Lighten my Remington 700 SPS

[HGH90]

Hi Rokslide,

I have a Remington 700 SPS rifle in cal .308W which I love. However, it is a bit too heavy for my liking for the type of hunting I do (mountains for red deer and caribou/reindeer).

Currently the gun weighs in at approx. 9 lbs (inc. suppressor).

I have a Leupold VX-R 3-9x50 mounted on it, which I am not looking to replace.

Any tips for lightening my setup?

Cheers!

EDIT: Picture added.

 

[flyfisher117]

Your optic is already pretty light.

You can ditch the suppressor for free.

Depending on what stock and barrel you have that’s about all you have left to cut weight with.

 

[teflonhunter]

What stock does it wear. Factory SPS stocks were pretty lite. Sporter barrel?

 

[Kyguy]

There's nothing you're going to do that to lighten it up substantially. Ditch the suppressor is the biggest thing. That has the older style stock instead of the newer sps stock with the rubber grips. The newer stocks are around 27oz in a short action, your stock is probably around 32oz, but it's a much better stock. You can grab a Peak 44 Blacktooth stock, it's 19 oz for $800. Is 12 oz worth $800 to you? You could maybe lose a little more with an MPI microlite blank, one of those ready to install is probably $1100, same kind of deal with an Echelon.

You could spend a grand on a newer, lighter barrel, between the blank and the gunsmithing. So, a grand on a barrel, and a grand on a stock... $2000 might save you 2lbs. Is it worth it to you?

 

[UnckleBob]

You have a light scope and a light stock. The issue is your barrel.

Your SPS has a relatively heavy barrel. The only way to give the rifle a diet is to replace the barrel. Swapping it will probably cost more than the rifle is worth.

In all likelihood, you most cost effective option is to sell the rifle and get something with a thinner barrel profile.

 

[HGH90]

You have a light scope and a light stock. The issue is your barrel.

Your SPS has a relatively heavy barrel. The only way to give the rifle a diet is to replace the barrel. Swapping it will probably cost more than the rifle is worth.

In all likelihood, you most cost effective option is to sell the rifle and get something with a thinner barrel profile.

This settles it I guess - thanks for the reply!

 

[Castle Rock]

That scope will let you down sooner than later, that’s the first thing I would change.
It’s not a heavy rifle in real terms.

 

[Ratamahatta]

Grab a 10 pound kettlebell and do farmers walk for about 20 to 30 minutes a few times a week each arm. One you'll be in better shape and two when you grab that rifle and take it for a walk you're already acclimated to it.