Dedicated lightweight rifle?

[FOTIS]

Does anyone have one for those really hard to get places?
Most rifles go between 7.5-8 lbs sans scope. What say you?

 

[longwinters]

All my rifles are "dedicated". Their committment is unquestionable. As to being lightweight....well you can't drive a spike with a tac hammer.

Long

 

[SJB358]

Fotis, my Pre 64 338 Win Mag is that rifle. I carried it for 7 days straight, thru some of the ruggedess elk country I've hunted for many miles everyday. Right now, it is my designated elk/deer rig. I would say it runs about a little over 8 lbs all up and ready to hunt. Has all the range I could want and you can carry it all day long. I just love the heck out of that Winchester. My 2nd favorite is my 35 Whelen CDL. Probably a touch lighter but just about as capable.

The 300WSM Featherweight is right on their heals and could be that one rifle, but the 338 carries more juice for elk.

What are you thinkinging for a rifle buddy? I've given up the thoughts of carrying big RUMS and WBYs for a little less rifle weight and plenty of energy to 600 yards. I know the 338 or Whelen aren't the big guys, but they will both carry the mail out far enough for me.

 

[FOTIS]

Well this is the one I have for all difficult terrain.
Tikka T-3 lite in 270 WSM. Leupold 4x12 AO VXII
With a compact Leupold 3x9 it was 7 lbs flat!

7 1/4 lbs ready to go! A joy to carry!

Just curious to see what you use. :?:

 

[wildgene]

...another T3, 7.3# w/ a Leupold VX-3 4.5X14...

...a .300 WSM...

 

[FOTIS]

270 WSM also?

 

[SJB358]

Very nice! A lightweight 270WSM is truly a great tool!

 

[Guest]

I don't have a pic handy, but my "lightweight" rig is a Colt Light Rifle in 30-06, wearing a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 scope. I figure, with the weight of the rifle, scope, rings/bases (Talleys), sling, and five rounds of ammo, I'm running about 7.6-7.7lb fully ready to hunt. Not an ultralight, but easily the lightest bolt gun setup I own. This is the rifle I'd hike off the mountain with, were I going to camp for the weekend. I'd have no qualms about taking it out west for any western game that isn't interested in eating me first, either. I might switch up from 165gr BTs to 180gr Partitions, but even with that, running about 2750fps, I'm pretty confident out to my personal shooting limits on game.

 

[akhunter]

Mine is a Kimber Montana 7WSM. Talley's and Leupold 3.5-10x40 with windage and elevation turrets. Also has a pacnor supermatch barrel screwed on. I picked it up right before fall hunting season started up here and killed a caribou with it. Struck out on a sheep hunt due to high water levels, but carried that rifle into the hills with me and it was a joy. Plus, it's a tack driver. :mrgreen: Next year it is going with me sheep hunting again and goat hunting down on Kodiak island.

 

[DrMike]

Wow! All mine are heavy old clunkers that weigh between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds. I need to look for a light rifle.

 

[gerry]

I have used a bunch of different guns for mountain hunting, the most recent was my Rem 700 264 Win Mag with a McMillan Edge stock, Talley lightweight rings and a VariX III 3.5-10X40. It weighed 7 lbs 15 oz. My new 35 Whelen uses the same stock with Burris Zee rings and a 6X36 Leupold, just weighed it at 8 lbs on the button ready to go. Feels great and points very well and lots of power for anything here.

 

[brianwyo]

I love lightweight rifles. My favorite is a Weatherby ultralight 280 rem and swarovski scope. I have been playing with a Sako finnlight 300wsm lately too. Brian

 

[Teknys]

I have a Sako 75 Finnlight in 270WSM for my lightweight carry anywhere rifle. A Leupold 4.5 14 CDS sits in top. Not sure of the weight but it's the lightest rig I have.
The pic is of a different scope.
This has been my goto rifle when it's time to get serious.

 

[brianwyo]

Teknys,

My Finnlight is a 85 model. I have 2 model 75 and I like them better. If I came across a Finnlight 75 I would buy it. Brian

 

[6mm Remington]

Last year during my goat hunt I used my wife's Model 700 Mountain Rifle in 25-06 that carries a 6x36mm Leupold shooting 120 gr. Partitions. It was nice to carry. :grin:

Mountain rifle

This year I carried my Ruger #1B in 30-06. Now a lightweight it is not, but when it comes down to time to shoot, that extra bit of girth on her sure helps it settle in for the shot no matter what the position.

 

[FOTIS]

You;re right the #1's are pigs and I should know!!!

 

[Ridgerunner665]

That last Model 7 I had ruined me on "light" rifles...I'd rather carry a 12 lb. target rifle than mess with another flimsy barreled "mountain rifle"...my 30-06 weighs 9 lbs., a bit heavy to carry at times (but not too bad)...it is a joy to shoot.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm a light rifle nut....I use my 7.25lb M48 .300WSM on everything.

Bought it thinking I'd use it only as a sheep gun, I've since shot about everything but a sheep with it!

 

[akhunter]

I'm a light rifle nut....I use my 7.25lb M48 .300WSM on everything.

Bought it thinking I'd use it only as a sheep gun, I've since shot about everything but a sheep with it!

You got a real nice rifle there. What bullets you shooting?

 

[Anonymous]

I hunt with Trophy Grade 180 ABs.

I've messed around with 150ABs and BTs but never got them to shoot quite as good as the 180 stuff. Mine also shoots Federal Blue Box 180s about as well and to the same POA as the Trophy Grade.