There's a lot of talk on this section about specialized equipment. That's fine. But now let's see what the backpackers are using for a lightweight rifle. So, state your make, model, caliber and scope setup. What game are you using the rifle for? Don't forget to give us the "field weight" of your rig.

I have two projects in making, but, cannot say with certainty what the exact weights will be. Here is what I'm currently working on.

Husqvarna HVA, factory steel bottom metal, Wisner safety, Brown Precision Kevlar stock, Weaver Grand Slam steel bases, Burris Zee rings, to be re-barreled with a Shilen cro-mo barrel in .338-06, irons to be decided on later.

I have it all together except the re-barreling and am not sure if I will get that done before next August when we go to northern B.C. for Elk, Moose, Stone's Sheep and so on. This is to be my main backpacking rifle for general hunting in B.C. and I expect to use a 4x Leupy on it; the overall weight should be about 7.25 lbs....for this round with 250 NPs loaded to 2550-2600, that's light enough for me.

I have a 9.3x62 planned on a Brno 21H action with Argy 1909 bottom metal, a Timney trigger and a Wisner safety; this will also be a backpacking rifle of about 8 lbs.

I am contemplating re-stocking my Dakota 76-.338 Win. with a Banser to get it down to a really light weight for this cartridge, but, the recoil may be a bit too much for me as I ain't as young as I once was.

I have others, but, this is where I am going at present; I discussed a CRF "Rambling Rifle" with Patrick Smith of Kifaru, but, I just don't want to spend maybe five gees Canuckbux for another rifle as I have too many now. I do think that the .338-06, in a light CRF action, is about perfect for the role of backpacking rifle in Grizzly country....bigger bullets bonk bruins!

I use mine for backpacking, but most wouldn't call it a backpacking rifle. Mines a stock Ruger MKII SS/Lam .338 Win Mag with a Simmons Aetec scope. The scope got quite dinged on Kodiak last year so it will be getting replaced with a lighter Leupold, just not sure which one yet. My rifle sans ammo and sling weighs 9#5oz. I've hauled it after elk, whitetails, mule deer, pronghorn, and Sitka blacktail. I'm hoping to get the weight down to 8.5#s this summer with the lighter scope, hollowing out some of the stock, and possibly lighter scope rings. I like the power of the .338 Win especially for larger game (elk and above) and will eventually add something quite a bit lighter and less powerful for smaller game. Still waffling on which cartridge, but it'll be something the in the '06 class from .264" to .284".

Mine is a Remington Ti chambered in 7mm-08AI. I had the shroud and firing pin assembly swapped out with a Gre-Tan light weight version (bye bye J lock) when I had it chambered. Also had the old bolt locking style safety put on. Also changed out the trigger guard for an alloy one.
Rings are Talley LW and scope is a VXIII 2.5-8. Ready to hunt, 3 in mag., it weights 6lbs 1oz. I know I could cut some more weight with a different stock and scope but 6lbs feels pretty good! I think I'll just start losing a little more weight off the waist band instead......cheaper too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Rem 700 SS mountain rifle in 30-06, and except for some serious scratches it is unchanged from the box other than bedding the action and first 2.75 inches of the barrel. Leupold 3-9 x 40 scope. Rings and bases came from an earlier rifle and I believe are Weaver. Homemade sling of light synthetic webbing with a dab of rubber cement on the inside where it passes over the shoulder. Don't know what the field weight is as I've never weighed it done up. When I bought it I weighed it in the store sans scope and it weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz. 22 inch barrel. I regret slightly that I did not swap the scope, which was a gift, for a 2.5-8 Leupold. This 40 mm scope rides too high to fit me perfectly with this stock. For years I had a 2x7 Redfield on it that fit super low and lined with my eye instantly at the touch of my cheek to comb.

I've practiced with many rounds but hunt everything with the 180 Swift A-frame when using that rifle.

I've taken it for all kinds of western deer, elk, moose, sheep, goat, caribou, cougar, black and grizzly, though I haven't shot all of them. It's on the light side when you are in big bear country, and if all I hunted was elk, it would be bigger, or if all I hunted was deer it would be smaller. It truly is the middle of the road bore and cartridge for N. America. Boringly efficient, so that I am almost embarrassed to admit that I hunt with so plain a Jane.

I'd love JimF's ultralight rig, .284 as I recall, for deer and sheep etc.

Right now I am surprised only slightly to find myself joining kutenay in a quest for a 338-06 as my all around.
Started checking with a gunsmiths and a dealer or two a month ago to find the best way for me to acquire/build one.

Rem LH 700 BDL scalloped and lightened with the barrel lathed down it's chambered in 7mm Rem mag. Wears a Leupy 2x7 compact and an uncle mikes nylon sling, buttstock shell holder and a MPI stock. It weighs 7 lbs. 4 oz. with 3 in the belly and 3 in the buttstock holder.

Just a midweight by todays standards but I did the work on it over 10-11 years ago when there weren't as many lightweight choices, just ULA and Rifles Inc. and I couldn't afford a $3000 dollar rifle. I've got about $1200 in it, it balances well, shoots well and I love it.

Would like to try a real flyweight someday, but if it never happens I'm able to work with what I have. LH choices are few and far between.

I have a NULA in .30-06 with Leupold 4-14X40 with B&C reticle. I am exstatic with the function/weight (6.5lb) and accuracy.
Don

Doc, does the NULA hold four in the magazine?

REM 600 with a 20" featherweight barrel in 7mm-08. Restocked/bedded with a "Old Classic 102" from Richard's Microfit Stocks in semi-fancy walnut. I trimmed down the stock and hollowed out some of the butt to keep it light. On top is has a Leupold VXII 2-7x33 in Leupold mounts. It is just a shade over 6lbs.

BTW, Those "microfit" stocks advertised as 96% need to be relisted at 80%! I enjoy the work but they need to get real.

RH

Kimber Montana 308 Win. Six pounds, one ounce with a Zeiss 4X now in Weaver Quad Lock rings and Warne bases. Sling not shown is a Uncle Mikes Mountain.

The recoil from this rifle shooting 150's over 2900 is so light that it's a sea change as compared to other guns. I attribute it to the stock design with it's high comb and soft pad.

I shoot Ballistic Tips for practice and will hunt with Accubonds. I will test the new Accubonds when they come out in 165 gr along with some MRX's.

.300 Win mag, Sako a3 reciever, Shilen match grade 24" barrel, gentry mussle break, in a brown precision kevlar classic stock, leuopy 2-7, weighs a little over 7 lbs even.

I hate to tell you but I pack a 30-378 Weatherby ss with a 26in barrel. It has a 6.5-20X50 vari-x lll. It weighs inbetween 11 and 12 pounds. I use it for bear and deer. Branden

That's all right Branden, at least you backpack. Savage 99 doesn't but has an ideal rifle for it... maybe you guys could swap <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

My backpack gun is a thompson encore with a custom 280 ackley barrel. Not having the conventional action, it is shorter and lighter than the other guns in the safe. I even have two custom sisk guns that never get used.

It is topped with a 4x12 seedler scope

Thompson Center 7mm-08 or TC 30_06

Just three down, but that's enough for me. I had a two down Bansner's once in 7mm WSM, and I just couldn't fall in love with it because of that.
Don

Thanks Don, three's plenty for sure.

BA

Don
What accuracy are you getting with the NULA?

I have a custom built on a rem ti action in 7-08 , 24 in lilja bbl , jewell trigger with talley tnt rings and a swaro 3x9x36 6.4 ready to hunt. I'll hunt anything accept or near big bears with it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/4evrwild/Sask%202005/15.jpg

I have one group at 200 yards of 180gr Barnes Triple Shock (Federal Factory) into less than 1". I was really tickled to find the NULA shot this load this well. I promptly took it to Alaska and took two wolves and a Dall, all at over 200 yards.
Don

Dang doc that's hardly sportin' I'll take that NULA off your hands for $1100 bucks and let you get back to "real hunting"!

Don't 'spose there's any chance that bolt's hanging off the port side is there? (grin)

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mine is a NULA in 270 Win. with a 2.5-8 Leupold with the B&C reticle. Loads vary depending on what I am hunting. Have used the Federal High Energy with the 140 Trophy Bonded on elk & caribou, or handloaded Nosler 130 Partitions for deer.

well, i dont do too much serious back pack trips as in live out of a back pack for a few days mainly cause i dont have the area (arizona) or a partner to do it with. but my coues deer rifle where i normally hike between 5-10 miles of rugged country is my HEAVY custom 270wsm. it is based on a mauser action, with a 24 inch shilen barrel and a richards microfit thumhwhole stock. the scope is a leupold 4.5-14x40 B&C this gun will hit a penny at 100 yards all day long with hand loaded accubonds

now, when i go on hard hikes where i think i might scratch the gun, i reach for my old remington model 721 in good ole .270 winie. this is what i carried to kill my lion and i am glad i did, i dont feel bad about putting scracthed in this gun because it adds to the character of the gun and it is already ugly, but man is it a tack driver. this rifle carries a ugly simmons aetec 2.5-10x40 i believe, it is beat up but still holds zero and hits where it is aimed. will hit a penny at 100 with 140 accubonds factory federal all day long!

my "mountain rifle" is a remington model 700 lss mountian rifle in 30-06, it wears a leupold 3.5-10x50 scope, and when i dont put the harris bi-pod on it, it is very light. this gun will shoot federal 180 fusion into a quarter and i took my first two whitetail with it, out to 400 yards on one of them.

i have a remington 700 BDL in 7mag that i am looking into making a light weight carry gun. it carries a zeiss conquest 3-9x50 and shows a lot of potential accuracy wise. i am looking at replacing the factory stock with a bell and carlson synthetic to cut down on weight.

If you happen to be left handed ( and who isn't these days <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />) I've got a B&C stock hanging around for sale.

Kimber Montana .308 with Leupold VX-II 1x4. Just under 6 lbs.

1ak, sorry but i do things THE RIGHT WAY!!! and have a stock on the way for it

NULA 300wsm, 2.5x8 VIII....Left Hand.

I've got two that I use. The primary is a custom built on a Rem 660 action, PN Lt. Mtn. contour, 24 inch barrel, McM Rem Mtn. Rifle Stock, Gentry SS rings and bases holding a 6X42 Leupold. When it gets back from getting a JimF style pad, she should weigh 6-12 empty. It's a .25-284.
The other is a factory SS Win M70 Fwt. in .308. It's currently getting it's McM FWT stock replaced by an MPI stock and returning to a BDL configuration. With a 4X Leupold, Leo dual dovetail mounts, it should go 7-4 to 7-8 empty.
I'd suggest that anyone who is serious about back pack hunting invest in a Gun Bearer attachment from Kifaru for your pack. They are fast to use, keep the gun out of the way so you can use both hands with trekking poles, and they are cheap. There is a model for any pack. E

Kimber Montana .308 with Talley Lights and a Leupold 4.5x14x40 Boone And Crockett. 6lbs 2 oz.

Savage99. Try the 168 Triple Shocks. 2.81 oal, 43.5gr. Varget (also 43.0TAC) with Remington Brass and Fed 210 primers.
Chrony at 2675 fps and shoots 3 shots at or under 1" @ 100yrds.
maestro

I got tired of carrying my 9 pound 300 weatherby up and down the mountain, so I bought a 300 WSM Browning Ti, I love this rifle, it weighs 6 3/4 pound all up ( scope, sling, 3 shells), and it shoots like a hot darn. Has a 15 ounce swarovski 3-10x42 scope, with Talley LW rings

the rifle ( when it carried a Zeiss scope)

http://www.hunt101.com/img/326527.JPG

Killed a stone sheep and the biggest Mule deer to date with it last year.

100 yard 3 shot group,
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e44/tmartinitmart/DSC00606.jpg

This is a 200 yard grouping ( 6 shots)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e44/tmartinitmart/DSC00608.jpg

here is the buck
http://www.hunt101.com/img/345761.jpg



and the ram

http://www.hunt101.com/img/334277.jpg

Weatherby Super Big Gamemaster 30-06
Talley aluminum one-piece mounts
Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8

6 lbs. 5 oz.

Handled a custom British maker .35 Whelen on a pre-war Mauser action, slim takedown stock, 21 inch barrel, 6.25 lbs. That would handle just about any hunting, on any mountain.

I mentioned this on another post. Get a look at that Eberlestock backpack. It has a gunbearer pocket in back which gets the rifle out of your way, protected, balanced but still accessible.
I have tried the Kifaru but did not like it one bit. The position of the rifle was basically in front of your body. It made it hard to climb as it was always in the way.
My two backpack rifles are a Kimber Montana in 300WSM (6# 14oz with scope and sling) and a Montana in 7mm08 (6# 0oz. with scope and sling).
Good luck!

bizy,
I often dream about the 7/08. How does she shoot?
Is the 300 wsm in that light rifle uncomfortable to shoot? I love both those cal. I have the 308 and am looking to adopt a few siblings.
maestro <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

In extremely precipitous terrain, I also find my Gunbearers (which I have fitted to every pack I use, both Kifarus and Mystery Ranches) to be a bit awkward, especially with a heavy rifle like my P-64 .338s or .375 "ouch&ouch". So, I put the butt of the rifle into the pocket formed by my cargo chair pulled up tight and held it on with the orange lanyard supplied with the Kifaru packs, this worked perfectly.

I prefer the Gunbearer to any method of packing a rifle I have used in 42 years of doing so, but, the Eberlestock is a very interesting rig, especially for the relatively low cost. In the past, I usually strapped my rifle onto my I.F. pack with the side compression straps and the sling, but, this never was a really comfortable practice and the guns would get dinged pretty bad. I would like to see an Eberlestock pack, if, there is someone around Vancouver, B.C. who has one.

My small Kelty pack has a sleeve that will hold a rifle on either side, with the scope removed. I also have an old Swiss Army pack which has a sleeve down the center of the pack, in the middle, against your spine. A K-31 with its integral brass muzzle guard slides down into it like a scabbard.

I envy those of you that have multiple choices for backpack hunting purposes! I have exactly one (1) rifle for all my big game needs. It is a custom 6.5x55 with a 23 " Lija bbl, Jewell trigger, McMillan stock, and a 2x7 Kahles scope. I am not complaining believe me! My backup is a T/C Contender handgun in .357 Maximum with a 2X Burris scope, not exactly an elk gun, but it will have to do until my ship come in or my daughter graduates from college, she's 3yrs. old!

bizymocha, I had the same problem with the Kifaru Gun Bearer until I got it adjusted right. The barrel should be fairly hign to whatever side you carry it on. If you still have it, try calling the shop. They are very helpful and should be able to get you squared away in short order.

Miller,

It sounds like you have an excellent rifle and then there is the old saying "Beware the man that has but one gun" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ed T

Maestro,
Both Kimbers perform exceptionally well. The 7-08 is particularly fun to shoot. The 300WSM....well lets just say you better be "focused" at the range. Don't get me wrong, I have shot and handloaded some great combos. But sometimes I trick myself with a dummy round just to check my shooting form.
CCH - I sent the Kifaru sling back and they were gracious about the refund. Those darn Alaska mountains are too steep to have a gun hanging out in front of you. I am glad I didn't have it for all the alder busting we did last fall too.

Miller, what action and what does it weigh? The 6.5x55. Sounds like what I want.

My backpack rifle is a Tikka T3 Lam SS topped with a Swaro AV 3-10x40 Plex. A bit heavy, but weather proof, accurate and cool looking.

Mine's a Tikka T3 SS synthetic in 7mm-08 with a Nikon Monarch 2-7x.

Ed T, My rifle is a stainless Remington 700 long action, with the scope and loaded it goes approx. 7.5 lbs. That isn't exactly light, but it is very balanced. My only second thought I have ever had about this rifle is the 23" bbl. I think it's a bit long. However, my wife had the whole thing put together as an X-mas gift by Lex Webernick and it is a .50 inch gun if I do my part. It loves 140 grain Nosler Partitions!

Funny how one man's junk is another man's treasure!


I hunt the mountains of Alaska and the alder tangles and I wouldn't be without my Kifaru gunbearer, it's a good piece of gear for me. I can't imagine doing the alders with a piece strapped to your back, now you've got an extra high head and a tail to catch on alders that take a while before they figure out they're supposed to grow towards the freaking sky! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Ain't it great that there's so much good gear to choose from and we can all find what best fits our individual preferences?

Remington Stainless M7 in .308, #2 Pacnor stainless barrel, Wildcat composite stock, thin kick-eze recoil pad, Talley Aluminum rings holding a Leupold 6x42. I shot the 150TSX at 3000fps and it will do anything I need to do out to 400 yards on anything under 600 pounds. Total weight was 6lb 10oz but I have switched from a Burris 3x9 to the leupold and I dont know if it is heavier or lighter.

Should be lighter

I've got a M70 Featherweight in a Banser stock, Teflon coated with a Leupy VariX-III 2.5-8. About 7.25 pounds. I've used it for elk .
JohnDog

My 3.5 pound backpacking rifle is a T/C Contender in 358 Alpo, 18 inch barrell, muzzle brake, and a 4X Burris scope. It rides in my Kifaru Gunbearer. It is big enough for anything that walks.

I have a 20 inch 3o8 Bellm barrel being made from a 30/30 barrel by Mike Belllm right now. I have not decided upon a scope for it yet.

Contenders are the place to start for light weight rifles. Instead of triming weight off,you just don't add weight on.

My backpack rifle is is a 270 win, built on a rem ti action, lilja tube, bansner stock, talley light weights, vx-III. 7 pounds all done up. Shoots like a dream!!!

THAT is my idea of a really practical backpacking rifle, I would not hesitate to hunt anywhere in Canada with that loaded with 150 NPs. I have two P-64 Mod. 70 FWTs in .270 and the one with a Brown Precision Kevlar stock shows a lot of mountain wear.

I notice some excellent packs and what looks like a Bibler tent there, all gear I own and consider first rate. Who put this little gem together, it is VERY nice work!

The gun was built by Rich Riley at HT Customs in Colorado Springs. I can't say enough about his work.

The tent is my hunting pards and it is actually a two man Kelty. Nice little tent. I am very familiar with bibler, this kelty is almost an exact replica of the Bibler Eldorado that I think you are referring to. I must confess I am a Moss nut. I have a little dipper that I use for winter and fall backpacking and a climb high gortex bivy I use for going light and fast.

The pack was a new purchase this year by lone wolf. Nice pack, not nuts about it but it is a nice (5000 ci) hunting pack. But, it doesn't hold a candle to my Dana Astraplane. That is an awsome pack, the problem is it is huge (8000 ci) and as you know, if you have the space you use it. For packing out critters though, the Dana is awsome because it has a super comfy straps, great internal frame and it is big.

Those p 64's sound really nice. I also have a p64 m70. It is in 338-06 imp., weighs 7.25 pounds scoped. Is a great packing gun as well. See below.

Poot,

Any idea of how much your finished Banser weighs compared to the factory Ti stock?

TIA

I don't know for sure. I am guessing the bansner it is in the 20 to 24 oz range give or take. Mine is possibly a bit heavier becuse it is cut to 14 1/4 lop, so it is 3/4" longer than normal. I don't know what the Ti factory stock weighs. Sorry, I didn't really answer your question.

700 MTN 280, Ti stock, Talley Lt wts, Leuppie 3-9 compact.. 6.75 lbs

Poot Man, What brand of bbl is that?? did it come fluted?? 721

That 280 sounds like a nice piece of iron!!!

I am a Lilja slut. Dan builds a great barrel so I put one on my 338-06.imp as well. The gun was built by Charlie sisk and it came with a 24 inch tube on it. He tried to talk me out of it, but I didn't listen. Well, the dang thing was too heavy and I didn't like the way it balanced. So I decided to lop 2" off the end and get it fluted. I was going to have Charlie do it, but he doesn't like messing with a gun that as been dialed in and he really didn't want to flute it. So, I had Rich Riley (who built my 270) do it and it turned out great. So the gun is a Sisk/HT customs bastard, but it is perfect now. Light weight and the pre 64 action feeds those rounds like greased sausages. Pretty cool combo.

That is a sweeeet rig!! Mine will be on a blued 700, left hand- right bolt Rimrock bdl stock, and a 22in SS fluted BBl....What did it cost to have it chopped and fluted... you dont have to post an answer to that if you dont want to.... 721

also had it bead blasted and Tefloned, I think it was about $200 in total

that sounds like a helluva price!! 721

Hey Poot, I recognize that color scheme!

Brad, that is a great looking stock if I do say so myself!!! That is a very nice looking rig. What is it chambered for? Also, I like the m70 classic action as well, they seem to feed pretty darn well.

More details on the gun.

Ted

Poot, Brad is an 06 man.... 721

You can't fault a man for using the finest big game round ever chambered!!! The 06 gets my vote as well.......

I'm a .284 slut...but you are correct on the ole 06....I have my 280, a semi custom 7.21 Tomahawk Rem 700 Hart 26in, and workin on the 338-06 AI for Elk and such..I think those 3, with TSX's will cover the bases of what I will ever hunt.... 721

...the finest big game round...?????, it seems to me that the old '06 was actually a military round, developed in response to the German's smokeless, high velocity loading of the 8mm Mauser J bore???

In any event, while the '06 is, without question, a very fine and useful cartridge, I think that the title "finest big game round" has been earned and is held by the .375 H&H. To me, "big" game includes African, Asian, Canadian and Antipodean game, such as Banteng, Bison, Grizzlies, Cape Buff and so forth, I consider a .375 H&H much superior for this and as good for Elk, Moose and so on than the '.06, YMMV.

Kutenay, I point the rifle and sheit falls over... that's all I know.

Poot, I love your 270! Very nicely thought-out... really!

My 06 is just a stock M70 SS Fwt which I bedded in a Bansner (floated forward the chamber). Just because, I had the barrel cut to 21" and had open sights installed. I recontoured the floorplate to a more svelt profile and had it re-bead blasted. I also installed a Williams extractor. The scope is a 2x7 VXII mounted in lapped Burris Zee's, clamped to Leupold Weaver-style bases and JB Welded to the receiver. This rifle is scary accurate with a variety of bullets including the 168 TSX, putting three into bitty groups at 300 yards. With sling and five rounds it weighs 8lbs 1 oz exactly and has accounted for various deer and antelope, one black bear and three six point bull elk.

I agree, I think that may have been a sweeping statement on my part. I should have said "north american" big game round. But, I do agree with you on the 375 H&H part for the whole world. Actually, if you own an 06 and a 375 you can kill all that needs top be killed on this planet anyway.

Great looking rifle and great looking bull!!!!

Just our of curiosity what kind of velocities are you seeing with that 168 tsx?

Ted

Thanks. It shoots as well. This is with factory ammo (fed 140 TBBC) at 100.

i've got a NULA .416 rem on a 22" barrel with 1.5-5 leupold on it rings it right at or a shade under 7lbs. i'll use it for everything, sheep, goats, deer, brown bear you name it it'll shoot at it.

7 pound 416..........That is nuts!!!!! You are a lot more man than me.......... Hell, I don't want to be in the same State when you torch that sucker off!!!

Poot, 2855 fps with the 168 TSX.

Poot, i posted in the custom gun forum a while back that i was getting this thing, everyone said pretty much the same thing, muzzle break, you'll rebarrell it. can't shoot it, blah blah.
basicly cause guns so light it hits really hard but not enough momentum to do much, its just a big quick punch, doesn't rock you back like a heavier gun would. so recovery belive it or not, seems faster. granted theres alot going on when you pull the trigger, ten shots and the bulter creek cap cover came off...never had that happen before. but its a shootable gun for sure. not a huge nightmare like you'd think. shoots in and a half groups with 250 XXX bullets. my nosler load is getting reworked, it didn't shoot well at all.

Thanks to Brad I loaded up some 168 TSX's this week and took them to the range for my brother's and my Tikka 30-06's. Worked up from 56 grain H4350 to 58 Grains. Ended up with the 58 grain loads at 2910FPS and scary accurate. I can't wait to hunt with these ASAP. One thing we noticed is that these loads seemed to produce a bit more recoil than the NP's we loaded with pretty near the same velocity. could that have been our imagination? prolly. Cleaning the bbl today I definitely notice more copper fouling than with anything else i've used. I know they say these new TSX's don't foul as much as the old but they still foul more than NP's. Still for the accuracy and bullet performance its worth it. Question: Why do TSX's produce less pressure with a given powder than standard premium bullets? I find that odd-but in their load data they explicitly say that. Is it because they are more aerodynamic or what?

My stock rifle is a 6.5x55 in a Blaser R93 in their proprietory rings/bases and a Leup 2.4-8 VXIII (deer size game not in bear country) that hits about 6.5 lbs. I fit a .30-06 barrel (I'm with you Brad) with same ring/base/scope set-up at a few ounces less.

Other is a Dave Gentry (Brown Prec Kevlar stock) .270 Wea with a 3-pos safety, all steel bottom metal, Shilen trigger, octagon barrel with a Leup 3.5-10 in Gentry light weight rings - about 7.5 lbs. Although a little heavier, this is my rough country rifle. It liked - my second barrel is going on as I write this - 160-gr. Noslers at 3050-3100.

The TSX's produce less psi because there is less bearing surfuce in contact with the rifling. The three cutout grooves result in less contact - hence less psi/friction and in some cases, more velocity. The bottom line to all this is that accuracy must not suffer in the process.

Here is a rifle I put togethor with a Mountain or two in mind. It's chambered for the 30-06, but hasn't seen any action yet (It's sitting in acraglass in the basement right now). However, I plan to rectify that this spring. 7lbs 4oz's as she sits.

After reading Patrick Smith's Rambling Rifle, I realize I have packed around too much weight. In the future I may get a Remington Model 7 and butcher it up like Patrick Smith did to his 600's (Ramblers), or I may look at the Kimber Montana in 308. Right now I have a SS M70 in 300WSM that weighs in around 8# with scope (not terrible, but at 55 I am finally having to make some allowances for my age and old injuries from other pasat activities. Last year, I backpacked 85# of gear and water into Big Bear for 5 days. I used my heavy rifle, a CZ 550 in 6.5/wood stocked, about 8.5# total. Surprisingly enuf, I didn't get a hernia, I did get a 3X3 though (this is actually a real prize in the S CA mountains).

Hogjaws is Me Name, Eatin is Me Game!

For some reason I seem to be aquiring more and more 'light weight' rifles here lately...

I've used about 6 diffrent rifles on backpacking trips but have found my favorite one to be my 700 Mountain rifle in 280 rem with a 4-12x40 Leupy she weighs in all dressed and ready for hunting around 7.5 pounds.

My 'heavy' fly weight is a German made 98 mauser in 35Brown/Whelen that has been lightened up quite a bit and it wears a 2-7x28 Luepy and weighs in around 6.75 pounds...

I also have a Ruger 270 ultra light weight that wears a M8-x4 leupold and she tops out at about 7 pounds. For some reason I decided I needed another one the other day and she'll be here in a few weeks...

For chistmas my kind wife got me a 338-06 in a pre-64 action with a shilen barrle, the countour pretty much mirrors a standard feather weight M70, once I get a new stock for her I figure she'll top out around 7.75 pounds weareing a Leupy 3-9x40.

My favorite backpacking weapon is my bow however... ;-)

Here is a picture of my 280 in action from a year ago in CO.

It is said that the remington 700 action is the lightest, and the most built on when building a mountain rifle,

I am not that familiar with remington myself, if the Model 7 action is lighter, why is this not a better action for a mountain rifle chambered in 7mm-08?

thanks

SOLD!

Chuck if you move this post to the Free Classified, drag mine with it, will ya!

Nice rifle man, I'd missed it before, good location for the bolt.

For 2006, my backpack gun will be my Winchester Model 70 Ultimate Shadow in a 325 WSM. The scope is a Bushnell Elite 4200 in a 2.5-10x40mm. My one backpack hunt this fall will be for Elk.

Rifle = 6 lbs, 12 oz.
Scope = 16 oz.

So, it comes in a shade under 8lbs. For a 325 WSM, I don't want it any lighter.

I'm currently putting one together that I hope will serve the backpack role well for me. It started life as a CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62. I had AHR turn a blank for me, and now I'm in the process of sliming it down to my liking, adding a recoil pad and finishing. I stuck a tritium front sight out of a CZ pistol for a backup and plan to mount a Leupold 4x in Talley QR after load development. It currently wears a leupold 6x36 in the same mounts. I'm hoping to have it come in under 8 lbs all up, but suspect it might just break 8 with the scope and rings.

mine is a tikka t3 .in a 300 short mag.with a leupold 6x42.scope on it.

Mine is a Homemade custom Rem. model 7 in 300 SAUM. It wears a Leupold 3X9X33 ultralight scope in Talley Lightweights all sitting in a pillar and glass bedded MPI mountain rifle stock. The J lock was ditched by a Gre-Tan alumn. shroud. Trigger replaced with a Timney, Bikini scope cover and Trantula sling. The bolt handle is drilled out and for now I use parachute cord to tie the sling to the studs till I can find good lightweight swivels. It has a stripped camo paint job and weighs 6.6lbs as described including the removable custom brake that it got along with it's name "Stripped Mule" after shooting it the first time.

my pack rifle is now a Kimber Montana 300 wsm with a 4.5-14 leupy. before that i ran a semi custom and severly swiss cheesed 700 in .264 WM.

I have bet the proverbial piss out of my montana and it has never faultered. Only hitch has been some peeling of the coating kimber put on it but like i said it has been worked hard. i do not really like the stock finish on it nayways so soon it will go to rickbin for some paint

Gee......................... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(1) 338-08 (6 lb.) Rem 700 S/A w/Pac-Nor 21" in Rem Ti stock. W/Leo. 4X on Weaver bases, in Burris Zee rings.

(2) 284 Win. (5 lb. 9 oz.) Rem 700 Ti S/A lengthened to 2.950 mag box, some lightening work on action. Bansner stock, Kreiger 21" fwt. W/Leo. 6X42 in Talley UL's

(3) 6.5X284 (4 lb. 14 oz) Rem 600 with extensive machine work, fluted Shilen #1 @ 21" Extensively modified MPI stock. W/Leo. 2X7X28 on Weavers in Burris Zee rings

(4) .308 (5 lb 10 oz.) Rem 600 lapped but no other work. Rem M-7 SS take off bbl. @ 22" Bansner stock W/ Leo. 2X7X33 on Weavers, in Burris Zee rings. (In progress on this one)

JimF

Mallard,

I ordered a .308 Montana with Kimpro finish over a month ago. Finally called and they said it would be another 3-4 months because they were having problems keeping it on the barrels. Had them send the standard SS.

This will be my new backpacking rifle, shooting Barnes 168gr. TSX's over Varget @ 2775fps. My last one put them in a 3/4" group for 3 shots. Hope this one does also.

Jim, Where have you been?

Man JimF, my one rifles weighs more than two of yours!

Jim I've missed you as well.

When you refer to heavily modified MPI stock, does that mean you added popsicle sticks or drilled holes in the ones you had to lighten them? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Just kidding man, I've had one on my 7mag for 12 years or so, and it's done fine. Still that picture that floats around here cracks me up! Have often wondered if I'm toting around leftovers from the Good Humor man. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Perforated popsicle sticks........now why didn't (I) think 'o that??

Mine was the one with the carbon fiber in the barrel channel and the perforated aluminum bedding block. That pic of the MPI with the sticks must have come up first during my 8 month absence. Charley just posted it again recently and I agree, it is worth a hoot or two.

I have the summer off to fish and backpack etc. but the snow won't be gone in the high country for at least another month. I expect a horrendous skeeter season in the backcountry this year. It'll probably start getting good right about the time I go back to work in Sept.

JimF

Drool !! Very nice, Brad. E

Well, after some e-mail discussion with our buddy, Brad, I called a Canuck dealer to find that they have several of the newest, Montanas "on order" and, since my wife was reckless enough to ask me at dinner last night what I wanted for my upcoming 60th birthday, I ordered one in .300 WSM! Yup, it's all Brad's fault and my CEO even agrees that I "need" it!

I hope to find a light QD mount system and run a Swarovski 3x9AV with an old but very sound 3x9 B&L Balvar I have as a "spare". This should make a superb mountain rifle for my approaching "dotage" and my WIFE is going to pay for it!!!!!!

I'm thinkin' 180 NPs, maybe Gold Molyfrees, over H-4350 to about 2950 fps-mv, just about perfection for any animal I will ever shoot and decent Grizzly protection when backpacking meat, as well. My only problem is that the rifle will not arrive in Canada until at least Sept. and so I can't take it on my Bighorn backpack trip, but, I'll live......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My 'backpack rifle' is a custom Alpha 1, very slim shilen 7 RSAUM barrel 22", Brown Pounder, short forend, Conetrols, VX11 2-7. Weighs about 6#. Pretty accurate, pretty stiff recoil, pretty [bleep] feeding. Don't trust that.
The one I actually use is a Dakota M97, 24" 300 WinMag, fitted to a Brown Pounder, Burris Z's, VX111 2.5-8x. Foam pad. Weighs exactly 7#. Accurate, reliable, and less recoil.

Have been giving the Kimber much thought since they came out. Think the Montana is much better fitted than the first wood stocked I saw. The only thing I dislike about the Kimber is the bolt handle - I really hate how they made it. Oh, well nothing is ever perfect for all eyes.

I don't have a special light rifle for backpacking, and I regret it. I carry a .44 S&W 629 butI like the idea of a light rifle.
In fact, I think I will use this thread to justify the need to buy a lever-action 45-70 or something similar for my birthday in July. What do you guys think of this idea?
-P

Here's my "go to" all-around backpack rig Kute mentioned:

7lbs 2.8 oz's with sling and three rounds:

It's a fine looking rifle (other than my minor peeve). Is there bolt clearance to lower the scope? I like the talleys, but would like to have them milled lower. I think JimF had a plan to do that a while back. I've started to think I should cut my loss on the Alpha and get a Montana in 7mm-08. The perfect fit for that platform.

Brad, have always thought u had a serviceable rifle, but really like your range man, tis beautiful.

My pard got his .30-06 down to under 7 lbs. by doing the machine work very similar to what the gunsmith did to my 7 mag. It makes a nice sheep rifle and general hunting rig.

Only owned one briefly, but there's no flies on the '06 she gets most things done in admirable fashion.

Mine will be (next week arrival) 338-06 on a pre-64 action, 22" fwt barrel, laying in a McM G&H, sporting a leo Vari X III 1.75X6E. Should come in just at 8 lbs ready to hunt.

DJpepper, while it'd be nice to get the scope lower from an aesthetic POV, it's not necessary from a practical POV. Reason being, the Kimber 8400 has quite the negative drop at the comb... it makes a real difference where your eye ends up in relation to the ocular. I'd never thought of that until I actually mounted the scope in Talleys and realized it's "just right" as is. Not sure the 84M has as much or any negative drop in the comb... photos don't really indicate it does but you may want to check.

AK, figured I really need (want) two BG rifles... I've been down to just one before and I really didn't like it (grin). I don't want to tear into the 06 as she shoots so well as is. The Kimber, because of the stock design, recoils (feels) just like the heavier 06... go figure.

Muygrande, please post a pic when she's done!

Thats cool that they work. Aesthetics are important as well, and the way your leupold follows the barrel contour is very nice. I think Sav99 posted his with a 4x Zeiss - sorry just didn't look that slick.

In the last year or so I've started down the 2 BG rifles path myself. Not a bad idea at all.

Brad I been using the two rifle method for hunting for at least the last 15 years or so.

My 7 mag for sheep hunts and sometimes caribou or moose

my .338 as my general hunting rifle.

But beings they are belted magnums I hate to admit it in public.

Now I see why my daughter is soooooo embarrassed by us, heck even my hunting cartridges are so 5 minutes ago (outdated or old fashioned for those without teenagers)

They probably make more noise than I need, but trouble is they just have always worked well for me in the applications I use them in, so I've never upgraded to their new shorter brethern or back to the classics.

But as said before I've probably not killed anything that an 06 wouldn't have served me just as well.

Used the two rifle battery for a long time till momma bought me a .45/70 but don't hunt with it that often, it's just a general purpose hiking, camping, snowmachine, boat gun.

Did pick up a lh .223 this year and am looking to try and get a few wolfs in the scope this fall, they are thick around our cabin.

AK, I laughed out loud there! Har! I have a 16 yo daughter... I know all too well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Brad, will get a pic up of her on her arrival in the great brush country of S. Texas. Plan on breaking her in in the great North however. Come September plan to get a moose/caribou out of her in NWT. I have been told she shoots 1/2" with both 225gr partitions and accubonds. Should be good enough to fend off any griz that gets too hungry as well.

When those teenagers aren't driving you nuts, they can be amusing as all get out.

700 Ti .260 Rem., Mcmillan Edge Stock, Talley Ltwt rings and bases, GreTan firing pin assembly, VXIII 2.5-8. 6lbs, 1 oz.

I want to see a picture of the rifle.

Nice rifles. I actually tried to go cheap and have an H&R Ultra Hunter in 308 that takes-down into a neat little package. I keep it packed on the way into the wilderness areas [pre-season]. The rifle is sub 1 minute at 100 meters, and probably would be at 200, but I am not. Ugly with the long 4-12X and the bipod, but extremely functional. I do not worry about finish or dings.

It is stark compared to the custom rifle I am having made right now that will be 12X the price.

Chuck: Not exactly the Rocky Mountains in the background, but here you go!

Nice!

Thanks!

Nice, but ain't the knob on the wrong side? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have not found much that I hunt in MI that I can't take with my Mod 94 XTR Big Bore in .375 Win set up with a Williams peep it light, hits the shoulder fast and drops em where they stand usually.
I have a new Model 700 SS Syn in 7mm SAUM that I think will be getting a 2.5-8X36 Loopy with a B&C reticle and Talley lightweights that should fill most of my longer range ambitions for a lightweight rifle.
MCS