Can a rifle actually be too light? Nah.

[Dave Way]

I thought you may enjoy this. I decided I wanted the challenge of a Mountain Goat hunt after I turn 60. It was the perfect excuse to put together an ultralight, something I had wanted to do for years. I wanted to see how light a bolt action rifle could actually be.

My goal was to stay under 5 pounds, without going to a titanium action, including rings and scope. I knew this would be difficult but I did manage to achieve the goal.

I started with a Defiance AnTI model seven length action. This is an extremely smooth action. I had Carson Lilja program a barrel taper to my dimensions in an 8 twist 6.5mm, stainless, three groove. The rest of the components are a Bix n Andy Dakota trigger, aluminum trigger guard, blind magazine with an aluminum follower, titanium action screws, and a Leupold 3-9 Ultralight in Talley rings. I also had an aluminum adapter installed in the for-end to accept a carbon fiber, magnetic mount, Javelin bipod.

The rifle was chambered up in 6.5x47 Lapua by my friends at Sportsman’s Outfitters in Knox, PA. Then I sent the barreled action to Wayne at Oregunsmithing to have a Kevlar stock built. The stock weighs a whopping 14 ounces! When it came back I had everything Cerakoted.

Now it was time to shoot the rifle and I was not disappointed. It shoots both Barnes TTSX 100’s or Swift Scirocco II 130’s into 5/8” at 100 yards. Off a bipod at 400 yards, three go into 3” or so. This thing is crazy light even though it wears a 22” barrel.





4.93 pounds with the scope.



Now I just have to wait a couple years until I turn 60!

Dave.

 

[jimmymac]

Love it! Have fun.

 

[Forum Boss]

Dave -- Great report.

This is Daily Bulletin worthy. I have a friend thinking about a similar project.

Is this stock a full custom, or was it just modified by Wayne at Oregunsmithing?

 

[Dave Way]

Full custom, built around my barreled action. Three month turn around and reasonably priced.

 

[john 800]

That’s impressive. Is the barrel floated or does it have a contact point in the forend?

 

[Dave Way]

Free floated except for the first inch or so forward of the action.

 

[butchlambert]

My 5lb 280AI has a very sharp recoil. Not a shove but like a 300 Weatherby. I would be better off losing 30lbs and building a heavier rifle.

 

[Bc'z]

So why are you waiting till your 60?

 

[Dave Way]

So why are you waiting till your 60?

Just more of a challenge.

 

[Dave Way]

My 5lb 280AI has a very sharp recoil. Not a shove but like a 300 Weatherby. I would be better off losing 30lbs and building a heavier rifle.

I’ve lost a lot more than thirty in the last year!

 

[Woollybugger]

Well done sir!
I want to build the same thing in a 20practical to carry a heavy thermal or NV with heavy IR Illuminator. And i’m already past the 60yr number and hunt on snowshoes.

 

[Bill Norris]

My next build will be a light one on a Rem Model 7 Predator in 30BR by ODCR (WSMNUT)

 

[std7mag]

Lightest i've ever had was a Forbes 24B in 280 Rem.
At under 7lb with a Sightron 4-12X40 scope, i didn't mind carrying it.
Alas, when it didn't look like i was ever going to get my western hunt, i sold it.

2 months later my wife gives me the financial ok to hunt out west.

 

[CharlieNC]

Lightest i've ever had was a Forbes 24B in 280 Rem.
At under 7lb with a Sightron 4-12X40 scope, i didn't mind carrying it.
Alas, when it didn't look like i was ever going to get my western hunt, i sold it.

2 months later my wife gives me the financial ok to hunt out west.

She knew you sold the rifle and wouldn't go! Women are sneaky like that.

 

[INTJ]

A light hunting rifle can shoot reasonably well. The issue I have found is that it can be hard to hold a light rifle steady when shooting at longer distances in the field.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Thats awesome. I've been on a few goat hunts. Think I've killed 5 so far. I'm only 38 and I don't want to wait until 60 just for more challenge. They are plenty of challenge as is. Though I think it really depends on where and what month you go. Been in September, October, November and March. Where I live the hair gets good about the 15th of September, little better in October, little more in November. Don't think Novembers hair is worth the weather though...

I like the position of the sling swivel on your forend.

 

[DiffEQ]

4.93 pounds with the scope.

I’ve lost a lot more than thirty in the last year!

Inspirational !

 

[Dave Way]

Thats awesome. I've been on a few goat hunts. Think I've killed 5 so far. I'm only 38 and I don't want to wait until 60 just for more challenge. They are plenty of challenge as is. Though I think it really depends on where and what month you go. Been in September, October, November and March. Where I live the hair gets good about the 15th of September, little better in October, little more in November. Don't think Novembers hair is worth the weather though...

I like the position of the sling swivel on your forend.

The hunt will be on Kodiak Island AK in October or November.

Dave.

 

[jdh47]

That's a nice rifle but the answer is it depends. A friend of mine's wife won a Remington 770-300WM in a raffle. Gave it to their college age son. He's like most college kids of formidable spirit. Pretty head first. The thing weighed about what your rifle does and he got a scope cut above his eye, twice from recoil. My friend asked me if I'd put a muzzle brake on it. I did and when the kid came over to pick it up and test drive it he wanted to shoot it without any ear protection. I declined to allow that on my property. Had him wear ear muffs. He shot it and said it took a lot of recoil out. I told him he'd better wear ear protection when he shoots it because it'd hurt him if he didn't. My friend told me they traded the gun a few weeks later because his son decided to shoot it without ear protection and got a nasty surprise. He had been warned. So yeah light is good especially if you can handle the recoil; but there are limits.

 

[Dave Way]

That's a nice rifle but the answer is it depends. A friend of mine's wife won a Remington 770-300WM in a raffle. Gave it to their college age son. He's like most college kids of formidable spirit. Pretty head first. The thing weighed about what your rifle does and he got a scope cut above his eye, twice from recoil. My friend asked me if I'd put a muzzle brake on it. I did and when the kid came over to pick it up and test drive it he wanted to shoot it without any ear protection. I declined to allow that on my property. Had him wear ear muffs. He shot it and said it took a lot of recoil out. I told him he'd better wear ear protection when he shoots it because it'd hurt him if he didn't. My friend told me they traded the gun a few weeks later because his son decided to shoot it without ear protection and got a nasty surprise. He had been warned. So yeah light is good especially if you can handle the recoil; but there are limits.

That’s exactly why I went with the 6.5x47L. I’m using premium bullets that will do the task at hand with less powder, less muzzle blast and less recoil. The 130 is at about 2,850 fps.

Dave.