Help me build my own ultralight rifle

[alaskalanche]

I have my Kimber Montana down to 4 pounds 12 oz and 5 pounds 8 oz or 5.5 pounds with scope/rings/sling.

[elmbow]

I have my Kimber Montana down to 4 pounds 12 oz and 5 pounds 8 oz or 5.5 pounds with scope/rings/sling.

I'd like to hear some details on how you did this. I wouldn't mind losing a little more weight on my .270 WSM Montana, but I'm happy right at 7 lbs with the 325, its 225'ers at 2900 fps pack a punch.

[Jim N]

I would really like to hear about any areas where the Montana's could be lightened without doing something dumb like chopping the barrel or messing up the stock.

Got wind of an aftermarket aluminum trigger guard for the Montana which would shave about 2.5 oz if the info I found is correct. Am traveling in UT this week but will try to find the info on that trigger guard and post it when I return home.

[alaskalanche]

Kevin Weaver in Colorado used my stainless trigger guard as a template for his CNC machine to make aluminum trigger guards. You only save about 1.5 oz not 2.5. The stainless trigger guard is 2.4 oz I believe and the aluminum one is .8 oz. Also had the action skeletonized and had the barrel chopped to 20" as I prefer a 20" barrel after growing up hunting with a model 7 .308 exclusively.

[alaskalanche]

I also have a Browning TI in 325 WSM that weighs in at 5.4 pounds naked and 5.7 pounds with optics on it. Its going to be what I carry for grizzly and black bears this spring.

[Smokepole]

I didn't know Kevin did that kind of stuff with the Montanas, he's got a Kimber re-barrel of mine ready to pick up right now, I think I'll ask him about that. Of course, for shoot-ability (as opposed to "tote-ability") I like my Kimbers right about where they are. The short mag that used to be a 7WSM really had a bark to it, it'll be a little more tame when it gets back with a new 6.5 mm barrel, and it'll be just about right IMHO.

[bobmn]

Alaska: What kind of optics are you using on your .325 WSM that weighs .3 pounds?

[Jim N]

Just ordered up an aluminum Montana trigger guard.

According to Willie @ Coquille Valley Machine Works (541-396-6246) the Montana SS unit weighs 2.74 oz and the aluminum replacement weighs .94 oz ... not quite a 2 oz weight savings. He has versions in both clear anodized and black anodized finishes. $50 each.

I'll let you know what it looks like when the part shows.

[Jim N]

Got the trigger guard today. Weight savings over the SS factory job was about 1.5 oz as Alaskalanche indicated.

Nicely done unit - simple drop-in.

Link to thread on 24hourcampfire.com

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...Trigger#UNREAD