Lightweight Scope

[pontoon]

I did some research in the past and I guess I decided to put the Leupold VX2 3-9x40 on the Kimber Montana 84L .270 win and I put the Leupold VX2 3-9x33 (ultralight) on the CZ 455 American (for target practice). I noticed a few of you use the VX2 3-9x33 on your mountain rifle. The one I used is a couple ounces heavier. Would you switch to 3-9x33 on the Kimber if it was your gun?

Weights are 9.3 vs 11.2

 

[belly-deep]

I probably wouldn't worry about it unless I wanted to build the absolute lightest rifle I could.

And in that case, I'd swap to one of the short action Montanas and buy a few of the Ti or aluminum replacement parts.

 

[colonel00]

Yeah, always a tough question. However, for just 2oz, I'd consider that you already have the scope mounted and if it shoots well for you, you can shave 2oz elsewhere quite easily if the weight is really the concern.

 

[pontoon]

I probably wouldn't worry about it unless I wanted to build the absolute lightest rifle I could.

And in that case, I'd swap to one of the short action Montanas and buy a few of the Ti or aluminum replacement parts.

I'm trying to get the TI bolt and have the aluminum trigger guard. Trying to find someone who will flute a Mauser style extractor bolt and maybe skeletonize the action. I don't think I want to touch the barrel though. I chose the 270 because I felt it was a sweet spot of ammo availability, long range capability, and fairly lightweight. I seriously considered the 308 as well.

 

[rayporter]

this guy has a good rep fluting remy bolts.

i doubt you will save enough wt to justify it.
http://www.proprecisionrifles.com/

 

[GKPrice]

It has been my personal observation in the pursuit of a "lightweight hunting rifle" that when I get to the general weight that feels right to me a few ounces becomes inconsequential in the big picture - I had a Kimber Montana .308 with a Leupold 3x9x33 in Talley mounts (a pretty light set up) and was having trouble shooting it well (for me, an entirely new technique), I then tried an 84L Montana '06 (a bit better) then tried a Tikka T3 superlight '06 that I began shooting really well quickly - I've hunted with that Tikka now for 3 seasons and every single person who has had that rifle in their hands has been astounded by the lightness of it - My point is that it feels very very sveldt to me, even after 3 longish seasons and I shoot it very well - I put a Leupold VX3 3.5x10x40 on it and I'm a very happy hunter with my "lightweight rifle" which still gets the "holy shit ! this thing don't weight nothin' !" comments all the time - "lightweight is as lightweight does" ....... (BTW, I'm crippled up with bad knees but I still manage to cover some pretty rough ground up in the 7500' + areas)