Ultralight Ultralight Rifles

[BREAKCONTACT]

In regards to the lightest possible (non AR) bolt action rifle build... theoretically with a titanium or skeletonized action, 17oz including bolt and trigger is possible. A 13oz stock is possible. And if a 17oz 16 inch pencil barrel works for an AR15... maybe someone could make one that lightweight for a kimber or Rem700 style action. So...

Theoretically:
17 oz bolt/action/trigger
17 oz Barrel
13 oz stock

That would be a 47oz (sub 3lb) bare bolt 223rem action rifle.

However, I think the bottom end of the 223rem AR15 bolt rifle ULUL possibilities is under 2.5lbs, maybe even 2.25lbs with a full 16 inch barrel. So, I doubt it would realistically be possible to beat (weightwise) the AR15 platform with a traditional bolt action rifle.

So after combing through the parts weight database, just looking at the posted numbers, a 37 oz build is possible just buying off the shelf stuff, but that begs the question, is sub 2lbs possible?

 

[grappling_hook]

Well, the Shaw portless barrel certainly shot Sierra Tipped Matchkings well-- better than such a tiny barrel should be expected to shoot on an AR platform. Shot the 10-shot group below yesterday. Probably capable of an even tighter group if I used a finer reticled and heavier scope (center dot of the Nightforce 1-8 I used is larger than the sticker I used for point of aim). I was hoping for a 2 MOA group; this will do nicely.

 

[ezwy]

X caliber 20% off right now.

 

[KyleR1985]

Mine didn’t shoot any different than my Shaw. Five minutes with a 2-64 tap and cap screw and rocksett and the port is closed. You could buy 4 of these for price of the Shaw.

And it’s lighter.

Yeh the Shaw is the answer. But this is stupid cheap.

 

[Trackselk]

@KyleR1985
Thanks to you, I now have 4 barrels for one gun, and I appreciate it!
-kept chasing lighter & better...

Will these "tapped" ports still work with standard gas blocks if we want to later remove the plug and make it a gas gun?

Another edit: from the looks of it the 5.56 can be loaded longer, as I wanted to run at least 2.36, but the Shaw and green mountain are barely longer than 2.25.

Does anyone know if you ream a 5.56 longer for heavies, does it remove the throat, so you can then choose 223 or wylde throat? Of course tons of people have gone the other direction, but I can't find anyone even asking the question anywhere. I wouldn't do this unless it shot poorly and my Smith said it was because of the throat/he could fix it...

 

[Thegman]

View attachment 808570

Mine didn’t shoot any different than my Shaw. Five minutes with a 2-64 tap and cap screw and rocksett and the port is closed. You could buy 4 of these for price of the Shaw.

And it’s lighter.

Yeh the Shaw is the answer. But this is stupid cheap.

Buy 4, pick the best shooter, sell the other 3 for 35 apiece?