Most Durable Lightweight Rifle

[AkMtnRunner]

If your hunt entailed miles of bushwacking (with the rifle exposed strapped to the side) and all sorts of other rough treatment on your rifle, is there a lightweight (~6 lbs naked) one that you would have no worries about maintaining flawless function? For example, if an alder branch torqued on the safety lever hard, etc.

My 'tough' rifle is a Ruger guide gun that has proved itself to me but is a bit heavy and it's a 375 with, let's say, unnecessary utility. I do really like it's 3 position safety that locks the bolt, it's short barrel, and the feeling that I couldn't break it if I tried. I've handled a Tikka T3 and Ruger American but my impression of the comfort level of these rifles are for easy hunts.

I am most curious about these in particular but please suggest others if worthy. I am left handed but willing to go with a right-handed bolt if that's the only issue. If it matters, I am looking at shooting the 308 caliber 168 gr TTSX from a 308 win, 30-06, or 300wsm.

Tikka T3 SS (if people can attest to their durability)
Kimber MA
Sako
Fieldcraft
Montana X3 (this would be on the heavy side but I'm willing to carry it if it's added weight is all added strength)

Or am I asking for too much?

 

[ianpadron]

I have a stainless T3 lite that has taken an absolute beating here in WA. The plastic stock is cheap feeling but holy cow is it tough.

I've banged it around on rocks, trees, ice, etc and it just has a few scuffs.

I keep it strapped to my pack while hiking off trail frequently and was leery about torquing the scope/rings.

That rifle shoots .3-.4 MOA all freaking day.

For a rifle you fully intend on beating the piss out of but still want a shooter, I don't see why you'd look elsewhere.

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[hodgeman]

I've got a number of the rifles you mention...not sure any of them would be a problem on a tough hunt unless tough includes purposely beating a tree to death with it.

My Fieldcraft has become a favorite. Small and light- it's easy to keep out of trouble tucked behind your back and neither my Tikka, Kimber or American has been any trouble. I'd be happy to tote any of those rifles actually.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I've been using a Kimber MA chambered in .270 Win. on all my mountain hunts for a couple years now and it seems pretty durable. The only issue I've had with it is the camo coming off the stock in various places, but I have been pretty abusive to it, so that's probably my fault. I'm a big fan of the Mauser action (CRF), and 3 position safety, so the Kimber checks those boxes for me as well. I also have a Tikka T3 Lite but it hasn't seen a whole lot of use so I can't really attest to its durability.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

I've got the tikka, sako and kimber (montana). All have taken plenty of abuse and not missed a stride. I've been ruthless to my kimber and it's been a sweetheart of a gun back to me.

 

[elkguide]

I can only speak to Kimber, (Montana) but my rifles that I hunt with, are considered tools and get used. I don't abuse my tools but they are definitely not "safe queens!" I have 3 Montanas and haven't had an issue with any of them. All carry well and shoot well too.

 

[oenanthe]

My little Kimber Montana 84m is in its tenth hunting season. It's often been soaking wet for days at a time, has been through plenty of brush, has been dropped or whacked on rocks a few times, was used as a trekking pole on one occasion, and has on two occasions been fished out from the bottom of a creek. It's been completely reliable.

I think it's just getting broken in.

 

[Yellowknife]

My Tikka has taken a pretty serious beating over the years. Many sub-zero Alaskan winter hunts, saltwater coastal hunts, and a number sheep and goat trips. It's been more reliable than any of my Ruger 77's thus far believe it or not. The last one I bought had both feeding and extraction issues that needed work, and the mag follower would fall out when you dropped the floor plate! Wouldn't be worried about that stuff with a Tikka. The closed top action keeps dirt out and minimal things sticking off make it a pretty hard to break.

Of the calibers you mention, I think the Tikka is a good fit for the .30-06 (which mine is). If .308 win, I'd go Kimber as its nicely scaled to that round. The few Kimber reliability issues are fairly "known" and fixable I think. The firing pin protrusion set screw being one I have heard about a few times and some older ones had spring issues. Don't know about the current factory output.

No experience with the Fieldcraft.

 

[Jardo]

Kimber backcountry.


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[Bobbyboe]

I dont know if there is a perfect rifle, but there are a few things that I personally would look for. For me, I want a rifle with no detachable magazine. The last thing I want is to have to worry about losing it! In addition, I look for all metal parts. I know, I know, plastic is durable, but it’s my preference.

With those two things in mind I’d be looking at a Fieldcraft or Montana. The Montana has mixed reviews. The Fieldcraft are overwhelmingly good reviews. Get what you want and don’t compromise, otherwise you’ll be second guessing your equipment.

Full disclosure, I just picked up a Fieldcraft. The rifle is absulutly perfect, except my Timney trigger actually is a bit heavy and needs adjustment. It’ll fit the bill for a durable, backcountry rifle.

 

[Beendare]

Durability is your criteria for a scoped rifle?

Being a lefty...its a no brainer to go with a Tikka.....I have a lefty Savage...go with the Tikka.

 

[SoDaky]

Never seen a truly 'rugged' rifle that wasn't custom built for that purpose.'Manufactured' translated means compromise.

 

[Yellowknife]

I dont know if there is a perfect rifle, but there are a few things that I personally would look for. For me, I want a rifle with no detachable magazine. The last thing I want is to have to worry about losing it! In addition, I look for all metal parts. I know, I know, plastic is durable, but it’s my preference.

.

With a Tikka I carry all my spare ammo in the detachable magazines, so I have redundancy x2. One each side of my bino pouch. So they have perks. Otherwise, I prefer blind over drop plate for reliability for non-detachable.

Plastic doesn’t rust, which even SS can do, so it has its place. I carry a glock, so I’m good with it.

Things I don’t like? Open places for snow/dirt to fill (savage). Closed in triggers (Remington) that can freeze up. Bolt stops that can rust closed and let the bolt fall out (Remington again). Bolts that are hard to field strip. Drop plate magazines. Expensive hard to find detachable magazines (Sako).

Most rifle failures I’ve seen in the field were either in the snow or involved the scope mounts for what it’s worth. Rust got a couple too. Also after playing with a several sharp shouldered cases I now go for fairly traditional case shapes for smooth feeding.

 

[mtmuley]

Doubt there's a tougher rifle out there than an early boat paddle Ruger. And that includes the Plastikka. mtmuley

 

[jeffpg]

Doubt there's a tougher rifle out there than an early boat paddle Ruger. And that includes the Plastikka. mtmuley

I have to agree with this!

 

[TREE ‘EM]

Talk to Rick Steinhour at extreme rifle works in Nelson, NE about putting your Ruger on a diet and have the best of both worlds.

 

[LaGriz]

My choice would be a pre-64 M70 Featherweight. I too like the locking bolt on the 3 -position safety. Mine all have wood but with a lite synthetic stock you would be golden in IMHO. I own a Kimber Montana and see no reason that it would not perform in this mode and be lighter still.
LaGriz

 

[come2elmo]

I haven't taken it out yet but I just picked up a Rem 700 mountain with an B&C stock in 270 win. Just a bit over 6lbs and seems tough.

 

[ianpadron]

I handled one of those in 25.06 at Cabelas earlier this year, sweet little rifle indeed.

I haven't taken it out yet but I just picked up a Rem 700 mountain with an B&C stock in 270 win. Just a bit over 6lbs and seems tough.

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[ShakoMako]

I’m a lefty as well so my preference is tang-safety style rifles. I’d add the Browning X-bolt stainless stalker to your list. A little more expensive and maybe 3 oz heavier than the Tikkas but better fit/finish IMO, and has that tang safety which is more natural for a left handed shooter to engage without taking hand off grip/trigger. Xbolt has better magazines for sure.

That said, I’d also consider the Savage 110 Storm for the accutrigger and adjustable comb accustock deal.

I don’t doubt the durability of either of these rifles in conditions you describe.


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