Lightest centerfire repeater?

[jlwilliams]

  I've been thinking about this for a while.  Not really planning a purchase, just considering the possabilities.  What is the lightest packing centerfire rifle?  I know that the Contenders and the Handis are light, but how about a centerfire repeater?

  Years ago, the Air force made a little 22hornet bolt action take down rifle with a collasable wire stock that weighed in at about 4 lbs.  It was meant for under the seat survival packs in case your long range bomber went down somewhere and it took a while to find you.  Any way, that's pretty light, it's also a rare collectable with an under length barrel (14" I think it was), so it's kind of beyond the scope of common availability.  (although I am considering a 'look almost alike' repro in 22mag with a 16" barrel, but that's outside the scope of my question)

  What I'm wondering is, what's out there for light weight rifles.  Now, I know there are quite a few rifles owned by the members and viewers of this forum.  Who's got a real light weight gun, and what does it weigh?  What does it shoot?  Any and all input, right up to wild speculation is welcome.

  If a guy wanted to put the lightest practical rig together, where would he start?

[mcwoodduck]

Start on the Remington Custom shop.
not sure what you want the light rifle for and what caliber you are planning but.
Start with a titanium action 700 and then add a fluted short barrel and a skeleton stock and you can make a short action 308 under 4 pounds with out a scope.  add about a pound or two for a scope.
You are going to pay a pretty penny for one.
as you mentioned a 22 hornet.  My Ruger M77/ 22 H in 22 hornet is a fine little rifle and with the plastic stock and a 1/2" drill bit you may be able to suck about a pound out of the stock by making it look like swiss cheese.
My 99/44 ruger 44 mag semi auto rifle is about 5 pounds unloaded and is more than enough for deer or bear out to 75 yards with the factory peep sights.  Again some weight can be shaved off of it.  But 5 pounds empty is pretty good little rifle for back packing in the woods and with 4 rounds of 44 mag at hand....

[sachel.45]

keltec makes a folding .223 that i think is around 4.5 pounds and it takes ar mags. marlin makes a takedown .22 that weighhs 3.5 lbs (i think ive got the older model with a wood stock and its a little heavier at around 4 lbs)