Ultra Lightweight Backpacking Rifle Wanted

[high country]

A montana or rem ti with an edge and a bit of smithery and a tight bedding job would allow you to tear one down with just an allen wrench. Tig a spring catch on the bottom of an ADL box and the stock install takes 15 seconds and you get a truly accurate dependable rig.

Kifaru did a rifle years back that was super light on a steel action, but they chewed a lot of meat out of it.

I wonder if you could get a long barrel for a 329pd and add a grip stock......that's a 28oz starting point.

[jackelope]

Kifaru Rambling Rifle. Forgot about that one.

[mountainman]

Kifaru did a rifle years back that was super light on a steel action, but they chewed a lot of meat out of it.-Kentrek

Kifaru Rambling Rifle. Forgot about that one.

meantioned back on page one of this thread. Great gun, lighrweight, plenty accurate for the first couple shots...and pricey if you can find one!

[Yondering]

I will be putting an 8 oz lightweight Leopold scope on the rifle, wanting the finished rifle/scope combo to weigh 5 pounds or less and hopefully not cost too much since it's going to get lots of rugged use and abuse.

That's actually not too hard to accomplish with an AR. You'd have to build it from parts though, or be willing to spend big bucks for something off the shelf. However sub-4lb ARs have been built by a number of people already. It wouldn't need to be an SBR (short barreled rifle) either, a 16" barrel can be done at that weight without too much trouble.

Several wildcat calibers would fit your needs, or you could go with a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel, doesn't have to be just a 223.

[Kittman]

This one is the one: The Backpacker Scout (SBR)** - Lever Action Package

http://www.grizzlycustom.com/custom_lever_action_rifle_backpacker_scout_sbr_package.html

No bear spray required!

[JDHasty]

Contender with Choate folding stock, .357 Mag. custom barrel rechambered to .357 Max.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=121

[jackelope]

Contender with Choate folding stock, .357 Mag. custom barrel rechambered to .357 Max.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=121

Dale already has that setup in an Encore and a .44 mag barrel.

[carpsniperg2]

My canoe gun for camping trips was a single shot shotgun with the barrel cut to 18 1/2", broken down fit easily in a pack for portages and with a selection of slugs, buckshot and birdshot protected us from large two and four legged predators and kept the pot filled with grouse and rabbits on the trapline, plus just the barrel worked as a well balanced club to dispatch a trapped beaver, raccoon or fox.

This is a great option as well. If dale was ok with slugs and buck shot for bear and not having a scope.

I just finished a project shotgun myself. Took a old 94b 20g single that was 5lbs 10oz and knocked the barrel to 20" and skeletonized the wood stock. Comes in at 4 lbs 15 oz now after painting. Shoots very well with 3 buck and bird shot. Nice light backpack gun. PLUS it takes down in 3 pieces and I can put it together in about 20 seconds with no tools.

Got to pick up a few slugs to try one of these days. You can buy the same shotgun for 80-120 and spend a little time and have a nice backpack gun

[high country]

might as well open the rifle weight a bit if you are good with ammo at 1.5 oz a pop.......thats a pile of .223's.

The kifaru rifle could be duped pretty easy, there is nothing too hard to do there.

[carpsniperg2]

10 shotgun shells are right at the same weight as 20 223 in a p mag. Plus you get a variety of ammo.

Don't get me wrong I love me some 223 but in a survival situation. I would rather have a shot gun with a few types of ammo. few slugs/buck shot for big critters. Then some #6 or so for grouse or rabbits.

[high country]

I'd swap em both for 300 22lr's....

[JDHasty]

Contender with Choate folding stock, .357 Mag. custom barrel rechambered to .357 Max.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=121

Dale already has that setup in an Encore and a .44 mag barrel.

W/light 16" 357 Max barrel or 20" 7-30 Waters or even 30-30 it would be very much packable and the latter two would give him near pointblank range of north of 200 yards and a couple cast SWC loads could be carried for grouse.  Great little cougar & deer rifle.  Using a G2 would knock quite a bit of wight off over the Encore.  I would think a Leupold 4X compact in Aluminum rings would make supper portable.  Even using Signature Zee Rings it would be super light.     

[jackelope]

Contender with Choate folding stock, .357 Mag. custom barrel rechambered to .357 Max.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=121

Dale already has that setup in an Encore and a .44 mag barrel.

W/light 16" 357 Max barrel or 20" 7-30 Waters or even 30-30 it would be very much packable and the latter two would give him near pointblank range of north of 200 yards and a couple cast SWC loads could be carried for grouse.  Great little cougar & deer rifle.  Using a G2 would knock quite a bit of wight off over the Encore.  I would think a Leupold 4X compact in Aluminum rings would make supper portable.  Even using Signature Zee Rings it would be super light.     

I thought we already hashed these options out earlier in this thread.

[jackelope]

Dale- what don't you like about the Encore with the folder on it? Too heavy?

By the time I got it all outfitted it is heavier than I wanted. I am considering shortening the barrel to 16", reducing the diameter of the barrel, and mounting a lightweight Leupold VXII on it. Rather than do all that I thought maybe there are a few other options out there that I should consider first?

Some good ideas have been mentioned, I am checking them out right now, thanks for the info everyone! 

[jackelope]

Dale- what don't you like about the Encore with the folder on it? Too heavy?

By the time I got it all outfitted it is heavier than I wanted. I am considering shortening the barrel to 16", reducing the diameter of the barrel, and mounting a lightweight Leupold VXII on it. Rather than do all that I thought maybe there are a few other options out there that I should consider first?

Some good ideas have been mentioned, I am checking them out right now, thanks for the info everyone! 

You could shorten it, then flute it. Put a little compact Leupold 2-7x33 or something like that on it and knock a fair chunk of weight off of it.

That's more or less what I had in mind. Do you know how much lighter a g2 contender frame is than a pro hunter frame?

Can't imagine it being too much lighter. I don't have a contender but they've got to be close. Maybe a few ounces different?? Maybe JDHasty could weight a contender frame then you could compare.