Hello All, I'm in search of a nice liteweight rifle to use for those days I feal like covering a lot of ground, or for when we get together and do some drives. My primary rifle is a 7mm Mag. I love this caliber, but the gun its-self can get pretty heavy when walking a great deal.

I would like to keep the weight no more then 6.5lbs but stay with a 22in. Barrel. and in a short action Caliber (7mm-08, 308, 270wsm) I would like to stay at a .277 and above. I really like the ballistics of the 270wsm and would prob. choose that caliber. The gun will be used for mainly Deer and Bear in Pennsylvania, and a back-up elk rifle.

I like Remingtons, so I have been looking hard at the LSS mountain Rifle, but they do not make this in the WSM's as of yet... Other choices I looked at is the Browning Micro hunter, and the Tikka T3 light SS. The Remington model 7 is out. I wish to stay with a 22in Barrel. The Remington Titanium would be excellant, but a little to much for this college student at this point. I really havent heard much about the tikka T3's yet. I work at the local hunting store, and we havent really sold to many. As of now im leaning to the Mt. Rifle in 7mm-08 with Nikon 2-7x32. I never held the new T3's, but if get some good reviews i just may get one in a 270WSM.

I'm just looking for opinions. If you have an idea of another brand, or type please share. Also a little help with caliber selection would be nice too. Thanx guys for the help.
Ryan

I have a 7-08 700 LSS, and it is pretty darn close to the perfect rifle for what you're asking, and will certainly handle anything here in PA. Speaking of which, did you read about that 834# black bear taken in Pike (I think) County? The guy probably shot it with a 243 or something.

I also have a 260Ti; all up, with 3-9 Leupy Compact in Warne mounts, it's right at 6#, but, you could just about buy two LSS's for what it costs. I'm seriously considering selling some blood plasma (I'll make more, right? )to get one in 308.

Now, if R-P just offered the LSS in 308, I could handle the extra 3/4# or so, for the $500 savings.

R-WEST

R-West
Yea I saw about the big Bear, and i think you are right I believe it was shot in pike county. From what i here, there is one still lerking that is even bigger up in the poconos.

You are talking the Mountain Rifle version of the LSS, right? I'm sorta leaning towards that in the 7-08. I am a stainless fan, and i think this rifle is up my alley. A 308 would be very nice though....nice enough to change my decision. Thanx again
Ryan
PS~ what part of Pa do u hunt?

I have a Weatherby Ultralight in 7mm-08 that I use when cruising the woods of Michigans Upper Pennisula and walking the coulees of Wyoming. I searched through Gun List and found it for a lot less than retail. They now make the Predator Master in 308 also.

How about M7 in 7mmSAUM? Sounds like exactly what you are looking for.

Hi Ryan. I'm in Somerset County, near Johnstown.

Yeah, the LSS is the stainless, laminated stock Mtn Rifle, and it is a sweetheart. But, they don't offer it in 308!! I just can't figure those R-P guys out

I loved KuduKing's solution to your question over in the Big Game forum Savage does offer, according to Gun Digest, a "Sierra" lightweight that is probably pretty economical, and you wouldn't have to buy any dumbbells If I can stifle the gag reflex caused by that ugly barrel nut, I might try one my own self.

R-WEST

I use a VZ-24 in 8x57 with a 20" barrel, and a cheap RamLine stock, it works great, light and handy. Kills everything dead with one shot. I do think about a stainless steel rifle though.

I have 260 Browning Low Wall that does most of what you want but the gun isn't in production. The gun is wonderful to carry, light, points well along with enough power. Another one that I have is Ruger #3 in 30-40 Krag. The Ruger isn't as classy or light as the Browning but is nice to carry works well on deer.

I think your idea of a 7mm-08 in a 700 mt. rifle with a 2-7x Nikon sounds about perfect to me.

I looked around and settled on a K 95 Blaser in 30 06 with a 6 x 42 leupold. It is a light as can be and very very accurate. Plus the switch barrel aspect makes it even better. I originally had settled on a Weatherby ultra light in 30 06. The Blaser out of the box out shot the weatherby by a large margin. plus it makes a really good companion to my R 93's

Aleko