Rifle advice

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm a big fan of a light rifle in 7 x 57. Mine is a pre '76 Ruger No. 1 (most people prefer a repeater). The round is kind of anemic in US factory loads, but good hand loads or The Norma 154 grain semi spitzer load , which replicates the 275 Rigby loading have done very well for me. The Federal premium line of ammo has a good loading but at just better than normal velocity, The Norma load is about 300 fps faster and about 4" flatter shooting at a hundred yards.

I believe this would be (and is) the best all round game cartridge (with the exception of dealing with large carnivores), and won't destroy your shoulder when shot in a 6 pound rifle.

Ivan

 

[arjay]

Had a ruger ultra light years ago with a Burris mini 6 scope.It didn't group that well with factory ammo,but reloading for 1 moa was pretty easy.I wish I had kept that one.

 

[fkienast]

I'd be looking for a Winchester Model 70 controlled feed action on .308, with synthetic stock. Maybe purchase and install a high quality broach cut rifle barrel if I was going to go with 7-08.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Several years ago the NRA wrote up a series of tests to determine which production rifle was consistently the most accurate, out of the box and unmodified. Winner was the Howa 1500 (also marketed as the Weatherby Vanguard series for quite a few years). With accuracy as the priority the Howa might be worth looking into.

Aesthetically, my eyes have been drawn to the CZ rifles for several years. Very appealing styles.

 

[M29since14]

Weatherby's Vanguards do have a good reputation for accuracy and would be an economical choice if you can find one that weighs close to what you like. The ones I have seen are not lightweight. I do like the look and feel of their new synthetic stocks.

If I wanted a lighter rifle and didn't want to spend Kimber-money, I would take a look at Browning's X-Bolt. I have been shooting one in .223 and really like it. They surely have a model in one of the calibers you mention that would weigh in the 6-7 pound range, maybe a bit less. I like the trigger on my rifle and it has been accurate without any fiddling around or tuning. I like the detachable magazine and tang-mounted safety too. Mine is a standard model with wood stock and matte-finish metal. Nice little rifle.

 

[Bill Bates]

Well Kimber must be listening. They now thread the barrel of the Montana for a brake or suppressor. A Kimber 84M Montana in 7mm-08 with a muzzle brake will get added to my safe in the near future.

I plan mounting a Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10X 40mm CDS scope with a Windplex reticle.

The whole package should weigh in at about 6 1/2 pounds or just a bit less.

If you are looking for a super light rifle Kimber Montana is a lot of rifle at their price point.

 

[Skeet 028]

I also like Kimbers. Have few of them. I am still wanting a 250 AI for some reason. Except for initial cost and then rechambering that would be a great rifle. I had a couple in 260 but just no love for the caliber. The weight of the Montana would be good....but I still like pretty wood and the Kimbers are usually lighter than other rifles anyway. I just bought a couple guns the other day(03 Springfield sporterized and a Remington Repeating shotgun) and was considering making the 03 into something else. But the action is so darned heavy nothing you do would get the weight down. Only paid 300 for the pair but it will cost about that much to rebarrel the ol gal. Maybe I'll buy a Rem 7 and change it out. Be less weight I'll bet

 

[Voyager28]

Ruger GSR would serve your needs perfectly. .308, light weight, short and easy handling. Also, very accurate.

Bob

 

[shottist]

Steyr Scout

Do it right. A Steyr Scout is very hard to beat.