searching for a lightweight

[454c]

Due to health reasons I'm trying to find a light rifle to replace my 06 for packing through the woods.The primary target will be small to medium deer,nothing bigger.Where I hunt,the max shooting distance is about 400 yds.Very rare,but possible.I don't enjoy recoil,so a smaller caliber would be good.I checked out the Ruger compact,but it was to short.The Rem. Ti. chambered in .260 looks good.I like a 20 inch barrel so I'd have to shorten it.Can the barrel on the Ti. be fluted or is it allready a thin barrel?Is there any other rifles I haven't found yet?

 

[dakotasin]

the ti barrel is thin, so i doubt it could be fluted enough to make any difference.

other guns to look at: rem 700 mountain rifle and rem m7.

the m7 is a compact, light rifle.

the 700 mountain rifle is a lightweight version of the 700, executed properly from the factory. they are very nice rifles. they are more expensive than a standard 700, less expensive than a ti. very comfortable, well balanced rifles...

 

[Clemson]

A Winchester Featherweight or a Ruger Lightweight in .257 Roberts would be a good rifle for you. The .257 has the trajectory for 400 yard shots, and it has plenty of power for deer. It is a mild kicker.

Clemson

 

[mlheppl]

I have a BPR (browning pump rifle) in 243. This is a nice shooting lightweight gun. They're not in production anymore, but maybe you might find a used one.

 

[5x5]

Take a look at the Winchester classic compact in 7mm-08. It's a sweet little rifle. -Ian

 

[Art Eatman]

My 700 Ti with Weaver V3, ammo and sling, totals out at 6-1/4 pounds. It's pretty hard to get any lighter than that. From the benchrest, the recoil of the 7mm08 isn't at all bad. (I guess that means a good stock fit.) From offhand, recoil is hardly noticeable; it's there, but not bothersome at all.

Art

 

[Brian Williams]

Ditto on the Win Classic Compact in 7mm-08 with a Leupold 3x9-33 compact scope on it. I should have gone with the 2x7 instead and saved 2 oz, but would have had the 2x vs 3x for low end scope power in the woods.

 

[VG]

A friend of mine has a Kimber 84M Classic chambered in .308 with a Leupold scope. It's less than 6 lbs, plus scope. Nice rifle, really good shooter. He's 2 for 2 on deer.

 

[E=MC^2]

Another vote for the Winchester Model 70 Classic Compact.
6lbs. Currently available in .243 & 7mm-08.

I got mine when they offered them in .308 as well. Extreamely accurate. I've named mine "Merlin" because of it's magical powers. I know it's not right to give your rifle a male name. "Liberty" is the young Austrian girl that rides above the action. She has perfect vision and loves the night life.

My 130gr Barnes-X 'pet loads' will do sub-1/4MOA. I'll never get rid of it.

 

[Charles S]

454c

It amazes me how many people think along the same lines as myself at any given time. Your situation is almost exactly like mine. I strongly considered the 260 Remington in the Remington model 7 or the Remington Ti rifle.

I was in the process of saving up for it and a friend of mine who is a gun dealer asked me to try a Tikka T3 SS Lite Rifle. I chose the venerable 270 caliber to try out. The rifle weighs 6# 3oz including the rings and sling swivels. My final rifle weight including a 3X9 Leupold scope (12 oz) is 7# 3oz. Yes, you can go a lot lighter, but it will cost to a lot more money. I went from an 8.75# rifle to a 7.19# rifle. BTW this is almost a 20% weight reduction. Recoil is very comfortable from the bench and is hardly noticeable standing.

I am really happy. I thought I wanted a 20 inch barrel, but so far, only 1 season, the 22 has been fine. The gun shoots like a dream and the adjustable trigger is really nice. This is not the only solution, just one that worked out for me.

I am not trying to discourage you from a 20 inch barreled 40 ½ inch overall length really light rifle in 260 Remington. I personally think it would be a great…make that excellent choice. I just wanted to give you a lower budget option.

Good luck with your quest,

Charles

 

[454c]

Thanks for the info.I was thinking of several of those models until the doc said this will not get better.I think I should get the lightest rifle I can find this time instead of delaying it....but on the other hand,it would be a reason to get two instead of one.

 

[Charles S]

454c,

Good luck with your rifle search.

Good luck with your health issue.

I noted you are from North West AR, my wife has family in Bella Vista & we have vacationed up in that area for the last two summers. I think that North West AR is a very pretty area.

Good luck,

Charles

 

[WYO]

I bought the Ti because I wanted the extra 2 inches of barrel. Otherwise, I would have gone with the Model 7, which comes with a 20 inch barrel. Even with the 22 inch barrel, the Ti is so light that you can thread your way through the thick stuff maneuvering the rifle in one hand. The rifle has a relatively neutral balance but still ends up being a little light on the front end for offhand shots, and I would be hesitant to chop 2 inches off the front end. If you are a tinkerer, there are strategies for changing the balance of Ti’s which possibly could offset some of the effect of chopping 2 inches of barrel, but its kinda expensive for a “project†gun.

BTW, I'm not knocking the Winchesters, Rugers, Kimbers, etc.; I just don't have any experience with them.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Kimber 84 in a .260 or a .308 or a .7MM-08. They weigh about 5.5 lbs.

 

[454c]

I checked out Kimbers website and they've got a stainless/synthetic coming out later this year.It weighs about the same as a Rem. Ti.Do they have a removable mag. or the "poacher plate"?Any good or bad things to say about them?

Charles,
I live about 2hrs. east of Bella Vista.I have a good friend in Springdale that I try to visit often.

 

[Feanaro]

If a health problem keeps you from lugging a regular weight rifle around, you might not be able to hunt in your state of health. Even if you stand hunt.

Anyways, the Remington Mountain rifle seems like a nice one. Pretty light, good caliber selection and such.

 

[454c]

Nope.I've been hunting all my life and I'm not ready to stop now.I may have to change rifles and strategy,but I'm going.

 

[paul105]

Years ago, I bought a Ruger Ultra Light in 30-06 for my son when he was 12. I had a KDF muzzle brake installed. Recoil is about like a .243 -- muzzle blast/concussion is increased substantially. When my daughter drew a moose permit (again about 9 Yrs ago -- she was 16), I ordered a McMillan "Drop In" with a reduce Length of Pull (12.5") for the Ultra Light. This rifle now is equiped with a Leupold 2x - 7x Compact, the aforementioned McMillan "Drop In" and the KDF. If I had only one rifle, it would be this one (even with the 12.5" Length of Pull) eventhough my daughter considers it hers. It is absolutely a delight to carry/shoot -- with Federal 180gr Nos Part Hi Energy loads, it is tuff to beat for elk/deer in tuff terrain. About the only thing I would do to this rifle is add an after market trigger.

This rifle weighs less than seven pounds with scope and ammo.

 

[duckfoot]

If ya got the money try http://www.newultralight.com/

Ultimate Mountain Rifle


4-3/4 lbs

 

[Doc]

just read a great review of the Kimber 84 lightweight in stainless steel with the composite stock in the current Field & Stream. looks nice. the author also mentions the tikka T3. consider the weatherby ultralight and the styer mountain gun

 

[Slydlok]

My favorite light rifle in my very small arsenal is a Ruger Ultralite in .250 Savage topped off with a Leopold 2X7 compact scope. I've only used it on pronghorn antelope, but it kills them well past 300 yds. with my reloads.

Its too bad that this round is not more popular. I think it would be the ideal round for your needs. The Savage has been overshadowed by the .243 but the Savage has the advantage of using heavier bullets, if you load your own.

 

[CaesarI]

EASY

Kimber 84M. If I didn't shoot rifles left-handed I'd get one without a moment's hesitation.

5 round magazine (vs 4 for the Winchester Compact)
Controlled round feed (vs pushfeed for the Remington's)
A full pound lighter if you get it with the synthetic stock (5lbs 2oz) than anything else non-custom.

.243, 7-08, .308
.260 I think, it's the only one I'm not sure on.

If you want wood, it's just a little bit heavier, and still lighter than anything else.

with a 22" barrel, rather long, but that can be trimmed pretty easily, and their accurate as all heck. About $800 on the open market.

-Morgan

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Buddy of mine has a Kimber 84M Montana(stainless) 7mm-08----Talley lightweight rings----and 2x7(I think??) Kahles scope.

Total weight is 6lbs 2oz-----for the total complete package!!!!!! It just doesn't get much lighter than that.

 

[M16]

I have two of the Kimbers in 7mm08. Both have Leupold 2.5X8 scopes. The wood stock weights 7 pounds even, the Montana stainless 6.5 pds. I don't think you could make a better choice.

 

[454c]

what kind of mag set up is on the Kimber?Hinged floor plate,removable mag.,or solid floor.