Lightweight stalking rifle

[WeatherbyUK]

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.

They offer 20” or 22” for most s/a calibers - but you’ll notice the fluting stops quite a bit away from the muzzle so people can shorten them if they want.

Correct - if it locks on safe people complain they have to make it unsafe to clear the rifle, if it doesn’t lock on safe people complain it could open whilst moving (never understood how as you’re just as likely to get twigs in your muzzle if it’s that thick), and if it’s 3 position safety people complain they don’t like going through 3 positions

They’ve had great reviews over the last year and have sold well globally

 

[scotch_egg]

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..

The stock is part of the rifle. It is The Fix by a company called Q. My only gripe is the bolt doesn’t lock on closed when the safety is on. Which is something you have also identified as an issue with Remington clones. It’s a feature I really like on my Tikka T3 .223 and Sako 85.

The Fix Overview

liveqordie.com

 

[wildfowler.250]

The stock is part of the rifle. It is The Fix by a company called Q. My only gripe is the bolt doesn’t lock on closed when the safety is on. Which is something you have also identified as an issue with Remington clones. It’s a feature I really like on my Tikka T3 .223 and Sako 85.

The Fix Overview

liveqordie.com

Thanks!

 

[geoffw]

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..

Danny at StaffsSynthetic Stocks (SSS), sorry for the slow reply

 

[Stevie/P]

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

This is 100% happened to me on a sika stalk bolt had opened and ejected the round.
Bergara b14 my mate has a Howa however that does lock the bolt Bergara should look at addressing the bolt lock issue as they are excellent rifles.

 

[scotch_egg]

This is 100% happened to me on a sika stalk bolt had opened and ejected the round.
Bergara b14 my mate has a Howa however that does lock the bolt Bergara should look at addressing the bolt lock issue as they are excellent rifles.

There isn’t a way to address the problem without a full redesign. Some people chamber a round and decock the firing pin by holding the bolt tension on the handle and slowly lowering it whilst keeping the trigger pressed. Then all you have to do when on target is move the bolt handle up and down, you won’t have the noise of chambering a round from the magazine. That way the handle is held down by the firing pin spring and can accidentally open. I have seen that happen as well. I’m not advocating this practice. I’ve just heard about it being done.

 

[Emmett&Stone]

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

Before you listen to anyone's concerns about lightweight rifles kicking you about - it might be worth checking out the felt recoil of a .308 Rifle vs a 12g Shotgun...

A scoped lightweight rifle is about the same weight as an average 12g shotgun - the shotgun usually has far greater felt recoil... and people shoot them a lot more than rifles...

RIFLE - Rifle Recoil Table

SHOTGUN - SHOTGUN RECOIL TABLE

We sell quite a lot of lightweight stalking rifles - and usually give the advice that you cannot shoot them in the same way as a heavy target rifle; you need to hold grip and fore-end firmly (most people do when they're off sticks or from a seat) rather than the military heavy-rifle style of tucking the left hand under the right arm.

Realistically when you're stalking you spend most of your time carrying the rifle, so why not go super light!

 

[Smellydog]

Before you listen to anyone's concerns about lightweight rifles kicking you about - it might be worth checking out the felt recoil of a .308 Rifle vs a 12g Shotgun...

A scoped lightweight rifle is about the same weight as an average 12g shotgun - the shotgun usually has far greater felt recoil... and people shoot them a lot more than rifles...

RIFLE - Rifle Recoil Table

SHOTGUN - SHOTGUN RECOIL TABLE

We sell quite a lot of lightweight stalking rifles - and usually give the advice that you cannot shoot them in the same way as a heavy target rifle; you need to hold grip and fore-end firmly (most people do when they're off sticks or from a seat) rather than the military heavy-rifle style of tucking the left hand under the right arm.

Realistically when you're stalking you spend most of your time carrying the rifle, so why not go super light!

I can't believe some believe a 308 is a heavy recoiling rifle.
I think a lot of issues many associate with recoil is actually due to shooting a rifle without ear defenders. The percussion and blast from an unmoderated barrel can be overwhelming to some and they link it somehow to the effect of recoil.
So after a while and in dread of another deafening experience they ask " what's the recoil like?"

 

[Steff]

I can't believe some believe a 308 is a heavy recoiling rifle.
I think a lot of issues many associate with recoil is actually due to shooting a rifle without ear defenders. The percussion and blast from an unmoderated barrel can be overwhelming to some and they link it somehow to the effect of recoil.
So after a while and in dread of another deafening experience they ask " what's the recoil like?"

Try a .308 with a lightweight spagetti barrel and a 180 bullet whithout a mod or muzzlebreak. Add a lightweight stock with a hard butt plate. Have fun!

 

[Stevie/P]

Try a .308 with a lightweight spagetti barrel and a 180 bullet whithout a mod or muzzlebreak. Add a lightweight stock with a hard butt plate. Have fun!

My mate has a un moderated Steyr scout in .308 with a skinny 19" barrel it’s awful to shoot
But does produce a very impressive orange flame

 

[Smellydog]

Try a .308 with a lightweight spagetti barrel and a 180 bullet whithout a mod or muzzlebreak. Add a lightweight stock with a hard butt plate. Have fun!

No problem, off hand.

 

[GBR66]

I bought a Merkel Helix Alpinist which is very light, I think 21 inch barrel (probably too short for optimal performance in my .30-06 calibre) but would be perfect in .308. Action is fantastic and very fast and fits with the lightweight concept. Very good deals to be had at a big discount to RRP - not well marketed and seemed to have cycling issues early on but mine has been perfect, have followed advice to only shoot quality/Euro brass except for trying the cheapest Remington stuff - cycled fine but shot terrible groups!

 

[Eddie P]

There isn’t a way to address the problem without a full redesign. Some people chamber a round and decock the firing pin by holding the bolt tension on the handle and slowly lowering it whilst keeping the trigger pressed. Then all you have to do when on target is move the bolt handle up and down, you won’t have the noise of chambering a round from the magazine. That way the handle is held down by the firing pin spring and can accidentally open. I have seen that happen as well. I’m not advocating this practice. I’ve just heard about it being done.

One knock and it's an ND (potentially no knock needed), this is the most dangerous way to carry.

 

[scotch_egg]

One knock and it's an ND (potentially no knock needed), this is the most dangerous way to carry.

Oh I agree, I’m not advocating this. This is what I’ve been told.

 

[glasshalffull]

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

My Sauer 202 is just under 7lb weight fitted with a swaro 8x50 with the neoprene backpack sling making it a joy to carry on the hill all day if needed..

 

[6.5-06 TIKKA]

How about a Remington Model 7.
A friend of mine had one by his side all the time in 308 and loved it.