considered one in the past. Probably would have bought one if they had a faster twist in the 280ai.

I have had one for many years in 243. It has worked well for antelope and mule deer as well as coyotes. My favorite load…

 

[codyadams]

BrentM, what action is that?
stock?

That's an XLR magnesium folding chassis with carbon stock and grip. He has told me action before.....but I don't recall. A 700 clone of some kind

 

[ducky]

I'm all for a custom build, I won't comment on the price as I've BTDT as well. I will say your rifle budget would have gone a long ways towards great elk hunt. But I to have spent money in pursuit of the perfect rifle, instead of the hunt.

Then I'd say don't overthink what you need to have a successful hunt. My longest range kill of all time I used a Parker Hale .270 Win, 130 gr SGK, and a Bushnell Elite 10X scope to take a mule deer buck just shy of 600 yards. I'll be 50 this June and I've let a lot of good hunting years slip away. Family, work, or a life changing injury (my experience) can take hunts away from you before you know it.

 

[ducky]

That's an XLR magnesium folding chassis with carbon stock and grip. He has told me action before.....but I don't recall. A 700 clone of some kind

If you blow up the picture you can read Bighorn Arms on the action, Element on the chassis.