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

[C Bow]

I had a Kimber Arondack 308 With a 3.5 x 14 x 40 it weighted 5 lb 9 oz with 3 rounds in it. I killed a Dall on the North Slope of Brooks range with it 502 yards per the guides range finding binos. It was 1st Kimber I ever owned and I fixed it just for that hunt. It shot Hornady Super Performance 150 SST great. Thor told me if we could kill that sheep he would name that mountain after me as he had been trying to kill a sheep on that mountain for years but could never get within range. I gave him the rifle as a tip as I knew I would never get to go back. It was a dream since I was a boy that I will cherish till I die

 

[Thegman]

Conversely, I've owned 1 & it couldn't hit the floor if you dropped it!

While I've never had one shoot poorly "out of the box" like you or @NorthIdahoDude (sounds like a genuinely lousy barrel), it would be fair to add that I also wouldn't consider them as being reliable "out of the box" rifles for everyone, either. Becoming a Kimber Doctor, or at least a Kimber Medic can definitely be helpful with them.

Any that I've shot for a while have had various doctoring as necessary like bedding action and trigger guard, barrel channel relief, magazine box legs relieved, front action screw relieved,, scope mount screws relieved, etc.

They definitely aren't Tikkas "out of the box" and I won't vouch for Kimber QC. There are multiple things they miss reasonably often that can cause accuracy issues.

I once had to return a used 300 BO Adirondack that was cracked on the bottom of the mag well from the action screws being tightened against the magazine legs. The original owner apparently catch that, for which I don't really blame him. I imagine that one wouldn't have shot too well but didn't bother to find out.

 

[TradLife406]

Why wouldn't you hunt suppressed 100% of the time?
Why do you want a such a large bullet diameter? You must be new here. Welcome.

 

[packgoatguy]

Kimber hunter 84m is a hard value to beat. It's the lightest action besides a titanium. Narrowest barrel profile available. Barrel can be cut and threaded to your desired length. Only downside is the lack of aftermarket stock options. But you can 3D print one or have someone like LRI do a special inlet in an aftermarket stock for it I believe.

 

[z987k]

The hunter's have plastic stocks, but are otherwise the same rifle as the montana, which has a composite stock. If you're going to re-stock it anyways get the hunter. But to run as is, the Montana line is better.

I think for a true sub 6lb rifle under $1500 your options are howa mini, howa superlight, Kimber hunter or montana line. Even the tikka superlight puts you over 6lbs with any scope. Realistically to have a 6lb hunting rifle, the bare rifle needs to be under 5lbs.

 

[eamyrick]

Tikka T3x in 30-06. 22 inch barrel. 2650 with factory eld-x. Most accurate rifle over ever owned which is well over 20. Bedded by Tumbleweed Customs into a Stocky’s Sporter. Shot my 6x6 bull at 430 this year with it.

 

[z987k]

Tikka T3x in 30-06. 22 inch barrel. 2650 with factory eld-x. Most accurate rifle over ever owned which is well over 20. Bedded by Tumbleweed Customs into a Stocky’s Sporter. Shot my 6x6 bull at 430 this year with it.

View attachment 990821

212 eldx? Because that's really slow for the 175s.

 

[eamyrick]

Factory 178s. Yep slow factory ammo and slow factory barrel. Stupid accurate and consistent so I’ll take it. Maybe call it plus +p 308.

212 eldx? Because that's really slow for the 175s.

 

[fshaw]

My 308 Montana is my cold dead hands rifle. 7#7oz scope, suppressor, sling, 7 rounds and a stock pack. Stacks factory 168 tmks.

What powder are you using with those TMKs? Thanks.

 

[fshaw]

I had a Kimber Arondack 308 With a 3.5 x 14 x 40 it weighted 5 lb 9 oz with 3 rounds in it. I killed a Dall on the North Slope of Brooks range with it 502 yards per the guides range finding binos. It was 1st Kimber I ever owned and I fixed it just for that hunt. It shot Hornady Super Performance 150 SST great. Thor told me if we could kill that sheep he would name that mountain after me as he had been trying to kill a sheep on that mountain for years but could never get within range. I gave him the rifle as a tip as I knew I would never get to go back. It was a dream since I was a boy that I will cherish till I die

That’s a cool story and a hell of a tip for your guide. I’m sure he’s putting it to good use.

 

[Lionheart]

This one is .4lbs over. But it shoots and I’m not sure I want a lighter rifle in .308.
It’s for sale and in your budget…

 

[Jbehredt]

What powder are you using with those TMKs? Thanks.

It’s the federal tru factory stuff. Was easy to find until recently.

 

[fshaw]

It’s the federal tru factory stuff. Was easy to find until recently.

Thanks.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I’d would go with the tikka roughtech super lites from @EuroOptic seems like a winner for 1k

 

[z987k]

Factory 178s. Yep slow factory ammo and slow factory barrel. Stupid accurate and consistent so I’ll take it. Maybe call it plus +p 308.

That's rough. Mine shoots 175s at 2850 from a 20" and I'm not leaning on it or anything. That's backed off a bit.

 

[eamyrick]

That's rough. Mine shoots 175s at 2850 from a 20" and I'm not leaning on it or anything. That's backed off a bit.

Handloads and factory barrel?

 

[z987k]

Handloads and factory barrel?

Yes. RL17 magic pixie dust.

 

[nm.otter]

I’d would go with the tikka roughtech super lites

My 20" in a custom Pendleton LRH stock, Backstop recoil pad, and SWFA 6x MQ Gen2 plus an OG out front (over a factory 5/8"-24 adapter) comes in at 7 pounds 15 oz. It's about as much 6.5mm Creedmoor as I want to eat.