Buying your first lightweight mountain rifle in 2025.

[Northern Safari]

If you were in the market for a lightweight mountain rifle today intended for sheep and goat species, what would you be in the market for in terms of rifle, cartridge and optic?

I know many go the custom route but I would like to stick with factory rifles with a focus on weight, hoping to keep the entire package under 8.0lbs, 7.0lbs would be better.

I've been eyeing the new Sako 90 Peak rifle at 5.7lbs. What would be some alternatives? I'm aware of the Browning X-Bolt, Howa Superlight etc. Long action or short action? 20" barrel? 24"?

In terms of cartridges what would you pick? I'm hoping to keep recoil down considering the intended lightweight setup. Something flat shooting and capable out to ~400m.

• 6mm Creedmoor?
• 6.5 Creedmoor?
• 6.5 PRC?
• 7mm-08?
• 7 Rem Mag?
• .308?
• A Quarter Bore?
• Other?

For optics I'm ideally looking for a scope & ring combo that comes in right around 1.0 lbs with medium magnification range. I see that Leupold offers their VX3HD in 4.5-14x weighing in at 13.3 oz. Who else makes lightweight optics in this same range?

 

[ReddingArcher]

I took a Christensen arms Mesa fft in 6.5 prc on my sheep hunt last year. It comes in at 7.75 lbs with a Nightforce 3-10 SHV on it. I know the Leupold scopes come in a bit lighter but I’ve had them fail and so have many others on the site. I just won’t trust those scopes anymore.
If doing it over again I’d just go tikka in 6.5 prc or creed or rebarrel one to a 6mm creed. I’m not overly happy with my Christensen, I get carbon buildup in the chamber after 30 rounds or so and have to clean the hell out of it otherwise I get brass stuck in the chamber. Never have that issue with my tikkas.

 

[Jmort1754]

If want to go lightweight and only sheep,

25 CM
6 UM
25 PRC

Tikka action

Echelon stock

22 inch steel barrel

 

[idig4au]

Weatherby backcountry Ti in 6.5 RPM

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Ive been really happy with my Kimber Montana 308, its had some work done to it but Its accurate and light. Even with the silencer, accupoint 3-9 and a more durable scope/ring setup its still under 6.5lbs.

 

[pacoalcracker]

Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT Ti in 308 Winchester. Weighs right at 6 pounds with a Leupold 3x9x40 mounted and a sling. Shoots light out with at least 6 different factory loads 130gr-168gr. Handles and carries like a dream and very little recoil. Will kill anything in North America out to 400 yards. Also have the same in 7PRC if I need to extend that range a lot more. Never a problem with either of them rifles or any Leupold I own.

 

[nm.otter]

I know many go the custom route but I would like to stick with factory rifles
...
I'm hoping to keep recoil down considering the intended lightweight setup.

Assuming you're planning on keeping the factory barrel and chamber (I personally would with a Sako), 6.5 Creedmoor is easily the best on your list that Sako offers.

Quite a few here would suggest .223 Remington for your needs.

If you're a bit more adventurous (and use the right gunsmith) you could order a .243 Winchester and have the factory barrel re-chambered in 6mm Creedmoor (or even 6mm GT). That would require losing about half an inch off the breech end of the barrel, but if it's done right, you would end up with a really sweet machine.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I own 2 CA rifles 1 is a lights out shooter one is meh. I’d look at a sako/ tikka, or maybe something semi custom. I think 6cm is plenty for sheep and goats. I would suggest not a leupold, probably a trijicon, night force, or Swfa, or maven rs 1.2.

When you are trying to go as light as possible I think the smaller the caliber the better, as lighter rifles with more recoil are not a great combo for spotting shots or follow up shots

 

[Northern Safari]

If want to go lightweight and only sheep,

25 CM
6 UM
25 PRC

Tikka action

Echelon stock

22 inch steel barrel

There’s a 25 PRC now?

 

[Northern Safari]

Assuming you're planning on keeping the factory barrel and chamber (I personally would with a Sako), 6.5 Creedmoor is easily the best on your list that Sako offers.

Quite a few here would suggest .223 Remington for your needs.

If you're a bit more adventurous (and use the right gunsmith) you could order a .243 Winchester and have the factory barrel re-chambered in 6mm Creedmoor (or even 6mm GT). That would require losing about half an inch off the breech end of the barrel, but if it's done right, you would end up with a really sweet machine.

Going into this, the Sako 90 Peak in 20” configuration is what I have in mind.

That model is only offered in 6.5 Creed or 308. I’m no stranger to recoil as Inshoot a bunch of safari rifles but I imagine even a 7.0lb 308 would be fairly snappy compared to the 6.5.

The Browning and Bergara offerings have a wider cartridge selection.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Going into this, the Sako 90 Peak in 20” configuration is what I have in mind.

That model is only offered in 6.5 Creed or 308. I’m no stranger to recoil as Inshoot a bunch of safari rifles but I imagine even a 7.0lb 308 would be fairly snappy compared to the 6.5.

The Browning and Bergara offerings have a wider cartridge selection.

Any plans to use a suppressor? My 5.5 lb ca fft in 6.5cm suppressed is a kitten I think with scope and suppressor it’s 7.2 lbs

 

[Northern Safari]

Any plans to use a suppressor? My 5.5 lb ca fft in 6.5cm suppressed is a kitten I think with scope and suppressor it’s 7.2 lbs

No suppressors here since we can’t have them.

 

[RWT]

Tikka lite 6.5 cut to 16.
UM rings
SWFA 3x15
RS.
All in 8lbs 5 oz

I can shed 12 oz by switching to the Bastion stock

 

[nm.otter]

Going into this, the Sako 90 Peak in 20” configuration is what I have in mind.

You won't regret that.

Have you had a chance to put hands on a 90 action yet? The term gets overused, but they really are smooth as glass -- and the trigger is phenomenal.

 

[Northern Safari]

You won't regret that.

Have you had a chance to put hands on a 90 action yet? The term gets overused, but they really are smooth as glass -- and the trigger is phenomenal.

I haven’t yet. My only experiences with Sako is their 85 line with the Kodiak and Brown Bear Models.

Never used one in these sleek new stocks and actions but I’ve only heard positive reviews.

 

[nm.otter]

85 -> 90 changes per Sako:

• The Sako 90 is equipped with a fully adjustable trigger in weight of pull from 1 to 2 kg. The trigger position can also be move forward or backward to fit your hand and finger size. (7mm play)
• A Picatinny rail is now built in the receiver block on all the models except the Sako 90 Bavarian and Hunter models.
• The carbon stocks surface finish has been improved with a more granular texture, offering a better hold and grip on the rifle. The Sako 90 Peak and Quest and Quest Ultra are equipped with that stock.
• The Sako 90 Bolt is equipped with 3 locking lugs, a push feed operation and double plungers ejection.

 

[rogerdoger]

This year I got into a tikka lite stainless PRC, trijicon credo, UM rings, arca mini and arca-pic, and cheek riser. I am in at 8.8lb, I did epoxy the forend so that weight could be saved, scope has some heft to it

 

[TaperPin]

For a light rifle if you aren’t recoil sensitive the 7 mag or 270 win would be my choice - everyone makes one, and just like catchup, pick the one that seems right and it will work. Both have worked great since before I was born.

Hornady is good at marketing nowadays and to get some of that pie has brought out the 6.5 and 7 PRC, ballistic twins to the old reliable, and at the distances most people are shooting, no better.

A 6.5 creed or 7mm 08 shooting 140 gr bullets works just fine with slightly less recoil. A 308 and 165 gr bullet is closer to an alternative to the 270 recoil wise - with laser rangefinders and dialable scopes, the trajectory is less of an issue.

 

[Seak_angler]

The Tikka superlite is tough to beat especially for the price.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

From your list and with the rifle have to be "light" and "factory" in no particular order:
6.5 CM or 7mm-08

Unsure if you have ammo limitations where you are as that may dictate what direction to go. I don't recall seeing you say if your handload or not.