Light weight “chassis” style precision hunting rifle?

[H&Hhunter]

I've had the last week free from work as I’ve I’m home after a knee surgery. All this free time has got me to thinking about the perfect long range, light weight mountain rifle. Now when I say “light weight” I am not a fan of micro light sub 5 lb rifles as they are tough to make and shoot super accurately. Something in the 6.5 to 7lb ish range would be good enough.

I found a rifle system from Master Piece Arms that they call the “light weight hunter”. Super cool but it only has one tiny little issue! It ain’t light weight at 9.4lbs with no scope. They also have a folding stock version.

So here is my idea, take that folding stock version which would be super handy as a pack in configuration on a mountain rifle. But knock the weight down to about 6.5 to 7lbs then scope it with something light like a Swarovski Z-3 the rifle comes in at about 8lbs or so. It’s 100% weather proof. The rifle is modular you can make it fit you or anybody else with the adjustable butt stock. And it should be wicked accurate given the technology used.

Is anybody building something like this? If not they should.

 

[Varminterror]

The MDT LSS chassis is made lighter than the MPA.

My personal “fast and light” mountain build has been assigned double duty as my son’s first centerfire. It’ll be a Manners Gen 2 Compact stock (telescoping butt plate and adjustable cheek riser), Defiance Deviant action, Proof carbon fiber barrel. Thinking of having two bolts made for 6.5 PRC and 6 Dasher, two barrels.

If Seekins starts selling their Element actions, then duplicate the same above, but with the Aluminum Element action at its core instead of the Defiance.

The Manners compact stock is a bit heavier than the MDT LSS, but I prefer a proper stock more often over a chassis.

 

[H&Hhunter]

The MDT LSS chassis is made lighter than the MPA.

My personal “fast and light” mountain build has been assigned double duty as my son’s first centerfire. It’ll be a Manners Gen 2 Compact stock (telescoping butt plate and adjustable cheek riser), Defiance Deviant action, Proof carbon fiber barrel. Thinking of having two bolts made for 6.5 PRC and 6 Dasher, two barrels.

If Seekins starts selling their Element actions, then duplicate the same above, but with the Aluminum Element action at its core instead of the Defiance.

The Manners compact stock is a bit heavier than the MDT LSS, but I prefer a proper stock more often over a chassis.

Thanks! I’ll have a look.

 

[Varminterror]

Follow up: the LSS might not be as sexy as the MDT either - but beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

 

[H&Hhunter]

Follow up: the LSS might not be as sexy as the MDT either - but beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

I agree the LSS is a bit homely in my opinion. She’s not fat she’s big boned....

 

[Nature Boy]

What about the XLR Element? 2lbs all in with adjustable butt stock and grip

https://xlrindustries.com/collections/element-chassis-packages/products/copy-of-element-chassis

 

[jmr40]

It isn't hard, nor expensive to get a sub 8 lb scoped hunting rifle that will shoot well under 1 MOA. Trying to do it with a chassis stock just seems to add another level of difficulty not needed.

Hope your recovery goes well.

 

[Gtscotty]

The Christensen Modern Precision Rifle kind of fits that description and slides in barely under 7 lb, at least in the 16" CF barrel variant.

https://christensenarms.com/modern-precision-rifle/

 

[rbernie]

So here is my idea, take that folding stock version which would be super handy as a pack in configuration on a mountain rifle. But knock the weight down to about 6.5 to 7lbs then scope it with something light like a Swarovski Z-3 the rifle comes in at about 8lbs or so. It’s 100% weather proof. The rifle is modular you can make it fit you or anybody else with the adjustable butt stock. And it should be wicked accurate given the technology used.

Just as a data point; my LSS chassis / MDT poly mag / MOE pistol grip / CTR stock + .75" riser weighs in at just a smidge over 3lbs on my garage scale. That sounds like a lot, but in reality it's only 3-4oz heavier than the cheapie Savage plastic stock that I tossed in the bin to make room for the MDT (and no more than a walnut Boyds stock). A complete Savage short action / MDT LSS / 22" medium sporter contour barrel combination came in at right around 7lbs without any real weight-saving efforts.Add rings (Vortex Pro), optics (VX5-HD 2x-10x), and a sling, and it's sitting at just over 9lb in the hand and pretty much balances on the front receiver ring.

I could probably shave a pound off of the rig if I tried, but I don't carry them enough any more to make that worth the effort - getting weight off behind the receiver ring isn't cheap, and I hate front-light rifles. As an aside - the folding stock adapter will add a bunch of weight behind the action ring, and rifle's balance will be off unless you compensate with a heavier barrel contour and accept a rifle that weighs a pound more than you'd otherwise have wanted.

The rifle is modular you can make it fit you or anybody else with the adjustable butt stock

This sounds neat, but doesn't ever seem to work out for me as planned when using magnified optics; most any non-IER optic that I've owned doesn't have an eye relief that's forgiving enough to tolerate dramatic changes in LOP.

The Manners compact stock is a bit heavier than the MDT LSS, but I prefer a proper stock more often over a chassis.

I concur with this, and my walkabout rifles are all now using the inexpensive B&C M40 stock. It's not as swoopy as a proper Manners, but I'm always on a budget.....

 

[Robbins290]

Deleted because i missed the folding stock part

 

[taliv]

i don't have one yet, but i've been so happy with all the magnesium-aluminum alloy AR receivers/forearms that i'd take a chance on the XLR element 3 with arca rail. I have owned a few earlier generations of elements and been happy with them. not the best chassis in teh world, but fantastic for the money.

if you want more weight, you can always get a thicker barrel or add a suppressor, bipod/tripod, etc

 

[H&Hhunter]

Deleted because i missed the folding stock part

That’s kind of the selling point of this deranged rifle fantasy.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Just as a data point; my LSS chassis / MDT poly mag / MOE pistol grip / CTR stock + .75" riser weighs in at just a smidge over 3lbs on my garage scale. That sounds like a lot, but in reality it's only 3-4oz heavier than the cheapie Savage plastic stock that I tossed in the bin to make room for the MDT (and no more than a walnut Boyds stock). A complete Savage short action / MDT LSS / 22" medium sporter contour barrel combination came in at right around 7lbs without any real weight-saving efforts.Add rings (Vortex Pro), optics (VX5-HD 2x-10x), and a sling, and it's sitting at just over 9lb in the hand and pretty much balances on the front receiver ring.

I could probably shave a pound off of the rig if I tried, but I don't carry them enough any more to make that worth the effort - getting weight off behind the receiver ring isn't cheap, and I hate front-light rifles. As an aside - the folding stock adapter will add a bunch of weight behind the action ring, and rifle's balance will be off unless you compensate with a heavier barrel contour and accept a rifle that weighs a pound more than you'd otherwise have wanted.

This sounds neat, but doesn't ever seem to work out for me as planned when using magnified optics; most any non-IER optic that I've owned doesn't have an eye relief that's forgiving enough to tolerate dramatic changes in LOP.

I concur with this, and my walkabout rifles are all now using the inexpensive B&C M40 stock. It's not as swoopy as a proper Manners, but I'm always on a budget.....

Buzz kill... I hate when reality intercepts my fantasy. And thank you for your real world input.

 

[Nature Boy]

this deranged rifle fantasy.

Are there other kinds?

 

[H&Hhunter]

Are there other kinds?

Good point.

 

[taliv]

This sounds neat, but doesn't ever seem to work out for me as planned when using magnified optics; most any non-IER optic that I've owned doesn't have an eye relief that's forgiving enough to tolerate dramatic changes in LOP.

It works for a lot of people though. The point isn’t dramatic changes in LOP just making it fit you.

 

[H&Hhunter]

It works for a lot of people though. The point isn’t dramatic changes in LOP just making it fit you.

I was thinking the same more than LOP it’s cheek height. Most non custom rifles are cheeked to low for me.

 

[Varminterror]

I was thinking the same more than LOP it’s cheek height. Most non custom rifles are cheeked to low for me.

Almost everything is too low for me as well. I’m not above screwing a $30 Victor cheek riser to the top of a $1,000 composite stock to get my eye where it needs to be though!

 

[taliv]

Right. As I’m sure you know you can adjust scope height with rings but also adjusting cheek piece and length will allow you to position your head more vertically while still putting the butt of the stock where it needs to go. One without the other may allow a decent cheek weld, but may not allow optimal vision or awareness and may affect balance and limit movement.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Almost everything is too low for me as well. I’m not above screwing a $30 Victor cheek riser to the top of a $1,000 composite stock to get my eye where it needs to be though!

We are of the same tribe!

 

[H&Hhunter]

Right. As I’m sure you know you can adjust scope height with rings but also adjusting cheek piece and length will allow you to position your head more vertically while still putting the butt of the stock where it needs to go. One without the other may allow a decent cheek weld, but may not allow optimal vision or awareness and may affect balance and limit movement.

Rings can only be mounted so low due to multiple factors. Believe me when I tell you I’ve fought the low ring war for years. An adjustable cheek allows for more scope options for sure.

 

[rbernie]

It works for a lot of people though. The point isn’t dramatic changes in LOP just making it fit you.

I thought the purpose of the adjustable stock was to allow the rifle to fit multiple different people; that is what I’ve had not much success with.

 

[someguy2800]

I have big wide cheek bones so more often than not I have the problem of stocks being too high. That’s ruined a few rifles for iron sight use for me but it’s sure a blessing for scope fitting because I can nearly always find the perfect fit by playing with different rings and not have to mess with the stock. I have enough rings in the drawer now that with every new rifle purchase I just have test with a few sets to find the correct height and order exactly what I need.

 

[rbernie]

I was thinking the same more than LOP it’s cheek height. Most non custom rifles are cheeked to low for me.

I use these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00O0IOKOA?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I haven’t tried rolling them down the side of a mountain to see how well they hold up, but for my noncritical use - they do the job.

 

[mshootnit]

The MDT LSS chassis is made lighter than the MPA.

My personal “fast and light” mountain build has been assigned double duty as my son’s first centerfire. It’ll be a Manners Gen 2 Compact stock (telescoping butt plate and adjustable cheek riser), Defiance Deviant action, Proof carbon fiber barrel. Thinking of having two bolts made for 6.5 PRC and 6 Dasher, two barrels.

If Seekins starts selling their Element actions, then duplicate the same above, but with the Aluminum Element action at its core instead of the Defiance.

The Manners compact stock is a bit heavier than the MDT LSS, but I prefer a proper stock more often over a chassis.

It would more helpful to us all if you could be more specific. Are you referring to the LSS Gen1 or Gen 2?
You failed to mention that the Gen 2 LSS is lighter at 1.4-1.6 lbs plus grip/ stock/ accessories.
Just trying to help the OP