Maybe I just need to look into the construction of the barrel. My understanding is that it's still a pencil thin steel barrel. Just has a shroud of carbon fiber around it at bull barrel dimensions.
That is how they are made. The carbon shroud is stiffer than steel. Only weak point may be impact. I don't know if it would crack or shatter if dropped on a rock.
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson
Weatherby - don't think a lever would suit my needs. POSSIBLY a BLR, and frankly I have considered a used 325wsm take down model on the used shelf at the LGS. The take down model is very attractive when considering doing a serious back pack hunt deep into the high country. Break it down, fits in the pack!
Wildgene - I used to have a stainless stalker 300wsm. It was a great rifle. It would be a great choice for sure, but I lean a bit more towards the X-bolts these days for the general feel of them.
Not a fan of the Tika, honestly they just don't feel "solid" to me, and that is just my opinion. I know a lot of folks here love em, just not my cup of tea. I do like the Brownings, but I still favor the M70 actions more for the whole general feel, which also includes the Kimber, Montana Rifle 1999's and even Ruger rifles have a very similar set up. However, the Micky EDGE stocks are only available in Rem 700, Win 70 and older Savage actions.
CHIRO - I liked the feel of the Kimber better then your Savage. Darn shame that didn't end up working out for this trip.
I will admit that I used to secretly laugh to myself when I would read about some of you talking about lightening your hunting rigs. I guess karma is a B, because I learned this past weekend by carrying (yes, a .22) in the woods for a few hours, that I was really regretting being lazy and not removing my bipod. That extra weight really talks to you after a few hours lol.
That extra weight really talks to you after a few hours lol.
Yee-up.....now throw in reduced oxygen plus physical exhertion! You can stair-stepper your butt off all year in a gym....but it only gets you halfway there. When you're crossing rough terrain.....a load on your back....the weight of cold weather clothing....an 8-9 lbs rifle in your hands......flexors and tendons....stabilizer muscles, get all sorts of maxed out!
Remember most aircraft go on induced oxygen around 10,000 ft ASL......this is were you're starting to play....on foot!
Another thing people tend to forget.....sleep deprivation. You get back to camp after sundown....don't get to sleep until a few hours after......then up WAAAY before dawn. You got what.....MAYBE 5-6 hrs of rack time? Do that in a tent on an Outfitted trip....throw in the cold, and it's less than that!
So I sees this thing on the news back when the war in Afghanistan was just getting started (on their gadget segment).
SF had been using this thing called a "Gunslinger" that holds their rifle to their hip while they're climbing the rough terrain. So I'm thinking "great idea! If it's good enough for the Army, it's good enough for me!" and I got a bunch of them for Dad, Bro, and I......I think I'm the only one still using it.
This gadget snaps on over your belt and takes the weight of your rifle off your shoulder and puts in on your hips....it's kinda like a holster for your rifle that doesn't require stowing the rifle with your backpack......it really works.
However, this thread is about making the rifle lighter.....I'm not such a fan of that, but to each their own, whatever floats your boat. I just remember the saying, "you don't get something for nothing"...be it cost or added recoil...or steadiness when you're breathing heavy and your hearts about to have an attack.
God show's mercy on drunks and dumb animals.........two outa three ain't a bad score!
We'll go for double dope since I offered to give it back and you said no...
Rub it in, why don't ya?
In my defense, I did end up with an awesome .35 Whelen to replace it. Just not lightweight. When you offered it back, I had too many other irons in the fire. But yes, I was stupid both times. You took advantage of a mentally handicap person. Even if temporarily so. You should feel ashamed.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
No sub 6lb rifle is going to feel 'solid' for the most part. Either the barrel is a toothpick, the stock is a shell, or both.
I didn't mean the stock/thin barrel. I guess the best way I can put it, the actions of M70's, mauser clones, 1903's, and a few other push feds feel....liquid, in their smoothness. Tika, Remington, working the action to me, feels dry and light, Tika especially. Its almost like I could break it racking the action too fast. I know that can't happen, its just the "feel" of it.
5280 - to me, the heavier rifles feel more unsteady from an off hand position. Probably has something to do with my kind of long arms. A medium to large size shirt fits my torso just fine, but the sleeves need to be from a L or XL size shirt to not be riding up well over my wrists. Makes standard length of pull feel a bit awkward too, 13 3/4" or even 14" on a warm weather rifle, fit me better.
That much scope Gene? In the efforts of saving weight, I was thinking something a bit more compact. Not like elk are small critters lol. I just did a quick search....I had forgot about the old Browning Mountain Ti's. 5.5 lbs in the WSM's. Darn tempting. Wonder if they ever made them in the WSSM's?
No, but it'd make a keen mule deer rifle More just curious. Found 2 Ti's on gunbroker, a 270 and a 325. Going to keep an eye out for a 7mm or 300. Although, I think the 270wsm would work real dandy as well. Probably be a bit easier on the shoulder, too, which is why I'm tossing the 325 in the Ti right out lol. An 8mm mag in a 5.5lbs rifle will probably belt me harder then the 375 Ruger
That much scope Gene? In the efforts of saving weight, I was thinking something a bit more compact. Not like elk are small critters lol. I just did a quick search....I had forgot about the old Browning Mountain Ti's. 5.5 lbs in the WSM's. Darn tempting. Wonder if they ever made them in the WSSM's?
I have considered that model as well but just can't seem to like the camo pattern stock:vomit: I just does nothing for me.
Which reminds me....might end up needing to talk to you about that. Stockys has a Micky FWT EDGE in stock....if I can move some gear quick enough to get on this project before long, I want to pick up that stock. Ordering from McMillan right now is taking about 4-5 months. Downfall, the stock is tan. Figured some two tone speckling in like black/sage or black/brown would make that a dandy dry mountain pattern. BUT, have to move some stuff first, that stock is just south of 700$
Which reminds me....might end up needing to talk to you about that. Stockys has a Micky FWT EDGE in stock....if I can move some gear quick enough to get on this project before long, I want to pick up that stock. Ordering from McMillan right now is taking about 4-5 months. Downfall, the stock is tan. Figured some two tone speckling in like black/sage or black/brown would make that a dandy dry mountain pattern. BUT, have to move some stuff first, that stock is just south of 700$
Tell you what. You actually see this project all the way through..........I'll give you a killer paint job on that stock. All the way through, mind you.
;-)
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
That much scope Gene? In the efforts of saving weight, I was thinking something a bit more compact. Not like elk are small critters lol. I just did a quick search....I had forgot about the old Browning Mountain Ti's. 5.5 lbs in the WSM's. Darn tempting. Wonder if they ever made them in the WSSM's?
VX-3 2.5X8= 11.4oz/ 3.5X10= 12.6oz/ 4.5X14= 13oz, haven't seen anything lighter, meself if you stick to the basics, no 50mil obj., 30mil tube, AO, lites, bells, whistles. I'm old, shoot a lot of 8X16" plates @ 500M, & the eyes are the third thing to go, a 2.5X8 like I have on my 7mm RM might be plenty enough for you. Everybody I know that shoots both the .300 WSM & .325 WSM pretty much agrees that "felt recoil" w/ the .325 is no worse or actually less than the .300 in similar rifles. My M70 .325 is 1 1/2, lb. heavier than my T3 .300 WSM, & even w/ 220gr. bullets is more comfortable than hot 180's in the .300, which isn't significantly more than the 7mm RM...
...it always comes back to "Shoot the biggest bullet you can shoot well", if you can shoot a .340 Weatherby out of a 5.5lb rifle consistently, more power to you, if the best you can do is an 8lb. .243, but you can put 'em where they're supposed to go, well, there you go. If a .270 is your upper limit, sell it & get a .280...
I have a Leupold Ultra-Lite 2.5-8x scope on my Kimber Montana in .308 Winchester. That and the Talley Lightweight rings/base truly compliment the purpose of the rifle. It's stupid light!
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Replies
That is how they are made. The carbon shroud is stiffer than steel. Only weak point may be impact. I don't know if it would crack or shatter if dropped on a rock.
"The Un-Tactical"
Wildgene - I used to have a stainless stalker 300wsm. It was a great rifle. It would be a great choice for sure, but I lean a bit more towards the X-bolts these days for the general feel of them.
Not a fan of the Tika, honestly they just don't feel "solid" to me, and that is just my opinion. I know a lot of folks here love em, just not my cup of tea. I do like the Brownings, but I still favor the M70 actions more for the whole general feel, which also includes the Kimber, Montana Rifle 1999's and even Ruger rifles have a very similar set up. However, the Micky EDGE stocks are only available in Rem 700, Win 70 and older Savage actions.
CHIRO - I liked the feel of the Kimber better then your Savage. Darn shame that didn't end up working out for this trip.
Yee-up.....now throw in reduced oxygen plus physical exhertion! You can stair-stepper your butt off all year in a gym....but it only gets you halfway there. When you're crossing rough terrain.....a load on your back....the weight of cold weather clothing....an 8-9 lbs rifle in your hands......flexors and tendons....stabilizer muscles, get all sorts of maxed out!
Remember most aircraft go on induced oxygen around 10,000 ft ASL......this is were you're starting to play....on foot!
Another thing people tend to forget.....sleep deprivation. You get back to camp after sundown....don't get to sleep until a few hours after......then up WAAAY before dawn. You got what.....MAYBE 5-6 hrs of rack time? Do that in a tent on an Outfitted trip....throw in the cold, and it's less than that!
So I sees this thing on the news back when the war in Afghanistan was just getting started (on their gadget segment).
SF had been using this thing called a "Gunslinger" that holds their rifle to their hip while they're climbing the rough terrain. So I'm thinking "great idea! If it's good enough for the Army, it's good enough for me!" and I got a bunch of them for Dad, Bro, and I......I think I'm the only one still using it.
This gadget snaps on over your belt and takes the weight of your rifle off your shoulder and puts in on your hips....it's kinda like a holster for your rifle that doesn't require stowing the rifle with your backpack......it really works.
However, this thread is about making the rifle lighter.....I'm not such a fan of that, but to each their own, whatever floats your boat. I just remember the saying, "you don't get something for nothing"...be it cost or added recoil...or steadiness when you're breathing heavy and your hearts about to have an attack.
Rub it in, why don't ya?
In my defense, I did end up with an awesome .35 Whelen to replace it. Just not lightweight. When you offered it back, I had too many other irons in the fire. But yes, I was stupid both times. You took advantage of a mentally handicap person. Even if temporarily so. You should feel ashamed.
No sub 6lb rifle is going to feel 'solid' for the most part. Either the barrel is a toothpick, the stock is a shell, or both.
I didn't mean the stock/thin barrel. I guess the best way I can put it, the actions of M70's, mauser clones, 1903's, and a few other push feds feel....liquid, in their smoothness. Tika, Remington, working the action to me, feels dry and light, Tika especially. Its almost like I could break it racking the action too fast. I know that can't happen, its just the "feel" of it.
"The Un-Tactical"
No, but it'd make a keen mule deer rifle
Um....huh? They do. The WSSM were 22, 24, 25
"The Un-Tactical"
I have considered that model as well but just can't seem to like the camo pattern stock:vomit: I just does nothing for me.
Sako
Nothing a bit of Alumihyde can't cure, right Zee?
Speaking of which..........where's the action you were looking at getting?
Yep.
I already had it. It had been sitting in my closet for a few years. Pre-64 M70 magnum previously a 264 Win Mag. Its at the gunsmith right now.
Which reminds me....might end up needing to talk to you about that. Stockys has a Micky FWT EDGE in stock....if I can move some gear quick enough to get on this project before long, I want to pick up that stock. Ordering from McMillan right now is taking about 4-5 months. Downfall, the stock is tan. Figured some two tone speckling in like black/sage or black/brown would make that a dandy dry mountain pattern. BUT, have to move some stuff first, that stock is just south of 700$
Just when I think you are gonna follow through with a good decision............Shame.
Tell you what. You actually see this project all the way through..........I'll give you a killer paint job on that stock. All the way through, mind you.
;-)
I'm still doing the 375. It's just going to be on the pre-64 instead of the Howa
VX-3 2.5X8= 11.4oz/ 3.5X10= 12.6oz/ 4.5X14= 13oz, haven't seen anything lighter, meself if you stick to the basics, no 50mil obj., 30mil tube, AO, lites, bells, whistles. I'm old, shoot a lot of 8X16" plates @ 500M, & the eyes are the third thing to go, a 2.5X8 like I have on my 7mm RM might be plenty enough for you. Everybody I know that shoots both the .300 WSM & .325 WSM pretty much agrees that "felt recoil" w/ the .325 is no worse or actually less than the .300 in similar rifles. My M70 .325 is 1 1/2, lb. heavier than my T3 .300 WSM, & even w/ 220gr. bullets is more comfortable than hot 180's in the .300, which isn't significantly more than the 7mm RM...
...it always comes back to "Shoot the biggest bullet you can shoot well", if you can shoot a .340 Weatherby out of a 5.5lb rifle consistently, more power to you, if the best you can do is an 8lb. .243, but you can put 'em where they're supposed to go, well, there you go. If a .270 is your upper limit, sell it & get a .280...
"The Un-Tactical"