Lightest weight 308 rifle. What is it?

OrangeMan73

Lil-Rokslider
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Apr 25, 2021
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Having the opportunity to tote around a knight ultralite muzzleloader (roughly equipped at 6 pounds), I'm wondering how I can get there similarly with a high power centerfire rifle.

My thoughts:
•I love Savage actions, but I can do others
•I hunt with suppressors, if it went over 6 pounds because of it fine, but still ultimately need a threaded barrel.
•Thinking 16" barrel (don't wanna deal with SBR stamp) and consequently seems like .308 is best fit for that length. I hunt open country so a 500 yard shot is not unforseeable.
•Scope? Something above 9x power is ideal.
•Kimber adirondack? Is it suppressor friendly?
•Is there an offering from CA?
•Not particular on stocks, and willing to go aftermarket if required.
•Q Fix or Sig Cross?

Rip me a new one, I'm open to criticism. If I'm chasing unicorns then fine, but as close as I can get to 6 pounds or so the better. My regular boomstick is a Savage I rebarrelled with a 24" proof 300 wsm barrel in an MDT stock with a longrange 50mm scope. Not a Goliath but I could do lighter.
 
If you like savages, a lightweight storm with some easy mods will get you damned light, and inexpensively. I have one in 7mm-08 that I trimmed up the stock and changed the bolt handle and recoil pad. Mounted with a 3-9 VXii, it's 5 lbs 14oz
 
If I remember correctly my 18” Barrett is 4 lbs 9oz bare. 12oz Leupold scope didn’t hold zero w out a known drop just rough roads and carry. Wears a 20oz scope now. I think my jailed suppressor should weigh 11oz in its longest configuration, can drop half that weight.

16” might have a hard time meeting 1800ftps for bullet upset at 500yards, but I’m sure there’s a solution.
 
Just put together a Kimber Hunter in .270 Win. I removed the 8.6oz of gel from the stock and cut the barrel to 18.5”. The bare rifle weighed 5lbs exactly so a short action would likely weigh 4oz less. Having a base rifle that weighs 5lbs allows me to set it up with everything I need to hunt with it and shoot it well out to 600+ yards but not be over 8lbs.

Here is the breakdown:
Rifle 80oz (5lbs)
Scope 20oz
Suppressor 12.75oz
Rings and Level 3oz
Stock cuff 1.25oz
Total 117oz (7lbs 5oz)
8 rounds ammo 7oz (7lbs 12oz)91E311CD-5F6B-402B-AAD5-9BDC00F9E141.jpeg
 
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My buddies kimber Adirondack feels like my old daisy BB gun. It is light as hell and shoots well. You may run into issues with those pencil barrels though. They heat up and his starts stringing vertically. I am also not sure if they are the best option to hang a can onto. Smarter folks can weigh in but a more rigid barrel might help.
 
I have a Kimber Hunter in .308. I pulled the gel from the pistol grip (but not the buttstock) and cut the barrel to 19". With a Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40, the unloaded rifle weighs 6 lbs 1/2 ounce.
 
Barrett FC 18" 308, Vx6 HD 42mm, Radiant supressor, sling and 3 rounds...7.9lbs. Honestly I wouldn't want anything lighter for shots over 400 yds.
 
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Kimber, Howa Superlite, Christensen FFT, Savage Lightweight (even just a Savage hunter model Apex or Engage) are all great lightweight options at all budget spectrums.
 
my Kimber Hunter in .308, sub 6 lbs w/ scope & mounts

zKIzSrQ.jpg
 
I have a kimber montana that has a mountain ascent bolt handle and the barrel has been shortened to 18" and threaded to 5/8x24. Its right around 5.5 lbs with talley lightweights and a leupold 2.5-8x36. Add 10oz for my silencer and its just over 6lbs.
 
Barretts are not produced any longer. Nula rifle should be very similar, but may be equally as hard to find.
 
CA ridgeline FFT in a 300 WM w/ a Trijicon 3-18 Tenmile, Hawkins Precision UL rings. 7lbs 10oz. Scope is not the lightest option, could probably trim a poundish with lighter scope and rings, and a shorter action.

CA ridgeline weight.jpg
 
I had my heart set on the Kimber Adirondack, but couldnt find one anywhere. I ended up with the Mountain Ascent in .308 and i'm still under 6lbs with a leupold 3-9.
 
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