Lightweight rifles

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

I thought we should participate in a Factory and Custom Light and Feather weight hunting rifle thread!

Here is the latest example of one of these, to pass thru my business.
It's a newly custom modified www.riflesinc.com, Winchester Mod 70 Classic in .300 Win Mag.
Lex Webernick at Rifles Inc, completely trues the the action, then fits a quality barrel and one of his synthetic stock to this combo!
The end product is a light weight (? I didn't weigh it, Doh!) hunting rifle that shoots exceedingly small groups!!!

Doh!
Homer

 

[sask boy]

Homer, that rifle looks all business :wink: I don't own a true light weight as my real back packing days are behind me but I sure like the looks of that rifle. I am going to check out the web sight.
Thank you for the information!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guy Miner]

A light Model 70? Cool.

That is a good looking, no-nonsense hunting rifle.

I don't have any particularly lightweight rifles, just standard weight sporters and a few varmint/target weight rifles.

 

[FOTIS]

I almost bought one in 7mm STW a few years ago. Everything you said is correct. They are great rifles. I just did not like the abbreviated stock.

 

[DrMike]

Rifles Inc. certainly enjoys a great reputation. I suspect that Webernick worked hard to obtain that reputation, and oversees the operation to ensure that the reputation is not tarnished.

 

[FOTIS]

Calibers Most up to and including 300 Weatherby (Add $150 for Magnums)
Weight 4 1/2 lbs. (May vary depending on caliber and options)

Scary!

 

[Kodiak]

A 41/2# .300 Wby.?????????????

ZOWIE!!!!!!!

 

[wildgene]

...very nice, looks like a pleasure to pack & not too horrendous to shoot, even in the .300 WM...

...biggest problem for me in production ultra/ liteweight-compact rifles is "poor balance". The Ruger UC, Rem Mod Seven, & Savage Lightweight Hunter might be considerably lighter than their counterparts, but their balance point always seems to be clear back @ the trigger guard, & I find carrying a lighter rifle in an awkward position or having to constantly adjust my grip more fatiguing than carrying a heavier rifle...

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

Yes, there are some very light rifles available from some custom Gunsmiths!
I' personally couldn't cope with the recoil from a 4 1/2 lb .300 W/by OUCH!!!

Here is probably the first lightweight hunting rifle I ever built in .308Win, I call it Pug Ugly!
It's based on a Rem 600 Mohawk action, fluted match grade barrel and HS Precision stock.
It weighs in at 3Kg neat, or about 6 1/2 lb with the magazine full and a sling attached, and it shoots better than I can!

Doh!
Homer

 

[runtohunt]

These folks are at the SCI show every year. I have talked to them the last two years and have drooled all over their rifles. For a light rifle, they seem to balance very well. I believe they guarantee sub 1" groups and they state that the felt recoil for the magnum calibers is negligible because of their porting. I would love one for a mountain goat hunt!

 

[DrMike]

Your .308 looks quite fascinating, Homer.

 

[sask boy]

Homer that is a great looking 308.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[usmc 89]

4 1/2 pounds? I think my scope rings. and bi-pod weigh more than that.

 

[Guest]

I don't know if it counts as a true ultralight, but my Colt Light Rifle is certainly a lightweight, coming in at 7.5lbs in hunting trim (scoped, slung, and loaded). I really like the little NULA-copy, even if it's mass produced and the trigger is a little spongy post-break. I keep thinking one of these days maybe I'll spring for the extra $650 or so that Melvin Forbes charges to upgrade the rifle. He replaces the striker spring, trigger assembly, and stock, and beds it for that price, I believe. Wearing his replacement stock, the gun would come in a pound lighter, and I bet it would be a real jewel to carry. Of course, I don't much notice a 7.5lb rifle in my hands or slung over my shoulder, so I can't complain much as-is.

I'll be curious to find out how the new Forbes rifles are doing. Nobody around my area has any in stock, so I'm not sure whether they have the feel and fit of the Colt, or better. Of course, I really cannot complain about the Colt. The only issue with mine is that it was a little tight in terms of bolt body to receiver fit when I first got it. Over time, it's wearing in nicely. Beyond that, it's pretty darned accurate and shoots consistently, so what's to complain about? I'm sure y'all are tired of seeing it, but here's shots seven through nine from the rifle on the first range trip:



I'm happy. I'd buy another one if I had the money.

 

[DrMike]

Not bad at all, dubyam. The Forbes rifle has an excellent reputation. Too bad Colt couldn't get their act together as name recognition was a strong selling feature.

 

[taylorce1]

7 lbs 1 oz, as she sits, little more with 5 rounds down (loose one without the floorplate) and a cheap nylon speed sling. Not bad for a .30-06 M70 Classic FWT.

Stevens 200 6X47 Rem, with the lighter contour 20" bbl and Leupold 4-12X40 AO scope it still weighs in under 7 lbs.

While some wouldn't consider it light weight at 8 lbs 9 oz as pictured with six rounds down, it comes in right where I wanted my .338-06 to be.

6lb 8oz .250 Savage built by Kevin Weaver on a Mini action, bought this one for my daughters first big game rifle. It now wears a 2-7X33 VX1 LRD scope instead of the Zeiss, I couldn't talk Kevin out of that as well.

 

[big rifle man]

My lightweight rifles consist of a Rem 700 Titanium in 7-08 and a Kimber Montana in .300WSM. The Remington started out at a little less than 5 1/4 lbs. With scope and full load of ammo its under 6 1/4 lbs. The Kimber started out at roughly 6.5lbs. Fully loaded with scope it weighs out at 7.7lbs. After carrying either of those and then switching to my .338ultramag I feel like I might sustain a hernia.

 

[EOD Diver]

My kimber 280ai

 

[HeathSexton]

Remington 700 Ti 30/06 in a Brown Precision stock with PTG lightweight pin and aluminum trigger gaurd - 5lbs 3oz before Talley LW's and a VX2 2-7x33 scope. After packing this one around everything else feels like a piece of railroad track.

 

[EOD Diver]

Mom's 257 Bob. They both come in under 8 pounds with sling and 5 rounds. With any luck, I'll submit some pics with antelope in the background around early September!
Joe