Lightweight stalking rifle

[Mungo]

Ultimately, Moderators are a consumable item.

Exactly this.

No point being precious about them. They’re like brake pads - have a finite life span, though quite how finite depends somewhat on how aggressive you are!

 

[Ronin]

This is my lightweight rifle. It is a bullpup in 6.5 x 57mm but I would recommend also in 7 x 57. It is a "Crapahute, made by Gex-Dumez in Sallanches, near Geneva but, in France. It has a teflon coated stainless 24" barrel, a kevlar stock and the whole weighs very little more than the barrel and action. With a reflex type moderator it balances perfectly on the right hand (also available in LH version). Until I foam filled the stock the sling weighed more than the stock and it is the nearest thing I know to a waterproof stalking rifle. Originally designed to hang on the "D" rings on a rucksack for chamois shooting and to hang across the chest it is lightweight, versatile and quick to reload. It is now on its second barrel having fired more than 15,000 ads through its predecessor. Because the side of the action is also the cheekpiece no adjustment required. It is not my most accurate rifle but it still shoots better than me which is good enough. I have used it for all UK deer species, wild boar, Swedish elk, and foxes.

A very effective piece in your hands

 

[Smellydog]

You're all wrong!

 

[Eddie P]

My howa with HS Precision stock in 270 with 22" sporter barrel with mod and 7x50 scope weighs just under 5kg.

Not the lightest, but as light as I could go and get what I want in a rifle.

 

[Rural Management Services]

Tikka T3x light fluted .308 in an MDT HNT26 folding stock is 2.8kg bare rifle 4.1kg with a HK Aplex 4K and DPT mod. If I switch to a day scope it drops to 3.8KG.

My Sako Finnlite 2 in 6.5CM is about the same weight, but a bit more traditional.

Both are a pleasure to carry all day.

Sako S20 on the other hand is 3.5KG bare and close to 4.8kg with scope and mod on etc. You certainly notice that extra 800-1000g after a few hours or when swinging it round fast to get up into sticks.

 

[scotch_egg]

Ultimately, Moderators are a consumable item.

Just like barrel's

 

[scotch_egg]

Tikka T3x light fluted .308 in an MDT HNT26 folding stock is 2.8kg bare rifle 4.1kg with a HK Aplex 4K and DPT mod. If I switch to a day scope it drops to 3.8KG.

My Sako Finnlite 2 in 6.5CM is about the same weight, but a bit more traditional.

Both are a pleasure to carry all day.

Sako S20 on the other hand is 3.5KG bare and close to 4.8kg with scope and mod on etc. You certainly notice that extra 800-1000g after a few hours or when swinging it round fast to get up into sticks.

I would be interested to see photos of the Tikka folded. The HNT26 stock is a great platform. The only one to compete with PSE on weight. With the benefit of folding for transport. My only gripe is that it doesn’t fold to the right.

 

[Rural Management Services]

I would be interested to see photos of the Tikka folded. The HNT26 stock is a great platform. The only one to compete with PSE on weight. With the benefit of folding for transport. My only gripe is that it doesn’t fold to the right.

It’s out tomorrow so I will do you some photos folded. Why fold to the right out of interest? Folding to the left allows you to still work the bolt to check empty or maybe even unload. That said I would prefer rifle in the shoulder level of control for both jobs in truth.

 

[scotch_egg]

It’s out tomorrow so I will do you some photos folded. Why fold to the right out of interest? Folding to the left allows you to still work the bolt to check empty or maybe even unload. That said I would prefer rifle in the shoulder level of control for both jobs in truth.

I clear the rifle before folding and putting the rifle away. I like a captured bolt and the lower profile is handy for transport. I like my Fix but a tikka in a larger calibre would be nice.

My rifle is in heavy setup right now but with the 16” .308 barrel weights 6lbs bare.

 

[WeatherbyUK]

We can provide any of our options with an adjustable comb - our rifles start at 4.8lbs in weight, so after scope, mounts and moderator are added you can have a lightweight stalking package around 7-8lbs in weight depending on what combo you choose.

Come to our showroom in Buckinghamshire, or visit one of our stockist to handle our rifles.

 

[Smellydog]

We can provide any of our options with an adjustable comb - our rifles start at 4.8lbs in weight, so after scope, mounts and moderator are added you can have a lightweight stalking package around 7-8lbs in weight depending on what combo you choose.

Come to our showroom in Buckinghamshire, or visit one of our stockist to handle our rifles.

I had a Vanguard in 243. McMillan stock and a pencil thin barrel. It would hold sub moa for three shots. I shot it exceptionally well off hand with a party trick shot at a 200yd 5" gong with a 3-9 Weaver. Shudda kept it.....

 

[PhilSN12]

I clear the rifle before folding and putting the rifle away. I like a captured bolt and the lower profile is handy for transport. I like my Fix but a tikka in a larger calibre would be nice.

My rifle is in heavy setup right now but with the 16” .308 barrel weights 6lbs bare.

That is a good looking weapon, how does it shoot?

 

[WeatherbyUK]

I had a Vanguard in 243. McMillan stock and a pencil thin barrel. It would hold sub moa for three shots. I shot it exceptionally well off hand with a party trick shot at a 200yd 5" gong with a 3-9 Weaver. Shudda kept it.....

The MKV actions are now the lightest - BSF carbon barrels for those scared of Sporter and mountain barrels - 4.8lbs in weight on the titanium

 

[Eddie P]

I had a Vanguard in 243. McMillan stock and a pencil thin barrel. It would hold sub moa for three shots. I shot it exceptionally well off hand with a party trick shot at a 200yd 5" gong with a 3-9 Weaver. Shudda kept it.....

Shame they don't have multiple factory stock options like Howa do, or even sell the barrelled action on it's own.

 

[Smellydog]

Shame they don't have multiple factory stock options like Howa do, or even sell the barrelled action on it's own.

I think the the McMillan stock was a standard fit back then??

 

[JockStalk]

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

Got exactly that, only 18”. What a difference!

 

[wildfowler.250]

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…View attachment 292749

Nice stock. Can I ask who made it? Apologies if I missed it over the 5 pages

Had looked at Kroseg for the 75 as there’s not many options these days..

 

[Rural Management Services]

I would be interested to see photos of the Tikka folded. The HNT26 stock is a great platform. The only one to compete with PSE on weight. With the benefit of folding for transport. My only gripe is that it doesn’t fold to the right.

As requested @scotch_egg

 

[WeatherbyUK]

Here's the 307 Model - the Alpine MDT which comes in the HNT stock - the beauty of the 307 Model is that it features a 700 footprint (though the action itself is completely different).

WEATHERBY 307 - ALPINE View attachment AlpineMDT_Main.webp

 

[Rural Management Services]

Here's the 307 Model - the Alpine MDT which comes in the HNT stock - the beauty of the 307 Model is that it features a 700 footprint (though the action itself is completely different).

WEATHERBY 307 - ALPINE View attachment 382642

Nice but the barrel lengths of 22" or more even for .308, .243 etc put me off. For the mostly moderated UK market this will be a negative.

Also as I assume its a rem 700 clone the bolt doesn't lock on safety meaning it can open while carrying muzzle down.

Just my personal preferences though I am sure others will love them.