any ideas for a gunsmith to build a light weight tack driver....ive been viewing lrh forums for a while (non member) ive noticed that a lot of the guns on here are heavy....im looking for a light weight 300 wsm 24inch barrel around 7 pounds....is that possible or would you suggest just buying a 700 or a 70 (really like the looks of the extreme condtions but ive read bad reviews).....i have a a 700 sps 308 just sitting in the safe could be used for an action ( but i hear conflicting stories on sa used for a 300 wsm)...budget would be under $2000....
There are some fundamental reasons for the heaver barrels. They tend to be easer to find a load
for(More forgiving) and with long barrels they need to be a little heaver to minimize barrel whip/
harmonics.
They are also easier to hold steady in the wind and with a poor position. (Off hand or no rest)
A light weight rifle can shoot just as well as a heaver rifle as long as it is set up correctly.
If I build one I recomend a shorter barrel based on the contour and caliber. I use only the
best barrels (To eliminate the possibility of it being a problem with accuracy)
Next, I hold the head space to a minimum to avoid cartrige movement in the chamber.
In fact the lighter rifle needs to be the best a smith can build to minimize the effects of a light
rifle on harmonics.
Bedding requirements are somewhat different for the light rifle also.
Reloading is essential if you want accuracy. The odds of finding factory ammo that it will like
are slim to none.
I personally dont like to use anything less than a # 5 or #6 contour and save weight by using
a lighter scope and mounts. 14x plus scopes can weigh up to 4&1/2 pounds all the way down to
less than 2 pounds. (These are not the cheeper scopes that cut corners).
Barrels are the last place I want to shave weight when there are other ways that will not
effect accuracy.
Don't base a rifles weight on what you like as much as on its intended use.
Just my opinion
J E CUSTOM
