"Best" sub 6 pound rifle for under $1500?

[Macchina]

I've been interested in a lightweight rifle lately, specifically a 308 in either a 18" or 20" barrel. I already have a Leupold VX-IIIHD 2.5-8x36 that is sitting around and the main reason I want to pick up a new rifle just for it.

I'd love to pick one up with a carbon fiber stock right from the factory so I don't have to do that in addition.

I've been looking hard at the Kimber Hunter (seems there is some issues with their mags) and Howa Ultralight (seems the Stocky's Stocks have fit/finish issues). The Sig Cross Trax also caught my eye but it's a 16" barrel and that would most likely require a can all the time to tame the blast.

I have a .358" bore suppressor that works great on any caliber (Rex Silentium) but only like using it on open area hunts, not in the thick woods.

The appeal of a 20" barrel is I can shoot it occasionally without a can. 16" full power rifles have been really loud in my experience at the range.

OTOH, The new Ruger Hawkeye 16" in 358 Winchester has me really peaked. This may be the one I go with if I can't find something fun and ultralight.

 

[handwerk]

The Kimber hunters I've been around have feed fine.

 

[Pilsner]

Did you see the new Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan "Bush Rifles" from Lipseys? IN 9.3x62 and 35 Whelen. 18" barrel. Not sure on weight as the ones I've seen have all had a laminate stock.
I had a Kimber 84 in 30-06 and it was a fantastic rifle. Other than the fact that it only shot well with 180 grain fodder which is a little big for out southern whitetails, I had zero issues with it. Had that same Leupold 2.5-8x that you are going to use.
The Tikka ranch rifle is 6.6# which is a little over your limit but would be a nice choice. The superlite runs 6.3#

An important item that I didn't see mentioned is your budget...
If it was me and I had an open ended budget I would be finding a used NULA rifle from the Forbes years.
Other options are:
Kimber Mtn Ascent
Seeking Havok
Weatherby Ti Backcountry
Savage 110 Ultralight among others
Christensen Arms Ridgeline
Various Bergera options

Do you want a chassis style or a "traditional" type stock?

 

[KU_Geo]

Kimber Montana, old stock or used. Or grab a tikka and drop it in a peak 44 blacktooth stock. Both under $1500

 

[Jmhunt_13]

I have a kimber hunter and it's great. Accurate with no issues. Mags do make me a little nervous if they ever drop out in the woods but hasn't happened yet and I think it'd be hard to randomly happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[deadwolf]

Christensen Ridgeline Scout, NIB

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=45046&share_tid=384520&url=https://www.rokslide.com/forums/index.php?threads/Christensen-Ridgeline-Scout%2C-NIB.384520/&share_type=t&link_source=app

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nm.otter]

EuroOptic T3x Roughtech Superlites are a shade under six pounds with 20" barrels. 24" versions are a shade over. At those prices you can add a Rokstock and pretty much make your budget.

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

Worst rifle I ever owned, by a mile, was a Kimber Montana 308. 8 MOA from the factory, didn't feed from the left side of the mag, barrel was not floated, etc. Warranty was no help in Canada. That's been near 20 years ago, but I'm in camp never again on since then.

I have a Howa SuperLite I like a lot now - 5.5 lbs all in, scope and all, just a hair over MOA with ammo it likes. But, it took the most extensive bedding job I've ever done to get it there, and I'm not the only one who's had that misadventure.

Tikkas are usually solid, but in a different weight class.