Is there a portless 12 or 12.5 inch 223rem/wylde/556 barrel option out there (same pencil profile as the shaw or faxon pencil barrels?) for an SBR setup? I would expect it to be in the 14oz range for the barrel+extension.
Sorry if this has been covered in the thread elsewhere.
My ULUL solo300 build (223wylde) is setup for semi-long range (dialing Scope, arca for a tripod, adjustable stock cheek riser, nicer trigger, etc.) It's easy to stay in the 1moa range out to 400 yards, and I can hit my 500 and 725 yard gongs without much to-do... but wind plays a big role. It...
Why not consider the HNT26 chassis? Can get it even lighter than the element MG. I ditched the factory folder on mine and found an adapter to run a buffertube style stock I made... I'm at 20oz including the folder mechanism and the stock, all with built in ARCA, thumbrest, etc.
Scythe Ti is under 8oz including the Direct Mount. Mine has proven just as quiet as my Ultra7 on my ULUL 223. It's nearly 2 ounces lighter than an Ultra5 (including the mount that TBAC requires, either DT or CB) and the Scythe Ti is way quieter and easier to clean.
I think another alternative...
In regards to the swfa 2.5-10x32 UL (BDC version) I've had good luck with them. Very easy scope to get behind IMO with a very bright and wide field of view considering its small size. I've found a trick with the BDC/SFP combo that works for me... I use it like a poor man's dialing scope...
I've been down this road a few times. Put together a couple 300wm and a 28nos in hnt26 chassis. They are just too much recoil for that system IMO. I was never as happy with the shootability or groups as I'd have liked. On the other hand, my custom and semi-custom 6mmCM and 6.5cm rifles with...
To your point, I've found that for maximum shootability long range (especially for kids or novice shooters), I consider the total weight of the finished rifle, including bipod/tripod, ammo in mag, ammo in sleeve, suppressor, scope, etc...
My rule of thumb all up is:
5-6 lbs, 223rem, 22arc...
70.1oz is as light as I could get my 223 contender, including 16 inch barrel, folder stock and scope rings and a spot for a couple extra bullets. It was 87.5oz (under 5.5lbs) including an swfa ultralight 2.5-10x32 bdc, and a scythe ti can.
It is definitely the most compact option out there...
Bummer, I opened up rokslide this morning, and saw the above post... but it looks like it's already sold elsewhere. In the future, if anyone else has a scope to offer, please PM me.