I'm looking for a lightweight .308. Why, you ask?? Just because I don't have one and would like to give one a try. I like .308s and never had a lightweight rifle. So... why not put them together into a lightweight .308.
Although I like my Rem 700s better than my Win Model 70's or Ruger 77s I was actually thinking of trying either the Model 70 featherwight or the Ruger 77 MK II Compact.
I do get out to the range with my hunting rifles and take pride in shooting respectable groups (I do not hand load, yet). Just wondering if I can expect any decent performance with either the Model 70 Featherwight or the M77 Compact. I would also use the rifle for WI whitetails.
So, which one should I persue? OR, which other compact/lightweight rifle should consider? One more thing... I'm not really a fan of the M77 MK II Frontier.
I've got an early Kimber 84M. I wanted a light weight too. Its scoped with a straight 6x Leupold in keeping with the lightweight "minimlaist" idea. I've never put it on a scale, but I'm thinking its around 6lbs loaded up. With the factiry Pach. Decellerator pad its very comfortable to shoot. Kimber makes one in synthetic that may even be lighter.
Here's a couple of pics. The group is fired at 100 yds with 168gr Federal Premium with Sierra Gamkings. The 84M likes lights bullets.
Thanks for the info. I've never really considered Kimber or Savage. I do not own a Kimber and do not own any Savages larger than .22. But, I kind of like what I'm hearing and seeing.
Yeah, I like Browning. I really like my lever action Marlin .22 and feel comfortable working the action. I'll give the BLR some consideration. That should be a wonderful shooter.
When shooting a deer size caliber in lever action, does the lever ever hit you middle finger upon recoil? I assume your fingers stay in the cocking loop when you fire it. Your index finger is on the trigger and your middle finger seems like it would be sitting there ready to catch a little hurt!
MarkC,
I've shot my BLR 308 a lot and have had NO discomfort from it. I have a friend that has a lighting blr 300mag. The recoil was a little stiff till he put a muzzle brake on it. Still no hand problem. I only wish I could find someone that makes a synthic stock for the BLR,
Shooting +P 45/70's in my guide gun can whack your middle knuckle - especially off a bench. In the woods, with a tighter grip, its not an issue. In .308, I can't imagine it being too tough given how my other .308s shoot.
I got a good chuckle out of THAT lightweight .308. I actually do really like bolt action handguns. Don't have any, but you just may have tickled my interest a little... damn I hate that.
THANKS A LOT... you gotta couple hundred bucks I could borrow???? It's all your fault!
Don't know Mr Goat, I'll try it out on the bathroom scale later this evening. (Of course that one weighs light! ) That is a straight 6x42 Leupold. Given the preciseness of your guess - do you have a similar set up?
No I don't have one like that but I have been building a backpack hunting rifle for the past 4 months and it is just finished. I did a lot of researching on action, scope mounts, scopes, stocks, and other rifle parts to get the desired weight I wanted. I decided on a Rem. Model Seven and replaced the stock with a MPI synthetic (does not look as good as your wood but lightweight) used Talley lightweight mounts (under 2 oz for model seven) and Leupy 3x9x33 ultralight (9oz). Rifle ended up at 6.6lbs. shot it twice and named it "The Striped Mule" and sent it to the smith for a BRAKE. Really don't like brakes but rifle to light for a 300 SAUM.
If a six pound .308 rifle kicks your butt into muzzle brake country, what can I say about a seven pound, .375 H&H???
Stock design is the isssue, for the 'faint of heart', not a brake!
My 6#10oz TCR 83 is a dream to shoot, in .308, and the .375 barrel adds less than half a pound, loaded.
That Kimber doesn't kick at all - and its because the weapon fits me like a glove. Same is true of shotguns. Stash, your big on the 375, what do you know about the .325WSM?
The 300 SAUM has a bit more punch than the 308. The knock in the shoulder is not bad but the muzzle flip was a little more than I would be comfortable with. The scope was tapping my safety glasses.
.45, so far as I have read, the .325 WSM is a short knock off of the old Rem 8mm Mag, an excellent round, to be cheap on praise!
I've a takedown M700, in the caliber, (8mm Rem) that likely will be part of my estate, when I die, since it will pretty much kill anything on earth, with a bit of guidance. The 'best' choice for large bears, elephant, cape buff? Hell no, everyone knows a bigger gun is needed.
Would it do the job, if necessary? I believe so, and would/will stake the rest of my life on it!
The .325 is the same cartridge, but shorter. An most excellent round!
Hope this is of some help.
I was unable to afford one of the Kimbers, but I found a Win 70 featherweight that some joker cut the barrel on, down to 18" It was a pretty stout snot-knocker 'till I put a SVL Limbsaver on it, and now it is all bark. I like it and am also spoiled, but would almost prefer the really moely BLR to it, as I am partial to lever guns
LT I agree with you. It's hard to beat the BLR 308. It's my favorite rifle. If I could find someone to make synthic stocks for it I would buy another one. Then I could have a "pretty" one and a knock around one.
OK, its official. Per the highly accurate bathroom scale the Kimber 84M in the picture above is 5.5#'s unloaded. That's with the Leupold 6x42 and scope caps onboard, swivels, but no sling. Just an FYI.
Amazing. You have a 5lb 13oz wood stocked 84M. Added a Leupold 6x42 that is listed at 11.3oz with Leupold two piece std's at 5oz with rings and ended up with 5lb 8oz. The Butler Creek scope covers must be where all the weight was lost. Would you consider selling the scale? My wife does not believe me that I do not weigh any more than I did in High School.
Mr Goat, I'm not arguing with you, I'm just telling you what the scale says. I guess I could take it to a certified scale, but I'm not sure that's worth the trouble. Where are you getting your weight assumptions from, a catalog? If so, insure that what you are looking up is an old model 84M in .308, back when that was all Kimber made - that and .243 (2 postion safety, etc.) Not trying to be an ass or anything.
You are right Mr. Mashem, what ever it weighs, from the looks of your target it is worth every oz. You should be very pleased when you look down range and see the tight cluster that you made with that classy looking bang stick. A man could do just about anything with that one.
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