Lightweight Elk Rifle Build

I'm currently building a .338 Sherman short action, on a pierce titanium action, proof barrel, iota Krux stock, and Timney trigger. I would skip the SHV in favor of the Leupold, and utilize
Night force Ti rings. I still rely on the Badger all steel picatinny base with 0 moa. I found that the SHV reticle was too fine to pick up a target quickly, and it's not a petite size.

spitfire_er said:

Looking for a few suggestions on a few components for an elk rifle I'm building myself for an upcoming MT trip. Will be hiking 7-10+ miles a day so trying to keep weight down. I run my own rifle shop so I can build whatever I want. I have plenty of other rifles that will do the job, but they are for the most part 9+ lbs w/o glass.

This week I'm going to start ordering components.
-Defiance AnTi LA
-AG comp. CAT stock
-Trigger tech special
-Proof barrel
-bdl bottom metal

Leaning towards a 280 improved with an 8 twist barrel. I've shot one of these with one of my competition rifles and it does very well. Otherwise ide go with a 7rm or a 30, but would like to use this for antelope and deer too if I wanted to do more backpack style hunting.

Main question here is what would be a good scope/base/ring combo for light weight? I'm use to building accurate rifles, but I'm usually not worried about building as light as possible. Last PRS rifle I built was 18lbs complete.

In doing a little research, the vx5hd in 3-15x44 looks to be a good bang for the buck at about 22oz, was also looking at a NF 4-14x50 F1 SHV MOAR, but that's about 30 oz.

With the 280 imp and a 0 MOA base i was thinking the Hawkins LR Hybrid rings. That should get me to 800 yards w/o a canted base. I don't plan to shoot past 4-500 yards which I am extremely comfortable shooting accurately. The NF has 90 MOA adjustment, so I wouldn't need a canted base, but I don't plan to shoot that far on elk, but maybe smaller game.

Trying to decide if the extra 8 or so oz is worth it when I'm going to be hiking several miles a day with the NF. I don't care about the CDS dials on the leupold because I can do my own dope.

I figure my rifle will be 6lbs, 8 oz w/o a scope, hawkins hybrid rings 4 oz.

Rifle with NF 8lb 10 oz
With leupold 8 lb 2 oz.

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I run a proof carbon stock,sendero barrel,terminus action,trigger tech with leupold vx5-7-35x56 for elk back in the thorofare,8 oz isnt gonba make a difference and im 50yrs old

I am building almost the same rifle. I went 7 SAUM, defiance AnTi, 20-21 inch (going to cut some of the shank off of the 22) Proof sendero light, nomad Ti suppressor, Hawkins ultralight rings, etc and with all components on the scale should it be in the 7.5-8 lbs range, including scope rings and suppressor!! The pictures show a few differences, (heavier vortex rings, timney trigger instead of TT, and a couple different bottom metal and stock options we are considering), but I think you can see where I'm going with my experimentation.

I think you can build a great rig for the weight you are shooting for. I am trying to get the lightest rifle, with the nicest components I can get, with 800-1000 yard capability. So for now I am leaning toward the vortex razor LHT (lightest in its class especially with illumination and ability to dial with a stop/turret lock). I also have a Zeiss v4 also with an illuminated reticle center, that I'm going to try. For a few ounce weight penalty, It outperformed the vortex in my twilight tests by a minute or two, but it doesn't have a turret lock. Great zero stop but no lock. So I am torn. Once the rifle is completed, I think I will shoot with both and go with the one that I like better. If both are repeatable and accurate dialing, I will have a real dilemma. Might just have to build another ultralight custom rifle.

spitfire_er said:

Looking for a few suggestions on a few components for an elk rifle I'm building myself for an upcoming MT trip. Will be hiking 7-10+ miles a day so trying to keep weight down. I run my own rifle shop so I can build whatever I want. I have plenty of other rifles that will do the job, but they are for the most part 9+ lbs w/o glass.

This week I'm going to start ordering components.
-Defiance AnTi LA
-AG comp. CAT stock
-Trigger tech special
-Proof barrel
-bdl bottom metal

Leaning towards a 280 improved with an 8 twist barrel. I've shot one of these with one of my competition rifles and it does very well. Otherwise ide go with a 7rm or a 30, but would like to use this for antelope and deer too if I wanted to do more backpack style hunting.

Main question here is what would be a good scope/base/ring combo for light weight? I'm use to building accurate rifles, but I'm usually not worried about building as light as possible. Last PRS rifle I built was 18lbs complete.

In doing a little research, the vx5hd in 3-15x44 looks to be a good bang for the buck at about 22oz, was also looking at a NF 4-14x50 F1 SHV MOAR, but that's about 30 oz.

With the 280 imp and a 0 MOA base i was thinking the Hawkins LR Hybrid rings. That should get me to 800 yards w/o a canted base. I don't plan to shoot past 4-500 yards which I am extremely comfortable shooting accurately. The NF has 90 MOA adjustment, so I wouldn't need a canted base, but I don't plan to shoot that far on elk, but maybe smaller game.

Trying to decide if the extra 8 or so oz is worth it when I'm going to be hiking several miles a day with the NF. I don't care about the CDS dials on the leupold because I can do my own dope.

I figure my rifle will be 6lbs, 8 oz w/o a scope, hawkins hybrid rings 4 oz.

Rifle with NF 8lb 10 oz
With leupold 8 lb 2 oz.

Click to expand...

I recently ordered a custom rifle from Mesa Precision. Its a 300wm, 26" proof barrel. They are building it using their summit titanium action and the XLR element magnesium chassis with carbon fiber stock and grip. The whole thing will weigh between 5.9-6.1lbs before scope and rings. The weights are comparable to the action and stock you are looking at, the element chassis is 28oz and the summit titanium action is 21oz.

Here is the action: https://mesaprecisionarms.com/products/rifle-parts/summit-titanium/
Here is the XLR chassis: https://xlrindustries.com/products/element_3-0_magnesium_chassis

Without moving to a short action and a tiny little stock it will be hard to beat a 6lb rifle. There are a couple factory options that come close though: cooper firearms backcountry 5.75lbs (https://cooperfirearms.com/pages/backcountry), Kimber mountain ascent 4.8lbs (https://www.kimberamerica.com/mountain-ascent-1), and the weatherby backcountry ti 4.9lbs (https://weatherby.com/store/markv-backcountry-ti/). Once you move to a long action, most of these rifles all weight right around 5.8-6.8lbs. That said, if shaving the last pound is important, consider a short action.

The reason I choose the rifle setup I selected is because I want the long range ability of a 300wm. A big 30 cal round and a carbon proof barrel were important for me to ensure accuracy at long range. Since I intend to shoot and hunt out to 900 yards, I also ended up buying a vortex viper hs lr 6-24x50. Comes in at 21oz. For these specs and this weight, there a quite a few scope options though. Once I decided I wanted a 300wm, a 6lb rifle was the lightest I could configure.

I had Melvin Forbes spruce up a Forbes for a faux Nula in 280ai and could not be happier.

For optics ended up going with a VX5hd 3-15x44 and it weighs 7lb 1.8oz loaded. The other option was a Swarovski Z5 which is 16oz for the 3-18. I will put it on the other Nula.
I was able to get to the range and shoot some factory stuff this past week. Nosler 160 AB shot .71" at 100 for shots 6-8.

This will likely be my go to rifle for most hunts.

Lenwood901 said:

im building about the same rifle but ag alpine hunter stock in a 28 shermen max

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I'd look at the Sherman Max!

lancetkenyon said:

I was going to suggest TT315M or March F......but nevermind.

What about the Vortex LHT?
Swaro Z5 or Z6?
Zeiss V4

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Agreed!

Watch your scope length with the Hawkins hybrids. The spread was to wide for my March 3-24x52 on a LA AnTi
24" Proof sendero chambered in 300PRC in Manners EH1 with Vortex AMG is 8lbs13oz
Bare rifle with Hawkins rings is 6lbs14oz

Sounds like are on the right track! I think @trophy8 and I are on dang near the same build sheet. I'm going with an anTi SA and .090 (saami) reamer-- but will be testing a number of bullets loaded to around the 2.95" mark.

anTi SA (Lefty)- wyatt box
Proof Lite 22" 1-8
Proof Light Hunter Stock (converted to Lefty)
Titanium 3 port brake
Hawkins Hybrid
TT Special
Remington BDL metal

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SCOPES-- I have VX5HD, VX6HD (44 and 50mm) and I HAD an LHT 50mm- below is a brief review between the Leupolds and the LHT (BLUF- I returned the LHT as the reticle was significantly thicker than Leupold)

WEIGHT
Razor LHT 50mm-- 20.4oz without scope caps or a throw lever.
VX6HD 44mm-- 21.6oz with Alumina covers and throw lever
VX6HD 50mm-- 23oz with Alumina covers and throw lever

TURRETS
Razor LHT- Elevation turret is awesome, pulls up easily, noticeable clicks and the hash marks are nicely spaced and easily visible. BIG FAN! The windage turret is capped and the dial feels similar to the capped Zeiss V4 I had... mushy, hard to line up. BUT- I don't dial windage except for establishing my zero so this isn't a big markdown for me.

VX6HD- Love the low profile locking turret, good clicks. However the size and spacing isn't quite as good and the LHT rev-stop system for zeroing will be slightly easier.

RETICLE
Razor LHT- THICK! Compared to the Leupold Impact 29-- the LHT lines are .2MOA and center dot is .35MOA. Which means the lines are double the .1MOA Leupold lines and the LHT dot is 40% larger than the .25MOA dots in the Impact.

The LHT reticle stands out more pronounced with a wooded and dark background compared to the VX6HD but on a less cluttered background it looks bulky. Could be an issue depending on how much precision you are looking for and at what distance. For a 600 yard, ultralight rifle that will go deep woods and open above timber I think the reticle will be fine. I do like the center dot only illumination as opposed to the illuminated cross the Leupold.

PARALLAX
Razor LHT- The 50mm MOA version is made special for Euro Optic apparently-- there are no yardage markings for the Parallax which is lazy IMO. I've heard the Vortex 42mm versions are marked. The LHT has more real estate for adjustment-- I guess it allows for more fine adjustment. It certainly was a large maybe 1/3 rotation to get from 20yd to 200yd. It was smooth, just feels like a long way to turn it. The VX6HD is marked, covers less real estate, definitely a bit more finicky but I'm more used to it as I have 2 of them and had several VX5s previously.

GLASS
Once focused and parallax adjusted I couldn't give an edge either way in just a brief handheld outdoor test. I knew how good my Leupolds are and there was not an immediately noticeable detraction in image going to the LHT. I would like to get them all out next to my Razor AMG and look at some 800y white targets and really test em.

COST
Razor LHT @ euro $899
Leupolds @ midway $1199

Just bought a Fierce Carbon Rival it came in at 9:11 with scope and sling

Nice to see all these rifle set ups and what they come in at. At the moment, I cannot source a Defiance AnTi and the wait time from Defiance is about 8-9 months out. I may need to look at another action. Wanted to try a Defiance.

I own and operate Oregon Timberwolf custom gun. For myself pursuing that ultimate light weight rifle I put together a Fusion Ti receiver with a carbon six into a Maners stock topped with Leupold Vx3i 4.5 to 14. The firearm weights 7 pounds with glass. Its in a 7 WSM and accuracy with 175 did not suffer sub MOA at 600 yards. This rifle has followed me around the world. It turned out to be one that will not be for sale. Hope this helps.
Bob

ORTW1 said:

I own and operate Oregon Timberwolf custom gun. For myself pursuing that ultimate light weight rifle I put together a Fusion Ti receiver with a carbon six into a Maners stock topped with Leupold Vx3i 4.5 to 14. The firearm weights 7 pounds with glass. Its in a 7 WSM and accuracy with 175 did not suffer sub MOA at 600 yards. This rifle has followed me around the world. It turned out to be one that will not be for sale. Hope this helps.
Bob

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Yes, thanks. That's my goal here, basically two fold. Build a rifle I can show people and have them handle in the shop and a rifle that will take me out as far as I want to shoot while being a very light weight rig for back country hunting.

Here's my build in a 7 Sherm Max. Weighs just a tad over 8 lbs scoped.

Defiance anTi, nitrided.
X-caliber 26" CF barrel in a #1/#2
Grayboe Phoenix stock
Vortex Razor LHT 3-15x42
TriggerTech Primary
Grayboe DBM
PVA Ultralight Muzzle brake
Talley rings