Lightweight stalking rifle

[Craigmcwill]

Hi guys,

I currently use a 24" tikka in 6.5 creedmoor for all my stalking. It sometimes is far too long and a pain in the ass .

Thinking of saving up and getting something a little lighter and more handy.

Just looking for ideas what you guys all think?

My initial thoughts was to get a 308 in around a 20" barrel or so. Then put it in something like a pse stock.

I also like the looks of the sig cross as its extremely light and has good adjustability in the butt.

A adjustable comb is a must too.

Any good ideas guys? Also anyone with experience on these particular kinds of rifles just so I can do some research for a while before jumping in.

All input is appreciated guys

 

[Overlay]

The chop and changing from lead or non lead I would look at the rifles ability to shoot accurately either round as a first consideration the second choice handle as many as you can to get the right one for you
friend of mine has a shortened blaser 15mm barrel and a very light mod and its like a light weight wand to shoot and he loves it
my stalking rifle barrels are 22mm and certainly not light, to be honest it doesn’t get a second thought on the weight
i shoot well with them and like shooting them few ounces wont change that

 

[the scudd]

I have a t3 super light in 270 with a hausken mod on it, I find it nice and handy

 

[Craigmcwill]

The chop and changing from lead or non lead I would look at the rifles ability to shoot accurately either round as a first consideration the second choice handle as many as you can to get the right one for you
friend of mine has a shortened blaser 15mm barrel and a very light mod and its like a light weight wand to shoot and he loves it
my stalking rifle barrels are 22mm and certainly not light, to be honest it doesn’t get a second thought on the weight
i shoot well with them and like shooting them few ounces wont change that

Thanks for the input buddy . I'd say it's more the length that's the problem. The weights not too bad I don't bother with that, but it's just so long! I've read the 308 is good in a shorter barrel so that's why I was thinking going that direction too

 

[Craigmcwill]

What barrel length do people reckon would be best for a short 308 too?

 

[308tikka]

Hi guys,

I currently use a 24" tikka in 6.5 creedmoor for all my stalking. It sometimes is far too long and a pain in the ass .

Thinking of saving up and getting something a little lighter and more handy.

Just looking for ideas what you guys all think?

My initial thoughts was to get a 308 in around a 20" barrel or so. Then put it in something like a pse stock.

I also like the looks of the sig cross as its extremely light and has good adjustability in the butt.

A adjustable comb is a must too.

Any good ideas guys? Also anyone with experience on these particular kinds of rifles just so I can do some research for a while before jumping in.

All input is appreciated guys

Theres a few rifles for sale in classifieds with lightweight stocks and barrels shorter than 24”.

My 22-250 is 24” and a little long when muzzle down.

...either cut it.... or carry muzzle up!

Or go shopping? Lots of deals to be had.

 

[RM100]

Finnlight 2, in 6.5 Breed-more (I have one)

 

[malmick]

Mauser M12 Impact in .308 is a nice rifle with a 20" barrel and ~3kg without scope and mod. I put a Minox 3-15 x 56 scope, a DPT mod and Tourbon neoprene cheekpiece with hard foam riser on mine and it's a lovely rifle to carry about. Have used it for stalking lots of different terrain, the bolt is silky smooth and the trigger light and crisp, the bolt can be locked in the closed and cocked position.

 

[Loler UK]

If you home load a 308 18" is more than enough even 16" is ample.

 

[HandB]

What barrel length do people reckon would be best for a short 308 too?

I have an 18" Sauer in .308. I like it as it's a handy size and still gives decent ballistics and accuracy. The flash from the muzzle is large with hot ammo such as NATO ball 7.62 so I suggest getting a moderator to tame that.

 

[NigelM]

For Sale: - Remington 700 Alaskan Titanium in 7mm08

A joy to carry about all day. A great lightweight hill rifle. This is not the original 700 titanium that had a very skinny barrel and had a reputation for dubious accuracy, it is the 2nd Generation with the #4 profile fluted barrel. In 7mm08 it has plenty of energy to shoot Red stags out at...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Shameless plug

 

[Gm81]

I had this feeling after trekking over hill with my 6.5cm CTR.
So I wanted short, light and able to shoot a boar. I went 308. It's copper ready being 100 thou deeper to the lands than standard.
It's putting a 150gr gameking out at 2808fps from a 20" barrel. It's very accurate and I love it.
Just over 4kg as it sits there. I could get it lighter with bipod and sling change. But it's a pleasure to carry

 

[Freeforester]

The chop and changing from lead or non lead I would look at the rifles ability to shoot accurately either round as a first consideration the second choice handle as many as you can to get the right one for you
friend of mine has a shortened blaser 15mm barrel and a very light mod and its like a light weight wand to shoot and he loves it
my stalking rifle barrels are 22mm and certainly not light, to be honest it doesn’t get a second thought on the weight
i shoot well with them and like shooting them few ounces wont change that

If you’re looking for a bolt type rifle, the Blaser Attaché is great, IME; in the event that you want to go the whole 8.37metres, a Blaser K95 single shot would fill the criteria.

 

[RM100]

I had this feeling after trekking over hill with my 6.5cm CTR.
So I wanted short, light and able to shoot a boar. I went 308. It's copper ready being 100 thou deeper to the lands than standard.
It's putting a 150gr gameking out at 2808fps from a 20" barrel. It's very accurate and I love it.
Just over 4kg as it sits there. I could get it lighter with bipod and sling change. But it's a pleasure to carry

Beautiful stock.

 

[Gary123]

20” Tikka T3x lite in 6.5cm I use

 

[nun_hunter]

338 federal then you could get higher MVs for a given barrel length and bullet weight compared to a 308.

It's a bit niche here though and not sure what the lighter copper bullet choice is in 338.

I've recently got a Bergara BA-13 and even though it has a 20" barrel it is still 2" shorter in overall length than my previous 18" bolt action 308. It does come in a 16" barrel too, it's not the lightest rifle but very handy and short.

 

[Jono 4]

Blaser k95 is what I would go for, lovely to carry, and phenomenally accurate

 

[geoffw]

What barrel length do people reckon would be best for a short 308 too?

18” plus chamber was the advice I was given in your position. Here’s my Sako 75 w pillared, bedded carbon fibre stock by SSS. F&D Mod and 100 beasts since July…

 

[Muntybuck5803]

Just dropped this into a multipurpose from an E-lite as now don’t need the adjustable cheek piece. With a hardy mod ready to stalk it weighs 4kg.
I wouldn’t want it too much lighter I don’t think and if anything balance is more important than weight. So even at 22inches it balances well for off hand shooting
Also worth noting for light rifles you may have to adjust your shooting technique to achieve comparable accuracy, I did

 

[wytonpjs]

I run a 20” Sako S20 with dS for Highland stalking and a 20” Tikka T3X Lite Wideland Wide (both .308) for all-around stalking. They have the same barrel and chamber - fire-formed neck-sized reloads from one fit the other and vice-versa. The S20 is heavy, the T3X a delight. These tick 80% of my stalking needs; for the remainder I have a Sako 75 in .243 chopped (Mike Norris) to 20” and a 20” Browning X-bolt stalker in .270. Recurrent theme there Plus all bar the S20 have the Kalix Teknik CR1 cheek risers and the S20 has an integral one.