Buying your first lightweight mountain rifle in 2025.

[nm.otter]

Are there newer Superlite Roughtechs?

 

[plebe]

Are there newer Superlite Roughtechs?

I don’t know, but that model has been available since spring 2024. It uses a 5/8 x 24 adapter.

 

[nm.otter]

2025 20" factory-threaded Superlites are either on the way or beginning to trickle in.

Those 'old' EU models still look like a deal to me once you add up the value of Cerakoted stainless plus a fluted bolt and Roughtech stock.

 

[plebe]

2025 20" factory-threaded Superlites are either on the way or beginning to trickle in.

Those 'old' EU models still look like a deal to me once you add up the value of Cerakoted stainless plus a fluted bolt and Roughtech stock.

Just pointing out it isn’t a link to a new Superlite.

 

[Northern Safari]

Starting to look into the 6.5PRC, hope Sako starts chambering for that in their 90.

 

[ianpadron]

I'd scoop a Kimber Montana in 6.5 NevaGunnaNeedMoor, topped with an SWFA 3-9 HD

In a stable of double digit high-end bolt guns, my 6.5 Montana is the "if you could only keep one" rifle, and it shoots legitimate 1" 10 shot groups all day every day with factory 147 ELDMS. Light, handy, no recoil to speak of with a brake or can...plenty of sauce to get me out further than I have any business shooting at a critter with a 6 pound setup.

 

[Flipincanadian]

I’m Guessing you are in Canada by the no suppressors comment? If that’s the case up the $$ compared to suggestions from the US by 30-40%

I was in a similar position a couple years ago and I settled on a Kimber Montana in 6.5cm with a Leupold Vx-3 4.5-14 and a titanium boltknob for a total of 6.2 lbs unloaded. If I had to do it again I would have opted for a 280 in the same rifle for a bit more power in grizzly country.

 

[Northern Safari]

I’m Guessing you are in Canada by the no suppressors comment? If that’s the case up the $$ compared to suggestions from the US by 30-40%

I was in a similar position a couple years ago and I settled on a Kimber Montana in 6.5cm with a Leupold Vx-3 4.5-14 and a titanium boltknob for a total of 6.2 lbs unloaded. If I had to do it again I would have opted for a 280 in the same rifle for a bit more power in grizzly country.

Yup Canada.

I’m fairly set on the Sako 90 at this point. Either peak or Finnlight in one of the 6.5 offerings.

 

[nm.otter]

I doubt you'll be disappointed. They're lovely rifles.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

Don’t forget the ‘adventure’ model, the finnlight is not light! Choose between peak and adventure imo.

I have 90 peak in 308 at 7 lb all up and recoil management is noticeably better than my Tikka 308 which is 1/4 lb heavier. The Tikka reaches annoying recoil every shot threshold but the Sako is under that and you could roll through couple boxes without thinking about it in a negative way.

 

[mtwarden]

Factory—a Kimber Hunter in 6.5 CM topped with a 3x9 Accupoint; shoots good, lightweight, dependable and not a ton of $

 

[ianpadron]

Those Sako Peak 90s look pretty friggin' awesome but the pricing on them is insane. Could get into a Proof or Seekins, or fully pimped out Tikka for less.

No doubt it'll shoot bug holes but it looks like a $1500-2k rifle to my eyes

 

[Stinky Coyote]

Those Sako Peak 90s look pretty friggin' awesome but the pricing on them is insane. Could get into a Proof or Seekins, or fully pimped out Tikka for less.

No doubt it'll shoot bug holes but it looks like a $1500-2k rifle to my eyes

3 lug, shorter ~70 degree bolt throw, no plastic, stainless, aluminum or carbon fiber, the stock feels and sounds like wood or if milled from billet carbon, 5 in the belly plus 1 in pipe, flush detach mag has no equal with its push up on mag before you can flip the release tab, world record lock time, adjustable trigger for pull weight from 2 to 4 lbs in half lb increments(clicks that indicate what setting you’re on) and easy to adjust externally, trigger blade also adjusts forward or back 7mm or bit over 1/4”, integral picatinny bases machined right into the action, fluted barrel, comes with threaded muzzle, knurled dust cap and radial brake, modern stock design with higher and negative comb and vertical grip. Cycles almost as slick as a Tikka which is is slicker than most anything by long shot, but holds the ammo more securely than Tikka and doesn’t smash poly tips into front of magazine under recoil like tikkas do in proper recoiling cartridges lol.

If accuracy all you need pick anything that fits your budget and needs, so many options.

If the ultimate assembly of the best features, attributes, and materials, seamlessly integrated into a sleek compact design with incredible fit, finish and quality control...then no 90 degree rem kit gun can begin to compete.

They demanded perfection and they finally found it. But you gotta pay for it. Right out of the box, rings and scope and you’re all done. No building anything, no waiting, no assembly, no lottery on expectations of fit finish and quality control...it’s as good as it gets for what you can buy off the shelf in a box.

Now you know...

And I’m probably missing some things lol

How’s resale on the kit guns or pimped out tikkas?

 

[nm.otter]

And I’m probably missing some things

Not much.

I'd add: Really nice magazines, many having cartridge-specific designs.

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

I like my 308 Howa Super Lite, 5.6lbs with a small muzzle brake on it. Shoots the first 2 rounds touching and the 3rd about 1/2 inch off the first 2 consistently with 165 Accubonds and a stiff jolt of Varget (2694 FPS says Magnetospeed). I did have to bed the stock with JB Weld (WaterWeld putty) and move to 165s instead of my preferred 150s to get it there tho. It also runs 125 Accubonds pretty accurate too, as well as 168 SMKs.

I had a Kimber Montana 84M once some years ago. Loved the way it felt and handled, but it was (by far) the least accurate rifle I ever owned (8-9 MOA from the factory, no better than 3 after EXTENSIVE work), not to mention it had feeding problems and other nonsense. Kimber wouldn't do nothing about it. Never again, for me.