Light Weight Rifle Advice/Input

[Benjblt]

I'm looking at a light weight mountain rifle. I'm looking for feedback on make and model as well as caliber (I'm 90% decided already).

I started out looking at selling my 300 WSM Remington 700 XCR with the Trynite coating and buying a X-bolt Pro in 300 WSM. For a little as I was going to get out of my Remington I decided to keep it and add a Bell and Carlson stock. This meant adding 4 ounces to an already 7.3 lb gun. Keeping my current rifle and only adding a B&C stock also meant I saved around $1,500 over buying the Pro.

Of course I owe it to myself to buy another gun. So my thought was I would get a light gun for backpack hunting, essentially a mountain gun. I figured it might also be something light and small enough I could pass on to my sons to shoot when they are younger.

So caliber. . . I thought about the 6.5 CM (I remember an employee behind the gun counter at Bi-Mart years ago raving about the 260 Remington and always wanted something similar). Ultimately I think I like the 7mm-08 gets the nod from me though. Its very versatile and my family already has one with the reloading dies that we would share.

Make and Model. . . my two thoughts are the Savage 110 light weight storm and the Tikka Super Light.

The Savage: The latest rendition has a lot of stock adjust-ability, albeit a little goofy looking. I really like that you can adjust the length of pull and feel like this is a major advantage if I'm going to have my kids use it. It's listed at 5.5lbs. Does anyone know if it really comes in at that? It also has a 20 inch barrel. I've always been a little apprehensive about short barrels but since I want a mountain rifle I feel like it fits the bill. Any major limitations with short barrel like that? Obviously speed. What about weight of the bullet? Does it affect accuracy?

The Tikka: I've heard so much good about these rifles. This one isn't much heavier but it has an over 2 inches longer barrel then the Savage. It's listed at 5.9lbs. Anyone know if that's correct and weighed one? The stock won't have the adjustability but I don't want to base my decision solely on that. This rifle is probably in second place but barely. Accuracy certainly counts but if the I'd assume that they would both be similar in accuracy. I also like the short bolt through seeing as how I used to have Browning A-bolt.

Any other rifle suggestions? I'm open to all suggestions and appreciate the feedback.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

Tikka superlite is 10 times the rifle the savage is. Period.

after going balls deep twice now on 7mm-08, really wish woulda went with the 6.5..

147gr eld-m at .7bc at 2700fps is a lot of go with a little bit of bang.

You gotta lean hard on 162gr to get em to compete.

It's the "hipster" round I know but tikka superlite, hornady ammo and swfa scope is life's ez button. pUSHIT!!!

 

[vermeire]

Buy this:

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/remington-model-7-ssf-7-08-imp-w-extras.124280/#post-1179635

I wish I was in the market for this much rifle...

 

[JeffRaines]

I wouldn’t discount the Kimber Hunter.

You can pull the gel out of the stock and lose 6-8oz. Most of the reviews I’ve seen have been favorable in regards to them shooting.

Honestly, these days I don’t see them as being any worse of a gamble than Browning, Tikka or Weatherby. They all make turds occasionally.

I have owned a Savage 116 LWH in the past and it shot really well with factory stuff. I don’t think the new one offers the adjustable stock, because that stock with the bedding block weighs quite a bit. I do think that you can do better for the money though.

 

[elkguide]

So many good choices/options. Way too little time and money!

Put a bunch of different rifles in your hands and go with the one that fits the best.

As to caliber, they will all kill so it's just a matter of which one fits your fancy. I'm in the 7mm08 camp over the smaller 6.5's BUT the new 6.5 PRC has me thinking that since there isn't any more room in my gun safe….. it's time to buy another safe!

 

[eamyrick]

Why not drop your Remington into a McMillian Edge or something lightweight? Save some more money and have it rebarreled down the road.

 

[Benjblt]

Tikka superlite is 10 times the rifle the savage is. Period.

after going balls deep twice now on 7mm-08, really wish woulda went with the 6.5..

147gr eld-m at .7bc at 2700fps is a lot of go with a little bit of bang.

You gotta lean hard on 162gr to get em to compete.

It's the "hipster" round I know but tikka superlite, hornady ammo and swfa scope is life's ez button. pUSHIT!!!

Why do you say that? I've heard a lot of good about the Savage. Of course I've heard nothing but good about the Tikka as well. Do you have the Super Light?

 

[Benjblt]

Buy this:

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/remington-model-7-ssf-7-08-imp-w-extras.124280/#post-1179635

I wish I was in the market for this much rifle...

Thanks for the spot. I don't think I'm going to go over $800. I've also got a bunch of gift cards for Cabelas so I'm hoping to find something there. That part may not work out as their rifle selection sucks!

 

[Benjblt]

I wouldn’t discount the Kimber Hunter.

You can pull the gel out of the stock and lose 6-8oz. Most of the reviews I’ve seen have been favorable in regards to them shooting.

Honestly, these days I don’t see them as being any worse of a gamble than Browning, Tikka or Weatherby. They all make turds occasionally.

I have owned a Savage 116 LWH in the past and it shot really well with factory stuff. I don’t think the new one offers the adjustable stock, because that stock with the bedding block weighs quite a bit. I do think that you can do better for the money though.

I looked at that one. The guys at the Cabelas sales counter talked me out of it a little. It does look interesting, and affordable though. I suppose if it shot well it would fit what I want for sure.

 

[Benjblt]

Why not drop your Remington into a McMillian Edge or something lightweight? Save some more money and have it rebarreled down the road.

It's a little too late for me to do that. I did consider some light weight options but figured I could buy two rifles the way I'm doing it.

 

[deerkiller]

Never, NEVER EVER allow "some guy" behind a counter to sway your choices about ANYTHING - MOST of the time they know less than the cute little gal taking your money at the checkout ! Occasionally, you will stumble on someone who knows what they're talking about BUT usually those knowledgeable people will be found at an independent shop OR working in another industry - THIS statement comes from spending approx. 50 years overhearing some D*****T giving a sincere question a battering of BU****IT as an answer ….

 

[deerkiller]

I looked at that one. The guys at the Cabelas sales counter talked me out of it a little. It does look interesting, and affordable though. I suppose if it shot well it would fit what I want for sure.

I know you have Cabela's points but be aware you'll spend 10-20% more there GENERALLY - I am curious WHAT exactly the Cabela's sales counter employee told you to "talk you out of the Kimber HUNTER a little" ? By all appearances and accounts Kimber is/has finally gotten their act straight on QC issues with their rifles - I relented after swearing them off for life, bought HUNTERS in 6.5 CM (for my grandson's first CF) and I got a .280 AI (which I am deeply smitten with, it killed 3 WY cows in 2018 out to 604 yds, darn nice shooting HUNTING rifle) and I am supposed to be a "Tikka Man"

 

[Lawnboi]

I was a little leery of all the tikka praise on here, until I got one. You can build off the tikka if you want to make it into more of a rifle too.

Personally I would have kept the 700 to build off of.

I don’t think you can go wrong with a tikka though. I’d personally stay away from Kimber, having owned one along with a couple tikkas now.

 

[Benjblt]

Never, NEVER EVER allow "some guy" behind a counter to sway your choices about ANYTHING - MOST of the time they know less than the cute little gal taking your money at the checkout ! Occasionally, you will stumble on someone who knows what they're talking about BUT usually those knowledgeable people will be found at an independent shop OR working in another industry - THIS statement comes from spending approx. 50 years overhearing some D*****T giving a sincere question a battering of BU****IT as an answer ….

Oh yeah. I know. I'm probably more trusting then you but I found this same fella made a few other misleading comments and I've decided to take everything with a grain of salt that he said.

 

[Benjblt]

I know you have Cabela's points but be aware you'll spend 10-20% more there GENERALLY - I am curious WHAT exactly the Cabela's sales counter employee told you to "talk you out of the Kimber HUNTER a little" ? By all appearances and accounts Kimber is/has finally gotten their act straight on QC issues with their rifles - I relented after swearing them off for life, bought HUNTERS in 6.5 CM (for my grandson's first CF) and I got a .280 AI (which I am deeply smitten with, it killed 3 WY cows in 2018 out to 604 yds, darn nice shooting HUNTING rifle) and I am supposed to be a "Tikka Man"

The only thing is I have about $800 plus in gift cards for the place. They don't even sell the two rifles I mentioned in my first post. They do have the Kimber. it seemed nice. I just know that the Tikka and Savage are well known for their accuracy. I would worry about two things beyond accuracy with the Kimber; The ability to customize (like an alternate stock) with aftermarket stuff and . . . the space in the magazine for longer bullets.

 

[Benjblt]

I was a little leery of all the tikka praise on here, until I got one. You can build off the tikka if you want to make it into more of a rifle too.

Personally I would have kept the 700 to build off of.

I don’t think you can go wrong with a tikka though. I’d personally stay away from Kimber, having owned one along with a couple tikkas now.

Didn't like the Kimber's huh? I'm really considering the superlight. They say it's 5.9 pounds.

 

[Lawnboi]

Didn't like the Kimber's huh? I'm really considering the superlight. They say it's 5.9 pounds.

Nope. Had a hunter in 308 that I shot a few deer with and currently have a family members mountain ascent in my possession. The ascent is okay. I hated the hunter. I’d pick a t3x lite over either of them.

That said I’m also not chasing the lightest possible gun. I like something a little more forgiving

 

[Benjblt]

Nope. Had a hunter in 308 that I shot a few deer with and currently have a family members mountain ascent in my possession. The ascent is okay. I hated the hunter. I’d pick a t3x lite over either of them.

That said I’m also not chasing the lightest possible gun. I like something a little more forgiving

Do you have a T3x Superlite? If so have you weighed it?

 

[Lawnboi]

Do you have a T3x Superlite? If so have you weighed it?

No I have 2 lites

 

[Ndbowhunter]

I have a kimber hunter 7mm-08.. hacked up but shoots well.. 1 Moa.. you can have for 450$.. I'll throw in lapua brass and dies as well.


That said I have Remington 700 gun for 60$ , A savage 110 that to me cost 0 dollars, and a weatherby vanguard for 100$.

Putting pen to paper a superlite 6.5 creedmoor does more (6lbs, vertical grip, extreme accuracy with cheap ammo, large mag box) then what I can do with free guns and a build.

Add in the fact 22lr trainer that matches perfectly for 450$??

It's a no brainer.

There's about a 3-4 ounce variance with superlites. The caliber and cartridge makes some difference due to hole size in barrel and length of barrel. Give or take an ounce from 96oz is a good rule of thumb.