Help me with my long range mountain rifle

[6mm06guy]

I have 2 rifle builds that I am collecting parts for. Both rifles will be used for similar purposes. 270 weatherby set up for the 170 berger bullets and a 28 nosler set up for the 195 berger bullets. The problem I'm having is weight. How much is too much. Most of my customs weigh 10+ lbs. I don't think I want that much on my back all day hunting sheep or elk. But I don't want either rifle to kick the crap out of me either. The 270 will be built on a howa or remington action and the 28 will probably be a defiance action. I have a 6mm br with a 28" sendero, 6mm-06 with a 28" medium Palma from pac-nor. My 22-250 ai has a 21" bull barrel, all of these rifles are a little more than I want to carry all day in the mountains.

My thoughts on the 28 Nosler is to go with a sendero from proof, to cut the weight down, but I'm unsure about what stock to use . I currently have 3 bell and carlson stocks and 1 boyds pro varmint.

Would you guys show me your rigs and post the weight. I'm headed to Colorado for 3rd season this year and I'm taking my 325 wsm browning abolt, and my 8mm remington magnum.

Ill take as much advice as I can get. Also if there's anyone close to kc who wants to do some long range shooting Im looking for a shooting partner, and I have a place to shoot 1000 yards.

 

[ohiohunter]

Depending on the stocks you have on your other rifles I'm gonna say your new proof barreled rig will be lighter but will still be in the 9# range. If you want light you're gonna have to go w/ a light stock, the proof barrel doesn't offer a terrible amount of weight savings, but if funds allow.. then go for it. Weight savings can also come from the scope and rings. I'd start looking at Mcm Edge fill and manners eh.

Or consider a 28ss and run it on a short action.

I had a savage sporter barrel 300wm on an HTG edge stock that weighed about 7.5-8lbs, it was very shootable. You can always opt for a brake if need be. I also have a stiller 300wm on a gamescout w/ a cut down med palma 25" unbraked that weighs in at 10.5lbs.. my 115lb girlfriend has zero problems launching 215gr bergers with it.

 

[dougduey]

I totally understand you not wanting to tote around a 10+ lb rifle up and down the mountain all day while chasing elk (which is why my 7 STW doesn't get to go elk hunting). It's the same reason my elk rifle is a 300 WSM. Fully loaded with scope/rings, bipod and sling, it comes in at 9.5 lbs. The weight hasn't bothered me at all while elk hunting at 7000'-11000' elevation in Colorado or New Mexico. I suck wind more these days because I'm 50 years old now, but the rifle is the last of my issues. It's more of my age and my out of shape body!!

 

[257Tony]

I've always thought of a true mountain rifle as having a 7lb max weight as a bare rifle. Add a 20 oz or less scope with rings, 3-4 rounds in the gun and you're at about 8.5 to 8.75 lbs total. I'd consider maybe a 25"-26" barrel on that .270, flute and lighten the bolt where you can and you'll be right there.

 

[Idaho Trecker]

I built a 270 Sherman Shortmag (SS) for this exact purpose. I'm running 170 Bergers/165 Matrix at 3010 fps. My build has Talley ringmounts holding a Zeiss HD5 3-15x50 on a Rem 700 Short action sitting in a Manners EH 2 with a #3 fluted Brux 1:8 twist at 24". This package comes in at 8 pounds 2 ounces with scope and rings.

 

[12valvetater]

I'll give another vote for McMillan with edge fill. My magnum length pre 64 winchester in a McMillan a3 shorter with a number 3 Bartlein 26" 300 winchester 3-18 z6 Swarovski comes in at 11.5lbs. I'm pretty confident that the same stick with their edge technology would have shed a pound of weight.

 

[Rich Coyle]

6mm06guy,

Since Photobucket is messed up I can't give you a photo. I tried for about fifteen minutes. Most frustrating. It is a photo of me with a sheep and a Weatherby Mark V six lug in a Proof Research stock with a 26" Pac-Nor sporting a Swarovski 5-25X52. It also has a Terminator 2 brake. I once fired a group of about ten shots in 3/4" at full throttle.

All that is to give you some info. The important thing is it weighs six pounds thirteen ounces.

 

[6mm06guy]

I have considered the 270 ss, but I have a 270 wsm and the cases are so close I'm almost afraid of mixed cases.

This is great information guys keep it coming.

Any pics of your rigs?

 

[lancetkenyon]

I am building a lightweight .280AI as we speak. Will finish between 8-8.5# w. scope when it is complete.
R700 LA BDL
Fluted bolt
Shilen Match trigger @ 1.5#
Proof Research Sendero Light 7mm 1:9" @ 26"
Hawkins 3 port brake
All metal will get Armor Black Cerakote
Manners EH1
Seekins alloy 20MOA Picatinny
Seekins alloy 30mm low rings
Premier Heritage Light Tactical 3-15×50 w. Gen 2XR

Rebarreling my .25-06AI w. 28" Shilen #4, here are a few progress pics.

 

[BEEMAN]

I just finished up a light 6.5X47. Wildcat stock, #3 Benchmark fluted 25", Trigger Tech, Remington 700, dipped in KUIU Verde 2.0, topped with Tally light weights and a Z5 5-25X52. Finished at 7 lbs 13 oz.

 

[Idaho Trecker]

Here's a couple pictures of my 270 SS. Forgot I have a vortex low profile bubble level on it also.

 

[elkaholic]

Here is another 270SS. Lone Peak TI action, Brux #3 fluted and nitrided chrome moly barrel cut to 20", Manners EH4 stock, Timney elite trigger, Swaro 4x12 scope with 2 piece Talley aluminum mounts. Weighs exactly 7 lbs. field ready.

 

[ohiohunter]

Here is another 270SS. Lone Peak TI action, Brux #3 fluted and nitrided chrome moly barrel cut to 20", Manners EH4 stock, Timney elite trigger, Swaro 4x12 scope with 2 piece Talley aluminum mounts. Weighs exactly 7 lbs. field ready.

How does that ss fair with that short tube?

 

[elkaholic]

How does that ss fair with that short tube?

It is amazing! My hunting load last year was a 150 AB at 3152' and .3 moa.