Hey all,
Long time lurker, first time poster. I’m looking for input on a lightweight rifle for backcountry deer, elk, and black bear hunting in Washington and Montana. I frequently backpack in for days at a time or cover many miles in a day and so I’m looking for a sub 6lb rifle naked. My current set up is a ruger American go wild 6.5cm with a Nikon 3-12x44 (I’ve only harvested deer up to this point). I find it somewhat and poorly balanced but shoots my hand loaded ablr’s well enough. I want to expand into bigger game so looking for more umpf than the 6.5cm without getting out of control with recoil in a light rifle.
Budget is sub $2000 for the rifle and I am keen on putting the Swarovski z3 4-12 BT on top.
6.8 western seems like the ideal cartridge for the job, or fast twist 280ai. 7PRC seems like too much recoil in a sub 6lb rifle. I don’t like to use the minimum power for the job so the 6.5prc for elk seems like it works for some people but isn’t something that would be my first choice.
Options I’ve found that seem to fit the bill:
-Tikka t3x super lite in 6.5prc (somewhat concerned about .264cal on elk)
-Savage 110 ultralight 280ai (bummed about the 1:9 twist which excludes the 168g LRX)
-Browning X Bolt 280ai (nice 1:8 twist, but most are close to 7lbs)
-Kimber something in 280ai (all are 1:9 twist)
-Tikka build in 6.8 western (maybe over budget and brass availability is an issue, maybe 7saum instead?)
-weatherby mark v live wild 280ai (1:9 twist, dang!)
Seems like nothing quite fits the bill but y’all are smarter than me! What am I missing?
Also, I hand load so that opens some doors.
Thanks in advance!!