Lightweight Long Range Rifle

[nksmfamjp]

I'm writing this for a friend as I'm having trouble supporting his rifle purchase properly....

Basically he wants a goat/elk hunting rife that he can shoot 400-600 yards max at game as well as ring some steel at whatever range out to 1000 yards.

So, his latest rendition is a Manners stock, but instead of a typical 5.5 lb barrel, he is thinking about a 3.5-4lb tube. What have you built or seen built like this as a light tactical rifle?

Caliber is most likely 300 Win Mag, or 308 or 6.5 creed or .....I keep trying to sell him on 280 AI, but that is going no where. 300 WM good enough?

I think this means somehow he wants a lightweight tactical rifle with adjustable cheek piece for bigger scope...something basically where the rifle comes in around 8.5 lbs, mount 0.75 lbs, scope 2 lbs. Any ideas how to build something like this? Proof barrel....look at Christianson Arms??

 

[memtb]

If I read this correctly, the weight totals around 11+ pounds.....that ain't light! At least not in my world! memtb

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Christensen Arms is sweet stuff - i have the BA Tactical that comes in at 7.5lbs with an adjustable stock, 26" barrel, brake, bottom metal etc. Crazy accurate gun. The ridgeline is even lighter.

if you build one you will have to go either carbon fiber or a pencil thin barrel to keep weight down. You can get a titanium action etc. i think you could be close to 8.5lbs scoped depending on the scope.

 

[ramrod79]

Buy a CA Traverse in 300 PRC.

 

[nksmfamjp]

If I read this correctly, the weight totals around 11+ pounds.....that ain't light! At least not in my world! memtb

I agree, but it isn't heavy, considering he wants to have enough weight to be able to hit something at range. ....comparing to 14-17lb tactical rifles, it isn't bad.

Christensen Arms is sweet stuff - i have the BA Tactical that comes in at 7.5lbs with an adjustable stock, 26" barrel, brake, bottom metal etc. Crazy accurate gun. The ridgeline is even lighter.

...

Good option...what is "crazy accurate"?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I agree, but it isn't heavy, considering he wants to have enough weight to be able to hit something at range. ....comparing to 14-17lb tactical rifles, it isn't bad.



Good option...what is "crazy accurate"?

i have only shot 20 rounds through the rifle, so its a small sample size - its was hornady precision hunter ammo. A few to zero, 2 3 round groups at 100 and a 5 shot group at 500. Both 100 yards groups were clover leafs - around .35". My 5 shot group at 500 was 3".

 

[OG10]

In (most cases) a do it all rifle doesn't......if he really wants a single rifle he needs to realistically define its most important function, and focus on that.The main usage defines needs, the secondary usage sometimes is just that secondary. I have hunted elk, goats, and sheep and in most of there habital I (being 60) want as light a rifle as I can shoot accurately.The old saying ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain has some merit. You could do a custom, light action, carbon wrapped barrel , carbon stock and come very close to what he wants.Just some thoughts from an old guy who still climbs mountains.

 

[sable tireur]

What have you built or seen built like this as a light tactical rifle?

300 WM good enough?

Here is a Bartlein #4 contour barrel which we've used for 'light-tactical' type rifles for a long time.

#4 Bull Sporter 1.200 2.750 6.000 1.000 26″ 0.750" 4.50#

This is a Proof Research barrel Light Sendero .30 cal.:

101032 26 10 2.5" 1.20 Sendero Light 2lbs-15oz

The muzzle diameter is 0.800" at 26" finished length.

Combining either barrel with a Manners CF stock in a choice of styles will yield a rifle ready to hunt when you select a good scope and rings to compliment the cartridge.

As to the .300 Win. Mag., it's a classic long range elk rifle when properly constructed bullets are chosen and an accurate load is found. He's on the right track but a slightly improved combination can be built without going too heavy yet be rugged enough to use in the mountains for goats or long hikes chasing elk.

 

[kukusya]

https://www.stockysstocks.com/packa...s-and-proof-research-carbon-fiber-barrel.html
Deep valet get titanium action, or at least bighorn.

 

[sea2summit]

GAP and H.S. both have rifles in the 7-8.5 lb range with 1/2 MOA guarantee. 600 on a goat is easy (energy wise) with the .308 or 6.5, people have done elk that far with a 6.5 but I'd step up to the 300 WM if that was something I was going to try. Assuming he doesn't reload so doesn't want to move to niche rounds...always my preference and I reload.

Why don't you support him specifically?

 

[memtb]

In (most cases) a do it all rifle doesn't......if he really wants a single rifle he needs to realistically define its most important function, and focus on that.The main usage defines needs, the secondary usage sometimes is just that secondary. I have hunted elk, goats, and sheep and in most of there habital I (being 60) want as light a rifle as I can shoot accurately.The old saying ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain has some merit. You could do a custom, light action, carbon wrapped barrel , carbon stock and come very close to what he wants.Just some thoughts from an old guy who still climbs mountains.

"a to do it all doesn't....". Wow, I'm glad my rifle doesn't read these posts! I think that would hurt it's feelings .....as it's a "millennial" memtb

 

[308stillbrass]

i went to like weight years ago my first was a rem model 7 260 when they first cam out shot over 40 deer with it shoots one hole groups, i retired it when kimber came out with the montana 300wsm, next was a kimber mt assent in 280ai, i just picked up a christianson ridge line in 300wm plus other light weight customs light weight is the only way to go. when you get old the lighter you like it cloths boots gear period.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Axisworks built .280AI (swap 7RM or .300WM at your pleasure)
R700 LA trued
Fluted bolt body, carbon fiber knob, alloy bolt shroud, TI firing pin w. Wolfe Blitzschnell spring
PT&G .250" recoil lug
26" 1:9" Proof Sendero Light
Hawkins 3 port brake
Manners EH1 w. Pillars and full action bedding
Rem factory alloy BDL bottom metal
Shilen Match trigger
Seekins alloy 20MOA Picatinny rail
Seekins alloy 30mm medium rings
March F 3-24×52
8lbs 13oz all in
Shoots sub-half MOA out to 1300+

 

[LazzInc]

600yard Goat/Elk rifle?? …. first of all, .308 Diameter bullet is MIMIMUM regardless of speed ,, I have taken 3 goats and THEY ARE TOUGH (even against the big Lazz) ,,,, if $$ was no object, then of course the Lazz Warbird or 338 Titan will get it done in a rifle package WITH BIG SCOPE under 9.5 pounds ,,,,

NO CARBON barrels please ,,,I have bad luck with them in the accuracy department, especially when warm ,,,,

to keep the $$$ down, don't overlook a 300 Wby Mag, .532 rim diameter ,,, rem brass cheap, use 180-190 gr bullets ,,, fed 215 primer, reloader 22 OR IMR 7828 powder ,, good accurate 10 twist barrel ,,, easy-peasy ,,,,,,