Lightweight sheep rifle

kw12 · #1 12-05-2019, 12:34 PM

I’m soon pulling my trophy sheep tag and am in the market for a nice lightweight rifle. Not sold on any brands or calibers. If you guys had 1500 to spend on a lightweight rifle what would it be? I know it’s a lot of personal preference and how it fits the person but just looking for some different ideas I might not be considering.

Thanks

sns2 · #2 12-05-2019, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw12

I’m soon pulling my trophy sheep tag and am in the market for a nice lightweight rifle. Not sold on any brands or calibers. If you guys had 1500 to spend on a lightweight rifle what would it be? I know it’s a lot of personal preference and how it fits the person but just looking for some different ideas I might not be considering.

Thanks

Kimber Montana. Case Closed.

Redrider · #3 12-05-2019, 12:56 PM

Remington 700 mountain in .270, mine with a 2.5x10x40 Nikon, sling and five rounds, and a Jewel trigger, is 8 pounds 3 oz, about 1500 all in..

Kurt505 · #4 12-05-2019, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

Kimber Montana. Case Closed.

^^^This. It’s probably more than $1500, but if you got one of those in a 280ai you’d be set.

old dog · #5 12-05-2019, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw12

I’m soon pulling my trophy sheep tag and am in the market for a nice lightweight rifle. Not sold on any brands or calibers. If you guys had 1500 to spend on a lightweight rifle what would it be? I know it’s a lot of personal preference and how it fits the person but just looking for some different ideas I might not be considering.

Thanks

Is the 1500 for rifle and scope or rifle alone

Manning74 · #6 12-05-2019, 01:57 PM

Kimber montana, 7mm08 rem

Prairiekid · #7 12-05-2019, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

Kimber Montana. Case Closed.

I heard there was accuracy issues with some of the lighter Kimber's? Maybe that's all fixed now.

Edit: Did a bit of research. It looks like those issues are mostly solved. Where do guys even find those things in Alberta?

Scopithorne · #8 12-05-2019, 02:03 PM

I owned a kimber that you were lucky to get a 16 inch group at 100 yards with I sold it quickly and personally would never look at another in that price range I think a sako a7 soft touch would be really hard to beat I have one in a 270 that is shooting sub 1/2 MOA with hand loads

Pathfinder76 · #9 12-05-2019, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

I heard there was accuracy issues with some of the lighter Kimber's? Maybe that's all fixed now.

Edit: Did a bit of research. It looks like those issues are mostly solved. Where do guys even find those things in Alberta?

It’s a tidal wave in a tin cup. The 7mm barrels were supposed to be the problem. My family has three. No problems there.

Kurt505 · #10 12-05-2019, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

I heard there was accuracy issues with some of the lighter Kimber's? Maybe that's all fixed now.

Edit: Did a bit of research. It looks like those issues are mostly solved. Where do guys even find those things in Alberta?

I’m sure you can order one through Clay at Prophet River.

Another one I would consider is a Barrett Fieldcraft.

Highcountry · #11 12-05-2019, 02:13 PM

Browning x bolt 300wsm with a Leupold 4.5-14x 40 cds

cowmanbob · #12 12-05-2019, 02:13 PM

Add a few extra dollars and go first class. A Barrett fieldcraft is what you’re looking for

kw12 · #13 12-05-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old dog

Is the 1500 for rifle and scope or rifle alone

For just the rifle.

kw12 · #14 12-05-2019, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

Kimber Montana. Case Closed.

That was my original thought and figured that I’d go over budget if I needed too I would just like to try and keep it around 1500

Dean2 · #15 12-05-2019, 02:38 PM

For 1500 I would seriously look at the Weatherby Ultra Light in 257 Bee. Mine will easily do 1/2" 3 shoot groups with Weatherby Select Ammo. (the cheap stuff at $48 a box. It is actually about the same price as new brass.) More than enough gun for Sheep and goats.

If you can find a used one or borrow a New Ultra Light Arms, that is what I would be using and what I use for my go to hunting rifle. 6 lbs complete with 3.5x18x44 Swaro Z5 scope, sling and 4 in the mag.

http://newultralightarms.com

koothunter · #16 12-05-2019, 02:59 PM

Buy a Tikka, and use the extra money on something else you want. Your accuracy gains from spending more money are not noticeable.

Dean2 · #17 12-05-2019, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koothunter

Buy a Tikka, and use the extra money on something else you want. Your accuracy gains from spending more money are not noticeable.

Very good advice actually. Compeltely forgot about Tikka. The T3 Lites are hard to beat weight/accuracy wise and relatively inexpensive. I know I have really liked the 2 or 3 I have owned.

360hunt · #18 12-05-2019, 03:37 PM

To stay in your budget.....

If buying new Sako A7 in 270wsm.

If possibly used. Then a Belgium browning in 264 win mag.
Just saw beauty crown grade sell for $1200

brewster29 · #19 12-05-2019, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koothunter

Buy a Tikka, and use the extra money on something else you want. Your accuracy gains from spending more money are not noticeable.

A T3x Superlite, Talley mounts and a Leupold VX3i in 4.5-14x40 CDS will easily weigh in at under 7.5 lbs. The entire rig in stainless should be doable for $1800 with a bit of shopping around.

Tikkas seem to all have the same barrel contour, so larger bores weigh less than smaller.

You give up some snob appeal, but get a rifle as accurate as you can ever use from field positions. It is not a NULA, but should shoot as well as one.

raw outdoors · #20 12-05-2019, 04:46 PM

You can pick up a tikka 6.5x55 stainless used for $700-800. Put leupold backcountry rings and a leupold scope. I like the VX5 hd 3-18x 44. But that might be out of your total price. I have a couple custom rifles and the tikkas work just a nice. And you don’t feel so bad when a rock scratches the rifle.

freeride · #21 12-05-2019, 05:01 PM

Tikka superlite.
I had the cheaper kimber hunter... it was an early model that had issues, although I think those have been fixed or so I hear. I sold it bought a tikka... I am happy
Although if the kimber didnt have issues... man she was nice to look at and carry...

markg · #22 12-05-2019, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewster29

A T3x Superlite, Talley mounts and a Leupold VX3i in 4.5-14x40 CDS will easily weigh in at under 7.5 lbs. The entire rig in stainless should be doable for $1800 with a bit of shopping around.

Tikkas seem to all have the same barrel contour, so larger bores weigh less than smaller.

You give up some snob appeal, but get a rifle as accurate as you can ever use from field positions. It is not a NULA, but should shoot as well as one.

I dont understand the love in for the leupold CDS? I would go with a mark 5 HD

changes in temp pressure and altitude render the cds dial useless. Change the bullet type or grain weight CDS become useless. heck change the powder lot and loose or gain 50 fps and the CDS become useless.

I would just got with tactical turrets and a proper ballistics program on your phone and have a vastly better shooting solution.

I would echo your recommendation of Tikka. I have done a few builds on Tikka actions and they are wonderful firearms. My current F Class rifle is built on a Tikka CTR action in a 6.5x47 Lapua

I have had luck with stock Tikka rifles that have shot sub moa. You might want to consider the CTR special editon in a 308 or 6.5 Creed they are up in price right now but you see them on sale under $1500

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/10609...tactical-rifle

tony d · #23 12-05-2019, 05:11 PM

Kimber Montana done deal

wind drift · #24 12-05-2019, 06:09 PM

This will likely be met with howls of derision, but how about a $400 option that leaves even more $s for optics, etc.?

I bought my son a Mossberg Patriot Cerakote in 6.5 CM. Much to my surprise, it has a lot of the attributes one might value in a sheep rifle: light, weatherproof, reliable, more accurate than I expected (less than .75 MOA for 3-shot groups with the only 2 types of factory loads used with it thus far) and inexpensive enough that if it gets scuffed up, it won’t cause tears. I would buy a spare mag (also inexpensive) and take it in the backcountry without hesitation...and I have a Kimber Montana also.

Weird, huh?

waldedw · #25 12-05-2019, 06:36 PM

Weatherby vanguard first lite, accurate, light, weatherproof, can't ask for much more and available in everything from 240 up to 300 WM, and as they say" bob's your uncle "

brewster29 · #26 12-05-2019, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markg

I dont understand the love in for the leupold CDS? I would go with a mark 5 HD

changes in temp pressure and altitude render the cds dial useless. Change the bullet type or grain weight CDS become useless. heck change the powder lot and loose or gain 50 fps and the CDS become useless.

I would just got with tactical turrets and a proper ballistics program on your phone and have a vastly better shooting solution.

I would echo your recommendation of Tikka. I have done a few builds on Tikka actions and they are wonderful firearms. My current F Class rifle is built on a Tikka CTR action in a 6.5x47 Lapua

I have had luck with stock Tikka rifles that have shot sub moa. You might want to consider the CTR special editon in a 308 or 6.5 Creed they are up in price right now but you see them on sale under $1500

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/10609...tactical-rifle

I certainly would not argue with your choice of the Mark 5 scope...but it surely will cost a lot more than the VX3i. CDS dials are not that expensive...

Regarding accuracy: sub MOA should be a cinch.
My T3 lite in .223 has turned in a number of surprising 3 shot groups in the .2-.3" range at 100m. Seems to love Hornady 55 SX bullets. My 7-08 T3 lefty and my friend's T3 in 30-06 both shoot .75" pretty easily.

There is also quite a number of cool aftermarket trinkets for the T3- like titanium and carbon fibre bolt knobs, Ti recoil lugs and shrouds, and lightweight Wildcat stocks if you wish to shave a few more ounces off (figure $75-100 per ounce!). You can personalize your rifle as you please.

Young-gun · #27 12-05-2019, 07:05 PM

Christensen arm Mesa

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ram crazy · #28 12-05-2019, 07:15 PM

I have Kimber Montana's that I bought for both my boys and they shoot good. I have a couple of mountain ascents, but the rifle I go to when I sheep hunt is my Remington Titanium. If you can find one of them you'd be set.

pikeslayer22 · #29 12-05-2019, 07:38 PM

I have a Remington titanium in 7 Saum I would part with

Kristopher10 · #30 12-05-2019, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt505

I’m sure you can order one through Clay at Prophet River.

Another one I would consider is a Barrett Fieldcraft.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

Add a few extra dollars and go first class. A Barrett fieldcraft is what you’re looking for

I have to agree. My Fieldcraft weighs about 6.5lbs with scope and bipod. Bit more money, but boy is it a treat to carry in sheep/goat country.