Where do you look for a "lightweight" rig? Sub 10#?

[teddy12b]

I'm still preparing for 2020 Mammoth and so far, I've dropped 15# and competed in my first prs style rifle match which was the Guardian in Mi. I'm happy with all my gear I currently have, but as a guy who's also gone on several backpacking trips I understand the importance of weight when going out for a lot of miles.

So, my current rifle with scope that I will use for mammoth is right about 17#. It's an awesome rifle and I really like it, but my goal for mammoth is to be at or under 40# total with food, water, everything. The biggest part of where I'm at now is the current rifle/scope combo and that was my first complete custom rig and it got me thinking about how light can a precision rifle get and still be able to run a stage without just wasting ammo.

Surely I'm not the first guy to think about this so where should I be looking?

 

[XLR]

There will be a few guys at Vortex Challenge testing our new Magnesium chassis. I know one rifle complete with an optic that should be just over 5 lbs! (I have yet to see it lol)

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...o-it-all-chassis-from-xlr-industries.6953466/

 

[XLR]

Just for fun, here is the new Magnesium Element 3.0 chassis with the aluminum buttstock ($745) with a factory Steel Remington 700 in 308, muzzle brake, scope rings, Vortex 4-16 PST, and AICS 10 round magazine under 10 lbs. Granted, this is only a 16.5" bull barrel but that is still quite decent considering its all-steel and the rings, and scope are not the lightest.

 

[teddy12b]

A precision rifle with scope under 6# is amazing. That's exactly what I'm talking about. The mammoth challenge is one thing, but I doubt I'll want a heavier rifle on hunting trips the older I get.

 

[trob_205]

A 18-20” 6.5cm/260 CF proof barreled action in something like a KRG Bravo or that new XLR too with a MK5 3-18 or a new NX8 2.5-20 would be a killer setup and probably right around that 10 lbs mark I would think.

 

[orientalexpress]

There will be a few guys at Vortex Challenge testing our new Magnesium chassis. I know one rifle complete with an optic that should be just over 5 lbs! (I have yet to see it lol)

I'm going to the Vortex event as well. I'm carrying my Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5CM with a Vortex AMG on it. Weighs just under 9lbs. In preparing for the event shooting at different distances , I find it very difficult to get back on target to see impacts. Not a big deal for the Extreme as its a 2-man team (partner spotting) but it might be a problem if the rules in Mammoth only allow for single competitors (haven't looked at the rules).

If I decide to do some more of these events, I may start using my Q fix rifle or build a 700 in 6mm creedmoor out of one of the Side Chick chassis.

 

[chevy_man]

Titanium, magnesium, carbon.

The scope is the hard part. Either go hunting style like a vx-6 with a cds dial, or suck up the weight.

Large tubes, robust construction, large turrets, large erector ratio.... It all costs weight.

 

[lawofsavage]

Tikka CTR with leupold mark 5

 

[Dthomas3523]

If your budget allows it, proof research does full rigs that are pretty light.

And if you have an unlimited budget, call gunwerks. I’m sure they can put together a stupid lightweight rifle.

 

[Macca]

Cutting weight costs money,no two ways about it.
But eventually you’ll have to decide like I did if a few ounces are worth the extra cost for one of my match rifles.
I initially toyed with the idea of a titanium action or skelotonising the bolt handle & fluting the bolt.
The juice wasn’t worth the squeeze so I stayed with a 700 action.
Again with the barrel,the weight savings on a 18” vs a 24” carbon fibre wrapped barrel were minimal compared with muzzle velocity gained.
On the stock side I used a KRG Bravo.
Optics package include a Leupold backcountry rail,Spuhr Mount (yes I know,but they’re good & not really that heavy) & a Leupold Mk5.
Came in less than 10 lbs.
Your mileage may vary,but I have found this combination for me to be a reasonable balance between weight savings vs the cost & ultimately a very capable rifle.