Light weight hunting gun

[Fast14riot]

You and I are the same size. My rifle and shooting requirements are a bit different but I have some ideas for you. The most comfortable stock I have ever found is a 700BDL stock cut to 12.5 inches with pad. You just saved 100's. I like to shoot long so I opted for a Rem Varmint weight Hart .280 barrel. Used Luepold 6.5 to 20 EFR with knobs. Shoots under an inch at 200 yds multiple 1 shot kills to 800 yds. Never weighed it but guessing 10 or couple ounces over. You put a lighter barrel on or good weight wise. I have put 3 of these together from Gun show donor rifles similar results with all 3. One of them, my son's, kills elk every year also.oh, spring changes to trigger gives crisp 20 oz trigger . Lot of bs around but bottem line, accuracy is barrel, bullet, and load deveopment.

That's about the same length I like on my hunting guns. I usually run a 1/2" or 5/8" thick recoil pad, total LOP ending up about 13-1/4" because i have taken shots with my pack on and jacket. Need that extra room.

A factory BDL stock is a good option for cheap.

This build likely won't start until late spring, early summer, as I'm needing knee surgery soon. So, it will be a good project while I'm off work.

 

[searcher]

In the next year I'm looking to build a light(er) weight hunting rifle. Chambering will be 260AI (i already shoot and load for it) but if i can get a rifle down to 8lbs I'd be happy. No need to go extreme.

I like R700 style actions. Barrel likely to be 20"-24". Help me decide on barrel profile, stock, scope, trigger.

Use will be for up to Mule deer possibly elk, shots to 700 yards max, not much low light hunting.

I have 3 kids and a limited budget, barrel likely to be a remage, scope probably from secondary market. Can't exactly afford a custom action in a McMillan stock and NF scope.

What would you do?

I was just re-reading a review in Predator Extreme Magazine (July/Aug.) about the Mossberg Patriot Predator in 6.5 PRC caliber. The test gun got some .5" 5-shot groups with factory ammo. Shoots around 200 f.p.s. faster than a 6.5 Creedmoor, has adjustable trigger to between 2 and 7 pounds, synthetic stock, weighs only 6.5 lbs, comes with threaded muzzle and thread protective cap, 4+1 ammo capacity with 4-round box magazine, Picatinny rail, fluted bolt, etc. It is hard to believe you can get this kind of rifle for this amount of money. MSRP is $455.00 (about twice what I paid for my after-market Remington 700 trigger).

 

[Fast14riot]

I was just re-reading a review in Predator Extreme Magazine (July/Aug.) about the Mossberg Patriot Predator in 6.5 PRC caliber. The test gun got some .5" 5-shot groups with factory ammo. Shoots around 200 f.p.s. faster than a 6.5 Creedmoor, has adjustable trigger to between 2 and 7 pounds, synthetic stock, weighs only 6.5 lbs, comes with threaded muzzle and thread protective cap, 4+1 ammo capacity with 4-round box magazine, Picatinny rail, fluted bolt, etc. It is hard to believe you can get this kind of rifle for this amount of money. MSRP is $455.00 (about twice what I paid for my after-market Remington 700 trigger).

I've looked into the 6.5prc and it essentially mirrors my 260AI ballistically, however with finding brass and the issues there have been with dies not matching chambers for that cartridge I think it may need a little more time to mature in the market. Plus I would have to add the expense of dies/brass to the cost.

That is a good price for the gun though.

 

[searcher]

I've looked into the 6.5prc and it essentially mirrors my 260AI ballistically, however with finding brass and

I've looked into the 6.5prc and it essentially mirrors my 260AI ballistically, however with finding brass and the issues there have been with dies not matching chambers for that cartridge I think it may need a little more time to mature in the market. Plus I would have to add the expense of dies/brass to the cost.

That is a good price for the gun though.

Yeah, price is pretty darn good. I have built a lot of guns around a cartridge I already own and in the end - I could have bought enough factory ammo to wear out the barrel with the savings if I had bought a rifle like this. I am ashamed to even admit what I spent on my last one (a 7 Mag bolt gun - because I have a 7 Mag auto loader) and its tough to justify it from a performance perspective. Things can get out of hand quickly for me. These new "bargain rifles" perform pretty close - just not as pretty. Good luck in your search!