Ultralight Ultralight Rifles

[Thegman]

I just ditch the end plate entirely. I don't bother with the spring either. The rear takedown pin has been tight enough in all my builds... its never fallen out or anything. But the way I designed my stocks, the carbon tube actually extends into the Solo300 a half inch, so the upper/lower wouldn't come apart anyway without removing the stock/buffertube piece.

I'm not sure if you already posted your stock attachment somewhere, but I'd be interested in seeing how you did yours.

 

[packgoatguy]

I'm not sure if you already posted your stock attachment somewhere, but I'd be interested in seeing how you did yours.

 

[Thegman]

What was your reason functionally for leaving the excess inboard?

 

[ztc92]

It may be cost prohibitive for a budget ULUL but for a premium option, has anyone considered or used the Aimpoint Comp M5B model for one of these? It’s essentially a Red-Dot with prebuilt ballistic turrets that correspond to common loads. I imagine it was designed around 556 in an AR-15 so I have to figure one of the turrets would be perfect for a ULUL shooting 77 TMK.

Looks to be 9 oz and about $1200.

I had the chance to use one once with a buddy that was testing it on his MK-12. Once we got it zeroed for 100 yards and found the right turret for the 77TMK, we were consistently hitting an 18” rock with every shot at around 550 yards IIRC.

For anyone that wanted to stretch the range of a ULUL while still having the ease of a red dot sight, it may be the perfect option.

Here’s a link to get people started down this rabbit hole, if interested. Looks like it may be backordered or discontinued?

Buy Aimpoint Comp M5B Red Dot - Mount Options | Kenzie's Optics

The Aimpoint Comp M5b is an extremely durable red dot that has elevation ballistic adjustments. Free Shipping. Authorized Retailer.

www.kenziesoptics.com

 

[Trackselk]

It may be cost prohibitive for a budget ULUL but for a premium option, has anyone considered or used the Aimpoint Comp M5B model for one of these? It’s essentially a Red-Dot with prebuilt ballistic turrets that correspond to common loads. I imagine it was designed around 556 in an AR-15 so I have to figure one of the turrets would be perfect for a ULUL shooting 77 TMK.

Looks to be 9 oz and about $1200.

I had the chance to use one once with a buddy that was testing it on his MK-12. Once we got it zeroed for 100 yards and found the right turret for the 77TMK, we were consistently hitting an 18” rock with every shot at around 550 yards IIRC.

For anyone that wanted to stretch the range of a ULUL while still having the ease of a red dot sight, it may be the perfect option.

Here’s a link to get people started down this rabbit hole, if interested. Looks like it may be backordered or discontinued?

Buy Aimpoint Comp M5B Red Dot - Mount Options | Kenzie's Optics

The Aimpoint Comp M5b is an extremely durable red dot that has elevation ballistic adjustments. Free Shipping. Authorized Retailer.

www.kenziesoptics.com

I might consider one of those if I didn't have a leupold 3x9 UL with the LR reticle @ the same weight. As a lower profile alternative (better for dragging through brush and in the pack) I've heard there's an outfit that can install different reticles in the leupold now that the custom shop is closed. Pretty expensive, but you can probably pick up a 3x9 UL and get the reticle with dots for longer range for a similar $1200ish. FWIW

Edit: I forgot about the scope mounts. Looks like the aimpoint is lighter. Hmm, I wonder how the clarity is for low light hunting?

 

[4090Sharps]

Has anyone using the PA microprism tried the ADM mount? I’m curious if the 5x fits it—I assume it should… or if not, should with only light modification.

The two piece mount on the cantilevered PA base makes me uneasy so I was exploring alternatives. I wish Scalarworks had a mini ACOG mount that could be used with the PA microsprism.

AD-B2 Cantilever Mini ACOG QD Mount

The AD-B2-C QD Mini ACOG Mount is a one-piece mount that adds .64" to the overall height. It allows for a rearward position of the Mini ACOG sight while clearing the MBUS PRO BUIS. Learn more about the Mini ACOG QD Mount. This mount also works for the EOTech 3-9x optic and Primary Arms GLx 2x...

www.admmfg.com

 

[4090Sharps]

I should have used search…

 

[gtriple]

It may be cost prohibitive for a budget ULUL but for a premium option, has anyone considered or used the Aimpoint Comp M5B model for one of these? It’s essentially a Red-Dot with prebuilt ballistic turrets that correspond to common loads. I imagine it was designed around 556 in an AR-15 so I have to figure one of the turrets would be perfect for a ULUL shooting 77 TMK.

Looks to be 9 oz and about $1200.

I had the chance to use one once with a buddy that was testing it on his MK-12. Once we got it zeroed for 100 yards and found the right turret for the 77TMK, we were consistently hitting an 18” rock with every shot at around 550 yards IIRC.

For anyone that wanted to stretch the range of a ULUL while still having the ease of a red dot sight, it may be the perfect option.

Here’s a link to get people started down this rabbit hole, if interested. Looks like it may be backordered or discontinued?

Buy Aimpoint Comp M5B Red Dot - Mount Options | Kenzie's Optics

The Aimpoint Comp M5b is an extremely durable red dot that has elevation ballistic adjustments. Free Shipping. Authorized Retailer.

www.kenziesoptics.com

i just don’t see the advantage over a Primary Arms micro prism to justify another $1000

 

[Thegman]

A few UL-UL successes. Was great toting this rifle around daily for 5 weeks while doing whatever, though I don't have a lot to show for all the time spent rambling.

80 ELD-M


Exit from the 80 ELD-M


Hornady Frontier 75 BTHP exit, entrance was indiscernible.


Another Hornady 80 ELD-M


I have to admit, the hog had another pass in front just before I shot him and I had to wait for that one to pass. My 308 with 150 TTSX or such would have scored a double in that scenario...I don't think any 223s can manage that...I've been wrong before though.

 

[gtriple]

I never took photos of the doe I shot with my UL this year using the 77gr TMK. 250yards, hit her perfectly behind the shoulder. Double lungs. She ran about 40 yards and died.

No exit, but she had a softball sized hole thru both lungs. Decent blood trail.

My rifle sports the Primary Arms SLX Microprism 5x Mil. I had absolutely no problem making that shot with the correct holdover at 250yds. I’ve shot it out to 660yds easily on steel.

 

[packgoatguy]

What was your reason functionally for leaving the excess inboard?

The carbon fiber tube of the stock protrudes into the upper itself about a half inch. This allows direct contact between the stock and the upper, which I believe reduces any lateral or vertical forces on the weaker lower. Instead of the stock only being mated to the lower, now the stock is also mated to the upper. I also get less slop and play between the upper and lower.

 

[gtriple]

The carbon fiber tube of the stock protrudes into the upper itself about a half inch. This allows direct contact between the stock and the upper, which I believe reduces any lateral or vertical forces on the weaker lower. Instead of the stock only being mated to the lower, now the stock is also mated to the upper. I also get less slop and play between the upper and lower.

I'm probably going to do the same thing to my rifle. Can you post a few pics of the entire stock and maybe some instructions or ideas?

What epoxy did you use?
What does the butt-pad attachment look like?
All you did was take an A2 standard rifle buffer tube and cut it up, right?

 

[Trackselk]

I never took photos of the doe I shot with my UL this year using the 77gr TMK. 250yards, hit her perfectly behind the shoulder. Double lungs. She ran about 40 yards and died.

No exit, but she had a softball sized hole thru both lungs. Decent blood trail.

My rifle sports the Primary Arms SLX Microprism 5x Mil. I had absolutely no problem making that shot with the correct holdover at 250yds. I’ve shot it out to 660yds easily on steel.

How's the first and last light clarity/shootability? I think that's why I stuck with my leupolds but now I can't remember When I factor in the mounts I could shave some ounces

 

[packgoatguy]

I'm probably going to do the same thing to my rifle. Can you post a few pics of the entire stock and maybe some instructions or ideas?

What epoxy did you use?
What does the butt-pad attachment look like?
All you did was take an A2 standard rifle buffer tube and cut it up, right?

I have some pics in this post. And yes, I cut an A2 buffertube.

Post in thread 'Ultralight Ultralight Rifles' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/ultralight-ultralight-rifles.329402/post-4508545

 

[ACHILLES]

How's your Tegra working out?

I haven’t had the time to to put it together yet. Just threw another aluminum lower on there that was ready to go for now.
Il give an update when I get it going. I was pretty happy with TNA poly lower and il be interested to see how the Tegra compares.

 

[4090Sharps]

How's the first and last light clarity/shootability? I think that's why I stuck with my leupolds but now I can't remember When I factor in the mounts I could shave some ounces

You’re likely remembering correctly. The SLX 5x leaves a bit to be desired for low light clarity, in my experience. The Microprism is a good compromise overall, but I’ve considered going back to a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9, ACOG, or something else for fall 2026.

 

[Trackselk]

You’re likely remembering correctly. The SLX 5x leaves a bit to be desired for low light clarity, in my experience. The Microprism is a good compromise overall, but I’ve considered going back to a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9, ACOG, or something else for fall 2026.

Thanks, Yeah, I'll change if/when they up the clarity. It would be worth a big price increase as far as I'm concerned!

 

[goalie]

Has anyone using the PA microprism tried the ADM mount? I’m curious if the 5x fits it—I assume it should… or if not, should with only light modification.

The two piece mount on the cantilevered PA base makes me uneasy so I was exploring alternatives. I wish Scalarworks had a mini ACOG mount that could be used with the PA microsprism.

AD-B2 Cantilever Mini ACOG QD Mount

The AD-B2-C QD Mini ACOG Mount is a one-piece mount that adds .64" to the overall height. It allows for a rearward position of the Mini ACOG sight while clearing the MBUS PRO BUIS. Learn more about the Mini ACOG QD Mount. This mount also works for the EOTech 3-9x optic and Primary Arms GLx 2x...

www.admmfg.com

I have one and like it.

 

[Trackselk]

Do you have a pic??

That’s pretty insane. At that point it’s a pistol though?

With the $0 stamp slapping one of those chargers into a lightweight stock has been in the back of my mind.

I’m pretty biased against red dots for hunting, I know they’ve come a long way since I last used one but for such small targets I like the scope magnification. Vortex had a recent YouTube video and only solidified this as the guy with the dot had trouble seeing the squirrels lol.

Here she is with everything but the barrel and Pluto suppressor.
The holes only dropped an ounce or so for a lot of effort, and I could drill a lot more, but it's tedious and I don't want to compromise the strength where it counts. Removing all the extra bits and pieces and cutting the forend off dropped a lot of weight. I think the stock is 10oz as pictured if I remember correctly.

 

[4090Sharps]

Here’s my current UL build I’m working on. I got Deadshot Barrels to chamber one of their lightweight contour 17 cal barrels using my .17-5.56 KAK reamer for a lighter predator calling rifle.

The barrel still weighed 27oz but it’s 20+ oz lighter than my other .17-5.56 barrel. I got tired of lugging that thing around. A suppressor will add another 10-11oz to the current weight.