Rifle Build for Backpacking

[Bucklowery]

Make sure it has a folding stock if gonna be in the thick brush

Thanks

Buck

 

[DirtNap35]

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.

with a NX8 (28 oz), Magnus (15 oz), and 2 pound barrel I'm estimating complete rifle 7.6 pounds. If I need I can run a different suppressor to get weight done. I want finished weight to be around 7.5 pounds or less.

 

[FEENIX]

with a NX8 (28 oz), Magnus (15 oz), and 2 pound barrel I'm estimating complete rifle 7.6 pounds. If I need I can run a different suppressor to get weight done. I want finished weight to be around 7.5 pounds or less.

Is your rifle of the goal hunt-ready weight, including a sling and bipod, loaded with ammo, etc.? That's a tall order with a suppressor.

 

[Will.284]

I had a hard time deciding on caliber when I built my 7 prc, short actions cycle faster with less recoil usually but for elk and large critters at extended ranges ( which you will definitely get in Alaska) I wanted more punch , don't forget big bears up there to. I built a savage 116 from .338 win mag to 7 prc 22 inch carbon barrel, pure precision carbon stock , Burris signature hd glass , haven't weighed it yet but it's light and very accurate, I probably have the most expensive Savage in central Mt

 

[Lee7588]

Direct thread suppressor will save some weight, but takes a lot longer to attach suppressor. I'd stay away from a chassis if you are trying to keep weight down, there are traditional stocks that are much lighter.

 

[FEENIX]

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.

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

Yep, especially when AK moose is in the mix. "My" absolute minimum is .300 Win loaded with a 200g+ bullet, but that's just me.

 

[med358-boise]

I have the Howa Superlite with a Suppressor and Leupold 4.5-14 on it in 308. Weighs in at 6lbs 12 ounces after I added 4 ounces into the rear of the stock.

Several thoughts come to mind on an endeavor like this:

1. There are no solutions, only tradeoffs
2. Select a cartridge that will work in more than just the best circumstances
3. If this is really a backpack hunting (meaning you are carrying your camp on your back into the area) rifle a few more ounces of rifle weight aren't going to matter.
4. While many cartridges are capable of killing at 800 yards, most shooters do not practice enough in the wind to reliably hit targets at 800 yards.
5. Build a rifle for 90% of the scenarios, not 10% of the scenarios.

Most things can be accomplished with enough money but consider the totality of your requirements in general terms - A suppressed rifle, chambered in a cartridge that can reliably kill elk sized game at 800 yards, that has a scope that is likely 14ish magnification, 30mm or more tube, likely dial capability and side focus, weighing ~7.5lbs that is comfortable enough to shoot that you can practice enough with to hit a ~10-12 inch target ~8 out of 10 times.

All of that being said - you are most likely looking at 270 to 308 pushing 140-175grain bullet in 2800ish range.

If I hade to pick one cartridge, it would be the 284 win.

 

[Lee7588]

I have the Howa Superlite with a Suppressor and Leupold 4.5-14 on it in 308. Weighs in at 6lbs 12 ounces after I added 4 ounces into the rear of the stock.

Several thoughts come to mind on an endeavor like this:

1. There are no solutions, only tradeoffs
2. Select a cartridge that will work in more than just the best circumstances
3. If this is really a backpack hunting (meaning you are carrying your camp on your back into the area) rifle a few more ounces of rifle weight aren't going to matter.
4. While many cartridges are capable of killing at 800 yards, most shooters do not practice enough in the wind to reliably hit targets at 800 yards.
5. Build a rifle for 90% of the scenarios, not 10% of the scenarios.

Most things can be accomplished with enough money but consider the totality of your requirements in general terms - A suppressed rifle, chambered in a cartridge that can reliably kill elk sized game at 800 yards, that has a scope that is likely 14ish magnification, 30mm or more tube, likely dial capability and side focus, weighing ~7.5lbs that is comfortable enough to shoot that you can practice enough with to hit a ~10-12 inch target ~8 out of 10 times.

All of that being said - you are most likely looking at 7mm to 308 pushing 145-175grain bullet in 2850ish range.

If I hade to pick one cartridge, it would be the 284 win.

To add to what you have said. If carrying your camp on your back into an area along with your rifle. Weight can be cut in the camp gear sometimes easier than cutting weight on the rifle

 

[JAYgs8163]

300 WSM or a 270 WSM on a long action. The 6.8 Western maybe as well. I just built a 270WSM (ADG Brass now available) on a long action with a total of .200 Freebore and it's been fantastic so far to shoot and load for. A 300WSM on a long action with adding to the freebore and using ADG brass is hard to pass up though, and having a huge selection of projectiles to choose from is a big benefit.

Brake it also! Moose and Elk equal more horsepower needed at that longer distance you mention. Some of the lighter weight mono projectiles can help with recoil reduction while keeping up the BC since you mention spotting your own shots. I'm running a 128 McGuire Ballistics over 3200 FPS from my 270WSM out of a 22" barrel. This bullet still has a .580 BC and being light you can keep velocity up while having a bullet that really stays together and penetrates deep.

 

[med358-boise]

If I was doing this on a budget, I would get a Tikka T3X lite in 270 winchester or 30-06 and have the barrel cut and thread at 21 inches and put a 5 in supressor on it.

 

[FEENIX]

If I was doing this on a budget, I would get a Tikka T3X lite in 270 winchester or 30-06 and have the barrel cut and thread at 21 inches and put a 5 in supressor on it.

If I had to go your route, I would go with ...

 

[quandary]

For your application if it were me I'd go minimum 7PRC or 7 Rem Mag. For my 7PRC and 300PRC I use BAT Vampire actions. These actions are made of aluminum with a SS insert for the chamber area. The actions are very stiff, very accurate and very light. This would work if you want something different than titanium. I also have a 6.5PRC built with a Lone Peak titanium action, it is also very, very nice. The 7PRC and 300PRC both have 22" Carbon6 barrels and are mounted in Manners PH stocks. I also have a XLR 4.0 Element magnesium folder chassis that I can use to run the 7 and 300 in. None of these combination are close to 5-6 pounds bare. They are more in the 7 to 8 pound region.

My son has a HNT-26 for his 7PRC rig, it is a very sweet stock, he loves it.

 

[DirtNap35]

I should add I have the following cartridges already…6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, 300 wm, 300 NMI, 338 reaper. All these are 9 pounds plus

 

[DirtNap35]

What's the pros and cons to a chassis like a hnt26 vs traditional stock?