If you built a mountain rifle?

[robescc]

I packed this guy on the high hunt this year.  It weighs 13# as is.  
This summer I am going to build a real mountain rifle.  I a have a remington 700 action that I will use.  Benchmark Barrel in 7mm short mag, jewel trigger, Seekins precision mount and rings, posibly Badger Ordinance detachable mag, Mcmillan stock. Not sure on glass yet.

[JackOfAllTrades]

any thoughts on weight reduction by fluting a barrel?

Jackalope,

You might look into having your factory TC barrel fluted, but I don't think you're going to find many people willing. A fluted barrel is usually a heavy barrel (non-slim contour), that's been fluted to help with cooling and reduce some weight. (only 10%-15% or so) They don't weigh much less if at all than a slim hunting barrel. What they do add is more stability than a slim barrel.

What amazes me is how heavy a TC is when compared to a bolt gun. You might be better off looking for lighter glass, sling, (no comp?), and lighter furnature.

Think of shaving weight off of a rifle that same as building horse power in an engine.

You get 5% increase in power by a good port match and polish. Another 5% by replacing friction rockers and cam with with roller rockers/bearings. 5% by fuel injection instead of carburation. Another 5% by balancing the rotating assembly. 5% by bumping one compression point. 1% by using synthetic lubrcants. 2% by using a lighter flywheel. That 300hp 350chev is now pushin more than 375hp by making changes that by themselves don't do much, but quantitatively they add up to burnouts from your favorite Camaro.

Taking some weight off of a barrel, trimming the action.. a short action, of necessary metal. Fluting the bolt. Using a plastic or aluminum follower instead of a SS one. Chosing an action with a blind box instead of one that takes a clip. Using aluminum scope rings instead off SS rings. Rings that don't require a base/mount. Some beechwood stocks are actually lighter than many composite stocks. Drilling out the butt to reduce weight. Shortening the barrel to 20". There's a bunch of 'little' things to do to a rifle that add up to a lot of weight savings.

I really don't know where you can trim much weight from a TC, Other than maybe a sleeved carbon fiber barrel, drilling out the stock, lighter optics and mounts. There might be places to drill out the action/frame, but that cost could also be detrmental to strength.

-Steve

[jackelope]

Steve-
the 300 barrel on my encore is a 28" bull barrel.
my gun with a 4-12 scope on it, stainless synthetic 28" bull barrel weighs 8.5 lbs give or take a touch given i am weighing it on a bathroom scale.
i just put the 22-250 barrel on it and it is mega light...
24"

[257 Wby Mag]

With the exception of stuff that'll eat ya, this is about perfect. weatherby Ultra Light Weight, 240 Mag, Talley LW's. 3-X9 Ziess. Gun is 5 3/4 bare. Pondering a 3-9x33 Leupy this year to lighten her up more.

[257 Wby Mag]

And if'n I was gonna bear or moose hunt, I'd pack this one. Same rifle, Talley LW's, 4-12 leupy, 300 Roy. Gun is 6 1/4 lbs plus scope and rings, stock and pad do a good job soakin up felt recoil, but she does buck a little.

[JackOfAllTrades]

the 300 barrel on my encore is a 28" bull barrel.

Well in that case, yeah, you've got a lot of weight to lose on that one. Milling or replacing that barrel would make it sweet to pack in the high country.

-Steve

[JackOfAllTrades]

257Wmag.. You 'Shot' those critters outside Washington,... Dint you?

-Steve

[jackelope]

i could buy a used fluted pro hunter barrel for it in the $250 neighborhood or i could have it milled. not sure what that would cost. any ideas?

[257 Wby Mag]

257Wmag.. You 'Shot' those critters outside Washington,... Dint you?

-Steve

Steve, the critters were "shot" in Montucky while buck huntin this year. Why?

[JackOfAllTrades]

You're probably better off buying a fluted barrel. Fluting one.. I'd bet that most machinist/gunsmiths will shy away from that. Remember, the bore is not completely in the center. It is bowed or even spiraled through the axis of the tube. One cut too deep, (the same as on the other side), and the barrel is ruined.

Call TC and see if they offer that as a service? Still as a mountain rifle I don't think I'd want all of 28" either.


257:

Steve, the critters were "shot" in Montucky while buck huntin this year. Why?

Because it's illegal to shoot Badgers here in Wa. Trapped only.

-Steve

[jackelope]

the rifle with the 28" tube is shorter overall than any bolt guns i own(ed)...the a-bolt, the vanguard, the savage. the encores real compact by design. the chamber is part of their advertised 28" length. with the .22-250 24" tube on it now it is wierd short looking. i dig it though.
 

[257 Wby Mag]

You're probably better off buying a fluted barrel. Fluting one.. I'd bet that most machinist/gunsmiths will shy away from that. Remember, the bore is not completely in the center. It is bowed or even spiraled through the axis of the tube. One cut too deep, (the same as on the other side), and the barrel is ruined.

Call TC and see if they offer that as a service? Still as a mountain rifle I don't think I'd want all of 28" either.


257:

Steve, the critters were "shot" in Montucky while buck huntin this year. Why?

Because it's illegal to shoot Badgers here in Wa. Trapped only.

-Steve

Cool, I'll make sure I trap em in Wa, and not shoot em if I ever see one...

[JackOfAllTrades]

257..  If it's knawing on your foot.. Shoot the sumbitz!

Jackalope:

with the .22-250 24" tube on it now it is wierd short looking. i dig it though.

And a 24" TC barrel in either 300wm or say 280rem I bet would be a sweet mountain rifle. Wonder what that would weigh?

-Steve

[Skillet]

I got thru about 3 pages is all and saw no mention of the 30-06?  I know it's not the newest, hottest caliber out there, but damn.  I thought I'd throw my rig into the mix - and if it's already been mentioned, then this is just a "+1":

Model 70 Featherweight Classic
30-06
Leupold Vari-X III 3.5x10 40mm objective
Burris Steel Rings/Bases
Custom sling

That's it.  Long action, yes.  Wood stock, yes (Although I did lighten the stock a bit with some strategic drilling).  Just a touch under 8lbs with magazine loaded & one in the chamber.  I use the Burris steel bases/rings, not because they're the lightest, but because I believe they can take a drop better than the aluminum ones. 

If it hasn't been said before, durability is key in a mountain rifle.  I'd put it second to weight, but it may be a toss up.  If I find myself anywhere I am concerned about the additional 1lb my loaded rifle weighs over the other advertised weights here, I damn well want a rig that is going to work every time - no matter the abuse it might take when I'm 5 mountain miles from the nearest bore-sighting kit.  Very worth the trade-off of an extra pound to me.  My next investment is probably going to be a good lightweight synth stock for it - but I love the look of my gun as is...

[whacker1]

6 pages, and not one person mentioned a carbon wrapped barrel.  I don't have one, but I would consider replacing an existing barrel with a carbon wrapped barrel and fluted bolt.

My guns are no where close to light.  But I would rather drop some weight of the belly than spend $1000 trying to save a 1 lb.