I'm looking for a stock 16 ozs or less to build a back pack rifle out of a Rem. Model 600 I've got gathering dust in my safe. Presently, the rifle is .243 Win. When finished, it will be .358 Winchester and could find it's way to a an upcoming horse back moose hunt in BC.

Who makes a resonably priced ultra light for this action. Brown's is $800, which Ain't reasonable, in my book. McMillan's is 20 ounces or more. I'd love to use one of MG's in Texas, but they don't sell the stock alone. Same with Ultra light Arms (I think).

Ultralight sells a replacement stock for the Colt Light Rifle but only Mel knows if it could be made to fit a 600. I paid $450 for mine a few years back.

Lone Wolf makes a super light stock. They advertise it for the 700 and Model 7, which I think has a near-identical footprint to the 600 action.

The LW Summit XL is about 15-16 ounces finished. But it ain't $450. I also doubt Mel's is still $450. "Super light" and "inexpensive" just don't belong in the same sentence.

this is not an endorsement for MGA --
they WILL sell the stock, but want an upcharge.

what is the weight of the current stock?

No "Gurus" have told me anything. I have 50 rifles in my safe and have hunted on five continents. I just happen to want to build a light weight, hard hitting rifle out of one not getter used, whether or not I decide to take it to BC. I am aware that there are better, flatter shooting choices. But none of them (or at least none of mine) weigh under five pounds.

I agree that Brown stocks aren't the least expensive, but I'm surpised that a man who has hunted on five continents thinks they aren't reasonably priced. Most guys I know who hunt all over the world often spend much more than $800 for a stock. I am not criticizing - its just the opposite of what I've seen.

quote:

Originally posted by duckboat:
I agree that Brown stocks aren't the least expensive, but I'm surpised that a man who has hunted on five continents thinks they aren't reasonably priced. Most guys I know who hunt all over the world often spend much more than $800 for a stock. $800 is the low end of what they spend on hunting. I don't mean to criticize, but that is the opposite of what I've seen.

Very simple answer: I am, or rather, was, a residential developer and builder until 2009. That's all over now, and I don't think I need to go into details as to why. My globe trotting days are pretty much over.

I am not complaining. I have done more, seen more, hunted more, fished more (my other love), screwed less (see above for why) than about 99.9 percent of the population. God has blessed me in ways that I can't describe and shall always be grateful for what he as allowed me to do: Great wife; three great kids and lots of friends.

But just because money is tight, doesn't mean that I don't want to still do a few things (like build my Model 600 into an ultra light .358).

Does that answer your question?

quote:

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what is the weight of the current stock?

Don't know, but it's split on both sides of the forearm.

The whole rifle weighs 7.5 pounds with a 2-7 scope, which, to my way of thinking, is a little hefty for an carbine with an 18-inch barrel.

Try Wildcat Composites (http://www.wildcatcomposites.com/productinfo.html)in Canada. I believe Ralf Martini uses them for his mountain rifles, which should be a good endorsement.

Thanks Boomer.

Jeff, I just took the stock off and weighed it. It came in at 2 pounds, 4 ounces. That means the barreled action with scope weighs 5 lbs, 2 ounces. That's pretty stout for a carbine.

I don't know the barrel contour, but it looks pretty stout.

This sounds like a cool build. I'd like to see pictures when you do complete it. For sure it will have a good power/weight ratio and probably not kick all that bad. Good luck

Good choice, my dad loves his 358 in his 600 rem. I'd have one to but I chose a 35 Whelen IMP. in a 98 instead. But I wasn't wanting an ultra lite rifle.

I have a .35 Whelen built on a Model 70, push feed action. Love it, but too heavy for wilderness hunt.

I have found nothing better than the Brown Precision Pounder.
My .375 H&H "Brown Pounder" held up through Alaska and Africa and Kentucky over a 20-year period, and it has now been rebarreled to .395 H&H.
Still going strong.

The Wildcat Composite is 17.5 ounces, that's heavier than the Brown Precision, first and bestest on the market for 16-ounce stocks.
Save up for one if you want light weight, in graphite, Kevlar and fiberglass composite.

You need a minimum contour barrel to go with it for balance, and further weight reduction.
Muzzle diameter should be caliber plus .250".
.358 + .250 = .608"

Douglas contours are about as standard as it gets:

No. 2 Sporter contour is .600" at 24" length, and it tapers 0.0075" per inch of length.

No. 1 Sporter contour is .560" at 22" length, and it tapers 0.0078" per inch of length.

Shorten that No. 2 to 23" and you are 0.608" diameter at the muzzle.
Go as short as you like below that, for even lighter weight.
I would not go any lighter than a No. 2 sporter contour, whether getting a new barrel or turning down the existing barrel if it is heavier than No. 2.