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Hunting and Fishing Rifle, Shotgun, Handgun, Archery, Blackpowder Saltwater and Fresh Water |
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List of Lightweight Hunting Rifles (.308)
Hey everyone, I’ve seen a bunch of threads scattered around, some in the hunting section, some in other sections... but I’m looking to build a comprehensive list so I can go check them out individually and decide which one to buy. Personally, I’m looking for a rifle in .308 so that’s what I’m going to require of this list, but I’ll assume most of the rifles on the list can be found in many other calibers.
I’m not concerned about price for this list, either, but I don’t want to list full custom guns that can’t be found for purchase at retail stores like Sportsman’s Warehouse, etc. So here’s what I’ll do, I’ll start the list with the few I know about, and I’ll update the list in this post as you guys chime in with additions. In order by weight, with the rifle and weight (lbs/oz):
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Last edited by scbauer; 08-19-2019 at 4:15 PM.. Reason: updated list |
#6
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The 11/111 doesn’t come in .308 as far as I could see, and I couldn’t find a 16/116, but did see an 11/116, but also not in .308. Let me know if either of these are available in .308 and I’m just off my Google-fu game today.
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#7
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#9
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Found this so I’ll add them to the list above:
https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/li...ntain-hunting/
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#10
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You already have a good list, OP - those are going to be the Off-The-Shelf non-custom leaders.
Note that those weights are bare rifles. A significant consideration when it comes to weight includes the rings and scope. I inherited an old-school Remington 700 long action (.270Win - wood stock, steel base/rings, older Leupold) and took it on a diet. I was able to cut 23.5 ounces off the total rig with a B&C mountain rifle stock, Talley lightweight rings, and a Leupold VX-1 4-12x40. That ends up at exactly 1.0 pound over what I would have been at with a scoped Kimber Mountain Ascent, for faaaaar less money. Note: that particular scope is a gem - most of its peers are several ounces heavier across manufacturers. At the time I found it to be a clear leader as far as weight vs. magnification. It has also held up extremely well. |
#11
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Wow I honestly never realized the Kimber is that light. But if you're willing to go nearly $2K for a rifle then I would look at the Weatherby lightweight offerings.
The Mark V Altitude for instance in .308 is 5lb 12oz.
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Buy made in USA whenever possible. |
#12
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Sako Finlight II .308, 5.6 pounds, Short Receiver, L or R handed models available, about $2,680.00.
https://choose.sako.fi/usa/sako_85/85-finnlight-ii https://www.sako.fi/en-us/rifles/sako-85/85-finnlight-2 |
#13
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.308?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOLhadyt3_0 https://duckduckgo.com/?q=6.5+calibe...ai=n6APMqMkikk
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What do you call the people that abandoned the agenda of John Kennedy and adopted the agenda of Lee Oswald? Pronouns: "Dude" and "Playa". https://billstclair.com/Unintended-Consequences.pdf I was born under a wandrin star. |
#14
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A budget Savage Axis advertizes about 6.5 lb for the rifle. I have one in .223 and it's very light with the sporter barrel. I've been tempted to chop a few inches off the barrel as well to make it even more portable. But if something works well, I hesitate to mess with it.
I used to have an old 30-30 that was very light and handy. I think it weighed in somewhere between 5-6 lb. With factory loads, that thing kicked much harder than you'd expect for such an underdog of a cartridge. I can only imagine what a .308 would feel like at that weight. |
#15
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Not to discourage you but cvshooter bring up a point worth considering with regard to recoil. You won't notice the kick with a critter in the scope but you absolutely WILL notice recoil when you're practicing. With lighter rifles, there will be more felt recoil.
I have a .30-06 that I was always able to shoot acceptably well in the field but I developed a flinch while practicing (along with some interesting bruises). A recoil pad and a shoulder pad helped a lot. |
#16
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I shoot the Howa (weatherbys barrel maker) ultralight in 308. It’s basically a ultralight weatherby vanguard. Rifle was inexpensive @ 450$. Spent the majority of my cash on leupold glass for it and it’s an accurate rifle. Can beat the hell out of it because it was fairly cheap.
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Guided/Semi Guided Wild Boar Hunts In Central California, Shay Balesteri 831.594.1270 |
#18
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#19
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It sure takes a beating sleeping on your trailer bunk where it lives 364/365 days a year.
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#20
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I sleep with it nightly. I love him and I squeeze him and I named him george
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Guided/Semi Guided Wild Boar Hunts In Central California, Shay Balesteri 831.594.1270 |
#23
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Guided/Semi Guided Wild Boar Hunts In Central California, Shay Balesteri 831.594.1270 |
#24
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Seekins Havak (7 lbs? - too heavy??)
Nosler Model 48 Liberty
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Its an expensive hobby, but more expensive when you try and convince yourself you don't need what you really want. |
#25
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I have a Tikka SuperLight but haven't shot it yet. If you're not afraid of a $1600 price tag, there's also the Steyr Scout Rifle, which weighs 6 and change. |
#26
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Sako Finnlight I or II or the new Carbonlight are probably the best of the best. I had a Finnlight 308 and switched it out for a 7mm-08. 30 Cals are a lot of cartridge for really light rifles. I think they’re better matched with lighter recoiling cartridges like the 7mm-08, 260 or 6x55. (Don’t let the gun salesmen talk you into a 6.5 Creedmoor because then you’ll be just another trendy, man-bun wearing snowflake....)
Last edited by FISHNFRANK; 08-13-2019 at 2:24 PM.. |
#27
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My vote would be.....
If you are going to leave the gun alone, no modification....... Howa/weatherby Tikka/sako If you plan on modifications now or later Remington or savage.
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"To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." Thomas Jefferson NRA+CRPA member "Get yourself a Glock and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol" -------Deputy Samuel Gerard |
#28
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Better way is to start with a Kimber Montana. Cut the barrel, new bolt knob, and possible new trigger guard. Almost the same weight as the ascent for way less money. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
#30
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I have a Howa in .223 with a varmint barrel and shoots surprisingly well for the price. I also have Tikkas in .223 and .243 that are both good shooters. Can't beat the price tags, especially for the Howa. The .243 has an aftermarket recoil pad and that's about as much as I want to spend on modifications. |
#33
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Have you shot a sub 6lb. .308? I had a Savage Lightweight in 7mm-08 with a Leupold Ultralight 3-9 on it. Maybe 6lbs. 8ozs. total, in a round that kicks less than a .308, and it was pretty unpleasant to shoot. It’s replacement is a Weatherby Vanguard that is right at 8lbs. with scope, and that 24ozs. makes a shocking difference in recoil.
I know lightweight is popular and fun to brag on, but find one you can shoot before you plunk down your cash. That extra weight drops recoil energy by about 20%, and recoil velocity by more like 40%. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
#34
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Sako's are sexy as hell.
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#35
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I have a Winchester XPR that is only about 6 lb. That's in the 30 ought 6 caliber. I was surprised how light it was, especially in comparison with my Savage model 11. Savages shorter, but heavier. The Savage has a bull barrel. The XPR is really light but long.
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Member of NRA, CRPA , GOA Owns guns by Glock, Kimber, Rock Island, Sig Sauer, Springfield, Savage, Winchester... Heritage, Anderson... Crosman/Benjamin My fishing and Outdoors channel on YouTube http://YouTube.com/JaimeAstin |
#36
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All of them do something better than the 30-06, but none of them do everything as well. |
#37
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I’ve got a Remington Model 7 that I’ve got just under 6 lbs and it’s chambered in .300 RSAUM (very similar to a 300 Win Mag). I know where you guys are coming from... it takes some getting used to. But I’ll be fine.
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#39
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Kentucky Gun co has the Kimber 84M on sale for $599.99. 5.5 pounds, stainless steel.
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