Lightweight/Mountain build vendors and examples

[Hair_Boxers]

Done some searching and some digging here on the site in the builds forum as well as the 110 forums, but haven't seen much/any builds along the lines of building a lightweight mountain hunting Savage. That's what my first/next build is going to be, so very interested in seeing what folks have done and who they have used for parts.

On some of the backcountry hunting sites (Rokslide for example) you see a lot of titanium, carbon wrapped barrels, lightweight stocks, etc.

Digging through many of site vendors, the usual "big" suppliers (Brownells, Midway, etc.), and some quality time with Google hasn't really pointed me to a lot of options.

Hoping that the knowledge base here can help. Any example builds to share and/or links to vendors would be great.

Thanks!

[Stockrex]

take a sporter barrel and cut it down to legal length
the factory Tupperware is light,
if you want next best get a manners stock, it weight 2 lbs

or just get a savage Light weight hunter

[Robinhood]

Stockrex started it right.

I can't remember the weight but the Stockade "Hunting Sporter" is light. maybe less than 2 lbs
A lija #1 or #2 comes in under 3 lbs in Savage trim.
Savage action I believe is < 2.25 lbs with the trigger, lug and nut.

7lbs less optics. 1050 bucks give or take. Add and aluminum set of talleys a Ziess or Swaro piece of glass and your looking good. Lighter than that takes effort, and money.

[Hair_Boxers]

Definitely know I need to keep barrel weight down as much as possible. Brux is 30 min from my house so thinking their number 1 light sporter profile. 24" length. Should come in at just under 2.5 lbs given it will be in .338.

What, if anything, have people done to the action to lighten it up? Fluting, bolt handles, etc.?

[geargrinder]

I built what Stocktrex recommended.

Mine is a long action. SSS fishnet fluted bolt. SSS bolt handle. Tupperware stock. Talley rings. Leupold VX-2 lightweight 3-9x33 scope. 18" McGowan light sporter 260 barrel.

IIRC right at 7 lbs complete, less ammo.

[big honkin jeep]

I did one a while back with takeoff factory parts from the classifieds here. I started with an older flatback model 11GL in.243. I cut a .308 sporter barrel down to 16" then had it threaded and braked. Also took a couple of inches off the rear of a factory synthetic and then re profiled the recoil pad so it fit. Also threw all the standard DIY Savage mods at it with a 3 screw trigger tune, a bolt lift kit, Epoxy bedded the action and topped it off with a Khaki and OD sponge camo job. I did go a little overboard and put weight back on it by using a picitinny rail, 3-9x40 and making a adjustable kydex cheekrest. I intend on removing these extras and using 2 piece bases and a lighter scope.
I absolutely love the little handy carbine that resulted.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/bighonkinjeep/Carbine/e1e37a21-8c36-450d-983e-f299cdec3e1e_zps58a82883.jpg (http://s176.photobucket.com/user/bighonkinjeep/media/Carbine/e1e37a21-8c36-450d-983e-f299cdec3e1e_zps58a82883.jpg.html)

[dcloco]

Built a 110 action in 280 Remington, specifically for this endeavor. Sporter weight 22" stainless barrel, 6-18x40 Leupold scope, and a Boyd's thumbhole laminate.

Every component was picked for strength and weight.

[Hair_Boxers]

dclogo - have you weighed your final build? I know I am not going to get ridiculously low weight but curious to see what others have achieved with a given set of variables.

[Hair_Boxers]

BHJ - that's a nice looking carbine! Would actually be a sweet build for here in the WI northwoods as well as reasonably lightweight for hiking in the mountains with.

Do you know weight on yours as shown?

[Hair_Boxers]

geargrinder - perfect info. Thanks for sharing!

[big honkin jeep]

BHJ - that's a nice looking carbine! Would actually be a sweet build for here in the WI northwoods as well as reasonably lightweight for hiking in the mountains with.

Do you know weight on yours as shown?

Dont know. Still haven't weighed it but it's pretty light. The short length makes it super handy. The overall length is 37" with the brake which is within 1" of the same length as a 10/22 carbine. I really need to get around to finishing it up by removing the rail, cheekrest and scope. It's been on the back burner for a while.

[jpdown]

The Savage 11/111 LWH is the easiest and quickest way to a light weight mountain rifle on a Savage platform. The 20" barrel is LW sporter contour and weights right at 2 lbs. The wood stock is as light as the plastic stock, more sturdy and more compact. It weights about the same (1.5 lbs). If you prefer a composite stock, then the Stockade Hunter is just under 2 lbs. Not sure about the actual weight of a Manners Edge.

[JCalhoun]

Hair,

I had a Brux barrel and can highly recommend them.

[Hair_Boxers]

JC - thanks for Brux reco. They are my first choice for sure. Hope timing works for me. Wait time for 33cal barrel is longer than 30cal

[JCalhoun]

You're welcome. Keep us posted on your progress.

[Tentman]

Hello (from down in NZ, where all our hunting is in the mountains)

After many years of seeking the "perfect" lightweight mountain rifle, I thought I had it in a Mauser "Kurz" that I had rebuilt in 6.5x47. The Mauser is a dandy rifle that cost a bunch of money - but recently I acquired a Savage Model 11 Lightweight Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor.

I really don't think the Lightweight Hunter could be improved on without spending a LOT of money, my example is reasonably smooth (compares well with Remmy 700's), balances beautifully, feeds and cycles nicely, has the quietest safety of any of my rifles, and to cap all that off, its shoots amazingly - consistent 3 shot groups of 3/8 to 1/2 inch with a Sierra 140 gn with VV N-550, Hornady cases and Federal LR primer at 2785 fps - thats a load that will give you some real "reach". The groups I shoot for this sort of rifle are what I call "hunter shot", 3 shots from a bench but no barrel cooling time, load and shoot them as fast as you can get a good sight picture.

Cheers
Foster

[markt97213]

Geargrinder... what's you rig weight? why a long action on a .260? I am also doing the same build...

Mark

[geargrinder]

I just weighed it. I was close. 7 pounds 2 ounces.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/08/b9560c99949663e92298b55c96cd4a8a.jpg

Long action? Because that's what I had. I also prefer long actions. They make the best swap platforms. I can run this action from .204 ruger all the way up to 338 Edge. All long action bolt heads interchange, same with the firing pins. Stocks are easy to find, they never changed the bolt spacing from the beginning.

Short cases in long actions let me seat the bullet wherever they tell me they want to be. Never had a feeding issue either. This action started life as a varmint barreled 300win. 112FLVSS.

[dcloco]

Built a 280 Remington, specifically, to be carried. Used a 24" light varmint/heavy sporter profile barrel (stainless), 110 action, Leupold fixed power 12x40 scope, and a Boyds laminate thumbhole. This was also a "budget" build. Total weight, WITH sling (LOL!!!), is 8.5 lbs. I could go in and remove some wood from the butt and forend of the stock, but let as is ...for now.

Could go with a lighter stock, but it would either be more money or plastic - neither were in the recipe for this build.

Always wanted to build a rifle in the caliber always referred to as "sheep rifle"....and that is exactly what I did.

[GaCop]

I just weighed it. I was close. 7 pounds 2 ounces.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/08/b9560c99949663e92298b55c96cd4a8a.jpg

Long action? Because that's what I had. I also prefer long actions. They make the best swap platforms. I can run this action from .204 ruger all the way up to 338 Edge. All long action bolt heads interchange, same with the firing pins. Stocks are easy to find, they never changed the bolt spacing from the beginning.

Short cases in long actions let me seat the bullet wherever they tell me they want to be. Never had a feeding issue either. This action started life as a varmint barreled 300win. 112FLVSS. Agreed! Long action is the best!