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Joined: Dec 2005
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RAS Offline OP
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Without much thought to it, I have accumulated a number of "lightweight" rifles. After shooting them all, I have come to the conclusion about the best fitting rifle for me.

The guns.

Pre-64 Model 70 FWT in 270 & 243
Model 70 XTR FWT in 7x57 (7mm Mauser)
Rem 700 Carbine in 30-06
Ithaca LSA in 308 Win
Remington 725 in 30-06
Tikka T3 in stainless in 300 Win Mag
Husqvarna Model 4000 (lightweight) in 270
Savage 99F (later featherweight) in 300 Savage, 308, 243 & 358.
Savage 1899 Deluxe in 250-3000
Savage 99G in 30-30 and 300 Savage.
Winchester 64 Deluxe carbine in 30-30

There are no losers in this bunch for sure. I could use them all. However, we all know that special gun when you shoulder it and fire. A gun like this is different and you know it.

For me, the Husqvarna 4000 (mine was made in 1954) is an incredible rifle and currently holds my top title of the lot. It fits me so darn well that I must have shouldered it a 1000 times by now. I just stumbled upon it visiting a local gun shop with another forum member here, say about 4 months ago. The rifle was way in the back of the rack, dusty as all can be. As far as accuracy, it really is unbelievable. Using the same vintage 4x Lyman All American scope with swing over Weaver rings and factory 130 gr ammo, it keeps them at MOA. POI, which is always the trump card with any gun, is superbly consistent. This rifle has tremendous potential.

If you ever get a chance at holding one of these rare rifles, dont pass up the opportunity to check them out. They are very well made rifles upon my close inspection and further on function and accuracy tests. I would love to get one in 7x57 someday. They are pretty rare, but out there.

Despite years of hunting, shooting and firearm learning, it is still nice to be totally surprised about a firearm that you didn't know about before. And it turns out to be awesome in fit and function.

RAS





"...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." - Paul to the church in Thessalonica.

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I currently have three favorite lightweights.

First is a CLR/NULA in 7x57. It fits like a glove and may well be the last to go.

Secondly is a Kimber Montana in .300 WSM. I may not have much use for it in the future, but I have certainly enjoyed owning it for the past 8 years.

Third on the list is a pre-64 Model 70 FWT in 270 Win that would be hard to part with.

Also, I just traded for a Tikka T3 in 308 Win. I have never owned a 308 prior to this and am looking forward to working with it.

donsm70


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Good to know. Thanks.

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I have three lightweight rifle's.

A Ruger M77 RL Ultra Light in 257 Roberts Ackley Improved.
A Kimber 84M in 257 Roberts.
A Weatherby Ultra Light in 270 Weatherby Magnum.


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I had an Ithaca LSA in 308, most uncomfortable and hardest kicking 308 I ever shot! Felt like a 300 win mag to me, made my 30-06s fell like a dream.


Welcome to TN - patron state of shootin’ stuff
IC B2

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My favorites:
1957 vintage Savage 99F in 300 Savage
1923 vintage Savage 99 takedown featherweight in 30/30
Kimber 84M Montana in .308

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Originally Posted by RAS
Without much thought to it, I have accumulated a number of "lightweight" rifles. After shooting them all, I have come to the conclusion about the best fitting rifle for me.

The guns.

Pre-64 Model 70 FWT in 270 & 243
Model 70 XTR FWT in 7x57 (7mm Mauser)
Rem 700 Carbine in 30-06
Ithaca LSA in 308 Win
Remington 725 in 30-06
Tikka T3 in stainless in 300 Win Mag
Husqvarna Model 4000 (lightweight) in 270
Savage 99F (later featherweight) in 300 Savage, 308, 243 & 358.
Savage 1899 Deluxe in 250-3000
Savage 99G in 30-30 and 300 Savage.
Winchester 64 Deluxe carbine in 30-30

There are no losers in this bunch for sure. I could use them all. However, we all know that special gun when you shoulder it and fire. A gun like this is different and you know it.

For me, the Husqvarna 4000 (mine was made in 1954) is an incredible rifle and currently holds my top title of the lot. It fits me so darn well that I must have shouldered it a 1000 times by now. I just stumbled upon it visiting a local gun shop with another forum member here, say about 4 months ago. The rifle was way in the back of the rack, dusty as all can be. As far as accuracy, it really is unbelievable. Using the same vintage 4x Lyman All American scope with swing over Weaver rings and factory 130 gr ammo, it keeps them at MOA. POI, which is always the trump card with any gun, is superbly consistent. This rifle has tremendous potential.

If you ever get a chance at holding one of these rare rifles, dont pass up the opportunity to check them out. They are very well made rifles upon my close inspection and further on function and accuracy tests. I would love to get one in 7x57 someday. They are pretty rare, but out there.

Despite years of hunting, shooting and firearm learning, it is still nice to be totally surprised about a firearm that you didn't know about before. And it turns out to be awesome in fit and function.

RAS





Cool post RAS. The old lightweight husky is a damn Rodney Dangerfield rifle if ever there was one. I have many lightweight rifles and my favorite is one of my heavy rifles. This is when we are talking about how the rifle fits and functions, which was in the introduction of your thread. I love my pre 64 fwt's, but hunt my old m1917...... wink . Not because it's a "lightweight", but because it just feels right...


Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.

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I have about a 1/2 dozen various rifles that are under 6 1/2 lbs scoped, but my favorite is a SS Model 7 20" 7mm-08 in a Brown FS Stock.


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I've chased lightweight rifles for the past 15 years and have tried all the 'common' brands. I've not owned a NULA, Colt, or new lightweight Weatherby - but about ever thing else.

I have 4 Kimber Montana's in my safe in various cartridges to cover my needs. I'm sure there are some out there that are equal in ergos for me but the Montana is very close to perfection for me.


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Blaser K95

IC B3

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Originally Posted by cooperfan
Blaser K95
v

That's about as good as it gets.

But for us surfs, a Winchester Featherweight has to do.

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Originally Posted by viking
Originally Posted by cooperfan
Blaser K95
v

That's about as good as it gets.

But for us surfs, a Winchester Featherweight has to do.


Serf is something you are.
Surf is something you do.


Throttle fixes everything. If it doesn't fix the problem, it’ll end the suspense.
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I love my old husqvarna right up to the point of pulling the trigger.

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For a favorite lightweight rifle, I currently have a Kimber Classic Select that was recently rebarreled to a 6.5CM. I like the feel, thin wrist, and handling of this model. I have had a Classic Select in 300WSM, but recoil was sharp and accuracy was not noteworthy. I also currently have a Winchester featherweight in 30-06 with nice wood, and had one in 270. The 30-06 weighs 8lb 4oz scoped.

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Weatherby Ultra Light Weight 30-06 5 3/4 lbs BARE
I bought here with
a FX-3 6x42 with #4 reticle
Sako Tecomate 300 WSM 6 7/8 lbs BARE
NEEDS A SCOPE?
My Ruger Hawkeye RSI 30-06 is under 8 lbs with a
FX-II 3x20 Heavy Duplex
My Weatherby Outfitter 270 WBY Mag is supposed to be
a Factory ULW but weight of 7 lbs 6.2 oz with Talley
light weights did not

Last edited by AMRA; 02/15/17.

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Tough call. Dakota 76 Alpine in .250-3000, Sako Forester re-barrelled to 6.5 CM, M700 mountain rifle with Pac-nor barrel in 6.5x257AI are the top three.



"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing."
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I've owned several of those old Huskys. They need three things: trigger work because they're Mausers, glass bedding because they tend to kick out of their stocks, and red LocTite on the little screw that holds the ejector in place because it shoots loose pretty easily.

Other than that, they are very hard to beat.


Okie John


Originally Posted by Brad
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
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Kimber Montana in the 84 action. That being said, I've never owned a NULA.


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James Elroy Flecker







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[Linked Image]
3rd place would be my 1949 Savage.
Lots of nostalgia points, but when rubber meets the road, it swings, mounts, and shoots like a champ.


[Linked Image]
2nd place would be this classic. Does not carry the nostalgia points of my pre-64, but in the field, it is a top shelf Featherweight.


[Linked Image]
1st place would be a ST Finnlight, with this black Recknagel sight version being my favorite. Having run an UL Kimber, light M70 in Edge, and various semi and custom light rifles, none have fit, handled, or worked better than this production Sako has, straight out the box.


�I've never met a genius. A genius to me is someone who does well at something he hates. Anybody can do well at something he loves -- it's just a question of finding the subject.�

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Kind of like a M70 FW, they are light but not fly weights. I Have the matched pair of Browning Safari small ring FN actions and pencil barrels. The .308 is easily a sub 1" for 3 @ 100 each and every time. I have a twenty something year old Zeiss 4X on it. The .243 is a 1" gun, with a 3-9 4200 on top.

Two others that are not really heavy. A FN crested .30-06 with a trim English looking stock. Also a Blaser R-93 is not a heavy weight. .270 and 9.3x62 barrels for it.

Then there is my Contender carbine. Neat little package. I have considered a trimmer fore stock and making the butt stock into a skeleton.

I have fond memories if my Savage 99F (s). Some guy wanted them badly.

Best,

Jack


"Do not blame Caesar, blame the people...who have...rejoiced in their loss of freedom....Blame the people who hail him when he speaks of the 'new, wonderful, good, society'...to mean ,..living fatly at the expense of the industrious." Cicero
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