Lightening my rifle

M

malinkyhoy

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Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 30, 2011
103
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Oregon
#1
I have a Remington 700 308 SPS heavy barrel rifle that I would like to lighten.

It is currently sitting in a HS Precision stock (taken from a 5R mil-spec) which I believe is supposed to be light and shorter than the standard HS stock. (I like the feel of this stock) I have a Buckmaster 4.5-14X40 but plan to replace that with something else. I also have a Harris ultralight bipod fitted. Standard bottom metal and a badger one piece rail.

So if I wanted to spend $500 (obviously excluding glass) on making it lighter, where should I spend the money.
 
#5
Re: Lightening my rifle

- Switch to the HS Precision LTR Stock. It will be lighter, but also smaller, than the one you are using.

- All HSP's have aluminum blocks. Switch to a carbon fiber stock (McMillan or Manners). Either will be lighter than any of the HSP's. Depending on the model you choose it will easily be half the weight of your current stock.

- Cut the barrel shorter.

- Change your rail to an aluminum model if it isn't one already. Rings, too.

The rifle's minimum weight will always be restricted by the barrel. It can only be made so 'light' with a varmint contour. The above options could make the difference of ounces or pounds depending on what you choose to do. It will be difficult to get under 10 lbs with optics.

You can also flute the barrel, but personally I think it would be a waste of money on a factory barrel.
 
#6
Re: Lightening my rifle

Thanks, I picked up a Lapua 338 with what I think was a 26 inch barrel at the weekend and it felt lighter than mine, although it also had a fluted barrel. I have a 20 inch heavy barrel, if I cut it down to 16.5 inches what is that going to do my effective range?
 
#7
Re: Lightening my rifle

It isn't so much range- More velocity/bullet drop, sound, and muzzle blast that become the concern.

Perceived sound and muzzle blast are somewhat subjective. Decreased muzzle velocity is a fact and whether it is an issue depends on your own skills and expectations. This subject has been covered in depth on the 'Hide. I recommend you perform a search for "short barrel." You will find more than enough information. If you still have questions, then do not hesitate to post them.
 
#8
Re: Lightening my rifle

I agree the LTR stock is shorter and lighter than other similar stocks.

My SPS tac has gone through many changes and now sits in the LTR, Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40, Leupold PRW rings and dual bases. Even with an Eagle stock pack and loaded it is 9.5 lbs. I did take it out in the field this year and it was not that bad. I would not, however, want to take it in the mountains.

I use a harris 6-9 br-s at the range and a Versa pod when hunting. I slip the bipod off while walking the field, it only takes a few seconds to put it back on.

LIke stated before you can only go so light with a varmint contour rifle.

If you want light, consider a sporter rifle, i/e Tikka.
 
#9
Re: Lightening my rifle

If a 20" rifle with varmint barrel in an H-S is too heavy for you, I'd recommend two things.

1. Weight training or pushups.
2. Switching to an AR15 or 10/22 or something. Hell, get a sporter version.

The rifle you described is hardly heavy.
 
#10
Re: Lightening my rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: malinkyhoy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a Remington 700 308 SPS heavy barrel rifle that I would like to lighten.

It is currently sitting in a HS Precision stock (taken from a 5R mil-spec) which I believe is supposed to be light and shorter than the standard HS stock. (I like the feel of this stock) I have a Buckmaster 4.5-14X40 but plan to replace that with something else. I also have a Harris ultralight bipod fitted. Standard bottom metal and a badger one piece rail.

So if I wanted to spend $500 (obviously excluding glass) on making it lighter, where should I spend the money. </div></div>

As others have said the heavy barrel and the stock you installed the action into are the major weight items. It would be a LOT simpler to spend that $500 on a nice used hunting rifle instead of trying to mess up what appears to me to be a perfectly good urban tactical rifle.
 
#11
Re: Lightening my rifle

...my first question would be, what is the purpose, i.e. what do you ultimately want to use the rifle for? If you lighten the rifle, you're losing the inherent accuracy of a heavy shooting platform. If you want a carry-rifle, for $500 you could buy a sporter rifle and have two rifles each set up for your particular needs. As for lightening, I do that a lot on "mountain" hunting rifles, there's tons of things you can do...some were mentioned...aluminum rings, aluminum bolt-knob, aluminum bolt shroud, aluminum bottom metal, light compact scope, shorten/flute/rebarrel to a slimmer sporter contour, ultra-light synthetic stocks, flute the bolt, even minimal bedding/no compound in the barrel channel...the list goes on...
 
#13
Re: Lightening my rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If a 20" rifle with varmint barrel in an H-S is too heavy for you, I'd recommend two things.

1. Weight training or pushups.
2. Switching to an AR15 or 10/22 or something. Hell, get a sporter version.

The rifle you described is hardly heavy. </div></div>

I assume you were being sarcastic. It is not too heavy, I just want to make it as light as possible. My point was, it that I picked up a 338 with a barrel six inches longer than mine, which I though should have made it heavier than my rifle, yet it wasn't. Thanks.
 
#14
Re: Lightening my rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Copyleader</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...my first question would be, what is the purpose, i.e. what do you ultimately want to use the rifle for? If you lighten the rifle, you're losing the inherent accuracy of a heavy shooting platform. If you want a carry-rifle, for $500 you could buy a sporter rifle and have two rifles each set up for your particular needs. As for lightening, I do that a lot on "mountain" hunting rifles, there's tons of things you can do...some were mentioned...aluminum rings, aluminum bolt-knob, aluminum bolt shroud, aluminum bottom metal, light compact scope, shorten/flute/rebarrel to a slimmer sporter contour, ultra-light synthetic stocks, flute the bolt, even minimal bedding/no compound in the barrel channel...the list goes on... </div></div>

I want to turn it into a light tactical rifle, that I can carry for prolonged periods. I suspect a lighter contoured barrel would be a weight saver. I will look at the LTR as recommended by others. Thanks for the advice, it is appreciated.
 
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