Looking for a lighter carry rifle

[Jon54]

I've been trolling for something lighter to carry when I hunt a long way from my truck. I've been pondering a Ruger American or a Savage Axis. I don't get to hunt much so I don't want to spend a lot. I was considering either a 243 or 7-08. I'm now thinking about the 6.5 Creedmore.

If you were choosing between the Ruger or Savage, which one and why?

 

[keystonecop]

If you truly want a light rifle, try the Ruger American in 300 Blk Out.
It's light and and easy to carry. Only has a 16 inch barrel. If you hand load you can load some of the barnes 110 gr bullets and they have about the same ballistics as a 30-30. Also it's a great kids/Grandkids of wife gun.
It has virtually no recoil and if the hearing protection act passes you can get a can for it since it comes with a threaded barrel
Now don't get me wrong I'm a Creedmoor fan to and I love my Ruger American Creed.
The stock is the only downfall of that gun
I'm sure you will get more opinions on this but this is my opinion.
Hope this helps.

 

[EastTNHunter]

I've heard great and bad things about both rifles. If you buy one you may end up with a tack driver or one that shoots 2"+ groups. It may cycle fine or it may be gritty and have cartridges hang up out of the magazine. I think the biggest complaint out of all that I have heard is inconsistent quality for the above mentioned reasons.

 

[CharlieTN]

I switched last year from a heavy barrel Remington 700 to a TC Venture in 7mm-08. Love the gun. It's light, roughly 7 lbs with the scope. Shoots great, .8" 100 yard groups with handloaded Nosler E-tips. The Venture is a step up from either the American or Axis. For a bit more money you get a lot more rifle. Great trigger that is adjustable, much, and I do mean much better stock. The bolt is smooth, feeding flawless. Don't regret the extra expense at all.

 

[DaveB]

I have 2 Savage Axis and 3 T/C Venture rifles.

All but one are excellent shooters. The 308 I am still looking for that perfect combination.

When I searched for a rifle that wouldn't kill me going up and down the California, Colorado, and Utah mountains I found claims about weight advantages to be somewhat exaggerated. By far the best solution was a back-pack that would carry the rifle securely. I found having both arms swing free and the pack adjusted so the weight was evenly distributed was the key. Another thing I really liked was to stand in my hunting room area completely dressed in hunting clothes and the pack to check for balance, weight, and so on. I went up and down stairs until I got everything right.

 

[thetoolman]

CVA Compact Hunter you can get in 7mm-08 or .243 for relatively cheap.

 

[JimFromTN]

You don't mention a price range. Rem model 7's are light rifles with a very good reputation. There is also the rem 700 mountain rifle. I have a rem 700 in 270 with a manners stock which is the lightest rifle I own. The stock weighs 27 ounces.

 

[jejeffrries71]

Thought about a Marlin 1894? I have an older one that I beat the crap out of. Not a big gun and kind of compact. I think it is out there in a .44 as well. My S&W 686 with 8 & 3/8" is almost like a rifle. On my butt, elbows on my knees, I feel pretty sure with it.

 

[Riverday]

Get you either a 7mm08 or 6.5 creedmoor... I have a Mossberg 7mm08 and it's light and i just got a Savage 11/111 6.5 creedmoor , it was the package deal with Nikon scope, Savage has a 75 dollar rebate until Dec. 31, 2016... be sure and look at that 11/111 really a great gun with all you get...you can get this gun for around 490.00

 

[280longshot]

I carry a Winchester featherweight when I want to go light..

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[TNRifleman]

Tikka Compact in 7-08 Can't imagine you will find a rifle much lighter than this.

 

[280longshot]

Tikka Compact in 7-08 Can't imagine you will find a rifle much lighter than this.

This is also a great choice as it has a 20" barrel , this is what my daughter shoots... great little rifles.

 

[280longshot]

Got a pic this morning.

Best little woods gun in 7x57 mauser.

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[LanceS4803]

Tikka T3 Lite
Every time I get this out of the truck, I amazed at the weight. And that is with a medium weight Leupold VX-6 scope on it.
Pure joy to carry.

 

[vixty]

Huge tikka fan here. I have a 16" tikka lite and love carrying it around.

 

[wsm]

I have a x-bolt SS barrel,fluted and carbon fiber stock in 308 that is a great carry rifle.Have a Zeiss conquest on it .

 

[mr.big]

I have a couple Model 7 `s and they are very light and compact,,I can carry them by the grip in my right hand pointed straight down and the mzl is just below my knee,,the 18.5 inch walnut/blued 6mm Rem with a 6x36mm Leupold is as quick pointing as you could want and shoots real tight,,

Ethans Model 7SS 308 with 20 inch bbl and 3-9 Conquest is very very light and I have killed deer over 400 yards with it,,

I really like the CDL/Mountain rifles better though as the longer bbls give better ballistics,,
I have a Win Classic Featherweight 270 WSM that is very nice rifle but is heavier than my 26 inch custom barreled 700 BDL 25-06,,

if I was looking for a new light rifle and shots werent gonna be over 300 I would look long and hard at CZ`s new 527 American 6.5 Grendel,,

 

[280longshot]

I have a couple Model 7 `s and they are very light and compact,,I can carry them by the grip in my right hand pointed straight down and the mzl is just below my knee,,the 18.5 inch walnut/blued 6mm Rem with a 6x36mm Leupold is as quick pointing as you could want and shoots real tight,,

Ethans Model 7SS 308 with 20 inch bbl and 3-9 Conquest is very very light and I have killed deer over 400 yards with it,,

I really like the CDL/Mountain rifles better though as the longer bbls give better ballistics,,
I have a Win Classic Featherweight 270 WSM that is very nice rifle but is heavier than my 26 inch custom barreled 700 BDL 25-06,,

if I was looking for a new light rifle and shots werent gonna be over 300 I would look long and hard at CZ`s new 527 American 6.5 Grendel,,

The CZ in 6.5 Grendel???? Who has one for sale?

 

[EastTNHunter]

I just bought a Tikka SS Lite in .338WM and am super impressed with the weight, balance, and quality. I haven't had a chance to shoot it too much, but I hear that they are very accurate.

 

[mr.big]

I have a couple Model 7 `s and they are very light and compact,,I can carry them by the grip in my right hand pointed straight down and the mzl is just below my knee,,the 18.5 inch walnut/blued 6mm Rem with a 6x36mm Leupold is as quick pointing as you could want and shoots real tight,,

Ethans Model 7SS 308 with 20 inch bbl and 3-9 Conquest is very very light and I have killed deer over 400 yards with it,,

I really like the CDL/Mountain rifles better though as the longer bbls give better ballistics,,
I have a Win Classic Featherweight 270 WSM that is very nice rifle but is heavier than my 26 inch custom barreled 700 BDL 25-06,,

if I was looking for a new light rifle and shots werent gonna be over 300 I would look long and hard at CZ`s new 527 American 6.5 Grendel,,

they are scheduled to be available in the 1st quarter 2017
The CZ in 6.5 Grendel???? Who has one for sale?

 

[PillsburyDoughboy]

Model 7 or Win Featherweight !! Both great choices .


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[deerchaser007]

I have heard alot of complaints on the Axis trigger, but the Axis 2 has the accutrigger, so if go with savage I would for sure get the accutrigger, it's awesome. The Ruger American is a nice gun. My brother has small arsenal and just about any rifle a man can think of, he has got to where he only carries his Ruger American cause it feels and handles so well. The trigger is very nice, and it would be my choice of the 2 mentioned. The compact they have now is VERY nice for what you looking for.
But, if you save alittle more money, hands down the Tikka T3 or the superlite is better, at around 6 lbs, you cannot beat them for carry and accuracy out of the box.

 

[280longshot]

I have a couple Model 7 `s and they are very light and compact,,I can carry them by the grip in my right hand pointed straight down and the mzl is just below my knee,,the 18.5 inch walnut/blued 6mm Rem with a 6x36mm Leupold is as quick pointing as you could want and shoots real tight,,

Ethans Model 7SS 308 with 20 inch bbl and 3-9 Conquest is very very light and I have killed deer over 400 yards with it,,

I really like the CDL/Mountain rifles better though as the longer bbls give better ballistics,,
I have a Win Classic Featherweight 270 WSM that is very nice rifle but is heavier than my 26 inch custom barreled 700 BDL 25-06,,

if I was looking for a new light rifle and shots werent gonna be over 300 I would look long and hard at CZ`s new 527 American 6.5 Grendel,,

they are scheduled to be available in the 1st quarter 2017
The CZ in 6.5 Grendel???? Who has one for sale?

Copy!

 

[rdj]

I have the ruger american predater in 6.5 creedmoor, and its by far the most accurate rifle ive owned, my son also ha the ruger american in 308 and 300 blackout and their both shooters as well.

 

[7mm08]

I have a couple Model 7 `s and they are very light and compact,,I can carry them by the grip in my right hand pointed straight down and the mzl is just below my knee,,the 18.5 inch walnut/blued 6mm Rem with a 6x36mm Leupold is as quick pointing as you could want and shoots real tight,,

Ethans Model 7SS 308 with 20 inch bbl and 3-9 Conquest is very very light and I have killed deer over 400 yards with it,,

I really like the CDL/Mountain rifles better though as the longer bbls give better ballistics,,


Copy copy on the CDL Mountain Rifle. 7mm08

 

[PillsburyDoughboy]

Rifles seem to come and go in cycles . There for awile it was big and heavy bean field rifles in heavy magnums calibers. Then we hit a short action magnum craze .

There will always be a market for the standard sporter or light weight rifles because in the end most hunters want less weight to pack around .


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[Jon54]

I've got a Browning A-Bolt Stalker with Boss is 7 mm Rem Mag that rarely leaves the house. My current carry is a Ruger M77 Mark II in 270. I bought a laminated stock for it which is beautiful. It added weight. Right now, I'm leaning towards a Ruger Predator in 6.5 Creedmore. But also trolling for a lower priced used rifle.

 

[280longshot]

I've got a Browning A-Bolt Stalker with Boss is 7 mm Rem Mag that rarely leaves the house. My current carry is a Ruger M77 Mark II in 270. I bought a laminated stock for it which is beautiful. It added weight. Right now, I'm leaning towards a Ruger Predator in 6.5 Creedmore. But also trolling for a lower priced used rifle.

I always look to purchase something that will hold it's value and a nice wood stock with deep bluing will always get your attention. Nothing wrong with finding something used cause you have another year before you'll need it. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Riverday]

Look at the Savage 11/111 in 6.5 creedmoor a lot more you can do with it as a build than the Ruger Predator also the Reviews on the Savage are better...i just got one of the 11/111 for xmas...great gun with a better bolt safety and trigger , just a better rifle...

 

[smalljawbasser]

I have a kimber Montana in 30-06 I'd part with. It's been bedded, mag box relieved, and it shoots 1" with a variety of 180gr bullets. It weighs 5.5lbs and is generally considered the finest lightweight rifle this side of a NULA. Pm if interested.