Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Light weight mountian rifle question

I am looking for a lightweight rifle for mountain backpack hunting. Currently have narrowed it down to Remington Ti, Browning Ti, Weatherby Ultra-lightweight, Nula(if I can find a used one).

If short action a 7mm or .308 and a .270 or 30-06 if long action. Yes, I would take a Nula .284 for sure.

I am looking for practical experience with any of these rifles and your thoughts.

Everyone have a Blessed Christmas.

Thank you in advance.

I have a Remington 700 TI in .308 with Leupold DD's and VariX 3 2.5X8 on it and would have no qualm if that was the only rifle I ever had in my life.

As a matter of fact I want a .260 and a custom .243 in one too.

I have a Rem 700 Ti in 06 with a Leupy 3x9 and it is without a doubt my favorite. Carries like a dream and shoots clover leafs! I got mine when they had them discontinued on sale and my only regret is I did not buy a second one in another caliber.

[cough]Kimber![/cough]

Just because you know it's going to come up..

True balanced lightweights are a rare breed. Of your choices, I would look for a old style Ti in 7mm-.08.

Ya'll might be interested in viewing the barrel test that Sweden did. You'll probably have to do a copy and paste and then wait for it to come up:

http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.testfakta.se%2FArticle.aspx%3Fa%3D16350&sl=sv&tl=en&history_state0=


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4AqMl1A4aQ

This is the original link and then if you go to the right side and click on the 'translate google' line you'll come up with the page that has each rifle barrel test on it in it's entirety.

I got it as a link off of another gun board and thought it was interesting that the two main American brand guns blew up. There is another link on the page with all the different videos that takes you to the explanation behind the test. It was conducted by the 'Swedish Defense Materiel Administration' on behalf of Sweden's 300,000 elk/moose hunters. Some of the wording is hard to grasp because of the translation problems but it is interesting reading anyway. And a good reason to leave new Remingtons and Brownings in the store....lol Really doesn't suprise me that Howa won. They've been building solid weapons for many years. Weigh a ton but the do shoot and seem to hold up very well.

Again you'll have to copy and paste the link:

http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.testfakta.se%2FArticle.aspx%3Fa%3D16350&sl=sv&tl=en&history_state0=



I do have a Remington Mountain rifle in 270 that is an older rifle but shoots very well. It is one of my mountain/carry rifles. The other is a Sauer 202 lightweight in 270 that is also under 8 pounds with Swarovski 2-12 Z6 scope and a very nimble rifle. I like the 270 because you have enough gun if you need to make that 300-400 yard shot.

Here's a novel idea. Why not a Marlin XL-7 in 270 or 30-06? They come with synthetic stocks, 22" barrels, pillar bedding, adjustable triggers, weigh only 6.5pounds [just over 7 pounds field ready], and shoot like a benchrest gun. My '06 shoots 165s under .75" all day every day and will put 2 different 180 grain loads into one hole. For a price of $300, they won't break the bank and will save you plenty of money for guide fees, scopes, and other important gear.

Anyone ever shoot the light weight Weatherby?

I would add a couple of other choices. Right now I would look for the best deal and the best possible gun and worry about ounces less and the shootability more.

You have to decide whether you want tool or you want something with the features that you like.

The Stevens 200 in a 270 or a 30/06 with a basix trigger is a decent little gun that is very light and accurate.
The Marlin XL7 looks like it would do the same thing with a better trigger and safety.
Tikkas have increased in price but a lot of people like them. They have a lot of value for the accuracy and quality.

That being said there are other very good mountain rifles out there that you might like.

The new FN Winchester Featherweights are really pretty nice. I would include them in with your group.

You might also like a used remington mountain rifle or even better a 308 Win Model 660 mohawk. You can still find these and they are very nice.

Colt Light rifles are more expensive. However, they are very well suited as a mountain rifle. Many people have Mel Forbes modify them to be a NULA lite(not a pun).

Kimbers are a bit more expensive but they have many great features. The bottom metal, trigger and safety make them an excellent choice. I prefer the looks and feel of the classic to the Montana but you are looking for a durable rifle that you can hunt with the Montana sits near the top of the pile. However, like any production rifle make sure that the fit and finish of the gun are top notch and you will find a winner. Make sure the trigger and the crown are good.

Weatherby Ultralights are very good rifles. Like Kimbers you need to shoot them with some forward pressure from your non-shooting hand for them to really shine. Kimbers and other light rifles benefit from this as well. They have two variations that are worth the rubles if you can find them. The SBGM is an older variation that is very good and is the prototype. It is worth doing a search for them. The other kind of weatherby is the outfitter's special that has an actual Krieger cut rifled barrel. Its worth the premium that they cost and many are sold for good prices.

However, as you start approaching this level of expense I would look for a NULA, or a custom G33/40 mauser that is used in the 7X57 or 7mm08 calibers.

You can also find the Model 48 Noslers which make excellent mountain rifles with most of the changes made.

The Cooper Model 52 Excaliber would also be included in mountain rifle specials.

One thing to note is that you need to find a rifle that fits you rather than the other way around. Under 8.5 scoped is fine.

Sincerely,
Thomas

+1 on the Winchester. I saw a stainless fluted version on a Kevlar stock in 270 atn our local shop the other day and it left me speechless. I'm not much for fluting barrels, but that was the nicest factory rifle I'd seen in years. The action was so smooth...you need to look at one!

To whom might be interested:
I have one (old style in 7-08) that has been shot less than 150 times that I would like to sell to help pay for some custom work I have had done. Send me a PM if you would like more details.

M Bell

If I were doing it all over again, I'd do a 300wsm or a 7wsm in Kimber Montana.

That being said, the 1st generation Ti is very good. Rem 700 Mtn Rifles in SS wearing a Ti or a McM Edge stock are also very good when it comes to lwt's.

Would add the Rifles Inc & Kimber to your consideration list and cross off the A-bolt & Weatherby.....

I don't know if this qualifies as practical...for my money, I'd just as soon have a little more barrel hanging out there for those times when I'm panting like a dog trying to get up on something in a vertical situation--ain't getting younger...

The Remington TI action and a light stock will let you do that and keep the package down to minimum OA weight.

E.g. you can screw on a 24" .610 at the muzzle barrel and still keep it right close to six pounds scoped....

Wish it weren't just after Christmas or i'd have to take you up on it!

the original TI's are very nice! love both of mine.

You might wanta weight until the Kimber 84L comes out and get a look see at them.

I have an Ultra Light Weatherby .270 Win that shoots factory 140 grain Hornady SST and 150 grain partitions to the same point of impact at around MOA. It is very well balanced and is a pleasure to carry. It is my "go to" deer gun!

Kimber 'Big Sky' to be specific...

Original Remington Titanium's are hard to beat they are tough,light and reasonably priced. The Browning Titanium is another good gun for the buck.

Dino

I have been completely satisfied for the past ten or more years with my Win 70 Fwt Classic in .308 Win. It is well balanced and weighs 7 lbs, 6 oz with Leupold Vari-X III 1.5x5 aboard in 2 piece Redfield type mounts.

Browning Tis are presently 1600 new up here in 300wsm and 325wsm. That is enough cheddar that you can get an outfitter or a nosler 48. With a good scope you have the same price fixings of a NULA.
They do point well. I guess if it is your cup of tea then all the power in the world to you.

I think many overlook the Browning A-bolt lightweight stalker.

I have looked at Titanium actioned rifles on different occasions and I don't like the zipper sound the actions make due to galling. It is just me but I like familiar sounds that steel makes on steel.

There are many different options for a mountain rifle and my advice to you is to look at many and don't get caught up on going so lightweight as looking at the quality of the rifle and how it fits you.

In the long run, you may be better off buying a NULA or another custom rifle made to your specs because otherwise you will be buying and selling until you find your niche gun. Sometimes the best course of action is looking for the very best first.

We haven't mentioned ruger ultralight hawkeyes which are also very good mountain rifles. You get a lot of functional gun with a ruger.

They presently have a variation in 264 win mag in a hawkeye that might be a smidge heavier but the 264 Win performs in the mountains. Four out of the top 10 dall sheep in the BC book were shot by 264.

Much like a vanguard 257 Roy which is also an option when you add an aftermarket stock. You probably have access to lots of guns so throw them up to your shoulder and crank the action. Check the crowning, feel the trigger or basically kick the tires before you decide.

Have fun with your journey,

Sincerely,
Thomas