Lighter hunting set up - Questions

[MAG00]

I am in the middle of getting my custom 300 winmag built (Rem 700 in Manners T5A stock with DBM and #6 douglas barrell with brake) but was curious about a lighter set up for hunting.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">A little info for you for guideance</span>: Mostly hunt whitetail and smaller game, would like easily obtainable, quality, over the counter ammo, light and short but doesn't have to be drastic just something that would be comfortable carry distance with other gear.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]What caliber?[*]Recommendation of make and model of stock?[*]Any other advice or suggestions?[/list]
I am a noob at most of the very detailed info so please try to give me info in a straight forward specific manner? I am trying to learn as much as I can right now, but still new to alot of the finer information.

Thanks.

 

[LongRangEnthusiast]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

What price range? What ranges would you be shooting? I would go with a 308 for the versatility. I use a .308 Remington 700 SPS DM. The SPS series is very reasonable but the DM (detachable magazine) model doesn't have replacement stocks so if you don't like your factory synthetic stock (some people don't like it because it is a $60 stock. It is functional, but not very stiff.) you are screwed. I would still check out the SPS series though. I have also heard some good things about the Savage Axis (http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/axis) I am not an expert though so I would be interested to hear what others think.

 

[Ryan Brownshoe]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

Check out the Tikka T3 Lite. Depending on your budget also take a look at GA Precisions Non Typical.

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

MAG00,

Here's a pic of my light weight rifle. Remington SA, High Tech stock, and a #3 contour Pac-Nor barrel, 22" long. Ready to go weights 7.5 lbs. Something like this in a 6.5 Creedmore would be a great set up. You will be able to fly up the hills. Hope this helps.

Regards, Paul.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

Bolt fluter is right about most everything but the caliber in my humble opinion. 6.5 Creedmoor isn't OTC available in most hunting areas. I'd opt for .308 or 7mm08. I'd probably look at a #2 Pacnor and a lighter scope for hunting.

 

[dwtaylorpdx]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

Anything on a 30-06/.308 base that you can buy from your local sporting good store.

I hunted with a 06 for many years and it never let anything walk away,, For a pure hunting rifle its a good intermediate caliber, and the factory fed premium loads are great, with 165 Accubonds it will shoot sub deer groups and its going to last just about forever.

I'd go with a synthetic savage .....

Dave

 

[patlaprade01]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

Sako A7 in 30-06 and use Federal Fusion for over the counter ammo. Its basically the same a the Federal Nosler Partition but half the price and the Sako has no problem keeping the 1 moa guarantee with Fusion ammo.

Tikka T3 is also a great choice. I use 150 Nosler Partitions for it. They grouped the best when trying different ammo and it holds under moa too.

For off the shelf firearms and ammo those are my recommendations. You can get then in blue or stainless depending on preference.

Good luck

 

[mark5pt56]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

It would be hard to beat this
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/itemdetail.asp?id=535110228
with this and some Talley's
http://www.riflescopes.webyshops.com/Bra...te-Black-111979

I actually have that scope on a Win 70 in .308(Ultimate Shadow) Nice set up. Use the Talley one piece aluminum ring.base. I hope to get the 30-06.

If wanting a lighter caliber, nothing wrong with a 7mm-08.

 

[alice]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

Tikka T3 is also a great choice. I use 150 Nosler Partitions for it. They grouped the best when trying different ammo and it holds under moa too.

 

[MAG00]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

Thta's several recommendations for the Tikka T3. I remember handling one quite a few years ago I liked them. Any particular model you guys like?

Also, I'm probably not looking at a 30-06 but I did think about 7mm-08 or 308 for caliber. Any other caliber recommendations?

By the way... thanks for the help thus far.

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

SAKO Finnlight in .300 WM is an excellent engineered rifle that will be able to hunt and harvest any North American animal.

 

[Prebanpaul]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

How about a weatherby ultralight in 25-06 or 257 weatherby....... great guns, accurate and light...... I have both and are torn as wich on I love more.

 

[teamr2]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

My hunting favorite rifle that I own is a Kimber Montana in 308. Bone stock it weighed 5 lbs 2 oz. I added a DNZ one piece scope mount and a Leupold 2-7. It now weighs under 6.5 lbs with 4 rounds in it. Shoots sub moa. Everyone that shoots it loves it and it is short and handy with a 22 inch barrel. The new Kimber Mountain Ascent is even lighter but it is not stainless. Mine functions and feeds flawlessly. It is actually the least expensive rifle I own but by far my favorite. Good luck with your decision.

 

[VKC]

Re: Lighter hunting set up - Questions

If you hand load, a 6.5 Creedmoor or 260 rem light hunting rifle is hard to beat. Take a look at the 140gr Bergers running at 2700fps...pretty impressive.