Author Topic: What makes and models for short action 'lightweight' gun (Read 3363 times)

44 Man · « **on:** February 23, 2010, 07:53:27 AM »

I have always been a supporter of 'short and light' when it comes to rifles. I have used single shots for many years for just that reason. Now I'm looking for a bolt gun (short action) that will serve me but it must be 'light and handy' also. So which factory offerings fit that bill? I don't want a $2500, five pound custom gun, but something in a reasonable price gun that's not heavy. So without pouring over hundreds of gun specs, which ones do you feel would be good to look at. (also something with less than the usual 14.5" length of pull would be a bonus) Thanks for your input. 44 Man

anweis · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2010, 08:01:01 AM »

I am all about light rifles. I would consider Winchester 70 Featherweight, Marlin XS7, Tikka T3, Sako A7, and TC Venture depending on your taste, caliber choice, needs, and budget.

burntmuch · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2010, 09:07:47 AM »

Remington model 7

JW307 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2010, 09:31:17 AM »

Rem mod. 7 or Ruger M77 compact.

charles p · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2010, 10:10:55 AM »

Remington Model Seven. It comes in a youth sizes if you require a shorter stock.

ScoutMan · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2010, 10:13:21 AM »

I have the Ruger Compact in 308. It wears a Leupold M8 3X scope. All up with scope and sling it weighs 7 lbs 5 oz.

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:11:14 PM »

Ruger International . I think thats the model name anyhow. It has a 18.5" barrel with a full length stock. It is my dream gun. You can probably get one new for around $600.

Savage_99 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:28:26 PM »

44man,

You seem to be a senior like myself. Even when I was younger and stronger I never liked heavier rifles for big game hunting. Even the icon pre 64 M70 Standard was too heavy for the hills at least for me.

I liked the Featherweights be them M70s or 99's. They were good. But now I am older.

These days I like the Kimber 84M rifles. To me the Kimber Montana in some reasonable cartridge like the 308 is a landmark rifle. They weigh just over five pounds and that matters these days to me.

Also just as important they are good machinery from a features and design aspect. They have a M70 type three position type safety that holds the firing pin on safe even allowing a hot chamber to be emptied.

The safety on the Kimbers operates easier, smoother and with less noise than any M70.

They have CRF, a solid attached bolt handle, made in the USA and a state of the art kevlar stock. The walnut and blue model is also just as good in its own right.

Buy one of the those Kimber 84M's. I have!

http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/rifles/84m/

anweis · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:31:29 AM »

Quote from: Savage_99 on February 23, 2010, 03:28:26 PM

These days I like the Kimber 84M rifles. To me the Kimber Montana in some reasonable cartridge like the 308 is a landmark rifle. They weigh just over five pounds and that matters these days to me.

Awesome rifle, well worth the price, but i prefer the stainless and walnut variety. Still under 6 pounds.

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2010, 05:42:14 AM »

Ya didn't mention whether this was gonna be a coyote gun or something for larger stuff, so I'd go with either a 7-08 or 308. Ruger and Remington both offer some nice little guns.

HWD

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2010, 09:29:55 AM »

A Model 7 Remington in 7-08 is hard to beat for a light weight hard hitting rifle, for all around use. Another good one ,but hard to find is the Ruger Ultralite in 250 Savage.

44 Man · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2010, 12:55:08 PM »

Thanks for your ideas, it has pretty well confirmed what I was thinking in the first place. A kimber 1st choice, Rem 7 2nd choice. They are pricey, I was hoping I could come close with a Ruger or Savage or Mossburg or whatever. I'll have to wait much longer to save up the price of a (hopefully used) Kimber or Rem 7. I would like it in a 7-08 or .308 for an all around rifle. Thanks again. 44 Man

kenscot · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2010, 02:18:12 PM »

you might also concider the browning micro hunter in 7mm-08 I have one that hold 3/4 in groups with 140 gr nosler accu bonds and does better with ballistic tips . 20 inch barrel weighs 6 lbs 4 ozs and the shorter LOP pull that you were looking for 13 5/16
I also really like the way it is center balanced making it a joy to carry.

I must say I do wish that kimber made a lefty

MR4SHOOTIN · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2010, 06:16:01 PM »

Sako Finnlite

FLNT4EVR · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:55:00 AM »

Remington model 7 CDL in .260 .

Bigeasy · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2010, 09:32:40 AM »

44 Man-

I have several Kimber bolt actions. Very nice guns. I also have a Ruger Compact in 7mm-08. I believe it is just under 6lbs w/o scope. The stock is shorter then most (I don't have the exact dimensions in front of me) Still fits me ok with a winter coat on, and I am 6'3. The Ruger shoots right at one inch with Federal factory 140 grain loads. If you don't have the cash to spend, the Ruger is a good deal compared to the Kimber.

Larry

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2010, 05:45:01 PM »

Ruger Compact.

yooper77 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2010, 06:05:24 PM »

I would suggest a Weatherby Mark V in 7mm-08 Remington; they are very light, crisp triggers and 24" tapered barrels that are lighter than most youth bolt models available. These rifles can be found for very cheap if you are patient and shop around.

Plus they have 54 degree bolt lift.

Also they have a 13 5/8 length of pull at 6 3/4 lbs.

yooper77

vabowhntr · « **Reply #18 on:** March 02, 2010, 06:03:01 AM »

I would look at the Rem 700 SPS youth as well. Can be had in .308 or 7-08 (although I don't know if they are currently making those). It has a 20" barrel with roughly a 12.5" lop. I am 5'8" tall and have had a love affair with 3 model 7s. The 700 youth just feels better in my hands. Nice thing is, if the stock is not right, everyone makes an aftermarket for it to tailor it to your needs.

MZ5 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2010, 07:53:26 AM »

Quote from: kenscot on February 26, 2010, 02:18:12 PM

you might also concider the browning micro hunter

Exactly what I was thinking. Brownings have always exhibited excellent balance and quick handling for me, and the micro is a bit smaller than 'standard.' Also has shorter bolt lift, which adds to the quick & light feeling. I'd look at a Ruger compact as well.

tigercat · « **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2010, 12:27:15 PM »

just bought my daughter a marlin xs7c really nice gun and crasy accurate with a red dot scope she puts them all in about 1.5 group shes only thirteen at 100 yards bet if you put a nice scope on it you could get some really tight groups shes shooting factory remington corelokts and it only weighs a hair over 6lbs

Tikker · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2010, 09:28:37 AM »

I've been wanting a lightweight rifle myself lately, have been eyeing the ruger compact alot. But there is one other one that no one has mentioned yet. The Savage 10FCM in 308, is their "Scout" rifle, weights in at 6.25lbs and comes both with the "Accutrigger" and "Accustock". The triggers they have are great! I have one on my 17HMR 9317 that i restocked and my 308 10FP. Alot of people talk about the crappy stocks, and for the most part its true with the flimsy plastic they have. Yet the new Accustock has a new bedding design built into the stock that stiffens it up consideribly and beds the rifle to the stock from the factory.

If all that wasn't good enough, they come with a drop magazine and ghost ring peep sights. Put a light scope on it, and if ever it breaks on you from a fall. You have the peep sight as a back up. Prices are around $600 i believe.

dks7895 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2010, 09:34:47 AM »

Marlin XS7....I own one in .308 and love it. Very accurate out of the box, light, shoulders easily, etc. It's just about perfect. Paid $279 +tax at my local big store retailer.

fish7x57 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2010, 12:19:09 PM »

I don't believe anyone has mentioned the NULA yet. http://www.newultralight.com/

Savage_99 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2010, 03:27:58 PM »

nula = $$3,000 (left-hand add $100

Thats way too much money for a push feed bolt with no crf, no M70 type safety etc.

fish7x57 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 04, 2010, 01:46:22 PM »

You mean..."That's way too much money for me."

It is for me too, BTW. It's an option that can be disregarded by the OP if so desired.

scootrd · « **Reply #26 on:** March 04, 2010, 01:55:53 PM »

Quote from: jeepmann1 on February 26, 2010, 09:29:55 AM

A Model 7 Remington in 7-08 is hard to beat for a light weight hard hitting rifle, for all around use.

+1

AtlLaw · « **Reply #27 on:** March 04, 2010, 03:36:30 PM »

Quote from: scootrd on March 04, 2010, 01:55:53 PM

Quote from: jeepmann1 on February 26, 2010, 09:29:55 AM
A Model 7 Remington in 7-08 is hard to beat for a light weight hard hitting rifle, for all around use.

+1

That's exactly what I have had for my "back-up," as in "spare" rifle for years. Worked up a load for the old Nosler 162 gr. flat base bullet so it'd do for anything I might have hunted in the U.S. ... Poor rifle been sitting in the closit and safe for years now ... $:-\$

44 Man · « **Reply #28 on:** March 05, 2010, 02:57:13 AM »

Richard, you should probably send that rifle to me. You'd hate to have it feel neglected, I could give it a lot of love and attention. ha ha.
Thanks to everyone for their input. You have given me several options to think about. Thanks to everyone! 44 Man

Savage_99 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:12:39 AM »

Quote from: fish7x57 on March 04, 2010, 01:46:22 PM

You mean..."That's way too much money for me."

It is for me too, BTW. It's an option that can be disregarded by the OP if so desired.

Its too much money for what you get! I know from a lifetime of experience what features are best for me on a hunting rifle. Due to age I know want lightweights at times and SS/SYN is now available.

The NULA fits some of my needs but not all and the features I want are mentioned in my previous post. I could easily afford a number of NULA's.

Here are just three of my newer rifles that I prefer to nula's. They are Kimbers. Just for starters I have a complete battery of pre64 M70's!