Lightweight Rifle

[Dixie07]

I am wanting to build a lightweight backpack hunting rifle, preferably <7 pounds, not including scope. This rifle will be chambered in 7mm Rem. Mag. Right now I am looking at these components:

Borden Timberline Action
Timney Trigger
McMillan A-3 Sporter Stock or a Lone Wolf stock
Hart Spiral Fluted Barrel 26" in length with muzzle break

I just wanted to see what you guys thought about this, and any suggestions are welcomed!

 

[angus-5024]

if you want a "lightwieght" platform the first thing i would switch is the caliber. Nothing wrong with the 7 Rem, but there are WAY more efficient cartriges out there that will also let you use a shorter tube. I would opt for a 7WSM, Ill tell you why. slightly edges the 7 Rem with a little less powder out of a shorter tube and fits a short action. If you opt for a long action, you can have your bullets seated way out and still use the mag.

I havent ever been able to build a full custom, so I cant say anything about your compnent list except that both stocks are very good. If your going lightweight I would go with the lone wolf.

 

[Sully2]

I am wanting to build a lightweight backpack hunting rifle, preferably <7 pounds, not including scope. This rifle will be chambered in 7mm Rem. Mag. Right now I am looking at these components:

Borden Timberline Action
Timney Trigger
McMillan A-3 Sporter Stock or a Lone Wolf stock
Hart Spiral Fluted Barrel 26" in length with muzzle break

I just wanted to see what you guys thought about this, and any suggestions are welcomed!

Id build a 7mm-08
LOTS less $$$ actions than a Borden ( Borden is great..sure..but $$$ as hell)
Definately Timney trigger
Definately a McMillian ( or something similiar if you want light weight
Barrel? Id cut 4 inches off it and forget the spiral because a backpack rifle shouldnt be getting so hot from firing it needs that cooling advantage and with a 7mm-08 you dont need the muzzle break so with the elimination of the break and a 22" barrel any weight savings of spiraling is negated

 

[kennygss]

I would tend to agree with the others. If it is truly a "backpack" rifle, consider a Manners SL stock (24 OZ), a McMillan Edge ( a bit more) or a Lone Wolf ( 15 OZ !!!!!) and a short action. Do you need a magnum for your intended species? You can get allot done with a short action and a 22" stick.

 

[TannerGun]

23" #3 or #2 stainless 7 SAUM. Mcmillan Edge, Blind mag. Talley LW lows, and a 3-9x40 Leupold with an M1 elevation turret. That's what I'd be twisting up!

 

[sp6x6]

I shoot LR,I WANT all the barrel I can get for length. I also want all the cartridge I can handle. This is what I did. Make a compenet list,with weights. Then add up. Ask a smith if you have to, that you are working with. Standard action, ADL style, light stock, light rings,base and scope are all weight savings. I heard that Lone wolf is not taking orders right now? The 15 oz. is not a standard stock or size for them. Summits that are a sleek sporter style run 20-22 oz. If you add palm swell, raised cheeck, weight goes up. Weigh out your list and see where you want to cut weight. I built a 26'' braked 338 Norma, that came in at 7-2 oz. bare, so your weight is very reachable.

 

[kennygss]

I might add, a Savage lightweight hunter in .308 with a Leupy ultralight 3X9 is 6 pounds, with optic. Thats pretty light. That is a handy setup, especially for the $$$$

 

[sp6x6]

My bone stock 325 wsm, Brownig w/4-14x40 is 7-6 oz. The titanium is lighter yet.

 

[cwinner]

I guided an Elk hunter last fall with an MG ultralight in 300 Ultra Mag....I was damb impressed. It weighed less than 8 Lbs with a Leupold VX-3 LR scope.....I thought it would kick like hell, but with the Muzzle Break I was able to watch the bullets hit....I killed two rocks at 400 yds and one at 600 with three shots.

It left me wanting to order one...........perfect caliber and in a rifle that is perfect for a backpack hunt!!

here is a link to their website: MG Arms Inc.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I might add, a Savage lightweight hunter in .308 with a Leupy ultralight 3X9 is 6 pounds, with optic. Thats pretty light. That is a handy setup, especially for the $$$$

I'll second that, I have one. bare is 5.5 so a bit more heft than your stated 6. About 6.2 bare plus scope, with accutrigger, pillar bedded, everyday for 700 bucks.

......and it comes in some other flavors like 6.5 Creedmore, 7mm-08 6-285 Norma and some other chamberings, all 5.5 bare (in short action).

took the **** thing out of the box and it alsmost floated away in the air.......

I like 308 because you can get it anywhere, even Wallyworld. Imagine having a trip spoiled when you ammo gets lost between airports (I fly to hunts when possible) and you have a rifle in a caliber thats not available on a Sunday in hicksville USA. Better a hardware store 308 than no ammo. It happens.....