Thread: Lightweight hunting Rifle

Originally Posted by Roarless20

No,
That 2.8" is perfect for the 6mm creedmoor with 103gr eldx, bearing surface above the "donut". My kimber 18.75" 6cm doing 2920fps with 2209.

Good to know thanks

Originally Posted by nor-west

Anyway say I was wanting a light weight hunting rifle in the 6 to 7 mm range, short action preferred, faster twist barrel, good standard trigger, fuss free magazine, able to burn powder in18inch barrel, easy to supply rail or talleys. Wanting 2800 fps with a minimum 100 grain projectiles, Factory ammo available in emergency.
I'm thinking a Kimber or Howa superlite but maybe there is a sleeper out there I've overlooked. Not looking at extreme budget either just a normal man's rifle.
What's around?

Brand new, 6.5 creed?

I'm a big fan of the Howa ( had two & they both shot great ) Like Ryan said - a little aquicultural but amazing value for money


Here's my 308, 150BT's doing 2790 fps ( & the tube is starting to speed up so should be doing 2800 by next range session ) barrel cut to 15", SS DPT, Swaro 2 -10 Z5+ & HG Precision bottom metal 2.825 kg / 6 lb 3.5 oz

Could make it easy sub 6lb with a lighter can & scope but I like it as is, mint little gun

Another for Tikka 243 1:8 twist. Could even get factory barrel re chambered in 6cm. Not quite factory but not super custom gun money either.

OK, with the materials available and at the lowest cost a Kimber 84m Hunter along with a Criterion 1x8 twist barrel in 6 CM wil be on its way to be nipped to 20 inchs and recut to fit the Kimber receiver should be 2900 fps with the Berger 105 vld or equivalent. Thanks guys particularly ryan songhurst for their data.

Originally Posted by Low box

Just waving the flag for a Kimber, if you can find a Montana 84M you are 99% of the way there for a lightweight rifle

I use a 16" chopped 708 with a dan can, a halfcock mod and a Swaro 1.7-10 in talley one piece rings - load is 120 grain TTSX doing 2930fps

I have other rifles but I could probably get rid of them all as this one seems to do everything I need and I'll never part with it. Light, short, quiet, goes bang and things fall over. You adapt to the light weight, lovely to carry but also less inertia for freehand shots so your technique needs to be solid. Second nature for me now, and a lighter trigger weight helps. Only criticism I have is the feed/action is a bit clunky but not to a point that I have been bothered to do anything about it. I like the blind mag - nothing to fall out, and smoother in the palm for carrying. I cant stand the big sticky out mags on some rifles balance point, its like they're designed to be awkward!

Yeah same my 7-08 kimber pushing 153 hornady sst at 1850 has just made all my other rifles get the back seat
I always wanted the Montana 280ai but I don’t think it’s worth the extra recoil/length and effort


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Originally Posted by Bill999

Yeah same my 7-08 kimber pushing 153 hornady sst at 1850 has just made all my other rifles get the back seat
I always wanted the Montana 280ai but I don’t think it’s worth the extra recoil/length and effort


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Do you put any powder in the case

I had the same question a couple of years ago and chose the boring old 7-08. 20 inch barrel with a 120 grain ballistic tip doing 3080fps up to a 162grain eldm doing 2520fps covers most situations you are going to encounter around these parts. Not at all exotic or interesting but very effective and pleasant to shoot. I’d choose the same again. With the price of second hand rifles through the floor at the moment you could possibly pick something cool up and re barrel it with something you like. That’s what I did, featherweight, nonfluted, 1 in 8 twist 7mm. Yeah buddy.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Do you put any powder in the case

Hah I see where I made my mistake trade that 1 for a 2


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Just sold a kimber hunter Pro in 6.5CM. New Kimbers are now as rare as rocking horse shit. Pretty sure these are the only ones currently available new.https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Ki...ntana_84M.html

Originally Posted by cantyguy

Just sold a kimber hunter Pro in 6.5CM. New Kimbers are now as rare as rocking horse shit. Pretty sure these are the only ones currently available new.https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Ki...ntana_84M.html

Their website is often way out of date. Might have them but I wouldnt rely on it.

Originally Posted by cantyguy

Just sold a kimber hunter Pro in 6.5CM. New Kimbers are now as rare as rocking horse shit. Pretty sure these are the only ones currently available new.https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Ki...ntana_84M.html

I see they offer a 300 wsm,

Only call them from 9-12 in the morning

Originally Posted by cantyguy

Just sold a kimber hunter Pro in 6.5CM. New Kimbers are now as rare as rocking horse shit. Pretty sure these are the only ones currently available new.https://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Ki...ntana_84M.html

Kimbers were very slow sellers over here even where they were discounted for just over $1k, crappy stocks and the kimber roulette with barrel quality meant they weren't popular at all

Originally Posted by Billo

Kimbers were very slow sellers over here even where they were discounted for just over $1k, crappy stocks and the kimber roulette with barrel quality meant they weren't popular at all

I have a couple - a 708 and a 7mmWSM, had to swap the WSM barrel for a Truflite to get it to shoot. Frustrating at the time but it is a tack driver now and the scars to my wallet have healed over LOL. The 708 shot great from the start and chopping it down hasn't altered that. So roulette it was. I find the stocks fine, I have the older grey stocks 84m/8400 which I hear are better than the hunter stocks. Replacement stocks seem pretty rare.
I just like the light weight, my mates Tikkas feel like boat anchors to me and I notice they go on their shoulders quicker. I like my rifle in my hands, I generally hunt in places where I wouldn't have time to get a rifle off my shoulder without the animal being long gone. The WSM I got for longer range stuff - which it does well - but I prefer things up close and personal generally. Thus light weight and carry ability are important to me.