Dedicated lightweight rifle?

[Oldtrader3]

When I was in my thirties, my lightweight rifle was my Model 94, .32 Win Spec!

 

[BK]

My lightweight was going to be my Kimber 84M Classic, but that rifle was a turd. I guess I just don't have a lightweight rifle that will do it all. All the more reason to try and stay in some kind of shape...but it's hard to forget the old rationalization: round IS a shape!

Hey, man, I have the body of a god.

Budda is a god, right?

 

[Wincheringen]

Mine is a Ruger Hawkeye 7mm-08 with a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36. Its under 7.5 pounds.

 

[Oldtrader3]

No, but I'd love to have one of these someday in a 270wsm... If I ever draw a sheep tag it'll be the perfect excuse to get one!

http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/Custom-Rifles.html

I handled one of the 4.5 pounders at a Sportsman's Show. Might be too much of a good thing. Kimber got it just about right, I think. An 84M in .338 Federal might have gone too far as light weight goes.

I have a 6.5 pound Model 85 Sako in .338 Federal. With a scope it is about 71/2 pounds. That is enough light wieght for that particular caliber which kicks like .30-06, with 200 grain bullets.

Jake you say round is a shape, disapated would fit me better, at my age. Still shooting the heavy mediums though with no brake.

 

[IdahoCTD]

No, but I'd love to have one of these someday in a 270wsm... If I ever draw a sheep tag it'll be the perfect excuse to get one!

http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/Custom-Rifles.html

That dude is pretty proud of his work.

 

[AzDak42]

Not to be a host fan-boy, but if you want light weight rifles, you can't pass up the 35 Whelen from Nosler.

Nosler 48 custom is 6 1/2 pounds in 35 Whelen. Pair that up with an 12oz Leupold 2-7 and you're looking at an empty rifle weight of 7 1/4. (Lighter if you use a VXII versus a VX-R)

For a rifle with that much punch, I don't think I want it lighter than that.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I don't want a .35 Whelan that weighs less than about 8 pounds, thanks!

 

[RiverRider]

My buddy who owns Alaska Custom firearms has a Reminton model 7 in 338 federal that comes in under 5lbs scoped and with the sling. Weighs right at 4lbs 15oz all up. I'm building a model 700 in 280 ackly that I hope to finish out at under 6lbs with scope.

When I think of shooting a 200+ grain bullet at 2600 or so out of a rifle that weighs under five pounds...the expression "be careful what you wish for" comes to mind. I know it must be a joy to carry, and you probably never notice the recoil when shooting at a big critter...but when I think of carrying out load development for it, I think I hear my shoulder groaning.

I'd love to have a rifle like that anyway. That's awesome!

 

[Thebear_78]

Its not nearly as bad as your thinking. There is a picture off my buddies 14 year old son holding the rifle and a moose he shot with it. He used a 185gr TSX @ 2750fps. Bull dropped in its tracks. The ease of carrying that rifle far outweighed any increase in recoil.\]

 

[AzDak42]

I don't want a .35 Whelen that weighs less than about 8 pounds, thanks!

It's nothing I'd shoot for fun at long bench sessions, but a few dozen rounds during load workup aren't that bad. The stock design and recoil pad take the worst out of it.. then again, it also probably doesn't hurt that I come with some extra built in 'padding'.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I am not too recoil sensitive after shooting .338's and a .340 for several years. I do not mind being pushed around but light rifles sometimes rattle things pretty hard. Although a .35 Whelan is not a .340 Weatherby to begin with.

 

[Anonymous]

I gotta be honest...the flyweight magnums are something pretty special in the recoil department even if the sheer ft/lbs are less the recoil velocity can be startling without practice.

My .300 has greater percevied recoil than my heavier .375- it doesn't hit as hard on paper but it hits faster, and much more abrubtly.

While the heavy gun is a long, slow push that rocks you backwards- the flyweight hits you with everything its got and does it all at once.

 

[mcseal2]

I'm having mine built right now, hopefully will be ready for the stock soon. Going to be a 270 win that I really hope likes the 150gr LRAB. It should weigh 8.36lbs including the scope, sling, and ammo. Not a true lightweight, but light enough while having enough weight to shoot while winded and a stiff barrel. I'm going with a 1" Limbsaver pad also which adds several ounces but eases up on the shoulder.

Winchester M70 blind magazine action
Pac Nor 24" #3 barrel w/8 flutes 21" long
McMillian Hunter's Edge stock w/ extra swivel for Rapid Pivot bipod
Talley rings & bases
Leupold 4.5-14x40 CDS
Rapid Pivot bipod stud

 

[Oldtrader3]

My .270 is about that same weight and it is a pleasure to shoot and the recoil in not even noticeable.

 

[Africa Huntress]

Fotis

My husband has a Model 10 Dakota, 24" barrel, with a 1 x 9 twist in a 280 with a Swaro Z6 on it that weighs just a tad over 7. He shoots 140 gr woodleighs and uses it for small plains game.

I ask him for one similar, only with a 26 inch barrel and in 300 H & H caliber and he told me to wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one filled up the fastest.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Well at least he said "spit" which is the polite way!

 

[SJB358]

Well at least he said "spit" which is the polite way!

Jerry is way nicer than me!

 

[BK]

My husband has a Model 10 Dakota, 24" barrel, with a 1 x 9 twist in a 280 with a Swaro Z6 on it that weighs just a tad over 7. He shoots 140 gr woodleighs and uses it for small plains game.

Drooling! Though I think I might choose a little bit more petite scope, like a Z3 3.5-10x42 (And, truth be told, I would like a Dakota 10 7x65R, just to be a little more oddball!)

 

[Africa Huntress]

Charlie--Good Point
Scotty-- I dont think so, I saw pictures of your birthday party and how much your family loves you. We, the girls and I, are always yelling at Jerry, which is why we think he is away on business so often

BK. That would be a sweet set-up for sure. Jerry was bidding on a Verney Carron 7 x 65 R Double earlier this year, but alas someone wanted it more than he did, so he did not get it. As for the scope, you are correct, it would shave a few ounces of the weight and if he used the gun in the mountains ( goat and sheep ) that just might be what he would have on it. For plains game, he prefers a larger field of view. He does have another problem. I got it for him, so he is probably afraid to say he would prefer a different scope LOL

 

[SJB358]

He does have another problem. I got it for him, so he is probably afraid to say he would prefer a different scope LOL

A, you nailed it! Laughing my butt off...