Thread: Cutting the weight

Hey team, after an accident earlier in the year im now on the hunt for a lighter rifle. The 26" heavy Sendero SF isnt it. Ive had a look at a few of the tikka's and think thats where I will go, unless anyone has other ideas??

I currently shoot and load for 308 so pretty confident ill stick with that. Mainly hunting for meat these days and don't often find myself shooting past 300m. Im also narrowing it down to LH action which limits my choices.

Keen to hear your ideas.

Isaac

Tikka T3 will be a great choice, a huge weight savings over the SF series senderos for sure

A nice 3-10x40 Leupold will top it off and be a very useful machine.

I have 3 Savages (Don't ask - and my wife thinks they are the same rifle - or at least she humours me ) and they all shoot very well. Ironically the lightest (something like 2.6kg unscoped, 20" barrel) is also the heaviest calibre (.284W), still fine to shoot with DPT suppressor. The actions definitely feel more agricultural than the Tikkas, but they do the job nicely. You would be welcome to have a look at mine if you like, could even have a crack with it at the range if you like.

Howa superlight?

308, chop barrel to 16"

add a vx-freedom (or other lightweight scope) and enjoy life.

alternatively A howa mini but those dont come in 308

Originally Posted by bjp

I have 3 Savages (Don't ask - and my wife thinks they are the same rifle - or at least she humours me ) and they all shoot very well. Ironically the lightest (something like 2.6kg unscoped, 20" barrel) is also the heaviest calibre (.284W), still fine to shoot with DPT suppressor. The actions definitely feel more agricultural than the Tikkas, but they do the job nicely. You would be welcome to have a look at mine if you like, could even have a crack with it at the range if you like.

p.s. one is a leftie (in .243) so you can have a feel for the action/stock compared to yours...

The Tikka's are inherently light, lots of plastic, and priced accordingly. Something like a Kimber is also light but next level price wise.

I don't think Tikka rifles are that light. Standard is 2.9kg. Mine has a 16" barrel and weights 2.6kg. Add a scope, rings and suppressor and it's still a bit of a lump. It's all relative though. As mentioned, the Howa Superlite Gen 2 with be worth considering, but I don't think they have landed in NZ yet and may not be available in left hand. Otherwise a Kimber, but they can be hard to track down too.

Sorry overlooked the LH part...

Tikkas are all long-action, that makes the bolt and receiver longer (and thus heavier) than they would need to be otherwise. They are by no means heavy rifles, just not ultra-light.

Savage 110 lightweight Storm .308 available in left hand Or if you want to spend double you can get the carbon stock version with Proof Research carbon wrapped barrel. Not actually any lighter, but stiffer stock, stiffer barrel I guess (and longer too). I won't bleat on any more about the Savage as an option (unless asked to!)

If a rifle is too heavy to carry, how does one carry meat?

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

If a rifle is too heavy to carry, how does one carry meat?

you leave your rifle behind, after you have shot something?

I have ten...oh alright fifteen....oh FFS ok ok I'll be honest I have twenty five kilos I could loose in body fat BEFORE I can complain my rifle is too heavy....and besides having one really heavy rifle is a good thing,you appreciate the lighter ones much more lol.

What about a Sauer 100 or 101? $1400 or $3k'ish or if you've the budget the Highland XTC for a shade under $7k 3kg for the bare rifle, (2.5kg for the XTC) it's a lot of gun for the money, well not the XTC but the other offer good value imo, 3 position safety, half cock, pre threaded 14x1 double stack 5+1 mag.

https://www.guncity.com/sauer-100-ce...-barrel-354022

Originally Posted by STC

you leave your rifle behind, after you have shot something?

If one targets bambi they can be slung over the shoulder or around the waist like a man-bag.

In left hand, Tikka is the best option. You won't find a left handed Howa or Kimber. Bergara do a couple but I don't think they are light weights. Depending on your budget, Sako, or at the other end Savage. Tikka is a happy middle ground.