Hunting/Plinking build - thoughts on weight?

[Berzurker]

PART	TYPE	Weight

Chassis	XLR Element w/ Folding stock	57 oz
Barrel	Sendero Stainless 26" - 300 win mag	68 oz
Trigger	TriggerTech	4 oz
Action	Kelbly Atlas Tactical - Rem Long	33 oz
Brake	Kelbly Klaw	5 oz
Scope	Burris XTR iii	30 oz
Rings	Simmons Low	5 oz
		12.6 LBS

Hey everyone.

I'm putting together my first custom and I just figured I'd get some thoughts on the build. This is for Elk hunting mostly with some long range steel plinking as well.
The main drawback that I see is the weight. 12.6 lbs is a lot to be hauling around in the mountains, but there really aren't too many places I could still shave off weight.

I could go carbon barrel for an extra $350 and lightweight stock on the chassis for $150. That $450 would save just over 2lbs producing a 10-11lb gun. What do you think? Hump the extra weight or drop the extra cash? Thanks!

 

[UpSideDown]

That's gonna be a heeeavy and long gun. If you really feel that you need the range of a magnum, I would consider a 300 Win Short Mag in a short action with a 20" barrel. Huge weight and length savings with almost the same ballistics.

I also have strong feelings about chassis that have me touching exposed aluminum or that have a lot of snag points.

If we kinda flow chart this out:
- If it's deer/black bear/antelope or similar or smaller, a magnum is overkill. Most shots are taken within 200yds, very few present past the 500yds that a .308 is capable of.
- If it's Elk, and you're in very open country like E. Oregon or some places in Idaho or Montana, etc., can present, then a magnum can make sense.
- If it's Elk season, the weather probably sucks and I wouldn't want to touch anything aluminum

I switched back to a 6.5 creedmoor for long range shots using 142gr Accubond Long Range cartridges and a lightweight .308 AR for anything else after running the numbers. 700-800yds is the absolute max range I'd take a shot on an animal because that is cross-canyon distance where you're really messing with different with layers and a 1+second flighttime. If I shoot an Elk at 650 with an ABLR I'd be happy. If I shoot a blacktail at 50yds with the same round I'd be happy, but if I took that shot with a magnum it'd destroy a lot of meat.

If you want the magnum though, I'd shorten the gun up with a short action magnum cartridge and shorter barrel in the 20'ish range. I'd also consider how much you're walking with it. Last season I did 13 miles on the last day. My gun with a can was 9 pounds and that didn't bother me, and I wouldn't want to go more.

That scope is also a bit heavy and has a reticle that's hard to pick up outside of ideal situations or at close ranges. Great scope, but I don't think it's a good option for hunting.

 

[Franko]

Things to consider:

1. A Defiance AnTi action will save you about 10oz
2. A PVA ultralight jet-blast will save you 3oz
3. A Manners Ultra Classic is going to save you a lot of weight. If you want the extra options that a folding chassis offers look into the MDT HNT. The HNT is a little lighter than an XLR and is made of composites so that it doesn't have the cold feeling of handling metal.
4. A Vortex LHT 4.5-22 will save you weight and the magnification range is acceptable. If you are willing to accept a bit more weight for a do it all crossover scope then a March 4.5-28 is really worth looking into. The March is a much nicer scope but very pricey and weights 30oz
5. A CF barrel is the way to go as the weight savings are significant and cost effective compared to the other options.

I believe in spending the money as a heavy gun just sucks.

 

[Mike Casselton]

And ditch anything with the Simmons name on it.

Honestly, you could just build a 22" 30-06 on the An-ti action with a lightweight stock and barrel and you'd be fine.

 

[hlee]

Hunting rifle? Light is right and lighter is righter.

 

[Makinchips208]

Getting A leupold scope can save you roughly a pound.
Shorten the barrel.
And get the magnesium xlr element for a couple more pounds shaved off.

 

[Elite_KG]

The MDT HNT26 is only a little lighter than the XLR? The HNT26 is 26 oz. I assembled one and it was nice. Super light. Balanced extremely well with a CF barrel.

 

[srt-4_uk]

The MDT HNT26 is only a little lighter than the XLR?

Yes. The XLR MG as light as you can get it is 28oz and has built in arca.

 

[Dai Bando]

The Snipers Hide version of "lightweight hunting rifle" is always amusing! LOL

I'd go something more like this myself.

Defiance AnTi
Manners MCS-UC
Short shank a Bart 2b @ 20" and chamber 7-08
Bushnell 3-12 LRTS in Hawkens LW mounts

 

[Elite_KG]

Yes. The XLR MG as light as you can get it is 28oz and has built in arca.

Oh, ok. Thats a much lighter model. Good to know. Thanks.

 

[carbonbased]

Hunting? Just buy this at 6.3lbs shoot as is, and to shoot steel swap the barreled action into whatever chassis or stock floats your boat. You could even buy a heavy barrel for steel shooting and an action wrench/barrel vise.

Tikka T3X Superlite Black Bolt Action Rifle - 300 Winchester Magnum - 24.3in

Tikka T3X Superlite Black Bolt Action Rifle - 300 Winchester Magnum - 24.3in - When compromise is simply not an option. The T3x Superlite offers exceptionally high performance which comes in a very lightweight package. The Lite models are equipped with the T3x synthetic stock, and all new...

www.sportsmans.com

 

[brianf]

your trying to make the "do-all" rifle

we have all tried that (some of us multiple times, but ill never admit it)

dont waste your time

buy a decent, light factory rifle

a factory rifle with a modern cartridge will take a deer at elk at 500 no problem

use the same scope if you want to save a few bucks

then actually build what you want to "shoot steel" if you have your eyes on certain components

shooting 2-5 animals a year (1 box of ammo with a few shots for confirm zero) is not worth compromising every other range day of the year

or

build off the receiver/trigger you want and buy 2 chassis and 2 barrels...swap for the "day"

with the availability of end user changeable prefits and accessories, think modularity of the weapon system

not a certain "type of rifle"

 

[Berzurker]

That's gonna be a heeeavy and long gun. If you really feel that you need the range of a magnum, I would consider a 300 Win Short Mag in a short action with a 20" barrel. Huge weight and length savings with almost the same ballistics.

I also have strong feelings about chassis that have me touching exposed aluminum or that have a lot of snag points.

If we kinda flow chart this out:
- If it's deer/black bear/antelope or similar or smaller, a magnum is overkill. Most shots are taken within 200yds, very few present past the 500yds that a .308 is capable of.
- If it's Elk, and you're in very open country like E. Oregon or some places in Idaho or Montana, etc., can present, then a magnum can make sense.
- If it's Elk season, the weather probably sucks and I wouldn't want to touch anything aluminum

I switched back to a 6.5 creedmoor for long range shots using 142gr Accubond Long Range cartridges and a lightweight .308 AR for anything else after running the numbers. 700-800yds is the absolute max range I'd take a shot on an animal because that is cross-canyon distance where you're really messing with different with layers and a 1+second flighttime. If I shoot an Elk at 650 with an ABLR I'd be happy. If I shoot a blacktail at 50yds with the same round I'd be happy, but if I took that shot with a magnum it'd destroy a lot of meat.

If you want the magnum though, I'd shorten the gun up with a short action magnum cartridge and shorter barrel in the 20'ish range. I'd also consider how much you're walking with it. Last season I did 13 miles on the last day. My gun with a can was 9 pounds and that didn't bother me, and I wouldn't want to go more.

That scope is also a bit heavy and has a reticle that's hard to pick up outside of ideal situations or at close ranges. Great scope, but I don't think it's a good option for hunting.

Thanks for the input! I primarily elk hunt and live in Colorado. I’ve been elk hunting for 20ish years with a standard store bought Remington 30-06 or 300 win mag and honestly most of my kills have been inside of 300 yards - but I’d like to be able to poke out to 6 or 700.

I think I might have to get a 20ish barrel in 6.5 to make something a bit handier and lighter for hunts in heavy brush. I did get the illuminated reticle for the Burris!

 

[Berzurker]

Things to consider:

1. A Defiance AnTi action will save you about 10oz
2. A PVA ultralight jet-blast will save you 3oz
3. A Manners Ultra Classic is going to save you a lot of weight. If you want the extra options that a folding chassis offers look into the MDT HNT. The HNT is a little lighter than an XLR and is made of composites so that it doesn't have the cold feeling of handling metal.
4. A Vortex LHT 4.5-22 will save you weight and the magnification range is acceptable. If you are willing to accept a bit more weight for a do it all crossover scope then a March 4.5-28 is really worth looking into. The March is a much nicer scope but very pricey and weights 30oz
5. A CF barrel is the way to go as the weight savings are significant and cost effective compared to the other options.

I believe in spending the money as a heavy gun just sucks.

All great options to look at! Thanks for taking the time to point those out.

 

[Berzurker]

Hunting? Just buy this at 6.3lbs shoot as is, and to shoot steel swap the barreled action into whatever chassis or stock floats your boat. You could even buy a heavy barrel for steel shooting and an action wrench/barrel vise.

Tikka T3X Superlite Black Bolt Action Rifle - 300 Winchester Magnum - 24.3in

Tikka T3X Superlite Black Bolt Action Rifle - 300 Winchester Magnum - 24.3in - When compromise is simply not an option. The T3x Superlite offers exceptionally high performance which comes in a very lightweight package. The Lite models are equipped with the T3x synthetic stock, and all new...

www.sportsmans.com

That’s the plan (barrel swapping eventually), the only downside I found with the tikka action is that I don’t think they can accommodate a long, high bc bullets like the 215 Berger that I’m planning to use.

 

[Berzurker]

your trying to make the "do-all" rifle

we have all tried that (some of us multiple times, but ill never admit it)

dont waste your time

buy a decent, light factory rifle

a factory rifle with a modern cartridge will take a deer at elk at 500 no problem

use the same scope if you want to save a few bucks

then actually build what you want to "shoot steel" if you have your eyes on certain components

shooting 2-5 animals a year (1 box of ammo with a few shots for confirm zero) is not worth compromising every other range day of the year

or

build off the receiver/trigger you want and buy 2 chassis and 2 barrels...swap for the "day"

with the availability of end user changeable prefits and accessories, think modularity of the weapon system

not a certain "type of rifle"

Haha that’s exactly what I’m trying to do!

I already have a few factory rifles that have been getting the job done, so I think I’ll er on the side of having a long range tac driver and if I hate hauling the behemoth around enough, then I’ll put my new fancy scope on one of those instead. I don’t take game over 500 with those rifles, but that’s been more a scope limitation than a rifle limitation. Some of those factory guns shoot pretty damn well with the right loads. I just haven’t invested in glass with solid and repeatable turrets/tracking until now.