Ultra light (Backpacking) Deer rifle? recommendations?

Suavegato

Suavegato

New member
Hello,
I’m looking for a new deer rifle for back pack hunting. Here is some information that may be helpful for anyone who might have an opinion or recommendation for me? Thanks.

At this point I’m leaning towards a .270 but am not locked down to that caliber. It will mainly be for western black tailed deer in “combination country” (thick brush, timber & open hills) but it may also end up on a mule deer hunt in Utah or Nv. too? I want something that I can get off a quick shot with when a buck jumps up at the last minute but also be able to reach out up to 300 yards if necessary. I already have a pair of SS rem 700’s in .30-06 & .25-06 but they are both 24” bbls and heavy. So I am looking for something MUCH lighter, shorter and “quicker”. I’d like a bolt action, SS/SYN if possible, so I can hunt in bad weather. Light weight, obviously. Preferably a 20” Barrel. And not going to break the bank. Any ideas? The Rem titanium 700’s look real nice and are light but have a heavy price tag… any other thoughts?

Thanks,
biGjOhn
 
Kimber Montana in 7mm-08 is as good as a factory rifle gets IMHO. Mount a Leupold 2.5x8x36 in Talley lightweights and hot rod a Barnes 120 gr. TSX from the muzzle. Pick your taxidermist and enjoy the venison!
 
I've heard that Remington is going to make a Model 7 Ti XCR, if you get one of those in 7-08 or 308 you would have a heck of a backpack rifle.
 
I have two that would fit into that catagory. I especially like my Remington 700 Mountain rifle in 280 Remington. It has a 22 inch tube and with a compact 2.8 to 10 Simmons AETEC scope and sling is plenty light and plenty accurate.

The other is one of Remington's model 7 carbines in 308 with a fixed four power Leupold scope and an 18.5 inch tube.

Both these guns shoot inch groups at a hundred and I wouldn't hesitate to use the 280 for cross canyon shots out to 500 yards.

Remington 308 Carbine, 4 power fixed Leupold, 18.5 inch bbl. Light and quick.

Model7308.jpg


Remington 700 Mountain rifle in 280 Remington. 22 inch bbl.
This rifle is light and superb for open country and with a scope that gives a 44 foot field of view at low power works very well for close jump shots and with the Simmons AETEC scope turned up to ten power works very well for long across canyon shots.

280Rem-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys. Just out of curiosity, why do y'all like the 7mm-08? I've never used one and don't know much about it ballistically. I prefer a small round for blacktails but even the .270 could be used for mullies too. Plus, since I already have the .30-06 & .25-06, it would be nice to keep the same "family" of cartridge for reloading etc. That being said, if we set caliber aside for now, anyone have any other suggestions on the weapon itself? I went over to GunBroker and looked at some of those Kimbers. They look nice but are a little pricey... about the same as the Ti Rem 700. Plus, I didn't see any in a 20" Bbl, which I would really like for those quick jump shots that are common where I hunt.

Thanks again, anymore input?
biGjOhn
 
Use the 270 it will be find. Then find a gun you can shoot well and handle well. No need to get an ultra light anything. Really the difference is only a couple pounds. If you really want to save on weight look at other gear. I feel way too much insight is given to the gun weight, but people then load them selves up with lights extra batteries, a spotting scope, tripod, water, extra clothes etc. I have packed my Rugger Mark 2 all around many mountains with out much problem. IMHO the Ultra Light rifles were just a marketing ploy to get hunters to buy new rifles. Guys have been packing around normal rifles for years. Save your money and get really nice gear for sleeping and staying warm etc. It is money better spent. But if your just itching to buy a new rifle, find one that fits and shoots well.
 
I am using a Ruger Frontier in .243 right now with a Burris 2-7X pistol scope mounted scout fashion. Don't know about the caliber as a recommendation for you but the carbine is first rate for packing. I really like it.
 
Quote:
Use the 270 it will be find. Then find a gun you can shoot well and handle well. No need to get an ultra light anything. Really the difference is only a couple pounds. If you really want to save on weight look at other gear. I feel way too much insight is given to the gun weight, but people then load them selves up with lights extra batteries, a spotting scope, tripod, water, extra clothes etc. I have packed my Rugger Mark 2 all around many mountains with out much problem. IMHO the Ultra Light rifles were just a marketing ploy to get hunters to buy new rifles. Guys have been packing around normal rifles for years. Save your money and get really nice gear for sleeping and staying warm etc. It is money better spent. But if your just itching to buy a new rifle, find one that fits and shoots well.


“Then find a gun that you can shoot well and handle well”. I get your point but it’s kind hard to do that unless you buy diff guns and try them, or borrow from friends and try, etc. and you’d have to do it a lot, in the field to really get a feel for what you like and dislike… I.E. what you say makes sense but it’s easier said than done. That would be quite an undertaking to try a ½ dozen or so rifles in field situations. For me at least. So I have to just settle for “playing with them” in the store, at gun shows, or at friends houses etc.

I really like my Rem 700’s and shoot them well, and I too have packed them up and down many a mountain. But I want something lighter for backpacking specifically. For me it’s not a matter wanting a lighter rifle cuz of a heavy pack. I have already scaled down as much weight as I can on other gear as you mentioned, believe me, I won’t go in heavy. I don’t take spotting scopes, tripods and batteries, etc… I NEED a new rifle for this type of hunting, what I have will work but is not ideal… I am a “right tool for the job” kind of guy and don’t mind spending a little to get it, just not overboard. I NEED a shorter, lighter, easier to pack, load, shoulder, quicker “acquiring” rifle.

Both of my 700’s are 24” Bbls and are too long for the terrain I will be going in. I need a 20” light weight, maybe with a scout scope set up, as light as reasonable. I will be in on foot anywhere from 10 – 20 miles and so with all of my other gear, and packing out meat etc., I want as light as I can go. 2 pounds is a huge difference over 20 miles. A pound here & an ounce there really add up mile after mile… I won’t take anything that I don’t need.

So does anyone else have any other suggestions for an ultra light weapon that might fit my bill? Stainless, synthetic, 20” Bbl (maybe could do 22”?), light weight, bolt action. And I’d like to keep it under a grand or less. Does such a rifle exist? I might have to just spend more if not?

Thanks,
biGjOhn
 
Quote:
I am using a Ruger Frontier in .243 right now with a Burris 2-7X pistol scope mounted scout fashion. Don't know about the caliber as a recommendation for you but the carbine is first rate for packing. I really like it.


Hello,
I just went and looked at some of these on GunBroker. Looks promising to me... I like the scout scope mounting option too. What kind of groups are you getting with it? The Bbl is REALLY short, have you tried any groups out at 200 or 300 yards? I would think that an aftermarket Syn. stock would lighten it up quite a bit too?

anyone know how much weight you would shave replacing the laminated stock?
thanks,
biGjOhn
 
John,

The Rem Model 7 in a short action caliber, to shave off a little more weight, would be my pick for an affordable lightweight rifle. I'm with you on a nice handling reasonably light rifle being the ticket on a long-haul backpack hunt.

If I had the cash, the Rem Ti would be a dandy also. The other option would be to buy a used 7 or short action 700, buy a barrel with a contour of your liking and have it cut and chambered to the caliber and length you like. Add a lightweight stock like a McMillan EDGE in Remington Classic and you set to go. If you do find a rifle you like, but the barrel is 22" its no big deal to have a smith cut off a couple inches and recrown it.

If you really want something lightweight and first class, look at the New Ultra Light Arms rifles. Not cheap, but built to your specs and very light.
 
Hey Lonny thanks!
Some great information and some great ideas too! I'll have to go look into some of the stuff you mentioned. I've thought about a custom stock & Bbl but have no idea how much they would cost, I just assumed high? I might look into a Rem 7 or 700 action with a short, pencil bbl and light weight stock. Wonder if I could mount a scope on that scout style though? (If I go that way?)

thanks again,
biGjOhn
 
To get EXACTLY what you want, I don't consider the price of a semicustom rifle to bad really. Using an already owned M7 or 700 action it would roughly cost something like this:

Barrel: $200-300 depending on manufacturer
Stock: $200-500 depending on which one you choose
Gsmith $200-??? depending on what they charge in your area and how much work you have done.

I hade a Lilja barrel and McMillan stock put on my M700 with action chambered, trued, and pillar bedded by the Gsmith for around $1050.

If you want something now, the M7 or something off the rack would be quicker than waiting for your rifle to be built. With the purchase of a M7 you have a nice action for a lightweight custom rifle down the road if you choose. If you don't like the short action 700 or M7, they are easy to sell.
 
Suavie, Kimber Montana in .260 or Ruger ultra lite in 7/08. That was my choice for my liteweight hunting rifles. The kimber has a 22 in. barrel and weighs 6 lb. even with a 3x9 leup compact. Shoots 130 TSX's into itty-bitty groups. The ruger ultralite has a 20 in. barrel of purty skinny contour. Weighs a little bit more than the Montana, but wears a bushnell 3x9 3200. Shoots into an inch if you don't go more than 3 shots. I painted both stocks......
HPIM3208.jpg
 
Hey Huntsman,
Thanks for the info, great looking weapons too! So at the risk of hijacking my own thread… in light of some new info. (thanks guys) and cartridge availability in some of the aforementioned rifles, what do y’all know about the .260 and the 7-08? I was originally thinking .270 but now y’all have got me reconsidering possibly? I’ve read a few articles online now, Chuck Hawks etc. but I’d also like some input from Y’all here. For my purposes for a short, light weight rifle:

PRIMARY: quick jump shots as well as across valley’s up to about 300 – 350 yards at black tailed deer.
SECONDARY: I might also take it on some long day hunts for Mulies out in Central Utah.

What would y’all have to say about those 3 rounds? .260, 7mm-08 & .270 ? Or specifically the first two, I’m already pretty familiar with the .270.

Thanks,
biGjOhn
 
Quote:
I've heard that Remington is going to make a Model 7 Ti XCR, if you get one of those in 7-08 or 308 you would have a heck of a backpack rifle.


Anyone have any info. on this? That would be great if they made a less expensive Ti model! A mod 7 might even get lighter too! Anyone know anything about it?
 
Quote:
I have two that would fit into that catagory. I especially like my Remington 700 Mountain rifle in 280 Remington. It has a 22 inch tube and with a compact 2.8 to 10 Simmons AETEC scope and sling is plenty light and plenty accurate.

The other is one of Remington's model 7 carbines in 308 with a fixed four power Leupold scope and an 18.5 inch tube.




Nice looking weapons there! I esp. like the custom "scissor jack" shooting rest! great idea! I would however REALLY like to get SS & synthetic. I LOVE to hunt in the rain and foul weather and hate to take my blued, wood guns out in that stuff.
biGjOhn
 
The .260 and 7/08 are a short action alternative to your .270. The critters won't know the difference...... The 260 loaded with 95 v-maxes is a coyote slayer. Way better than anything outta the 7/08. Loaded with 125 partitions or 120/130 tsx's it very capable for even elk. The 7/08 is not as good in the varmint dept, but shines with 120/140 tsx's or 140 partitions in the biggame dept. Get one or the nuther and shave some weight off'n the long action. An option on the ultralite, is ruger made a limited run of 7/08s in syn/stainless 20 inch that had their targetgrey finish. Nice look..... That was mine. Don
 
Huntsman very well said, and a nice pair of rifles by the way... At just over six lbs. all ready to rock and roll the Kimber Montana in .260 must be sweet.

The .260 or the 7mm/08 would be the two standard calibers I would look at for a lightweight rifle. After using the .260 over the past several years what huntsman22 said is exactly right, the recoil is light and the critters won't know the difference. The .260 is best suited for handloaders to take advantage of the bullets available.

I'm with you John. Go Syn/Stainless for the bad weather.
 
Thanks again guys, I really appriciate the time & info. Sounds like the 7mm/08 might be the better fit for me over the .260. I have plenty of "critter guns", this rifle will be specifically for backpack deer hunting, so it sounds like the 7mm/08 is a little bigger and better suited to black tails and mule deer? TRUE? I have a friend who uses it on white tails and loves it, I've just never had any expierience with it. If I can find the weapon I want available in .270 i'll still probably go with that, just cuz I'm familiar with it and am already set up to load the .30-06 & .25-06, same family of cartridge. But sounds like the 7mm/08 might be a good "plan B' for me if the rifle I want isn't available in .270. and as huntsman said, the critters won't know the diff!
thanks again guys, lots of great info from everyone.
biGjOhn
 
Last edited:


Write your reply...
Back
Top