I am looking for a good lightweight mountain style rifle. I am set on a 300WM caliber. I have a budget of 2500 not including optics. What lightweight rifle would you choose for that budget?
Pick my gun
- Thread starter islandlaker
- Start date
Savage makes a great light weight rifle in 300 win mag.
We did a review on lightweight mountain rifles. I’ll see if I can dig it up for you.
We did a review on lightweight mountain rifles. I’ll see if I can dig it up for you.
Slugz
Veteran member
How light weight do you want to be ?
I've researched this a ton and have gone back and forth between putting together my own, semi custom, full custom and a off the shelf production rifle. For your price point.....Kimber Mountain Ascent. 2040$...brand new
And.....as JimP says below.....I'd be grabbing for a 270 or 280AI or 308 if I was going lightweight.
I've researched this a ton and have gone back and forth between putting together my own, semi custom, full custom and a off the shelf production rifle. For your price point.....Kimber Mountain Ascent. 2040$...brand new
And.....as JimP says below.....I'd be grabbing for a 270 or 280AI or 308 if I was going lightweight.
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RICMIC
Veteran member
My bro-in-law and I both bought Tikka T3 Lite rifles (the Cabela's version, 5.8#) of their mountain rifle his was in 300 WSM, and mine was 30-06. His kicked the crap out of him before he added a better recoil pad and ported the barrel. The recoil on the 06 was never an issue and I did a lot of shooting developing loads for it. The sweet load for the 06 was the 165 gr. Rem. Corelokt, and I so far have gob-smacked an antelope buck (130 yds.), mule deer buck (170 yds., and 263 yds.) and a cow elk (329 yds.). I can add several NE MN white-tails to that, and it is my go to rifle. Spend more and go with the magnum rifle if you want to, but I don't think it is really necessary.
JimP
Administrator
The real problem is that lightweight and magnum do not go together with a rifle.
You can get lighter magnums but not what I would consider lightweight ones. Magnum rifles really require a longer barrel than standard calibers to burn that extra powder that gets stuffed into them.
For a lightweight rifle you need to start looking at the 30-06 on down to the .243's.
The big question is what do you plan on hunting with this rifle? Even elk can be taken reliably with standard calibers in a lighter rifle.
You can get lighter magnums but not what I would consider lightweight ones. Magnum rifles really require a longer barrel than standard calibers to burn that extra powder that gets stuffed into them.
For a lightweight rifle you need to start looking at the 30-06 on down to the .243's.
The big question is what do you plan on hunting with this rifle? Even elk can be taken reliably with standard calibers in a lighter rifle.
sneakypete
Veteran member
light weight in 300 win mag, only thing is that you're almost half way there in $ . She comes in about 61/2 lbs. and with the brake it shoots like a 243! Proof Reasearch!
JimP
Administrator
The on thing that I have found with brakes is that they decrease the muzzle velocity by about 150-200 fps. So you are right back to a standard caliber.
At least that is what I have seen on my .340 Weatherby shooting over my chronograph with and without the brake on it.
At least that is what I have seen on my .340 Weatherby shooting over my chronograph with and without the brake on it.
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
Sako 85 synthetic stainless in .300 WSM
Weatherby Ultralightweight?
Browning
Montana Rifles.
good luck! let us know what you decide!
Weatherby Ultralightweight?
Browning
Montana Rifles.
good luck! let us know what you decide!
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,923
- 3,242
Browning Hells Canyon Speed 300WSM. My buddy just bought one and it is VERY sweet. Browning has some really nice one piece scope rings/bases out now that match and it is a super nice setup.
Question: What guns to you have in your gun safe right now? Reason I ask, gun manufacturers are in this business for one reason, and one reason only == sales.
So are the magazine publishers, Scheels/Cabela's/BP/Sportsmans Warehouse/etc, along with all the TV shows out there...making money.
Isn't is interesting how the above listed are always promoting the latest and greatest? And always planting that seed in our heads..."must have _____"
Don't get me wrong, I love, LOVE, L O V E getting new stuff. Can't wait until Kuiu gets my size Tiburon in stock : )
But when it comes to rifles I have one that will do the job for pretty much anything that walks North America -- a Browning A-Bolt 30-06 that comes in right at 9.90 lbs with scope, sling, magazine and four bullets in the gun. I did have a weak moment about 15 years ago after winning two fantasy leagues and $700 burning a hole in my pocket. Found a Winchester Model 70 in 7mm MAG that comes in at 10.73 lbs, again with scope, sling and bullets in the gun.
If you really want a new mountain rifle, by all means, get it done! If it were me, I would put that $2,500 towards the hunt itself.
So are the magazine publishers, Scheels/Cabela's/BP/Sportsmans Warehouse/etc, along with all the TV shows out there...making money.
Isn't is interesting how the above listed are always promoting the latest and greatest? And always planting that seed in our heads..."must have _____"
Don't get me wrong, I love, LOVE, L O V E getting new stuff. Can't wait until Kuiu gets my size Tiburon in stock : )
But when it comes to rifles I have one that will do the job for pretty much anything that walks North America -- a Browning A-Bolt 30-06 that comes in right at 9.90 lbs with scope, sling, magazine and four bullets in the gun. I did have a weak moment about 15 years ago after winning two fantasy leagues and $700 burning a hole in my pocket. Found a Winchester Model 70 in 7mm MAG that comes in at 10.73 lbs, again with scope, sling and bullets in the gun.
If you really want a new mountain rifle, by all means, get it done! If it were me, I would put that $2,500 towards the hunt itself.
280ackimp
Active Member
The original LW rifle from back in the 70's is still the one to beat ....or get. Melvin Forbes of New Ultra Lite Arms will build you a great gun based on the action of his design. You spec the round, bbl length, contour, SST or blue ... he will work with you to configure it for you. This is a rifle that will not recoil as much as you think, partly because of the stock design and partly due to the materials it is made of. The triggers are Timney last I knew. The last I knew this rifle is in your budget range, it will also be made for you by hand versus an off the shelf product. It will also shoot bug holes at 100 yds.
I have a m20 NULA (short standard action) in 284 win with 22' bbl and a loop 2.5 to 8x that is a 6lb 12 oz rifle that shoots 1/2 all day long (5 not 3). Carrying a 7.0 to 8.0 lb rifle with scope and mounts in the mag caliber of your choice is a joy.
So called "Lite" rifles are all over the map in terms of weight, do you have a weight range ?
If your looking for an off the shelf rifle, Tikka and Sako are very good, and I have seen the Rem 700 custom shop rifles and like them as well. Sorry guys.... but the Kimber tends to have an action that isn't as stiff as it should/could be and this makes the accuracy above 1 moa in rifles I have seen and for friends that have had them. This accuracy range may be acceptable ? Isn't it great to have choices !
I have a m20 NULA (short standard action) in 284 win with 22' bbl and a loop 2.5 to 8x that is a 6lb 12 oz rifle that shoots 1/2 all day long (5 not 3). Carrying a 7.0 to 8.0 lb rifle with scope and mounts in the mag caliber of your choice is a joy.
So called "Lite" rifles are all over the map in terms of weight, do you have a weight range ?
If your looking for an off the shelf rifle, Tikka and Sako are very good, and I have seen the Rem 700 custom shop rifles and like them as well. Sorry guys.... but the Kimber tends to have an action that isn't as stiff as it should/could be and this makes the accuracy above 1 moa in rifles I have seen and for friends that have had them. This accuracy range may be acceptable ? Isn't it great to have choices !
Bonecollector
Veteran member
I wonder if this various on break-type...? I did not encounter much of a difference and assumed I would.
Bonecollector
Veteran member
Rem 280 or 7 Mag are hard to beat on either end of the stick. Where's Tim? He'll back me up on this one!
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
I'd go 30-06, 280 AI, or 300 WSM. None will beat you to death and will kill elk handily!
Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS - really great rifle. My son has one in 300 WSM.
Montana Rifle Company X2 - I went to the business and looked over several of their rifles. Very impressed with the quality. I'm going to have them make one for me in 6mm Remington!
Sako Model 85 Finnlight would be sweet! I feel they build really good rifles and would like to own one myself! http://www.sako.fi/en-us/rifles/sako-85/85-finnlight
Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS - really great rifle. My son has one in 300 WSM.
Montana Rifle Company X2 - I went to the business and looked over several of their rifles. Very impressed with the quality. I'm going to have them make one for me in 6mm Remington!
Sako Model 85 Finnlight would be sweet! I feel they build really good rifles and would like to own one myself! http://www.sako.fi/en-us/rifles/sako-85/85-finnlight
If 7lbs isn't to heavy for your tastes this is the route I'd go. The Seekins Precsion Havak looks like a heck of a lot of rifle for the money. It is a little more of a long range than light weight set-up, but I like the more vertical grip after shooting coyotes with a 243 with a McMillian Gamescout stock for a couple years. It doesn't give up speed for added accuracy when the opportunity to go prone arises. I shoot rifles with the vertical grip very well, I think maybe it's how the grip places my hand for a very consistent trigger pull.
My 300WM is by Rifles Inc, a Lightweight 70 I had a few changes made on. I went with a heavier #3 fluted barrel, Jewell trigger, and longer magazine box. It's a little higher priced gun but weighed 7lbs 4oz with a Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 in Talley rings. I went with a bit heavier scope, rings, and bases later and brought the weight up about a pound. I still wouldn't want to shoot it without the brake, but with the brake it isn't bad. I would want a brake on any mountain weight 300 win mag. If I wanted a straight factory gun I'd look hard at the Browning Hells Canyon.
http://www.seekinsprecision.com/parts-and-accessories/havak.html
My 300WM is by Rifles Inc, a Lightweight 70 I had a few changes made on. I went with a heavier #3 fluted barrel, Jewell trigger, and longer magazine box. It's a little higher priced gun but weighed 7lbs 4oz with a Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 in Talley rings. I went with a bit heavier scope, rings, and bases later and brought the weight up about a pound. I still wouldn't want to shoot it without the brake, but with the brake it isn't bad. I would want a brake on any mountain weight 300 win mag. If I wanted a straight factory gun I'd look hard at the Browning Hells Canyon.
http://www.seekinsprecision.com/parts-and-accessories/havak.html
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
- 2,167
- 1,354
Muledeerchaser
New Member
I just got a Blaser R8 Professional S in 3006 from Dereck at Europtic. I paid $2345.00 for the rifle and another $435.00 for the Scope mount. This rifle is a joy to carry and extremely accurate. Barrels are interchangeable within caliber group. The Scope mounts directly to the barrel and returns to zero when removed and replaced. This gun has taken Europe by a storm and I can see why. Try to take a look at one before you make your purchase, firearm expects like Craig Boddington, Ron Spomer and Wayne Van Zwoll use them for a reason. Their reviews are on the web.
Thanks for all the posts, I forgot to check back! I do have a tikka t3 in the 308 that I love and have taken mule deer out to 400 yds with. It is basically my only hunting rifle and I wanted something that I could if I had to take an elk out to 500 or even a moose someday. I know the magnum calibers require longer barrels which is why I want to go the lightweight route on this gun as I don?t want it heavier then my tikka so I know I need to be thinking about carbon barrels and stuff like that to get a bigger caliber with the longer barrrell and still keep it light weight. You guys gave me a lot to look at. Thanks for the help!