Lightweights

[Cody66]

First off I'd like to say this is my first post so a little about me I'm an avid outdoorsman who spends as much time as possible outside now thats out of the way I'm looking into either buying or building a "lightweight" rifle my budget is around 1500 to 2000 CAD max just wondering what opinions are had on what to buy/build this rifle will primarily be for deer and sheep as my 300 weatherby handles everything larger, im havnt completely decided what i want the rifle to be chambered in yet either, any help is appreciated.cheers

 

[CApighunter]

Kimber Montana or Tikka depending on your budget and availability in Canada. Something like a 270 or 25-06 would compliment your 300 bee nicely.

 

[Trogon]

Check the lightweight forum. There are a ton of different ideas on this

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I have a Kimber Montana 308 that is 5lb 14oz all scopes up. It’s pretty accurate too with my hand loads.

 

[Cody66]

Thanks for the replys, I didn't even know there was a lightweight forum ill check that out, cheers

 

[Moose83]

Is your budget for rifle alone? Or does optics need to be included in there as well?

 

[Cody66]

It would be nice to have both for the budgeg but I know it would be tough so rifle alone and if any left use toward a scope

 

[22lr]

I've been casting eyes at the TC Encore pretty hard for just this application. Super compact and easy to get new barrels later. They are just not as light as you would think they could be...

 

[ReddingArcher]

I think it’s real tough to beat a Tikka topped with a Nightforce SHV. I know putting a heavier scope on a lightweight gun but for me it’s worth the little bit extra weight.

 

[kcm2]

Savage Ultralight with a 3.5x10 or 4x12 Leupold would fit your budget.

 

[Moose83]

My next question would be what ballpark weight are you aiming for? Also... what are your preferences as far as barrel length, balance etc. Sorry for all the questions... but I have recently gone down this path myself, and being in Canada our options within this price range are much more limited than I think our American friends realize.

 

[Ohearchai]

The above post, weight, caliber, etc, had a t3 stainless lite in 270wsm about 6.5lbs if I remember correctly, accurate reliable rifle. Plenty left over for a decent scope or even a good cf stock.

 

[Cody66]

Scoped and loaded looking for under 6.5 ish but it its under 7 thats fine aswell length wise a 22 inch barrel is nice for maneuverable but a 24 is ok aswell, my 300 wby is 28 inch barrel with the compemsater and weighs arout 8 pounds ready to go so as long as its shorter and longer thats all I'm after, as for caliber I was kind of thinking 280ai but 270 is appealing as factory ammo is abundant, this rifle is primary sheep goat and deer gun but the ability to kill elk is nice aswell

 

[Bubblehide]

Considering your budget and that you also want to include elk, personally, I go with a Tikka action, CF barrel chambered in 300WSM so you can have a twist rate well capable of stabilizing the heavies, while still able to shoot lighter bullets. But, there are several very good options.

 

[False_Cast]

T3x stainless 6.5cm
Swfa 6x42
Sportsmatch rings
Factory loaded 143/147 elds

It’s too easy.

 

[Ohearchai]

Kimber montana 280ai meets the weight and price

 

[Cody66]

Unfortunately in Canada kimber montanas are about 2200 CAD

 

[Moose83]

Ya, about the only rifle that im aware of that will meet your criteria is a kimber hunter. The one I had in .30-06 weighed 6.5 lbs fully loaded with a leupold 4x in talley lightweight rings. If you go that route I would definitely consider a smaller short action calibre. My 06 definately had some snappy recoil. Also... for our American friends a kimber hunter retails in Canada for approximately 1200-1400$ depending where you are. That's pretty expensive for a rifle with a plastic stock.... I ended up sending mine down the road due to poor magazines, accuracy, and a stock design that didn't work for me. The accuracy could have been me as I find lightweight rifles tricky to shoot. It definately shot minute of moose.....

 

[Cody66]

Thats a nice bull!

 

[j33]

Deer and Sheep gun? 6.5CM is perfect for that in a light gun