Lightweight Rifle on a budget.

[_S_R_]

Don’t go Howa pit. Tikka superlight from Sportsman or Savage 110 Lightweight Storm is better option. If you don’t mind extra 0.5lb Browning X Bolt gen 1 on sale as low as 529$

 

[mitchellmountain]

Another vote for savage lightweight storm. I have 3 of the earlier version( lightweight Hunter). 5.5 pound rifle without the scope. My favorite western rifle is a lightweight hunter rebarreled to 284 winchester. All have been shooters.

 

[Canadahunt]

Why do you call Howa a pit? The factory seconds stockys look like great deal.

 

[_S_R_]

Why do you call Howa a pit? The factory seconds stockys look like great deal.

Because it’s a pit worst than Tikka. And at the end Howa still be a rifle user force himself to love.

 

[Wolfshead]

Looking for feedback.

I am trying to make a lightweight hunting rifle for whitetail still hunting in the woods (mostly quick shots). I don't plan to shoot beyond 200m, and I would like to get it close to 7 lb with scope, and x
close to $1,000.

I got a super cheap Savage 110 SA on sale with rebate $300 USD with bushnell Engage scoped included.

It has a sporter contour 22" barrel and the plastic bottom metal that seems weaker but is light.


I am thinking of:

1. Replacing the scope with a used Leupold ultralight 2.5x20mm (6.5 oz, net $170 after selling the Engage)

2. Replacing the rings with talley lightweight low rings (2 oz, $80)

3. Getting a Stocky's carbon fiber hunter stock, ideallyused (21 oz, $419 on sale)

4. Maybe DIY shortening the barrel down to around 18.5" (save 4 oz or so)

I think that the Savage 110 SA and 22" sporter 6.5 cm barrel are around 4.5 lbs together.

Feedback?

The Stocky's barrel only saves about 7 oz. over the plastic factory stock, and it is expensive (to me), but I am hoping that it will have improved function. But honestly, the rifle is more accurate than I am in the plastic stock. Are there better light, rigid stock options that don't cost more. Is it worth it?

I can only comment on my Tikka as I don’t know the savage.
I bought mine as a still hunting rifle for the close woods.
I was very lucky and got mine, new in box, of gunbroker for $400.
Someone else said to sell the savage….
That may be an option.
But as far as what you have or are looking to get into, for still hunting I would go with a scope such as a 1 or 1.75, to 5,6,7 power.
You’re going to get a better field of view for quick shots in the close woods, and will weigh less.
The only mods I did to my rifle were to replace the bottom metal and paint the stock. The stock on my rifle is plenty good and I don’t see the need to change it. The rifle shoots better than I can, I don’t shoot more than 300 yards, and I’ve shot softball sized groups out that far off a rest shooting my handloads and 150 grain accubonds.
Last season I was able to take a Doe while hunting this way with this rifle.

 

[Canadahunt]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Grassymike]

I have a stainless Ruger Hawkeye in 6.5 creedmoor. It has a 26” barrel. Would buying lightweight stock and having the barrel cut down so much or be cost effective? I guess I have lots of research to do.

No. By the time you add up cost of rifle plus cost of new stock etc it would be better to sell what you have to help fund what you really want.

 

[Grassymike]

(By the way, I am not trying to hijack this thread. I am new here and not sure if I am able to start new threads.)

Yes, you can start your own thread.

 

[T-y-ler]

Balling on a budget:
Ruger American Ranch Gen II in 6.5CM -6lb 5oz
Or
Ruger American Compact in 6.5CM - 6lb 2 oz
Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40 - 13.3 oz
Leupold PRW2 1” low rings - 4.3 oz

 

[HNTR918]

I’m looking for recommendations on a lightweight 6.5 Creedmoor for taking out West. I’ve never hunted out West but my 26” barrel SS synthetic Ruger Hawkeye is big and heavy so I’m looking for something a little more manageable in the mountains. I’ll na a newbie to mountain hunting.

Kimber Hunter, remove 8oz of gel from the stock and replace with 1 oz of expanding foam.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Kimber Hunter, remove 8oz of gel from the stock and replace with 1 oz of expanding foam.

I just got one of these and pulled the gel out, hit it with a bit of spray foam. Barrel s off getting cut to 16" and threaded. I have a few skelotinized titanium bolt handles that Ive been sitting on for like 8 years so I put one of those on.

Im looking forward to see how it goes when I have it all back together, I'v been wanting to do it for a few years but only got around to it a few weeks ago.