Ultralight Mountain Rifle Build Help

[Kaleb]

Euro optic had stainless 6.5 prcs on sale. Karl Feldcamp could shorten lighten and cool it up some if that strikes your fancy. Drop in stock of your preference and take off. Just another idea.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

@Soskop

What was it about the R700 builds that has out you off from them?

I haven't had any issues like that with any of my R700, but this is my first true build,

Rifle ice/snow freeze eval 2025

2025’s ice and snow comparison/reliability eval between rifles/actions/triggers. As last year, this is not a “test”, it is just a view at what generally happens. Doing a legitimate test requires more rifles and consistent conditions than I have. So… The rifles: 1). Tikka T3 in Rokstok 2)...

rokslide.com

 

[Soskop]

@Soskop

Rifle ice/snow freeze eval 2025

2025’s ice and snow comparison/reliability eval between rifles/actions/triggers. As last year, this is not a “test”, it is just a view at what generally happens. Doing a legitimate test requires more rifles and consistent conditions than I have. So… The rifles: 1). Tikka T3 in Rokstok 2)...

rokslide.com

Oh thank you for that! I'll give it a read!

 

[z987k]

Looking to build a superlight mountain hunting rifle and could use some help.

6.5 PRC
Mack Brothers Element or a Falkor LW7 action.
Pork Sword chassis (maybe an MDT HNT26)
Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen K can


The biggest issue I have is that I want an 18" carbon prefit barrel, because I feel that getting a blank and having a gunsmith work it will cost me significantly more.

Was looking at Proof Research because of their military discount, but they don't make prefits for Mack Brothers, and their Falkor prefits are way longer than I want.

So, anyone have an idea on a a solid 18" prefit carbon for either of those actions?

Or, know where I can have one made that won't absolutely destroy my bank account? (I know, I know. Custom build without destroying my wallet is everyone's first genie wish)

Any other input is greatly appreciated!

Not much ultra light about that. You're going to be what, 8-9lbs ready to hunt? Lots of factory rifles will do that.

 

[Soskop]

Not much ultra light about that. You're going to be what, 8-9lbs ready to hunt? Lots of factory rifles will do that.

Action is 1.2lbs
Chassis is just under 2lbs may go with a HNT26 to shave another half ish pound off
Barrel is probably around 3lbs ish (proof, but looking to get a lighter steel)
Hydrogen K is less than half a pound

So, 6.5lb ish before optics

That's pretty damn light
I also want a folding stock, which is hard to find in a factory rifle with a weight as low as I want

What else would you do to consider it ultralight for you?

 

[stephen.mutchler]

Really love my manners LRH, and seeing the new folder at shot show has me intrigued !

 

[ndlawrence]

Action is 1.2lbs
Chassis is just under 2lbs may go with a HNT26 to shave another half ish pound off
Barrel is probably around 3lbs ish (proof, but looking to get a lighter steel)
Hydrogen K is less than half a pound

So, 6.5lb ish before optics

That's pretty damn light
I also want a folding stock, which is hard to find in a factory rifle with a weight as low as I want

What else would you do to consider it ultralight for you?

I consider ultralight sub 5lbs. Barrel and stock are too heavy for an ultralight.

I have a few - but don’t hunt with them often or enjoy shooting them.

 

[Soskop]

I consider ultralight sub 5lbs. Barrel and stock are too heavy for an ultralight.

I have a few - but don’t hunt with them often or enjoy shooting them.

What barrel and stock would you go with?

 

[khuber84]

I mean take a Tikka, chop it with UMs milling services, throw it in a bastion, put an 18in 750 taperless fluted 6cm barrel on it.

I think action, bottom plastic trigger mag will land around 30oz

Bastion 23oz

Barrel will be around 42oz

5.8-6# flat is as light you're gonna get a custom Tikka

A custom built on a ultralight 700 clone will be at best 6oz lighter, 5.5-5.7#.

You lose some the weight savings against a Tikka since the Tikka bottom plastic and mag are lighter VS a rem700 floor plate and mag setup.

If a true ultralite was your desire, I'd probably build on a kimber Montana donor, and utilize a PBB 680 taperless contour at 18" thread for 9/16x24 muzzle.

Keep in mind, rifles that are very light, quickly become less forgving to inadequate position and fundamentals behind the rifle

 

[ndlawrence]

What barrel and stock would you go with?

If you want “ultralight”, you need a feather weight barrel and a 20oz stock.

I like my rifles around 8/8.5lbs, I don’t consider that ultralight. I have a new build going now.

• LH Tikka Action
• UM lightening package, modified port, slow twist bolt
• Chambered in 6UM (40*)
• 18” ACE in Tikka Spotter Contour, Spiral fluted, threaded flared at the end to get 5/8"-24
• UM Bottom Metal
• Rokstok w/ Mini Arca in front of DBM and spartan picatiny front rail l
• Maven RS1.2
• Synth TI

I think that’ll weight about 8.5lbs all up.

 

[Soskop]

If you want “ultralight”, you need a feather weight barrel and a 20oz stock.

I like my rifles around 8/8.5lbs, I don’t consider that ultralight. I have a new build going now.

• LH Tikka Action
• UM lightening package, modified port, slow twist bolt
• Chambered in 6UM (40*)
• 18” ACE in Tikka Spotter Contour, Spiral fluted, threaded flared at the end to get 5/8"-24
• UM Bottom Metal
• Rokstok w/ Mini Arca in front of DBM and spartan picatiny front rail l
• Maven RS1.2
• Synth TI

I think that’ll weight about 8.5lbs all up.

Logical build, but I want a folding stock, so the rokstock won't work for me

 

[06 SB]

Just a note about rifles freezing up. I have hunted in subzero, and during soaking heavy snow many times. I never had one of my 700s freeze. The key is drying EVERYTHING out and keeping it dry. Do not let it get warm inside a cozy cabin, tent or vehicle. If you do that, condensation will occur when it hits the cold and then will freeze. I have been around Rugers, Remingtons, Winchesters and Brownings. All will freeze if oiled/greased or get wet. One is not more freeze prone than any other. All will work if a user addresses the conditions properly.

 

[Soskop]

If you want “ultralight”, you need a feather weight barrel and a 20oz stock.

I like my rifles around 8/8.5lbs, I don’t consider that ultralight. I have a new build going now.

• LH Tikka Action
• UM lightening package, modified port, slow twist bolt
• Chambered in 6UM (40*)
• 18” ACE in Tikka Spotter Contour, Spiral fluted, threaded flared at the end to get 5/8"-24
• UM Bottom Metal
• Rokstok w/ Mini Arca in front of DBM and spartan picatiny front rail l
• Maven RS1.2
• Synth TI

I think that’ll weight about 8.5lbs all up.

Here is where I am at:

Mack Brothers Element Short Action: 19.8oz (1.2375lbs)

Chambered in 6.5PRC
Barrel still undecided

Pork Sword Chassis: 9.3oz
Folding stock: 12oz
Chassis forend: 4.8oz
Chassis Grip:4oz
Pork Sword total: 30.1oz (1.881lbs)

MDT HNT26 Folding Chassis: 32oz (2lbs)

Otter Creek Hydrogen K: 6.7oz (.419lbs)

Total on Pork Sword without barrel: 56.6oz (3.5375lbs)

Lots of room for a super light barrel and optics and still be ultralight in my opinion