lightweight rifle build

[Kramerica]

Im thinking about doing a lightweight hunting rig build, looking for decent quality on a budget. So far im leaning towards buying a Tikka T3x in either .308 or 6.5CM pulling it out of the factory stock and putting it in a chassis. I really prefer chassis over stocks, they just feel better to me. Suggestions on chassis, butt stock (if it doesnt come with the chassis), rings, scope (needs to be mils) are all welcome. I would like to keep it under 10lbs everything on it. Ideally closer to 8 would be perfect but im trying to be realistic. Also open to any other ideas if theres a bolt action AR platform thats fully built and cheaper....heres what Ive come up with so far, Thanks!


Tikka t3x (without stock): Around 4.75lbs from the reasearch ive done. - $650
Sell Factory stock for ?? + $40
Atlas PRS Bipod: 0.85lbs -$320
Chassis/buttstock. ??? ?? ?
Scope?? something in the $1k-$1400 price range $1200?
Rings/pic rail?? ? ?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You think you would like to hunt with a cold, heavy chassis? Sounds like thats the way you should go if so.

 

[Kramerica]

You think you would like to hunt with a cold, heavy chassis? Sounds like thats the way you should go if so.

Heavy no. Cold doesnt bother me, im a logger in the winter, im acclimated.

 

[K22]

I rebuilt my Rem Model 7 (actually two of them) by having them rebarreled with Douglas Match barrels, 20" long and a No. 2 contour (one contour heavier than the original factory barrel). I then added a Bell and Carlson Metalist stock to each one. Not counting the original cost of the rifle and scope, I have about $1,000 upgrade in each rifle. That might qualify as a rebuild. Both are equipped with Leupold 4.5 x 14 Leupold scopes. But with the 223 Rem's long barrel life I rationalized that the costs will be amortized over many years of range practice and hunting.

The purpose was to develop a accurate light weight "walking around" varmint rifle, both in 223 Rem caliber. Yes, I take varmint hunting very seriously. Yes, I shoot a lot both at range practice and hunting so the 223 Rem was a natural for me. I selected a 12" twist to optimize using 50 or 55 grain bullets. I still don't understand this trend towards 8" twists in the 223 Rem for varmint hunting rifles and why the heavy bullets with a tragectory of a rainbow holds such fascination but what I do I know - I'm just an old scope varmint hunter.

THE RESULTS: Both are amazing accurate rifles, in the 1/2 moa range with tailored reloads i.e. Nosler 50 BT's and H4895. I'm very satisfied with the results but I had a great rifle smith do the work. These rifles are a joy to carry in the field and are very effective. I've made some amazing shots with these rifles, at least for me.

Suggestion: Get a competent rifle smith to do the work and make sure he understands your expectations.

PS> The Tikka is a great way to go - they have a superior extractor system and the factory triggers are good. Even the factory stocks are good or at least better than the factory Rem plastic injection molded stocks which have too much flex.

 

[370bc]

Im finishing up my 'lightweight' coyote rig. Almost went with a Tikka Tac A-1, but like dusty said, that's going to get cold after an hour or two. I went with Tikka t3x LITE in 270 win. and manners T4 and a Pac-Nor barrel in 6-284. Tikka barrels are accurate but poop for velocity. My bud just pulled the trigger on a Tac A-1 in....you guessed it...6.5CM! That's a lot of canon for what he got it for. Not sure what my finished weight will be. I just sold my kimber Montana in 243 win. It was tough for me to shoot in field conditions and connect with coyotes @ 400 yards.
I went to the local Scheel's and saw the bergaras offerings in a PRS style stock, but lightweight. Looked good. My buddy was there with me and he was all hot for the ruger RPR, but I told him to work the Ruger, then the Tikka actions, then get back to me. The RPR moves like an old manure spreader lever, all rusted up compared to the smoothness of the Tikka.
Anyway, good luck!

 

[CF2209]

For Varmits, (Med. to large)
S/H Rem 700 bdl
Pillar bedded.
Trued action.
26" fluted #4 contour custom barrel.
Jewell trigger.
10 or 20 moa pic rail.
Good rings
Good scope
Caliber .224, 6mm or 6.5.
Twist to suit.
Break if required.
7 to 9 lbs
Expectations under .5" @100yd.
Dial your friendly gunsmith.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but don't most chassis style stocks weigh close to what he want his finished rifle to weigh? And isn't a Douglas #2 SMALLER than a Rem sporter? I'm missing a lot here, evidently, but what do I know?

 

[1911nut]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but don't most chassis style stocks weigh close to what he want his finished rifle to weigh? And isn't a Douglas #2 SMALLER than a Rem sporter? I'm missing a lot here, evidently, but what do I know?

I think that’s right about most chassis. I have two Mcree chassis stocks and they’re heavy, surprisingly heavy but ooh la they do shoot. MDT does make some lightweight chassis.

 

[wedgy]

The MPA ultralite claims 2.5lbs and the XLR carbon claims 27oz(does not include grip or AR type butt stock) so they can be "fairly" light, nothing like a conventional stock. The OP gave no info on the scope other than price and mil.... missing parameters such as FFP/SFP, power, weight, reticle, W/E travel, zero stops, capped/uncapped, tube size, etc. There are literally hundreds of "what lightweight scope...." threads on LRH but more info is needed to give any advice.
https://masterpiecearms.com/shop/mpa-ba-ultra-lite-chassis/
https://xlrindustries.com/collections/chassis/products/carbon-chassis

 

[Kramerica]

I think that’s right about most chassis. I have two Mcree chassis stocks and they’re heavy, surprisingly heavy but ooh la they do shoot. MDT does make some lightweight chassis.

MDT LSS XL is around 1.8 pounds. That was my first thought.

Edit: that doesn’t include the butt stock unfortunately. So maybe another 1-2lbs

 

[Kramerica]

The MPA ultralite claims 2.5lbs and the XLR carbon claims 27oz(does not include grip or AR type butt stock) so they can be "fairly" light, nothing like a conventional stock. The OP gave no info on the scope other than price and mil.... missing parameters such as FFP/SFP, power, weight, reticle, W/E travel, zero stops, capped/uncapped, tube size, etc. There are literally hundreds of "what lightweight scope...." threads on LRH but more info is needed to give any advice.
https://masterpiecearms.com/shop/mpa-ba-ultra-lite-chassis/
https://xlrindustries.com/collections/chassis/products/carbon-chassis

FFP, power doesn’t really matter to me, even on longer range shots I’m usually only on 12x. I like my NF MILR reticle but I don’t get to hung up on that either. Zero stop is pretty important to me. Tube diameter doesn’t matter to me either.

 

[MOTORSPORTS55]

Kimber hunter 84 out of the box shoot awesome! And light weight they shot so well i get a few different caliber.

 

[mikeinct]

Jalen, I'm lovin' this thread. If you hunt, you should have that "perfect" Rifle. Even better, a few of them. Build it or buy it. Make it your own & be happy. Life is too short. Mike in Ct

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but don't most chassis style stocks weigh close to what he want his finished rifle to weigh? And isn't a Douglas #2 SMALLER than a Rem sporter? I'm missing a lot here, evidently, but what do I know?

#2 is regular non magnum sporter, #3 is magnum sporter

 

[Kramerica]

The MPA ultralite claims 2.5lbs and the XLR carbon claims 27oz(does not include grip or AR type butt stock) so they can be "fairly" light, nothing like a conventional stock. The OP gave no info on the scope other than price and mil.... missing parameters such as FFP/SFP, power, weight, reticle, W/E travel, zero stops, capped/uncapped, tube size, etc. There are literally hundreds of "what lightweight scope...." threads on LRH but more info is needed to give any advice.
https://masterpiecearms.com/shop/mpa-ba-ultra-lite-chassis/
https://xlrindustries.com/collections/chassis/products/carbon-chassis

Just looked at that MPA BA 2.5# (that one looks like it comes with the buttstock). That with the tikka barrel/action puts me around 7.25#. Now I just need to find the right scope and light rings I might manage to get in around 8.5 to 8.75#. Thanks for the lead on that chassis!

 

[jds holler]

I dunno about the chassis thing. A rifle such as you describe is gonna be pretty durned evil looking.

Living on the eastern side of the country, where ya might be seen by almost anybody -- well I just wonder if you ought to tone it down with a paint job in mostly pastel colors. jd

 

[1911nut]

Living on the eastern side of the country, where ya might be seen by almost anybody -- well I just wonder if you ought to tone it down with a paint job in mostly pastel colors. jd

Pastel flowers would be camouflage

 

[InTraining]

Tikka Superlite, and be done! Actually the factory stock is not that bad.

Good luck.

 

[10at6]

Older Kimber Montana. Great rifle and 6.5 all up. Great rifles great triggers great stock design

 

[butchlambert]

Well, when I wanted lite I wasn't thinking 7+ pounds.
Pierce Ti receiver
Custom Brown Precision Kevlar stock
Shilen trigger
Douglas 27" pencil barrel
Chambered in 280AI
Lite weight aluminum rings

Shoots pretty well, but surprisingly has a pretty sharp recoil on the bench.