Mountain Rifle

[Bmcox86]

Tikka have recoil lugs.

The recoil lug in a Tikka is a free floating aluminum lug.

[bod]

Olympics777
 Do yourself a favor and take my advice.
 Get a tikka by far the most consistent out of the box accuracy, action is smooth  triggers super easy adjust if needed and you beat the crap out of them.

[boomstick]

I think the most important thing on a backcountry hunt is to be in shape. Use the rifle you want to if you to buy a new one buy it . I pack a 11lb rifle on all my hunts. Have hunted wa high hunt and wy at 10000 all with 11lb rifle.

[BKMFR]

Kimber Ascent in 270 win or 280 Ack. Imp. gets my vote. You can find they from time to time on Gunbroker...

[Salmo]

The Tikka T3 is no light weight..     Rem 700 mountain rifle LSS scoped goes nearly 8 lbs.   Ive yet to see info on the T3 SL.

Were I looking for a lite weight mtn rifle I'd wonder about the T3 SL but the Kimber Montana in .308 can be had used for $850.  The .308 montana is notorious for being accurate as hell.

I had a .308 montana and it was the most accurate rifle I ever owned.

[Curly]

Doesn't it depend on a person's definition of lightweight?  While the T3 light (and Ruger American for that matter) is not "lightweight", both are under 6.5 pounds which is lighter than a lot of rifles out there.

If a guy is happy with the weight being 6.4 pounds and using it in the high country, can't he call it a mountain rifle?     My rifle that I've used on the high hunt is 2 pounds heavier than a T3 light and I've also got a 50mm scope on it, so the rifle/scope combo makes it around 2.5 pounds heavier than my Ruger American rifle/scope combo.

So, while the T3 light or Ruger American are not considered mountain rifles to most folks, I consider them mountain rifles since they are so much lighter than what I'm used to.  And the price of the American was so reasonable that decided to buy one to use in the mountains this year instead of my 10.5 pound rifle.  I could have spent $900 more to get a true "mountain" rifle like the Forbes and dropped another pound or so of weight, but I figure I'm used to 10.5 pounds, so the American is going to feel like a mountain rifle to me.

Someday when this Obama Economy is over, I want to get a Forbes rifle for use in the high country, but until then the American will be my "mountain" rifle.  Below is a list of approximate weights for what I'd consider mountain rifles. 

Ruger American - 6.4 pounds
T3 Light - 6.34 pounds
T3 Superlight - 6.1 pounds
Forbes (long action) - 5.5 pounds
Forbes (short action) - 4.75 pounds
Kimber Mtn Ascent - 4.8 pounds
Kimber Montana - 5.1 pounds

[bankwalker]

My T3 superlight is pure pleasure to carry in the steep terrain surrounding the Olympic National Park. I fell in love with the tikka accuracy a few years ago with a t3 270. But since then have been into short action calibers so I seen no need for a long action.
Now I wanted a 7mag so the T3 was my first and really only choice. Then I seen the Superlight and had to own one. Accuracy of the magnum in such a light rifle was still up to T3 standards. My setup is under 7lbs loaded/sling ready to hunt. After my first day hiking the steepest bear territory I could find I found a new reason to love the T3 superlight. 

[Forks]

I think the most important thing on a backcountry hunt is to be in shape. Use the rifle you want to if you to buy a new one buy it . I pack a 11lb rifle on all my hunts. Have hunted wa high hunt and wy at 10000 all with 11lb rifle.

Boomstick speaks the truth. So many are wrapped up in saving ounces. My vote is be able to hike 15mi. a day if need be, and practice, practice, practice with the weapon one has.

[fillthefreezer]

I think the most important thing on a backcountry hunt is to be in shape. Use the rifle you want to if you to buy a new one buy it . I pack a 11lb rifle on all my hunts. Have hunted wa high hunt and wy at 10000 all with 11lb rifle.

Boomstick speaks the truth. So many are wrapped up in saving ounces. My vote is be able to hike 15mi. a day if need be, and practice, practice, practice with the weapon one has.

thats all well and good, but people count ounces for when something hits the dirt. and when two trips arent an option.
sure i can pack 70lbs all day long, but i cant pack 70lbs of gear and a full load of meat.


when your gear list looks like mine, theres not many places to save weight, it would be ridiculous to spend $$$ for everything ultralight then pack a 10lb rifle

[Romulus1297]

Carry a ULA Model 24 all day. Then pick up your buddies Sako HOLLY COW are you Kidding Me

[Olympics777]

I just bought a T3 in .308, and a Vortex Viper, so far I like the setup... Thanks for your opinions, guys.

[deerhunter_98520]

Can't believe no one has suggested a weatherby mark v ultralight....I have one and. Love it....5  3/4 lb....stainless fluted barrel ....great gun 

[Limits]

Doesn't it depend on a person's definition of lightweight?  While the T3 light (and Ruger American for that matter) is not "lightweight", both are under 6.5 pounds which is lighter than a lot of rifles out there.

If a guy is happy with the weight being 6.4 pounds and using it in the high country, can't he call it a mountain rifle?     My rifle that I've used on the high hunt is 2 pounds heavier than a T3 light and I've also got a 50mm scope on it, so the rifle/scope combo makes it around 2.5 pounds heavier than my Ruger American rifle/scope combo.

So, while the T3 light or Ruger American are not considered mountain rifles to most folks, I consider them mountain rifles since they are so much lighter than what I'm used to.  And the price of the American was so reasonable that decided to buy one to use in the mountains this year instead of my 10.5 pound rifle.  I could have spent $900 more to get a true "mountain" rifle like the Forbes and dropped another pound or so of weight, but I figure I'm used to 10.5 pounds, so the American is going to feel like a mountain rifle to me.

Someday when this Obama Economy is over, I want to get a Forbes rifle for use in the high country, but until then the American will be my "mountain" rifle.  Below is a list of approximate weights for what I'd consider mountain rifles. 

Ruger American - 6.4 pounds
T3 Light - 6.34 pounds
T3 Superlight - 6.1 pounds
Forbes (long action) - 5.5 pounds
Forbes (short action) - 4.75 pounds
Kimber Mtn Ascent - 4.8 pounds
Kimber Montana - 5.1 pounds

Savage 11 Lightweight Hunter - 5.5 pounds

[huntnphool]

Has anyone shot the Kimber Adirondack? Seems like it would be the perfect back country light weight hunting rifle, 18" barrel and less than 5 pounds. http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/kimbers-adirondack-compact-rifle-weighs-less-five-pounds/

[bankwalker]

Can't believe no one has suggested a weatherby mark v ultralight....I have one and. Love it....5  3/4 lb....stainless fluted barrel ....great gun 

The ultralight amazing rifles and really light but always get the over looked. I think mainly due to the fact weatherby rifles are notoriously heavy in general. I just sold my vanguard 20" carbine with 2-7x33 scope. because it was a full 1 1/2lbs heavier than my tikka t3 superlight with magnum length barrel and 4.5-14x44 scope.