Lightest Rifle Possible

[z987k]

In a traditional bolt gun it's pretty hard to get under 4lbs for the bare rifle. Scopes that are sub 20oz are rarely any good so that puts you a bit over 5.

The straight pull AR is the lightest, but lacks much of what most want in a hunting rifle.

 

[Old3Toe]

Light rifles are more difficult to shoot well, most especially under circumstances that matter. 8lbs is the sweet spot.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

In a traditional bolt gun it's pretty hard to get under 4lbs for the bare rifle. Scopes that are sub 20oz are rarely any good so that puts you a bit over 5.

The straight pull AR is the lightest, but lacks much of what most want in a hunting rifle.

Trijicon accupoint 3-9 is well under 20oz and it’s a great scope. Not really a dialing scope but still a great option at 13.4 oz.

 

[Aoudaddy]

Kimber Montana rebarreled to 6.5-284 with a Lilja modified kimber contour, added a bansners muzzle brake and its half moa with factory ammo.

Talley LW rings and bases and Leupold 4.5-14 long range

Pretty sweet handling rifle

 

[z987k]

Trijicon accupoint 3-9 is well under 20oz and it’s a great scope. Not really a dialing scope but still a great option at 13.4 oz.

Kenton will make you a turret for it.

 

[StupidLightweight]

The straight pull AR is the lightest, but lacks much of what most want in a hunting rifle.

I’m no fan of hunting with ultralight rifles, but what are the straight-pull ARs lacking?

 

[packgoatguy]

Light rifles are more difficult to shoot well, most especially under circumstances that matter. 8lbs is the sweet spot.

The only issue with "lightweight" rifles compared to heavier ones is simply the recoil. However, a calculation of recoil does not simply end at the mere weight of the rifle... if you plug in the numbers to a ballistic app or recoil calculator you will find:

The following 4 hypothetical rifles (including their scopes, bipods, mags, and 3 rounds of ammo) all have the same 11.5lbs of recoil energy (even though they weigh different amounts)

3lb 223rem, 77gr projectile
7.25lb 6mmCM, 108gr projectile
9.25lb 6.5mmCM, 140gr projectile
11.25lb 308win, 178gr projectile

So, the moral of the story is... if you want a lightweight (or ultralight) rifle for hunting, and you want maximum accuracy, then pick a lighter cartridge that avoids the extra recoil.

 

[Stocky]

Kimber Montana rebarreled to 6.5-284 with a Lilja modified kimber contour, added a bansners muzzle brake and its half moa with factory ammo.

Talley LW rings and bases and Leupold 4.5-14 long range

Pretty sweet handling rifle

Build on an 84m? Or 84l?

 

[Archery Ninja]

I think there are a few sub 5lb scoped kimbers out there on the forum. I have a howa mini scoped with a supressor at 5.7lbs. You definitely loose some capability once you get below 6-7lbs (not including a supressor). A reliable scope is going to be close to a pound by itself.

Use the search bar in the upper right corner of the page. Here are some other threads from a quick search where I found someone else's quick search.

Ultralight Ultralight Rifles

New Ultralight Rifle Build ideas

Ultralight hunting rifle

Lightweight Mountain Rifle Help

Edit: here's more

So, how light can a Kimber Hunter be? A build thread.

I’ve been wanting the perfect rifle for Eastern close quarters hunting. For diving down into the swamp of the property I hunt, and for tracking deer, for myself and friends. Criteria were light, short, and hard hitting, as well as not to pretty to worry about roughing up. Enter a Kimber Hunter...

rokslide.com

What’s your rifle weigh?

The way I see it is, I’m carrying my mountain rifles waaay more than I’m shooting them, and the one that I take up into the mountains, is the lightest one that can get the job done. If I was stepping out of my truck and killing something, or packing in on horseback and doing very little hiking...

rokslide.com

Uberlight Kimber Rifle Build

Uberlight Kimber Rifle Build By Luke Moffat, Rokslide Prostaff I have always been drawn to lighter weight rifles. Maybe it’s because my first hunting rifle was relatively light, and these type of rifles feel the best in my hands. Whatever the reason, when I started to seriously pursue backpack...

www.rokslide.com

Kimber

 

[StupidLightweight]

The only issue with "lightweight" rifles compared to heavier ones is simply the recoil.

So, the moral of the story is... if you want a lightweight (or ultralight) rifle for hunting, and you want maximum accuracy, then pick a lighter cartridge that avoids the extra recoil.

That’s one issue for sure, but if extra weight didn’t help with accuracy, benchrest competition would not have weight classes.

 

[z987k]

I’m no fan of hunting with ultralight rifles, but what are the straight-pull ARs lacking?

Chamberings for one. An ergonomic stock is another. They can have that but those 3lb builds can't.
Magazine fed is another issue, imo. And then feeding and ejecting altogether. Haven't the Grendel based cartridges in straight pull been an issue?

 

[Aoudaddy]

Build on an 84m? Or 84l?

84L

 

[StupidLightweight]

Chamberings for one. An ergonomic stock is another. They can have that but those 3lb builds can't.
Magazine fed is another issue, imo. And then feeding and ejecting altogether. Haven't the Grendel based cartridges in straight pull been an issue?

1. Chamberings for the ranges these ultralight rifles should be used are fine. Pick a .223, 6x45, or .300 HAM'R and rock on.
2. Ergonomic stock? When the base weight of your rifle is so low, you can use virtually any stock you prefer and still be lightweight.
3. If having a magazine is an issue, that rules out 99% of rifles.
4. Feeding is rougher, I'll give you that, but they're still usable.
5. Yes, at this point, it is best to avoid fat cases like the Grendel, though smart minds are working on solutions.

 

[packgoatguy]

Chamberings for one. An ergonomic stock is another. They can have that but those 3lb builds can't.
Magazine fed is another issue, imo. And then feeding and ejecting altogether. Haven't the Grendel based cartridges in straight pull been an issue?

Yes, there are fewer chamberings that work well if you want to build a straight pull AR15... vs a regular gas operated AR15... which has different chambering options than a rem700SA, which has different chambering options than a rem700LA... etc.

However, for those who are comfortable (and prefer) hunting with a 223rem/5.56 then a straight pull AR15 is a great option for a lightweight hunting rifle.

My current sbr build is sitting at 1lb 15oz bare rifle (8 inch 5.56 barrel). Including a red dot, mag, and scythe ti suppressor... its 2lbs 12oz. It gets me out to 300 yards with a 77tmk before it drops below 1800fps. It weighs the same amount as my glock 21...

However, if I'm expecting to hunt in conditions where a shot longer than 300yards will be required... then I'll pack a different rifle... my 450yard rifle is another straight pull AR15, but it has a 16 inch barrel and an NXS 2.5-10x42. It's an MOA shooter, and can ring my 700 yard gong. If I'm expecting a 500-600 yard shot, then id take my 6mmCM (4.25lbs bare rifle, 7lb scoped/suppressed/tripod, MacBros Rem700sa in hnt26 stock) or 6.5cm (tikka in an hnt26 stock).

It just comes down to what you need it for and the max ranges you are willing to hunt.