You can get shave off at least a pound, perhaps more by going to a ultralight stock. Shortening fluting the barrel would help a BIT too. 22 in is plenty of barrel of a 257 AI. If you don't want to lose the original stock, bore out the rear and rout the forend.

I have a circa 1960 std old M70 that was a .30-06 but was rebarreled with a 24" matching contour HART S/S in .257 Robts AI. Shoots like a varmint gun, but it's 9 pounds with a 6X Leupold!!!
It has all std bottom metal and wood as well as the steel buttplate.

I know that the M70 action is not the best choice for a lt wt rifle. My question.......How much could I save by going to a light glass or carbon fiber stock over the std stock??

I could save a few ounces with lighter mounts. But Would like to keep the 6x42 scope as it's just right on the rifle for me.

How much could I save with alum bottom metal??

Any thoughts appreciated.

FN in MT

Like was said if you want the wood then route out the forearm and under the butt plate. You can remove a few ozs. There are several placing making 16oz stocks. You can also have it made without the bottom metal. Leave it closed like an ADL and use an ADL aluminum trigger quard. There are several places that will mill slots in the action. These are expensive and remove only a few ozs.

FWIW, IMO it is just a waste of money. For what you would spend trying to lighten it probably a pound or so, you could buy another rifle!

Since it shoots well don't break it. It's a nine pound varmint rifle and what's wrong with that?

As others said just be happy and look at other guns.

He said it shoots like a varmint gun.. What if it is in fact his deer rifle? Then I'd say it was heavy!

It IS a deer/antelope rifle. It shoots very well with 87's up to 120 NP's. My intention is to keep it and use it for deer. It weighs 9 pounds with scope and mounts.
I don't care to flute or shorten the barrel.

Simply wondering if a light weight stock could save a pound or so. I may trade the steel rings and bases for a mounting system a bit lighter.

Just found a used Banser stock, so that may be my solution. 7 3/4 pounds would be fine with me.

FN

I know what you mean Frank, they aren't light rifles. My pre 64 wieghs in at 9 1/4 lbs ready to go. Your best bet is to find a lightweight synthetic stock.

You save 4 oz. by using the pre64 dural Featherweight floorplate and trigger guard. I have put them on all my pre64s except the .375 H&H.

I figure between the Banser stock, changing out the steel rings and bases for lt wt aluminum and switching steel for alum on the floorplate that I'll make a hell of a difference. Shaving a pound and a half off will be just about right.

This was a VERY cheap but very clean rifle that I've had for years. The rebarrel was also very cheap, a trade out for some services rendered. The Banser stock is 2nd hand but not abused. So although this sounds like a giant waste of money it isn't that bad.

FN in MT

Check out the Brown Precision "Pounder" stock. It's made from Kevlar instead of Fiberglass. The Kevlar stock is much stiffer than the fiberglass and weighs about a 1/4 pound less. It is quite a pain in the arse to work with though.