Lightweight Rifle suggestions

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jmr40 said:
You're needlessly handicapping yourself with this requirement.



And plastic mags have proven to be more rugged and reliable than metal. Plastic Mag Pul mags are now the gold standard for AR magazines and Glock has been using plastic mags for a very long time.
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This is very true. I work in the plastics industry, repairing the molds, specifically the feed systems.
The polymers out there in this day and age are incredibly strong. You pretty much need to give them a good whack with a very heavy hammer the break it. And I mean a good whack.
 
One way to lighten a rifle is to shorten the barrel.The 243 doesn't like stubby barrels.I had a Rem. M7 in 243 and it proved what I'm saying.100 grain bullets chronographed a little over 2500 FPS in the 18 1/2 inch barrel,and it was so thin that the accuracy wasn't there either.It was light,but with the factory wood stock,the balance was way off.Butt heavy/fore end light doesn't make for a very shootable rifle.I missed deer with it at 100 yards when I had to shoot offhand.I re-did it a few years ago.It's now a 308 with a heavier 20 inch barrel and a much reworked fiberglass stock on it.It balances right behind the recoil lug and is a lot better to shoot offhand.The 308 runs 150 grain bullets at 2,850 FPS out of the 20 inch tube and is more than accurate enough for the ranges I usually shoot deer at.Bigger bores are more tolerant of short barrels,but a short,light 308 with heavier bullets has a pretty good kick.I'm just now finishing a 338-06 I'm building,and its barrel is 19.5 inches,and it'll be stocked in the same fashion as my 308,but it's going to be about half a pound heavier.It loses less velocity per inch of barrel length than the 308 does,but the recoil is pretty mean.A well balanced rifle,even a light one,will shoot a lot better than one with a heavy rear section as far as shooting offhand.
 
I also forgot to mention the Christensen Mesa, bit more cash, but im very happy with the 4 Christensen rifles I own.
Not the lightest rifle, tho the new stocks they are releasing are supposed to drop the weight another pound, but a very comfortable 7.25lbs otd.

My buddy jack offed the whiteish one at 150-175ish
With my 7-08 Mesa.
PXL_20220313_034824336.jpg
 
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For push feeds I'd be looking at tikka and the new howa guns are looking good, locking bolt is pretty much a must. For crf kimber think Winchester has a lighter gun coming out soon. The sauer and mausers are worth a look there lighter then one may think but I wouldn't call them light weight.
 
Barnfixer said:
I’m looking for suggestions for a lightweight rifle purchase in the future. The rifle will probably be chambered in .243 and have a stainless barrel/action and a synthetic stock. I would prefer the only “plastic” on the gun is the stock, I’m not a fan of plastic magazines and don’t need a detachable magazine at all. I looked at a Kimber Hunter and liked it a lot but hear Kimber’s can be hot and cold in the accuracy department. In the past I considered a Montana brand rifle but I see their no longer in business but some or there products can still be had. Tikka is another I was thinking of but I don’t care for the stock. I’m in the process of rotating stock in the gun cabinet with mixed emotions and need a game plan to restock.
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Remington 700 DM in .243
 
I tried out a Christensen Mesa a while back, great gun! But not in my caliber. I can get the Ridgeline in .243 but that’s a bigger price tag. My son has a Weatherby Vanguard that is a great shooter and a friend has a Tikka I can try. I looking for a light gun but it doesn’t have to be the lightest on the market. I’m more than willing to sacrifice a little weight for a little more barrel length. Lots of great suggestions coming in, Thanks to Everyone! Getting a good list, might go out and kick some tires soon!
 
LoonWulf said:
I also forgot to mention the Christensen Mesa, but more cash, but im very happy with the 4 Christensen rifles I own.
Not the lightest rifle, tho the new stocks they are releasing are supposed to drop the weight another pound, but a very comfortable 7.25lbs otd.

My buddy jack offed the whiteish one at 150-175ish
With my 7-08 Mesa.
View attachment 1065819
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Another up vote for Christensen Arms, although I still prefer my Rem Seven. My laminate stock Rem Seven .308 (20" barrel) is currently at a smith being refit with a takeoff Christensen Arms 22" (+ fitted Brake) 6.5 Creedmoor barrel and a Timney trigger. I recently added a Bergara B-14 in 6.5 CM and it is a pleasant rifle off the bench or bipod, but no doubt, it is a hefty rifle. The Rem Seven is a far more svelte package.

Rem Seven.resized.jpg
 
I have a plastic-stocked model 7 in 260 Rem. It's probably the lightest centerfire rifle I own. Accuracy is OK with the first 2-3 shots but that pencil barrel needs rest between shots.

I plan on restocking it to wood when I come across a deal on a stock.
 
WisBorn said:
https://weatherby.com/store/mark-v-backcountry-2-0-ti-carbon/

Sorry the Weatherby titanium carbon doesn't come in 243. The 257 WEATHERBY would be nice.
Weatherby offers other versions that qualify as lightweight. Not sure what your budget is, but everyone should own a Weatherby once .:D
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WisBorn said:
https://weatherby.com/store/mark-v-backcountry-2-0-ti-carbon/

Sorry the Weatherby titanium carbon doesn't come in 243. The 257 WEATHERBY would be nice.
Weatherby offers other versions that qualify as lightweight. Not sure what your budget is, but everyone should own a Weatherby once .:D
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I had a Weatherby Vanguard a while back. It was in 30-06 and had this beautiful shiny walnut montecarlo stock with a rosewood tipped forend. This rifle was so nice looking that the thought of getting mud, rain or snow on it on deer hunting trips made me cringe. I ended up trading it for something else and later got myself a Remington 700 30-06 with a synthetic stock. This rifle is accurate and laughs at the abuse most deer hunting rifles go through. It's a reliable workhorse for hunting and I'm not going to have a heart attack if it gets rain, mud or snow on it.
 
I have a howa 1500 in 223 and a ruger American in 243. I like the howa more, but it has a varmint heavy barrel and hogue stock it’s 1 MOA or better with 69s. The 243 is a lot lighter and shoots pretty well 1 MOA plus or minus a 1/4 inch at 100.
D
 
TSchwab25 said:
I have a savage 110 lightweight storm, 5.5lbs, 6.5 cm. Under 1moa gun, very nice built. Justy input off of my experience
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There are any number of good choices I`m sure, but if the light weight Storm is as good as my " standard " Storm, I wouldn`t hesitate to own one.
 
I went through a light rifle phase a few years ago and had a Forbes. It was the best lightweight rifle that I have ever shot, but I eventually gave up on the lightweights as I did not shoot them as well as a heavier rifle. I still do have a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle stainless synthetic that I sometimes use. It has a longer barrel than some of the lightweights, and it is a very good rifle.

I have had a couple of Kimber Montana rifles. They were pretty, but not quite up to snuff.
 
I did a little looking yesterday and a couple guns looked interesting. A Winchester M70 wasn’t to bad and what surprised me was a Sig Cross, not available in my caliber but interesting. I’ll need to hit a few larger shops and look at others.
 
In not sure if you need a brand new gun, but theres plenty of Browning A-Bolt l&II's out there that can be had cheaply.

Lighter than the average bolt gun, longer barrel as well. Stocks are pretty nice as well for a synthetic job.

I picked up a nice SS 280Rem with a Leopold, dies and reloading supplies for $600 pretty recently. A great deal if you ask me.
 
gotboostvr said:
In not sure if you need a brand new gun, but theres plenty of Browning A-Bolt l&II's out there that can be had cheaply.

Lighter than the average bolt gun, longer barrel as well. Stocks are pretty nice as well for a synthetic job.

I picked up a nice SS 280Rem with a Leopold, dies and reloading supplies for $600 pretty recently. A great deal if you ask me.
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Good advice. I just restocked a A-bolt for a friend, nice dependable gun and shoots great. Always wanted a A-bolt gold medallion, nice fit, lite.
 
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