Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Backpack rifle help

So I'm looking to get into this backpacking game, and with my changing jobs at the end of the month I'm expecting a 1200-1500 check for my unused vacation time. The wife said I could use that money to buy/build a rifle. So I need some imput on a rifle within that budget. I have a definite preference for high end...

I'm all set up to load for the 6.5x55 and the 6.5-284 and would like not to have to reload another cartridge. Max weight should be ~6.5 with scope and rings (nothing heavier then a Leupold 6x42) I'm not on any time line, so a build is certainly an option.

Thoughts?

McMillan Edge $500, cha-ching$$!!!

I'll let the other members post the rest............ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

MtnHtr

For a $1200-1500 budget I'd find a NIB SA Kimber Montana or Remmy Ti and call it good. You'd have a little change left over for glass.

1

Based on the rifles I have actually seen and handled, my lightweights will continue to be built on HVA actions in cals. such as the 25-06 to the .338-06; these can be brought in at about 7 lbs.,, scoped and ready to rock. I find the HVA action MUCH smoother and better built that any Kimber or Remmy I have seen to date, they are available used w/o too much trauma and are CRF, which I prefer.

For a "ready-made" light rifle, I would choose an Ultralight and find a minty used one in your price range. I have my eye on a .223 at my gunshop, these are a VERY neat piece.

I've only seen one HVA action ever around here and it was pretty well beat up and they still wanted $650 for it. I do like CRF and love the 6.5x55 cartridge but my other serious hunting rifle is a 9.3x62 and it only goes 7lbs. 13oz, and I still plan to put it on a diet with some different scope rings and possibly a different stock.

i figure a smaller bore rifle should go at least a pound lighter. Anyone have any thoughts on punching out the Ti to 6.5-284?

JimF has a super light rifle, in 6.5x284 I think but my memory may be wrong. I think he is down well under 6 lbs. and maybe under 5 with scope mounted. Search the archives if he he doesn't pitch in on this thread. Have no idea how much loot he has in his light weight job. IMO it sounds like an ideal combo of cartridge and weight for backpacking after deer sized critters and would do for bigger in careful hands.

I think a .260 Ti would be close enough that I wouldn't bother. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

McM Edge stock, remmy Ti Punched 6.5-284, Leupy 6x42 with Elevation Turret.

Works for me.

BMT

BMT done nailed it.... were it me...

If you have two rifles for the same round, the same handloaded ammo rarely works really well in both.
I like the Kimber Montana better than the Remington Ti. Better balance, like the action features better, I like the stock dimensions better, etc.
Really no flies in either.
I know a Rem Ti can easily be punched out to a 6.5-284. The Kimber should, but I'm not sure as the whole action is scaled down.
I wouldn't try to build a rifle from the ground up with scope for that money. JimF's guns, for instance, are outstanding. But they are all highly reworked with all sorts of extra machine work. Many of his components he has hunted down very carefully for bargain prices over the years. It can be done. He did. But, I personally, wouldn't go to that much trouble or work at it that long. E

I shoot a Ti in 260 and have thoughts of punching it out to 6.5-284.
I might gain 150 fps, maybe not.

I would go with something more than just 6x on the scope but then thats just me. My rifle has a Leupold 2.5x8 and set on 8x 80% of the time. I have not killed a deer or elk in the past 10 years with my scope set on less than 8x. Ranges are normally 300 +.
8x is my favorite setting.


I took this deer this year at over 500 yards using 130 Swift Sciroccos loaded to 2,900 fps. I don't think a x284 case would have made any difference.
The only thing I would change are my mounts and rings to some
Talley LW's. Which I will do this year.

As far as going with a Mcmillan Stock, the Ti stock works just great I don't know what you would gain by going with a Mcmillan?

Stock out of the box the Ti works and for that fact a Kimber just as well. Have the Ti trigger done and your ready to hunt.

It's a real KISS rifle.

Figured a McM Hunters Edge was "high end" so I recommended one. You go with what you want, just make sure you will be satisfied in the end. Good luck! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

MtnHtr

SU,

He would gain some nice checkering, a few less oz and a slightly trimmer, stiffer stock by going with a McM Hunters Edge. Its tough plunking down hundreds more $$ so the McM Hunters Edge is not for everyone. I would have never bought one if not for a great source (paid less than full price). Even then I'll probably only own/build one for myself as I view them as a specialty stock, which a backpacking rifle is. The Ti or Kimber remains a great choice.................

MtnHtr

Mtn Hunter,

You are right and I believe you! I wish I had one!

It has to be the ultimate BP hunting stock. My pocketbook tells me
I have to get by with what I have, maybe one day.

Next purchase though is going to be that new Nikon Spotter
50 mm ED.

You could do the build at 1500 if the glass is not part of the budget. If it is, you'll be a tad short if using an Edge. Your weight target is easy either way and I'd be tempted to go along with those suggesting a Ti or a Kimber. The downside there is that there is no guarantee that either factory rifle will be exceptionally accurate.

Some will chime in their (insert flavor here) shoots 1/2" groups "all day long" it may be true that theirs does, but I wouldn't necessarily expect yours to. It might, but it probably won't. (Unless of course we are talking about "internet" groups)

I never spent much more than about $1400 on mine, but I have always used Bansner or Ti stocks and done the stock work myself. Using an Edge, and or/paying for the bedding/finish can rob your budget for other things.

Re: The 6.5x284 thing I'm not sure that it's a good Idea to punch out a Kimber. Some say yea and others nay and I can't say either way. For sure you could do 'er on a Ti. As much of a fan of that chambering as I am, I'd suggest saving the rechamber cost and spend it on 260 dies if you went for a Kimber.

JimF

Going whole hog custom with a $500.00 barrel will not guarantee a half minute rifle either, especially a buggy whip barrel.

You're right, it sure won't. In fact I probably shoulda said that myself. I don't expect any ~~ 6 lb rifle to shoot that well. I do think that the chances are better with that $500 custom barrel. But maybe not enough to justify the cost difference.

JimF

I'm aiming for 7lbs all up with my backpack rifle project due to the #2 Lilja. Anything under that will be icing on the cake!

MtnHtr

What the weight difference between a long action and short action Remington? I'm trying to figure out a parts break down by weight, so I can figure out what I can get away with and still hit my goals.