Light weight precision rig

[hydro556]

I am trying to consolidate my rifles. I am wanting a precision rifle that is set up to hunt. Not necessarily a dedicated hunting rig, like a GAP Non Typical (which I'd love) with a pencil barrel. I want something similar, but with a heavier contour.

Essentially, I am trying to determine how light one can go with a 308 and still expect sub moa accuracy for extended range sessions without a lot of barrel cooling.

Where can corners (weight-wise) be cut and without huge sacrifices in precision rifle attributes?

The obvious ones, to me, are the stock, slimmer contour barrel, internal mag system. Rings and scope. I dont want to spend an arm and a leg, so I am hesitant to just call George or one of the other fine 'Smiths here and ask for a Non Typical(or equivalent) with heavier barrel. Any other options you guys can think of?

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Light weight precision rig

what about a remington 5R, LTR or sps in a factory stock or something like a McM edge stock? and i hate to see you selling your DTA SRS

 

[azemspilot]

Re: Light weight precision rig

You left out shorter barrel as an option. A 308 loses no velocity with most standard loads at 20", and still does very well at 18". I have a 300 WSM that still shoots 200gr SMKs at 2800 fps with a 20" barrel.I would go with a shorter barrel before a thinner one, as you lose little velocity, and actually gain rigidity.

That said, the remington varmint profile could lose a little thickness for a practical rifle. My Winchester Coyote has a decent light varmint profile, and I cut it to 20". I believe the Shillen light varmint contour is a pretty good comprimise too.

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: Light weight precision rig

here you go....subtle and demure ....lite enough to hunt with and heavy enough to drive in a tactical comp....its killed a lot of stuff already...pigs suppressed and deer from my kiddos..

 

[hydro556]

Re: Light weight precision rig

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what about a remington 5R, LTR or sps in a factory stock or something like a McM edge stock? and i hate to see you selling your DTA SRS </div></div>

I hate to sell it too, it truly is bad ass. But things are getting tight at work, and I really have no need for that level of gear.

I am trying to find something that is just as good as I need, as opposed to trying to have the highest end of everything.

 

[hydro556]

Re: Light weight precision rig

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">here you go....subtle and demure ....lite enough to hunt with and heavy enough to drive in a tactical comp....its killed a lot of stuff already...pigs suppressed and deer from my kiddos..

</div></div>

What is it and what does it weigh Bolt?

ETA- not trying to tell you how to be, bro, but you need to a hair cut. And some protein, man.

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: Light weight precision rig

ah....its an old picture....thats one of my daughters...the one that paints toes

the .308 barrel is fluted and threaded, got HS bottom metal and sports different rings and base....weighs about 8 1/2lb dry.

 

[donovan]

Re: Light weight precision rig

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">here you go....subtle and demure ....lite enough to hunt with and heavy enough to drive in a tactical comp....its killed a lot of stuff already...pigs suppressed and deer from my kiddos..

</div></div>

i think thats about it. close to whats next for me A5 243ai remy varmit cont @ 22. will be done in a few weeks.

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: Light weight precision rig

actually a Mc A-2....

 

[donovan]

Re: Light weight precision rig

i knew urs was an A2 , mines an A5 but close to the same end result.

 

[hydro556]

Re: Light weight precision rig

What is the optic mount?

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: Light weight precision rig

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hydro556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the optic mount?</div></div>

its a 1st gen US Optics uni-mount...or what ever they call it...its not on the rig currently....wanna buy it ?

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Light weight precision rig

I suggest either a abs barrel or a heavily fluted barrel no longer than 24" if 308. I have a 6.5x47 abs barrel that is 27" on stiller tac 30 with an adjustable mcmillan a3 and it weighs just under 9 pounds with badger m5 and my barrel is just over .9 at the muzzle. it won't super light or super cheap but it will be packable. you could even do standard bdl and a manners carbon and you could easily shave off anther 1.5 to 2.5 pounds

 

[awp762]

Re: Light weight precision rig

What about a carbon fiber wrapped barrel, that should lighten things up a bit. I know 2 people with them & they shoot well but i have no first hand experience on what happens when they heat up.

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: Light weight precision rig

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diggler44</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I suggest either a abs barrel or a heavily fluted barrel no longer than 24" if 308. I have a 6.5x47 abs barrel that is 27" on stiller tac 30 with an adjustable mcmillan a3 and it weighs just under 9 pounds with badger m5 and my barrel is just over .9 at the muzzle. it won't super light or super cheap but it will be packable. you could even do standard bdl and a manners carbon and you could easily shave off anther 1.5 to 2.5 pounds </div></div>

You nailed it dude! I have 2 buddies with carbon barrels that hover around 1/2 moa or a little better. They have less than $2000 into the rifle itself. 6.5lbs dry. A sendero contour fluted would weigh 7.5lbs or less dry.

My .02 is keep the DTA. The short action version weighs 9.4lbs. I plan on putting a carbon barrel on mine from ABS when I get it. That should lighten it up to >8lbs dry and it will be very compact. ABS tested carbon wrap vs heavy contour and the carbon cools faster.

 

[ejg]

Re: Light weight precision rig

Had a picture of this one up before, We made a carbon stock for Pete's lightweight Roedale Howa shown at the IWA 2009.
Lightened action, a Lothar Walther sleeved aluminium barrel and the light stock got it down to 2.9kg. Pete was happy with the precision.
edi

 

[Luvman]

Re: Light weight precision rig

Here's how I'd do an all around rifle:

avenger II action
.308 18" from lug
cut rifled barrel 10 or 11 twist tight bore
threaded, capped, and fluted sendoro or LV countour
badger M5
AW mags
manners T3 as light filled as practical
topped with a PH 3-15 in seekins rings

I know the scope is heavy but I like it's features.

My $.02,
LM

 

[Will Fennell]

Re: Light weight precision rig

I shot a Tikka T3 varmint in .308 the other day. Groups were very impressive for "casual" shooting that we were doing, but I had no problems shooting sub moa. Neat thing was that the rifle seemed to weigh next to nothing. I bet the rifle was under 8 lbs without scope. I told myself then, that if I wanted a "cross over" hunting rifle in .308, that I would get a T3 Varmint.

But, I've got a Sako 75 Varmint in .260 that is about 8.75 or so, and I'm very happy with it.......

....just sayin'

 

[jrob300]

Re: Light weight precision rig

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MuleHunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diggler44</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I suggest either a abs barrel </div></div>

ABS tested carbon wrap vs heavy contour and the carbon cools faster. </div></div>

If I can find a way to pay for it, this is my next barrel. Just makes sense. Light. Cools Fast. Expensive. What's not to like.

Oh yeah. Expensive...

John

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: Light weight precision rig

$900 for a blank is pricey but there are other areas a guy could save money I.e. action, trigger, stock, etc. For the money magnum contour fluted is probably the most economic. My buddy built a 7rem mag in this contour, with a 26" barrel the rifles dry weight is 7.5lbs, it shoots .116 @100yds. But I wouldn't throw rounds through it at a competion. For both, the varmint fluted works but the rifles going to weigh <9lbs.