The Accurate Reloading Forums
Experience with light rifles
19 December 2012, 23:43
tiggertateExperience with light rifles
quote:
Originally posted by 7mmfreak:
quote:
Originally posted by tiggertate:
Speaking of NULA, is Mel going to prduce the $1500 economy model that was discussed earlier this year?
There are already a couple of guys who have bought (and one who has bought and sold) the Forbes rifles. So far they are raving over them. I have one of his smokeless muzzleloaders and a Colt Light Rifle that was rebarreled and restocked by Mel to be a pseudo-NULA. I really dig his guns. If they make the Forbes in a short acion I'll be on it.
I put my Colt in one of his stocks...world of difference. Mine's a 300 Win and shoots well enough that I won't probably be tempted to rebarrel it in this lifetime.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
20 December 2012, 00:06
surestrikeI've got a Dakota M-97 Light weight Hunter in .300 WM. It's tack driver and comes in scoped at about 7.5 lbs.
I find anything much lighter to be hard to shoot consistently unless it's solidly rested.
20 December 2012, 00:41
FrostbitYou can read the thread for more details in the set up. The rifle cost me $750. Its is consistantly under 1 MOA and I have shot 1/2 MOA with it.
Sportsman's Warehouse will no longer be getting it so if you want one find it now. Probably most accurate weight per dollar rig available.
I bought a second 7mm Rem Mag when I learned they were going away.
21 December 2012, 06:18
.458 OnlyA Tikka T3 Lite in 9.3 X 62 shot sub MOA right out of the box.
With scope (Burris Fullfield 11, 2 - 7 X 35), 3 cartridges loaded with 286 NPs and sling, it weighs 7.4 lbs with a 22.4" barrel. V E R Y smooth action! Barrel is match-grade SAKO and free floated.
Total cost for rifle, scope, rings and mounts = $885. Plus, scope was mounted at the store and rifle shot (with handloads) within 2" of POI at 50 yds first time out!!
Bob
www.bigbores.ca
"Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for he issued his command, and they came into being" - King David, Psalm 148 (NLT)
21 December 2012, 11:33
cal30 1906quote:
I have had Winchester M-70 Featherweights and Remington M-700 Mountain Rifles which were extremely accurate out of the box. All were 270s and all grouped preferred handloads under 1" for 3 shot groups at 100 yds.
My exact experiance also.
Cal30
If it cant be Grown it has to be Mined! Devoted member of Newmont mining company Underground Mine rescue team. Carlin East,Deep Star ,Leeville,Deep Post ,Chukar and now Exodus Where next? Pete Bajo to train newbies on long hole stoping and proper blasting techniques.
Back to Exodus mine again learning teaching and operating autonomous loaders in the underground. Bringing everyday life to most individuals 8' at a time!
21 December 2012, 20:16
SFRanger7GPI have seen a lot of the Tikka T3 lite rifle's on the range lately and I was impressed. They have that rare combination of affordable, light weight and above average accuracy in the same package.
I am surprised to hear about all of the problems with Kimber rifles. I have only had one that was problematic. The rest all shot MOA or less. The "problematic" one would throw a 3-6" patterns with all Barnes, Swift and Nosler Partition bullets but would shoot cheap Remington 180gr Core-lok ammo sub-MOA. After I got over my frustration and applied reality I decided that was not really a problem.
My personal favorite is my Merkel K3 in 30-06. It is light, accurate, beautiful and takes down into a compact package for travel. Mine has traveled quite a bit and has always gone back to zero despite being assemble/disassembled multiple times and abused by baggage handlers.
22 December 2012, 08:28
wfhI have HS precision light hunter and which I have enjoyed hunting with for A number of years. I will accept that is more dificult to shoot A light rifle well but with practise it can be done. For me it means that before A major trip it means I have to get to the range three or four times and fire at least A 100 rounds to get dialed in with the rifle. Favorite bullet at this time is the Nosler E-Tip.
22 December 2012, 09:05
cobradI agree completely that it is more difficult to shoot a light rifle... and that with practice it can be done. My old Kimber Montana .243 made a number of head shots on marmots out to 300 yards. Frequently that was all I could see peeking over a rock. That same rifle was used to take them as far as 562 yards.
The current light weight I shoot weighs about 1 1/4 lb more than that Montana, and has accounted for a number of marmots past 500 yards, the furthest being 592.
I have found with these feather weights that my form, trigger squeeze, and follow through all need to be very consistent to get that kind of accuracy regularly.
23 December 2012, 22:21
Jim in MII really like my Steyr Scout. It is good to go right from the factory. Accurate, good trigger, flush swivels installed. Oh, it is light too.
The bases are machined into the receiver: you can use a standard scope mounted over the receiver if you don't want to use an EIR scout scope on it.
Or you could look at a Win 70 Featherweight or a Ruger RSI that comes with a 18 1/2 inch barrel. Put a Spec Tech trigger in the Ruger and you're done.
Go Navy
26 December 2012, 07:03
GSSPTikka
01 January 2013, 18:03
gunsrgoodquote:
Originally posted by clayman216:
I own a Rem Model 7 SS with synthetic stock. Really light. It was glass bedded and given a trigger job. Shoots sub MOA always with handloads. Benched I can shhot it all day at 300 yds. into 6 inches or under. I found that when shooting these light rifles off the bench, you must hold on to the front of the stock to control them for better shooting. This is an accurate, light & dependable rifle.
I had a Mod 7 s/s in 7mm-08. didn't hand load at the time and sold it because I couldn't find an ammo that shot (get this) better than 3/4". To this day, selling that rifle is still one of my biggest mistakes. Young and dumb
I now have a Montana in 7mm-08. RL15/140 gr Sierra Gameking's is a great recipe for this one.
01 January 2013, 20:26
LBGuyi've owned 2 kimber cf rifles. one shot around 1.5 to 2 while the other was 3-4". got tired of fooling with them and sent em' down the road. for me, i have no use for a rifle that will only shoot one particular handload accurately. i want a rifle that will shoot several around 1.5 or maybe less. kimber wasn't even close. suggest op look at rem 700ks or a tikka if you can handle the plastic. i have no doubt either one will be accurate and light. if you want lighter and more accurate (and more money), ula/nula should get a look. by their very definition, light rifles will have a thin barrel. heat is your enemy after the second shot. good luck with which ever rifle you select.
01 January 2013, 22:09
Savage_99I have had satisfactory hunting accuracy from every rifle that I have owned. Some took work and others were fine from the start.
My Savage 99F's are adequate for woods hunting to 200 yds and they stay sighted in which is my first demand.
The collection of old M70's that I have are accurate as well.
Now that rifles made of SS/Syn. are available I have a few of them. My five Kimbers are all very accurate however the 270 WSM Montana did take some work.
I prefer the Kimbers with their outstanding, better than a M70, M70 type safeties and their light weight.
I also use customs when it's dry and I don't have to carry them far due to my age.
Here are some of the Kimbers.
Get the 'power' or optic that your eye likes instead of what someone else says.
When we go to the doctor they ask us what lens we like!
Do that with your optics.
05 January 2013, 23:33
AtkinsonWell as you read through the many posts you will see that everyone has an accurate rifle and I have no doubt thats true..What it tells you is any rifle can be accurate or not accurate..
First of all what is your accuracy requirements. You may or may not luck into a super accurate rifle or perhaps a so so rifle, or a real tack driver..
In other words it just ain't that easy...If you get a rifle thats not up to snuff, you can do things to accurize it such as glss bedding but in the end it probably depends on the barrel..
I have owned many accurate rifles, many so so rifles and more than a few dogs..Keep the good ones is good advise.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
16 January 2013, 01:26
ar coreyquote:
Originally posted by boliep:
My question is what manufacturer makes a light sporting rifle in standard calibers that is accurate and consistent right out of the box?
CZ 55019 January 2013, 10:05
londonhunterGuys
It's not just about low weight and what one does with the weight
In one word balance
A custom light gun if built properly can shoot just as good however this is a bit of hit and miss with a mass produced light rifle
Tried a remington titanium and lucky I did not buy it
It took me three shots to figure that out
19 January 2013, 20:00
cobradYou are perzactly right londonhunter. That was the reason I went with a full custom on my current light weight. I was lucky on 2 out of 3 Kimbers. The HS precision ultra light I bought last year was a disappointment, so it was sold and replaced with a rifle by Kirby Allen, of Allen Precision. If you really want an accurate rifle I would suggest speaking with Kirby. Not only does he guarantee accuracy, he will work with you to guarantee your satisfaction.
You want light, ballanced, good trigger and very accurate??
Just dial up Melvin Forbes at NULA, he knows what he is doing and you WILL get the above!
DM
20 January 2013, 09:50
StoneybrokeRemington Mountain KS and pre-Garcia Sako Foresters have been accurate for me.
20 January 2013, 20:07
ted thornWhat I have found is that I am a poor light rifle shooter......
Funny, but it depends on who you ask.....I can't shoot any rifle very good
I have found in the past couple years I have no need for an ultra-light rifle but like how they feel in my hands.
I have 3 Kimbers and all three have required a fair ammount of tweaking
________________________________________________
Maker of The Frankenstud Sling Keeper
Proudly made in the USA
Acepting all forms of payment
