Was rereading the thread about the lightweight mountain rifle and it got me thinking. I haven't had a rifle rebarreled in roughly 10 years so might be out of touch with prices and smithing fees. You can pick up a new Remington stainless short action with a .308 bolt face for roughly $350. Add a McMillan Edge stock for about $550 and a #1 or 2 stainless barrel 20-22 inches long from a decent maker. Caliber could be anything from a 6.5 CM to .308 with plenty of choices in between. This leaves $1100 for the barrel, installation and parts (follower, spring, etc).


Could you expect to end up with a rifle weighing roughly 6 pounds before scoping? Or do you think another $500 might be required to have the action lightened in key areas?

I have what you are describing. It is a Lilja #1 contour. It weighs 6.75 pounds with Talley lightweights and a Zeiss conquest 2.5-8.

I believe it weighs about 5.75 pounds unscoped.

Please give the specifics. Appreciate it. More importantly, do you enjoy hunting with it?

It has a McMillan Hunters Edge stock. Barrel (Lilja, #1 contour) is 22" long. The shank is .5". Timney trigger. I generally like the rifle to be just a tad nose heavy. This one balances on the front screw.

I am still working up loads for it (have not found one that the rifle really loves just yet). That could be a function of it being a light rifle. The jury is still out on that. I did take it into the woods one day last Fall and it felt nice to carry (unfortunately I did not see any deer that particular day).

Reggie,
This helped me with one light weight rifle I owned that kicked like a mule. (lefty Win 70 in 300 WSM bedded in an Edge stock) When shooting from the bench reach over with your right hand and press down on the scope with moderate pressure. I was able to cut my group sizes in half by doing this.

I will give that a try. Thank you.

Shooter71 is at $285 for chambering only. His other prices are quite good too. Can't shoot the flyweights well so went back to 8 pounders for all big game hunting.

Completed step 1 today and purchased the action. Prices have fallen a good deal since the last time I checked. Outfit in Kentucky is selling Rem 700 stainless short actions, .308 bolt face, X Mark Pro trigger, for $333 shipped.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/826658627

Mine needed a little timing work but is quite nice now. Added a $6 ernie's spring to the trigger and it has kind of surprised me. Buying those for $333 is a steal.

That’s a good price. I’m curious to see what route you take. Good luck with the build!

700LH long action, Lilja #1 contour barrel, aluminum bolt shroud, Garrett glass stock, Talley LW mounts and a Kahles 3x9 AH scope. 6.5 lbs loaded.

The stock builder is out of business. Add a decelerator and the recoil is not a problem. Good luck.

I’d use the savings from that action to upgrade the xmark to a triggertech...

I don't know how light you want to go but I'd be inclined to send one of those short action Remingtons to Rick Steinhour at Extreme Rifle works and have him work some magic on it. Might come in a fair bit under 6 pounds once he got done with it.

If you wanted to go super light then maybe a Zastavas mini Mauser 7.62x39 rebarreled to 6.5 or 6mm Grendel and let Rick work it over. Or maybe one of their minis in 22-250 rebarreled to 6mm, 6.5 or 7mm BR. Rick could probably bring one in around 4.5 pounds.

Extreme

Missed the post where you bought the action. I'd still check Rick out and see if he could work up something for you with that action.