Ultra light (Backpacking) Deer rifle? recommendations?

Suavegato,
I've got a Browning A-bolt in .270 that's a nice lightweight rifle. TOO light for me sometimes, as it'll kick the pi$$ outta me.
 
Thanks Native,
do you know how much it weighs? w/o scope, bases & rings so I can do apples to apples. Also, is it stainless synthetic? If so, what Bbl length? I've never owned or used an A-bolt myself but have always liked them and heard good things. I just never really knew or thought of them as light weight? I thought they were std. weight? I.E. comperable to Win 70, Rem 700 & M77?

thanks,
biGjOhn
 
Have you looked at the Tikka's? They have a website so you can do some research for yourself from the site. Tikka's have excellent triggers out of box and are well documented for their accuracy, they are lightweight, and fairly inexpensive. There are stainless/synthetic versions.
 
Balance and feel...... If it don't come to the shoulder well or feel natural, it ain't worth the few ounces you can save. Try 'em all out, at least in the store, by handling them. Get familiar with the safety and trigger, too. That can be a deal breaker for me. Stock design is important too. That is why the browning kicks ol' native till he pees.The same gun in a mcmillan/ borden/ mpi would be cake.....Don
 
I would have to 2nd the idea of a Browning Micro-Hunter or Micro-Medallion in maybe a 7mm-08. I have a Micro-Medallion in 284 win that would be great but they are a little hard to find now. The Micro's have a 20" barrel & with a quality 2-7 scope you would be all set. I use a Vari-x-III 1.75-6 on my 284 Micro. I wouldn't worry about recoil in a 7mm-08 & Micro Browning. I don't own a 7mm-08 since I have plenty of choices all around it. From what I see the 284 Win is a 7mm-08+ developed back in 1963. I don't like any extra weight when I carry for days without shooting.
 
Hey,
Thanks again guys. The Tikkas look promising and that also brought me to look at the Sako Finnlight too... 75 & 85. From what I've read, those really sound like nice, light weapons! But, they have a heavy price tag... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I also looked at the Browning Micro & Medalion but only ones I found were Wood / blue? I have to have Stainless / Syn. Also, the more I read, the more I’m liking the idea of the 7mm-08. Short action, lighter action and it should do an ample job on Blacktails & mule deer, so thanks for that guys! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

So I've got a list a guns to try now:

Browning A-Bolt Mountain Ti
Kimber 84M Montana
Remington 700 Alaskan Ti
Remington 700 Mountain LSS
Remington 7 SS/Syn
Remington 7 XCR Camo
Ruger Frontier
Sako Finnlight 75
Sako Finnlight 85
Tikka T3

So, unless anyone has anything else to ad that hasn't been sugested yet... I'm off to make the rounds to my local weapons dealers to see how I like the above in person and compare some price tags too!

Thanks again,
I'll post what I end up finding & finding out.
biGjOhn /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
When i bought my rifle i was looking for an allround rifle as i didnt have much money at the time so i went for something that i could take down everything from Moose down to Beaver and even Redfox.
A steyr mannlicher scout rifle
deadfox2.jpg

its 98cm long with two magazines 5 round in each one in place and another in the back of the stock and it weighs loaded 3kg see the link for more details
http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/en/hunting-weapons/mannlicher-scout/technical-data/

it has yet never failed to do its work and it needs very little maintence i guarantee satisfaction in precision and versability as the bipod is built in the front of the stock.

Good Luck in the choice of rifle!!

/Fredrik
 
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Now that is a neat looking and VERY functionaly desingned weapon! Some GREAT ideas in that weapon, someone was REALLY thinking! Detachable magazine and the spare mag is held into the butt stock, BRILLIANT! The forearm splits in two and kicks out like two kickstands to forma bipod, INGENIOUS! I LOVE IT! The price tag here in the states is out of my reach but what an awesome set up for a weapon. If it shoots, feels and handles ½ as well as it’s design, I bet you love it! What kind of groups do you get just out of curiosity?

Thanks for sharing,
biGjOhn
 
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The .260 and 7/08 are a short action alternative to your .270.



The obvious short action alternative to the .270 would be the .270 wsm.
 
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That is why the browning kicks ol' native till he pees.



Exactly. My A-Bolt with wood stock, 22" blued barrel, weighs in at 6 lbs. 11 oz. without the scope. I don't know how it compares to a true "lightweight" rifle, but they can't be much lighter than that.
 
Just one more thing to consider, if you own and like 700's, but the barrel length is a deal breaker on the Ti, you could always have a smith cut off a few inches and recrown.
 
yup... I have considered having a bbl cut & crowned too, thanks. If the weapon I finally chose has a longer BBl than I want that is. So BBl length WON'T be my deciding factor, since that is "fixable" Speaking of which...

Can you just arbitrarily cut "X" inches off of a BBL. or is there specific lengths that have proven to shoot better? Like with antennas, you can't just go shorten them, you have to do spec. increments for optimum performance. 1/4 wave, 1/2 wave etc. Same with rifles or can I just cut any BBl. down to 19 inches regardless?

One of the nice things about the 7-08 (or any short action) is the lighter action too. So with a short action, pencil contour 19" BBl. and light weight stock, I can get a weapon under 6 pounds w/o scope. That should fill my bill just fine!

I have a list of potential candidates that I am going to go seek out at local haunts and get touchy feely with to see prices and what I like and don't like. Will post a report when I do.

thanks,
biGjOhn
 
Quote:
.... or is there specific lengths that have proven to shoot better?


Yes, to an extent. You'll notice that most hunting rifles are offered in 22"-24" lengths, depending on caliber. The longer the barrel, the more speed you'll get out of your bullet....cut the barrel too short and you end up wasting powder and energy.
About the shortest .308 sniper rifle I've seen had a 20" barrel. My .243 varmint rig has a 26" barrel - it's too long in my opinion to lug around in the woods.
Personally, I prefer a 22" barrel for walkin' the woods and fields and a 24"-26" barrel if I'm in a tripod or box stand all day.
 
Thanks native. I have the Rem 700's set up with 24" but for a back pack gun, they are just too heavy & long. So I guess if I end up needing to cut a Bbl down, It will depend on caliber and what powder I use? I.E. to make sure it gets a complete burn before leaving the bbl? It's looking like 7mm-08 is going to be my cartridge and I was hoping for a 19 or 20 inch bbl. doable?
thanks,
biGjOhn
 
give the Browning a bolt micro hunter a shot as well..... they are super light weight, great to handle.... shoot very well... I have it in a 7mm-08 and LOVE it !!!!!
 
I "wood" but it's wood... & blue. I hunt in some pretty rugged places and some snow, rain & mud. I really want a Stainless / Synthetic weapon. As far as I know, they don't make that in stainless / Syn.? Or even SS / Wood (I could replace the stock).
thanks though,
biGjOhn
 
It is your choice on what you want, but I would be a little cautious about cutting an already slim contour barrel below 20" because the rifle may feel unbalanced. I actually prefer a little muzzle weight myself because the rifle seems to balance better and is easier to shoot offhand with a bit of forward weight. I know you want something for quick shots in heavy cover, but just keep in mind 21-22" barrel may actually feel better to swing and point with.

Good luck on your search for the ultimate backcountry rifle. I think that 7MM-08 will be an excellent choice.
 
Quote:
It is your choice on what you want, but I would be a little cautious about cutting an already slim contour barrel below 20" because the rifle may feel unbalanced. I actually prefer a little muzzle weight myself because the rifle seems to balance better and is easier to shoot offhand with a bit of forward weight. I know you want something for quick shots in heavy cover, but just keep in mind 21-22" barrel may actually feel better to swing and point with.

Good luck on your search for the ultimate backcountry rifle. I think that 7MM-08 will be an excellent choice.



Hey Lon, thanks. You make a good point. I've never shot anything but basically "off the rack" before, so that's why I'm looking for all of this good info. 19" may be getting a little too short on a weapon that was not designed for it? 20" should probably suit my needs, MAYBE 19" if it's on a weapon that comes in 19" already, but no shorter. I still want to be able to go 300+ yards if nec.
thanks,
biGjOhn
 
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I've personally never seen a hunting rifle in anything other than .22LR with a barrel shorter than 20".
You're not planning on hiding it in your pants, are you?
 
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