Light weight factory deer rifles that do not utilize DBM’s?

[3Sigma]

I am cautious with DBM guns. In my experience, I have had more leeway with seating depth adjustments on guns that feature a hinged floor plate design. You should see my .270 ammo. The CBTO I use is stupid long but not an issue with the generous dimensions of my hinged floorplate design.

A buddy of mine had a Kimber of some sort that only shot good as a single shot because the proper CBTO of loaded ammo was limited by the DBM. We never did get it sorted out to our satisfaction. I had a Sako with the same DBM issue so I kind of swore them off.

I was going to say M70, but their long action mag boxes are pretty short (3.35 COAL), so it may not be much better. I removed the mag box spacer and adjusted the bolt stop to get 3.47" without machining the reciever. I can't say if a short action is similar, so YMMV.

If you are building it, use a M700 action, barrel, and one of the thousands of BDL stocks and bottom metals available.

You are literally looking for grandpa's Model 700 7mm-08 from 1985.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

...about 3.100 on the short m70

 

[DumpHollow]

Christensen arms Mesa shows its available in 7-08. Basically a Remington 700 clone, side bolt release and timney trigger. Drop floorplate.

Don't they use Triggertech triggers?

 

[DumpHollow]

There are a fair number of Sako L-579's in 243 available. Hinged floor plate, bolt lock safety, integral dovetails and McMillan makes stocks for them. Just get Dave Bruno to screw a Brux 7-08 into it.
Look at Gunsinternational.com.

 

[Eric Leonard]

What model do you have that doesn’t use a DBM? Thanks.

I found my son a Kimber 84m in 7-08 and put a 2.5-8 Vx3 HD on it and adjusted the trigger , which is very good, it’s a very neat light compact outfit with the hinged floor plate

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I would get this if I didnt love a DBM.

 

[wvlongshot]

Don't they use Triggertech triggers?

Your right, I was typing and not thinking.

 

[Clancy]

Absolutely avoid Fierce and Christensen both, unless you just enjoy 3” groups and getting the runaround.

I think if you read Fierce’s accuracy guarantee you’ll avoid them. In short, if they are able to produce a single group meeting the accuracy guarantee, they charge you several hundred dollars and return your firearm.

Christensen is a gamble. I’ve seen a couple hold 3/4 moa, but I’ve seen a lot that wouldn’t shoot 2”.

Bergaras have been good to my friends, and it’s tough not to like a model 70 featherweight.

The Barrett Fieldcraft is soon to return as well.

 

[Prose]

Or a 284 Winchester and never look back!

You guys are spelling 6.5 creedmoor wrong

 

[Prose]

The Barrett Fieldcraft is soon to return as well.

Are you referencing the Wilson Combat NULA, or are you saying the Barrett Fieldcraft is coming back? Source?

 

[K22]

My vote is for the Win Model 70, Featherweight if the DBM is ruled out. Although this is really not that light of a rifle, it would make an excellent field deer rifle. I am not sure of the quality of the new ones but if they are on par with the old ones, this would be a good choice. The control feed is a nice option for a hunting rifle.

The 7mm-08 is an excellent choice for a deer rifle.

Even though I have 3 Remington Model 7's, I would not choose this model unless you are prepared to do some aftermarket work. Namely the stocks are poor quality and at a minimum, you most likely will have to bed the action and free float the barrel to get the rifle to shoot 1 moa. However, depending of the terrain you hunt and distances you shoot, a 2-moa rifle should be sufficient for big game. Also, the recoil is brutal for calibers over 243 Win.

If you can change your mind on the DBM, the Tikka T3X Lites would be an outstanding choice.

 

[jimmymac]

My vote is for the Win Model 70, Featherweight if the DBM is ruled out. Although this is really not that light of a rifle, it would make an excellent field deer rifle. I am not sure of the quality of the new ones but if they are on par with the old ones, this would be a good choice. The control feed is a nice option for a hunting rifle.

The 7mm-08 is an excellent choice for a deer rifle.

Even though I have 3 Remington Model 7's, I would not choose this model unless you are prepared to do some aftermarket work. Namely the stocks are poor quality and at a minimum, you most likely will have to bed the action and free float the barrel to get the rifle to shoot 1 moa. However, depending of the terrain you hunt and distances you shoot, a 2-moa rifle should be sufficient for big game. Also, the recoil is brutal for calibers over 243 Win.

If you can change your mind on the DBM, the Tikka T3X Lites would be an outstanding choice.

Thanks so much for the thoughtful response. Do you happen to know what the magazine length is on a Tika? I like the looks of those.

 

[jimmymac]

Additional thanks to everyone who took the time to chime in on my thread. You gave me some things to think about.

 

[TaperPin]

Every time I pick up a Christensen, the good machining stands out. The accuracy complaints are usually accompanied with poor cleaning. I‘ve had guys show me a borescope image to prove there’s not a carbon issue, but clear as day there was a carbon ring.

I will gladly pay scrap price for carboned up barrels that used to shoot great. I have 6.5 prc and 300 prc Christensen barrels for a switch barrel Remington, and will probably end up with every caliber they chamber.

It’s only a matter of time for entire rifles to fall in my lap for cheap, and having a Remington next to a Christensen, it’s easy to justify selling off the Remington actions and replacing them.

 

[TaperPin]

Tikka doesn’t have different length actions, so you could add any length magazine and bolt stop and seat bullets out as far as you like. The lightweight models are very nice - I can understand why they are so popular.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

The only Christensen that I've owned was a 7mm-08 and an absolute tack driver but I'm sure their not all like that one. It was an older one they did back then on a Cooper 21 or 22 action...the single shot model. Whichever that one is/was.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Tikka doesn’t have different length actions, so you could add any length magazine and bolt stop and seat bullets out as far as you like. The lightweight models are very nice - I can understand why they are so popular.

Yes, if dbm is on the table, hard to beat a Tikka and they're light enough for most needs. Like Taper said, mag length shouldn't be an issue with them either. If you've never handled one, you owe it to yourself to fondle one. They shoot as well as the feel!

 

[K22]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful response. Do you happen to know what the magazine length is on a Tika? I like the looks of those.

Mine measure 3 5/8". I believe all the actions are standard length, but I am not sure of that, but my 243 Win and 223 Rem are the same length.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Tikka doesn’t have different length actions, so you could add any length magazine and bolt stop and seat bullets out as far as you like. The lightweight models are very nice - I can understand why they are so popular.

I have 3 of them and, the WORST One, is a 3/4 MOA "Shooter" !
My Grandson has Killed, 2 Large, Heavy Horned, Idaho Desert Muley's with his, .243 Win. & 87 gr H-VLD'S !
But, the 6.5 Creed or, 7 MM-08 would be,.. Optimal,.. IMO
They weigh about, 7.5 Pounds, "All Up",.. UN-Less you Put, a Pig of, N-F, Scope, on it !

 

[JB10]

I wanted to throw away my christensen for the first 100 rounds. Was having a hell of a time getting an acceptable group. A friend had same rifle and said keep shooting and cleaning. Low and behold about 115 rounds and damn thing is a tack driver. At 200 shoots 3/4 inch groups consistently now with hand loads. Its a 6.5 prc. Other guys i have talked to ran into same issues. Have to put rounds down in order to get them to shoot tight groups.