Recommended suggestions for a mountain rifle

[pips4bucks]

So I'm looking to get a lightweight mountain rifle and would like some input from the vast knowledge you guys have on this site.

I've been looking at Forbes rifles, the Sako Finnlight, and the Kimber Mountain Ascent ($$ OUCH! )  Are there any other lightweight rifles I should be considering?  I'd like to keep it in the $1500-ish range, but if I find the right one that is a little more I can save a few more bucks for it.  The primary use would be for bear, but I prefer a caliber that's more all around.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Alchase]

So I'm looking to get a lightweight mountain rifle and would like some input from the vast knowledge you guys have on this site.

I've been looking at Forbes rifles, the Sako Finnlight, and the Kimber Mountain Ascent ($$ OUCH! )  Are there any other lightweight rifles I should be considering?  I'd like to keep it in the $1500-ish range, but if I find the right one that is a little more I can save a few more bucks for it.  The primary use would be for bear, but I prefer a caliber that's more all around.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I would not trade my 300 win mag Finlight for anything. Incredible rifle.

[scottfrick]

Have you ever held a ruger American? The wife and I just bought one last season and they are extremely light and accurate rifles. They only cost around 500$. Not sure what your spending limit is but a ruger American topped with a really nice rifle scope would make a great mountain rifle

[Biggerhammer]

So I'm looking to get a lightweight mountain rifle and would like some input from the vast knowledge you guys have on this site.

I've been looking at Forbes rifles, the Sako Finnlight, and the Kimber Mountain Ascent ($$ OUCH! )  Are there any other lightweight rifles I should be considering?  I'd like to keep it in the $1500-ish range, but if I find the right one that is a little more I can save a few more bucks for it.  The primary use would be for bear, but I prefer a caliber that's more all around.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I would not trade my 300 win mag Finlight for anything. Incredible rifle.

I'm a die hard Remington guy but I have seriously tossed around the idea of picking up a Sako Finlight in .300 Win Mag.  Just can't do the Tikka , NO WAY!

[carpsniperg2]

I AM A BIG SAKO FAN! I love the finlight! That being said the new rough neck A7 is a great rifle and might be right up your alley. It runs about 400.00 less then the finlight. I have one of the original A7's and it's be a amazing gun for me.

[RadSav]

I AM A BIG SAKO FAN! I love the finlight! That being said the new rough neck A7 is a great rifle and might be right up your alley. It runs about 400.00 less then the finlight. I have one of the original A7's and it's be a amazing gun for me.

If I had to do it again I would spend the extra $400 so I could get a clip that doesn't bite donkey turds.  A7 is one heck of a shooter though!

Carp, does the all plastic Tikka magazine fit the A7?  If so, my opinion of the A7 would increase 10 fold.  Although I'd still do the FinnLight if I had it to do over again.

If I was going to get another 300WM I'm thinking the Weatherby Vanguard Back Country.  Friend of mine has the 240Wby version and it is outstanding!  Catalog says the 240, 257 and 300WM are all roughly the same weight.  If Weatherby didn't hate the 7RM I'd own one already.  Very nice guns at a fare price!

[Rrich2278]

They may get a bad rep, but I love my Tikka .300 Win Mag. Great gun and lightweight. I've had zero issues..don't have any experience with the sako's, but I've heard they are fine rifles.

[carpsniperg2]

I AM A BIG SAKO FAN! I love the finlight! That being said the new rough neck A7 is a great rifle and might be right up your alley. It runs about 400.00 less then the finlight. I have one of the original A7's and it's be a amazing gun for me.

Carp, does the all plastic Tikka magazine fit the A7?  If so, my opinion of the A7 would increase 10 fold.  Although I'd still do the FinnLight if I had it to do over again.

If I was going to get another 300WM I'm thinking the Weatherby Vanguard Back Country.  Friend of mine has the 240Wby version and it is outstanding!  Catalog says the 240, 257 and 300WM are all roughly the same weight.  If Weatherby didn't hate the 7RM I'd own one already.  Very nice guns at a fare price!

No they are different inlets and they won't interchange. The clip on the finlight is much better. For the money though the A7 is hard to beat.

I have rally been toying with the 257 wby back country. They all weigh about the same at least my spec sheets say so. Another fine choice that will not break the bank. I do not like the vanguard safeties very much. If they had a little thicker barrel profile I would have ordered one last week but they are to thin to thread. So I am going a different route.

[high country]

A tikka in an edge might spend your money well.....as much as I hate to say that.

[mountainman]

A tikka in an edge might spend your money well.....as much as I hate to say that.

there's an idea...

[sirmissalot]

I'll sell you a mark V ultralight weight in 257 weatherby for 1200

[kukusya]

Model 70 Featherweight in 6.5x55 SE
TC Contender in 308 win

[RadSav]

I have rally been toying with the 257 wby back country. They all weigh about the same at least my spec sheets say so. Another fine choice that will not break the bank. I do not like the vanguard safeties very much. If they had a little thicker barrel profile I would have ordered one last week but they are to thin to thread. So I am going a different route.

The local Sportsman's has a .257 Back Country in stock.  Darn thing yells at me every time I walk by - Buy Me, Buyyyy Meeeee!  Man, I wish it was a 7mm!   Even in a 300 I'm not sure I could resist.

[Taco280AI]

Oh no, if I were to ever get a Weatherby it would certainly be the 2fiddy7

[high country]

I've killed 2 elk and several deer with the 257roy and 100gr tsx's......it's the best point and click 400 yard gun you can find.....imo.

[Damnimissed]

I have a Sako A7 "Big Game" in 270win. I love it. It shoots great, has a smooth action, a B&C stock, and a pretty good factory trigger. Only thing I'd change is the plastic trigger guard and clip. I don't really care about the ease, or lack thereof, of the mag release. If I need more than 4 shots, I need to practice more. At least I know I won't somehow lose it in the field lol

[jdb]

Model 70 Featherweight in 6.5x55 SE
TC Contender in 308 win

cant do a contender in .308

[Alchase]

cant do a contender in .308

Can't or won't,
LOL

[CAMPMEAT]

I have a 700 Mountain Lite Stainless/Synthetic spider web stock or whatever that cool looking design is. ( think that's the name on it ) in 25-06 I bought at an auction, brand new. It's very, very light. It's a $1200 retail gun. I don't know if they make it in different calibers or not. It's friggin' nice. I put a Vortex on it, so it's really cool now.

[pips4bucks]

I've killed 2 elk and several deer with the 257roy and 100gr tsx's......it's the best point and click 400 yard gun you can find.....imo.

Do you mean .257 Roberts?

[Romulus1297]

Call Melvin @ New Ultra Light Arms 304-292-0600. He will answer the phone and you wont have to pay his retail prices advertised on his website.

[Duckslayer89]

I just bought a kimber mountain ascent in 308, mounted a leupold vx3 3.5-10x40mm scope on. It's only a 13 ounce scope, 3 ounces heavier than the leupold 3-9 ultralight and a much higher quality scope. Super light. Haven't sighted in but going to the range within the next few days. It's really amazing once you carry one how light it is! But still feels solid and balanced. I wanted to hear from sum Mountain Ascent owners of there were any on here and how they liked the gun.

[Ingwe]

Weatherby ultra lightweight or Tikka. I have both and like both.

[Duckslayer89]

Went and shot the mountain ascent today. I HIGHLY recommend getting one. Shot extremely well with not much adjustment. Fed and cycled very smooth I couldn't be happier with it so far

[RadSav]

Went and shot the mountain ascent today. I HIGHLY recommend getting one. Shot extremely well with not much adjustment. Fed and cycled very smooth I couldn't be happier with it so far

Did you shoot it with and without the break?  Wondering what kind of POI change there is.  I'd think with the light weight barrel there would be some change.  But very interested in just how much.

[Duckslayer89]

Went and shot the mountain ascent today. I HIGHLY recommend getting one. Shot extremely well with not much adjustment. Fed and cycled very smooth I couldn't be happier with it so far

Did you shoot it with and without the break?  Wondering what kind of POI change there is.  I'd think with the light weight barrel there would be some change.  But very interested in just how much.

u
I only shot it with the break. I read in another forum about how the break is actually more for improved accuracy with a lightweight barrel rather than a reduction in recoil so I decided just to keep it on all the time. But Ya I'm sure there might be some change in POI!

[cohoho]

Kimber Montana is and was my go to gun in .308, on any back pack hunt I previously did in AK...  Super light, go compare with any of the others..  I like it, stainless and plastic stock takes beating and still looks great...  Leupold ultra light scope and a tactical sling make it super easy to carry...

[MP123]

I've killed 2 elk and several deer with the 257roy and 100gr tsx's......it's the best point and click 400 yard gun you can find.....imo.

Do you mean .257 Roberts?

I think he means 257 Roy (Weatherby) not 257 Bob (Roberts) 

I'll second or third the Sako Finlight for mountain use, mines in .308

[Hornseeker]

I handled the ascent a couple hrs ago... Dang... What a nice feeling and amazingly well trimmed gun!! Would love to shoot one!

[kukusya]

Couple of days ago I was looking at Savage Lightweight Hunter in 260 rem. Light as feather, shouldered well too.

[luteai]

Short action x-bolt. (love the 7mm-08 but .308 is more versatile.) A few ounces more to carry, save $800.

[Hornseeker]

Does anyone else hate how the recoil pad on the Xbolt is "sticky"... Every time I bring it to shoulder it wants to hang up on whatever I am wearing, weather its a T shirt or jacket... its too grippy in my opinion and I feel like it could cost me a shot if I had to get up and shoot QUICK... other than that, I LOVE the feel and fit and finish of that rifle...

[Buzz2401]

I have a Kimber Montana and my wife has a Finnlight.  My gun is a little lighter and a little cheaper but the fit and finish of the Finnlight is way better then my kimber.  I love my kimber and would buy another but I would defintely make sure you get your hands on a finnlight before you make a decision

[kukusya]

Did you make your choose?
Want to see what your gun

[pips4bucks]

Did you make your choose?
Want to see what your gun

A former co-worker opened Dakota Creek Guns and Outfitting in Ferndale this year and made me a really good deal on the Sako Finnlight, SS, composite stock, fluted barrel, in .300 WSM.  I picked up a nearly new Zeiss Conquest 3.5-15x44 scope to mount on it for $360.  The scope didn't come from his gun shop though, just to clarify.  I'll pick it up when I get home next month.

[coachcw]

that will work !

[RadSav]

A former co-worker opened Dakota Creek Guns and Outfitting in Ferndale this year and made me a really good deal on the Sako Finnlight, SS, composite stock, fluted barrel, in .300 WSM.  I picked up a nearly new Zeiss Conquest 3.5-15x44 scope to mount on it for $360. 

Very nice   Love that gun!

For the money that scope is outrageous!  I have a few of them and keep kicking myself for not buying more of them when the screaming deals were available.  Super tough, super clear and crisp edge to edge.  No long range dial, but I hardly ever use those on my Leupolds except when target shooting anyway.

That is going to be one sweet Mountain rifle!

[Bill W]

For looks and tradition I'd favor a Model 70 featherweight in a .280 Remington.  Easy to carry and will knock down what it hits.

[Bwana Bob]

Bill
still have your 7x57 featherweight. I still have mine and the 6.5x55 

[klikboom]

Im trying to mount-ify my current mountain gun which is a FN PBR XP in 300 wsm... and it has a weight problem. I was around 11lbs with sling and scope and I carried it all year, many many heavy miles. I had a weaver 3-15x50 on it. I ditched the weaver and put a vortex on it that i had on my AR. The Vortex PST 2.5-10x32. I thought it was pretty light at 18.7oz, sounds like you guys are getting even lighter. I do really like the FFP, mil/mil and illuminated reticle and low zoom for timber hunting near dusk. Anyway, i just ordered a Lilja barrel through Freudenberg's, that alone is going to cost me about the same as the Finnlite but I should be able to trim some serious weight vs the stock heavy fluted barrel. The stock flutes seem to be mostly cosmetic, they are very shallow. The current B&C stock is 2.1lbs so I can shave some more ounces there as well, I'm looking at the Manners Superlight. I want a light stock that has a decent palm swell. I'd reeeally like to be sub 8lbs when i get done, is that where most of you are sitting scoped and slung (unloaded)?

[Bill W]

Bill
still have your 7x57 featherweight. I still have mine and the 6.5x55

Yep,  bought it in 1985 and still going strong.  Hunted with it in October.