Weight of savage actions

[Savage6x284]

You win Mach2.
Now let the OP decide which direction he wants to go with his LW likely to be chambered for the .280AI.
If further questions from the OP are directed at me I'll be happy to assist however I can. I expect you'll do the same if he directs any questions towards you.

[Savage6x284]

As I said earlier, building a LW based on a Savage action isn't going to net you a rifle as light as a NULA. It simply cannot be done when you start with an action a full pound or more heavier than the NULA action.
A person can however build a very sweet, perfectly balanced LW rifle with no compromises and if planned well that rifle can tip the scales at 7# even.
Carrying a perfectly balanced LW rifle over hill and dale for a few days is a revelation and one I wish more Savage aficionados got to experience.

There are scads of 10#+ Savages out there and many if not most folks here love to build them and revel in the accuracy and appearance obtained. That is a worthy and worthwhile goal and guidance for such a build is available here in abundance.
There are far less LW BG hunting rifles built here and guidance for a LW build is far more difficult to find. I'm doing what I can to provide such guidance based upon my own build and my experiences with other state of the art LW rifles built by other manufacturers.

[Mach2]

Savage 11 LWH 260 REM

Sku:19208

Handed:Right

Rate of Twist:8

Weight:5.5 lbs

Stock: walnut

Overall Length:40.25"

Barrel Length:20"

Ammo Capacity:4 round(s)

MSRP:$962.00

I copied and pasted this from Savages website. You can slap on a synthetic stock and you're below 5 lbs just like the $3000 Forbes

[Savage6x284]

Savage 11 LWH 260 REM

Sku:19208

Handed:Right

Rate of Twist:8

Weight:5.5 lbs

Stock: walnut

Overall Length:40.25"

Barrel Length:20"

Ammo Capacity:4 round(s)

MSRP:$962.00

I copied and pasted this from Savages website. You can slap on a synthetic stock and you're below 5 lbs just like the $3000 Forbes

First of all the Forbes rifle is $1400. His New Ultra Light Arms (NULA) rifles start at $3500.
Secondly the LWH has a 20" tube, flutes, lightening cuts, a wooden stock and has lousy balance IMO. IOW, a study in compromises that I'm unwilling to make even if it were $100.
Thirdly that action won't fit a .280AI cartridge.
Fourth, it doesn't come in left hand.

But, by all means order one up Mach2 and keep us apprised of your findings.
Please tell us about all the LW rifles you've owned or built. I for one am all ears.

[Savage6x284]

Colt56, should you have further questions or wish to hear further thoughts on building a no compromise LW Savage feel free to PM me here and I'll do what I can to help. It seems my experiences and advice ruffle some feathers for reasons unknown to me.

[Savage6x284]

The fact that I own rifles other than Savages is hardly out of the ordinary. I presume many here own rifles of other makes.
The fact that my passion with regard to rifles is LW rifles means that I own LW rifles from whoever makes them in a LH configuration.
These facts notwithstanding, when I chose to build a LW rifle from scratch I chose to do it on a Savage action.

There isn't a lot of information out there concerning LW Savage builds and I felt that my experience in this rarely trodden arena may perhaps prove useful for others attempting to do the same. That my yardstick is a relatively expensive custom built ULA is a credit to Savage and not a slap at them.
That I largely succeeded in making my Savage every bit as desirable as that ULA yardstick says a lot about the inherent goodness embodied in the 110 etal action and should give others wishing to build their own LW Savage encouragement and a certain knowledge that the rifle so built can compete in every way with the finest LW rifles available anywhere.
There was, and is, no intention of belittling anyone or any rifle.

[colt56]

I posted this thread knowing very few shooters on this forum build light weight rifles. That being said I appreciate everyone's knowledge and comments. I believe, from what I have read, the blind magazine action is the lightest. It looks like I will build off that action. So I will be looking for a blind magazine long action. I really like the look of mcm edge stock and like the numbers. I think I will do a #2 contour and it will be a 22 or 24 inch barrel. I realize reaching the kimber mtn ascent weight won't happen and that's okay. I just want a much lighter rifle than I have packed to this point. I will keep this thread updated on my progress and will pm if I have further questions, thanks all.

[tammons]

Its pretty easy to hit 7# or so with a scope on a short action internal mag if you buy all ultralight components and a short thin barrel. If you want to hit 7# with a long action and a decently long barrel you will probably have to go to a Carbon Fiber stock. Most likely with any 7# build you will need a Leopold Ultra light scope and ultralight rings.

Here are some weights.

SA w bolt egw base and mach lug with blind mag 36 oz
LA flt bk w bolt EGW base, lug, w DBM bx/mag – 40 oz
LA flt bk w bolt EGW base, lug, w internal mag – 38 oz

STOCKS

SA tupperware stock - 29 oz
SA duromax stock - 43 oz

LA DBM factory stock with complete magazine – old style - 38 oz
LA tupperware stock w some epoxy - 32 oz
LA duromax stock - 44 oz
Choate LA tactical – 4#
Choate Ultimate Varmint – 4.5#
Choate Ult Sniper – 6#


BARRELS

19" 308 cut down sporter barrel and nut – 36 oz
EST 16" 308 cut down sporter bbl - 32 oz
EST 20" 308 Pencil Barrel - 30-32 oz
24" 338 WM barre1 and nut - 51 oz
24" 358 wheln shaw bbl and nut - 58 oz
21" 458 wm barrel and nut - 48 oz
Cut 20" 358 whelen bbl and nut - 50 oz
Factory blued 22" 270 bbl - 41 oz
21" stainless 270 factory barrel and nut - 38 oz
30” bull barrel 308 and sav long action with mag and EGW base
30” bull barrel 308 – 107 oz ?
SCOPES

2-7x VX-1 leupold scope - 11 oz
1-4x VX-2 - 9 oz
Nikon prostaff 4-12x mildot - 14 oz
Sightmark 1-6x - 20 oz
Leupold 3-9x Ultralight - 9 oz
Sightron 10-50x – 29 oz
20xSS 22 oz

Misc

Factory recoil lug - 1 oz
Machined recoil lug - 1.5 oz
Burris extreme med rings, 1/2" - 6 oz
Burris extreme med rings, 30mm w 1 tac top - 6.2 oz
Burris zee rings steel low - 3 oz

Lightweight 308 Build - 6.8#

20" 308 pencil barrel - 32 oz
Short action with bolt weaver base and machined lug with blind magazine and action screws - +- 34 oz
SA tupperware stock - 29 oz
3-9 VX-2 ultralight - 9 oz
Lt rings - 3 oz