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.

 

[ianpadron]

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?

I don't buy guns for their resale value.

Still not worth $3k to me and I love Sakos.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

I don't buy guns for their resale value.

Still not worth $3k to me and I love Sakos.

Beauty, now you know why guys who rather the time and money goes in from manufacturer end vs the buyer end, who can’t or won’t afford to deal with another unsatisfactory lottery ticket or project gun. But once cry once. Saying you don’t see what’s there in dollars by looking at it is short sighted, gotta learn about topics then speak on them. Nothing out there with this many desirable and unique feature sets wrapped into one pure hunting rifle, nothing. Worth every penny to those that understand what it is and value their time and money.

I ‘built’ a Tikka 308 along side mine it to mirror it as a loaner to kids or backup etc. I like 2’s of most things if nothing more. I could go on and on about the Tikka-ism’s it takes to get one put together well, chopped, waiting for parts, trips to smith, and at 1/4 lb heavier it kicks harder than the Sako. Anyway...time and money. The Sako put rings and scope on at kitchen table and was killing with the same day I put it on paper. The Tikka still at smith or waiting for rail or bottom metal etc. Time and cost sucks and fuel burned, not so cheap to a good Tikka. And even when done the Tikka it still doesn’t hold a candle to the Sako for features and attributes as a hunting rifle. There s no amount of money or time you can throw at a rem 700 or Tikka to get it into the Sako 90 relm. Accuracy is the only thing that it can equal or better, that’s it, one thing only.

And yeah I have sent so many down the road I never intended to sell lol. Doubt used 90 market will be a thing and if they do pop up still respectable dollar for them as a known quantity. Good luck on any rem 700 kit pkg.

 

[ianpadron]

Beauty, now you know why guys who rather the time and money goes in from manufacturer end vs the buyer end, who can’t or won’t afford to deal with another unsatisfactory lottery ticket or project gun. But once cry once. Saying you don’t see what’s there in dollars by looking at it is short sighted, gotta learn about topics then speak on them. Nothing out there with this many desirable and unique feature sets wrapped into one pure hunting rifle, nothing. Worth every penny to those that understand what it is and value their time and money.

I ‘built’ a Tikka 308 along side mine it to mirror it as a loaner to kids or backup etc. I like 2’s of most things if nothing more. I could go on and on about the Tikka-ism’s it takes to get one put together well, chopped, waiting for parts, trips to smith, and at 1/4 lb heavier it kicks harder than the Sako. Anyway...time and money. The Sako put rings and scope on at kitchen table and was killing with the same day I put it on paper. The Tikka still at smith or waiting for rail or bottom metal etc. Time and cost sucks and fuel burned, not so cheap to a good Tikka. And even when done the Tikka it still doesn’t hold a candle to the Sako for features and attributes as a hunting rifle. There s no amount of money or time you can throw at a rem 700 or Tikka to get it into the Sako 90 relm. Accuracy is the only thing that it can equal or better, that’s it, one thing only.

I'm glad you like your rifle.

I'd rather have 1.5 Fieldcrafts, 3 Kimbers, or 2 tricked out Tikkas for the $$$

Signed, a guy who very much values his time and money.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

I'm glad you like your rifle.

I'd rather have 1.5 Fieldcrafts, 3 Kimbers, or 2 tricked out Tikkas for the $$$

Signed, a guy who very much values his time and money.

Lmao, wouldn’t it be great if you could and carry and shoot em all at once?

It’s your money, no one cares what you spend it on. Several subpar rifles that combined still leave you wanting, or 1 Sako 90 and be fully satisfied.

Thankfully we’re free enough to make our choices and live with them. You said you didn’t see the value in Sako 90 so I’m just helping bring you up to speed on why others do. All the best.

 

[ianpadron]

Lmao, wouldn’t it be great if you could and carry and shoot em all at once?

It’s your money, no one cares what you spend it on. Several subpar rifles that combined still leave you wanting, or 1 Sako 90 and be fully satisfied.

Thankfully we’re free enough to make our choices and live with them. You said you didn’t see the value in Sako 90 so I’m just helping bring you up to speed on why others do. All the best.

Only on RS will someone tell you Barretts, Kimbers, and Tikkas are sub-par.

Thank you for enlightening me. Listing my rifles today to buy a Sako 90 due to how convincing your pitch was.