I would like to put together a very lightweight Rem .222, accurate for three quick shots before the barrel gets hot. A 22" thin or fluted barrel. Super light plastic stock. Fixed power scope. Who do I look to for a lighter action for this project? I have no idea about action weights. Thanks! Gary

http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/model-84m/montana

or

www.newultralight.com


Or, you could build one. I would prefer:
Sako Vixen action
#2 or # 3 barrel
McMillan Edge stock


All should have the Leupold FX-II 6x36, with Long Range Duplex reticle.



It all depends on how much you want to spend.

The action used on the CZ .222, 527 American is well built and light. Mine has a pretty wooden stock but it is still light. With a little wood working it can be made a good bit lighter. Oh! It is MOA. roger

Sako mod. L-461 is perfect..my custom 6x45 weighs 4.8 lbs. with scope and mounts or a tad more if I put the 2x7 compact on it. Its my walk about coyote and Rock chuck rifle and I have shot a number of deer and Antelope, as well as culled plainsgame with it..I use the 75 br. GS customs monolithic for the big stuff and it kills Kudu very well indeed with two holes 99% of the time. It has an English style stock and its very different and everyone wants it..Tony Barnes made me a mod. 70 3 pos. safety out of a piece of 30 cal. bull barrel. Stock is full fiddle Claro that took 28 LPI checkering and its hard as Woodpecker lips.

Ray,
You need to post some pictures (plural) of your rifle!
Otherwise no one here will believe you..

GaryG,
If you have your heart set on a .222 get a Sako like Ray sez..
If you don't mind a .223 then get a Kimber Montana like Nortman sez..
I have a little Remington M7 stainless in .223 that isn't bad but the stock sucks as it is heavy.. One day I will replace it with a light weight after market stock..
If I had it to do over again the Kimber Montana would be the way to go, right done right, right out of the box except they should have twisted it at 1:8 instead of 1:9...
CZ 527's are neat if you don't mind the drop mag. which I do..
They do have one model with a lower cap. flush mag. these days IIRC..
The only rifle mentioned above that I don't own is the Kimber although my CZ Carbine is chambered in 7.62X39..

Ray, It sounds like you have already built what I am trying to. How about some pictures? Thanks. Gary

Low Wall, I am set on the .222 as I already have about a 1000 rounds loaded for it! I do not care for a drop mag either. Gary

...also, would using a blind magazine save some weight?

The old factory H&R Model 317, that used the Sako L461 action, weighs 5.25 lbs, if I remember the catalog specs correctly.

I put a Leupold 3-9XAO Compact scope on my 222 that has a 20" pencil barrel.

Yes, I think Ray has posted a pic of his nice rifle before..........it surely wouldn't hurt to post the pic again....ok Ray??

Kevin

I did one on a mini mauser action a few years ago that turned out pretty nice.

Terry

No, it don't have no plastic saddle,
and it weighs more than 5 lbs.
And it has a variable power scope,

But I sure to like the way it carries and shoots.


to my mind, this little Sako Riihimaki, chambered in 222 Rem. makes the perfect walkin'



or climbin'




Varminter!

Loaded with Barnes 45 gr. TSX, I'd not be afraid to pop our Texas whitetails or porkers, given proper range and presentation.

GWB

quote:

Originally posted by TC1:
I did one on a mini mauser action a few years ago that turned out pretty nice.

Terry

No kidding..
Nicest custom bolt rifle I have ever seen!

Geedubya,
That's a really nice looking outfit. What scope is on it?

CZ 527 would be a great start.If you can live without the plastic stock it would also be the ending.

Cliff,
My favorite. It's a 2.5 x 8 x 36 Leupold VX-3. Nice and bright. Can use the reticle subtension to range. Doesn't overpower a petite rifle. I figure 4x per 100 yds. Most of my killing is done under 200 yds. Works great.

GWB

quote:

Originally posted by GaryG:
...also, would using a blind magazine save some weight?

It sure helps with Mausers.

I'd like a L-461 with #1 contour 20" barrel and Claro Walnut, Talley aluminum scope bases and rings (if available for the L-461) Leupold 3-9 X 33 ultralite, very thin rubber but pad, no pistol grip or forend tip fittings.

The stock can be milled out for further weight reduction but one don't gain much. It's the accessories one adds that adds weight so be very choosy about all the add ons such as slings and swivels but be very fussy about the scope and mounts.

BTW that factory H&R is spectacular!

I have built 2 on mini mausers and one on a 461. The very lightest was with a curly maple stock I custom laminated. The 461 wit a claro sock was heaviest. These were all 6mm of some sort but it won't make a lot of difference.

I can't quote the numbers, but my gut feel is that the Mini MkX is slightly lighter than the Sako. I know there is a big advantage in the rings. You might not like the looks, but it's hard to beat the Weavers for light weight. Also, the scope makes a huge impact. My lightest one was for my daughter. Used a MkX, an 18" #1 Douglass barrel, the maple stock and a Burris Compact 2x7. These scopes, whn made, were ridiculously light. It shoots 1" in 6x45, and kills whitetails like a hammer. I will post a picture when I get a chance.

I found this info on an old thread. I would be putting this together very much on a budget. Why the sako action over the rem 600? Control feeding? Quality? Thanks!

The following weights of full actions (bolt, guard screws, trigger guard magazine liner, trigger assembly, recoil lugs, follower and spring) - everything except the barrel, stock, scope and mounts.
Remington 700 short ADL .............2 lbs. 3 1/2 oz
Remington 700 short BDL .............2 lbs. 4 oz
Remington 700 long ADL ..............2 lbs. 6 1/2 oz
Remington 700 long BDL ..............2 lbs. 7 oz
Remington 600 ..........................1 lb. 15 oz
Remington 788 long (.243, .308) ...2 lbs. 11 oz
Remington 7..............................2 lbs. 2 oz
Mauser Mark X ..........................2 lbs. 15 oz
Sako med(current production) .....2 lbs. 5 oz
Sako long ................................2 lbs. 13 oz
Ruger short dovetail receiver .......2 lbs. 6 oz
Ruger long dovetail receiver ........2 lbs. 8 1/2 oz
Winchester Model 70 post-64 ......2 lbs. 13 oz
Weatherby Mark V ....................3 lbs. 3 oz
_________________________

Thanks Geedubya,
Is it a standard reticle?
I have a few 2.5-8's with a #4, B&C, Wide Duplex and standard duplex.

Thanks Vapo. That 2X4 stock contrasts nicely with my old particle-board benchtop....huh?

Kevin

GaryG didn't show the weight of a Sako L461 action. I'll weigh this one later. Edit: It weighs 2lbs. 0.2 oz.

Kevin, H&R Ultra Wildcat .222 Rem. Sako L461 action. I found this for $840. Is this what you have? Is this a good price? Gary

Remington 600 mohawk, brown precision stock, sold my 40x renington as the 600 outshot it.

What caliber and what does it weigh? Gary

GaryG,

It depends.......as H&R made two "Ultra Wildcats". A Model 317, and a Model 322.

The Model 317 has a rosewood forend tip and gripcap, with a 20" barrel.

The Model 322 has a plain stock, with a 24" barrel.

Kevin

Kevin, Was the 322 a lot heavier than the 317? The H&R that I found has a 23.6" barrel. Gary

GaryG,

The Model 322 is more of a "full sized" rifle. The one you're describing seems to be the larger rifle. What does the stock look like?

Kevin

Kevin, the one that I found does have the plain stock. Not the 317 I think. Gary

I have a stock Rem 788 in 222 it isn't very heavy and you could likely find one in the USA for around $400.00 I would think. FS

Fasteel. I have one also that I am going to sell to start funding this project. It isn't a heavyweight, buy I would like to try lighter;?) Gary

Kevin is the guru when it comes to Sako lightweights, particularly the H&R's and their predecessors, the O'briens. I can't add much, but if you're going the custom route then the added cost of the Sako L461 over possible alternatives isn't going to make that much difference, so you might as well go with the Sako and have the best. If you can find a nice trigger guard for a blind magazine, that will save you some weight (and you can sell the L461 bottom metal for a nice price to help offset your costs.) Plan on using the one-piece Leupold ringmounts. They are about as lightweight as you can find in an all-steel mount and they have clean lines that are appropriate to a small sporter.

I have a .221 Fireball built on the Mini Mark X, and while it's great shooter (at least with the Sako trigger I mounted on it), it is clearly not in the same league as the much more refined Sako.

I wouldn't even start to consider the CZ, for several very good reasons. The first and foremost is its backward-operating safety. The danger of that is obvious and speaks for itself. The second is the thick root of the bolt handle which necessitates mounting a scope very high above the bore (and the heavy scope mounts which go with it.) And the third is the protruding magazine that ruins the lines of the gun. Other than those things (and being rather crudely finished) its a great action.

To those who wanted a picture of my light 6x45 on the L-461 Sako action I don't have the ability to post pictures on the blogs, but I would be more than glad to send them to your email as I can do that..Send me your email address to the below email..It is a beautiful rifle.

Ray, Email sent. Thanks! Gary

I sent you the pictures..I have another with a heavier 20" barrel in .222 Rem also a 4 lb. cut down Rem 600 in 222 that I made for the kids and grandkids but it ain't pretty, kids are pretty rough on rifles..

Ray, what are you asking for your 600 in 222?

Ray, Thank you for sending the pictures. That ia beautiful! Gary