Thread: Super light thinking

Considerations for an optimun cartridge for a super light hunting rifle that would suit most NZ hunting scenarios:

Low recoil to enable one to spot ones own shots, and to keep the rifle pleasant to shoot

Have an extensive range of suitable projectiles available to give choice if the first options don't shoot

Have enough energy to ensure projectile performance/expansion up to 500M

Economical to feed

And what else?

7mm08 or 308

Something 6.5.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

7mm08 or 308

I would add a 6.5 to that for the low recoil

Originally Posted by Tokoroa Cast Projectiles

I would add a 6.5 to that for the low recoil

Possibly .243 out to 500m...Actually pretty much anything on the 08 case as mentioned so far. Possibly add in the 260 rem or the 6.5CM or thow in a 6.5x55 but it will require a long action on most rifles. But my preference would be 308 due to popularity and ease of supply for ammo.

My thinking is turning more and more to the 243. About to get one for my sons first centrefire, so looking forward to testing that. Spotting shots with a lightweight .308...yeah not sure about that. My .308 is lightish rather than super light, and recoil is too much for spotting. Could be set up or user of course.

I think spotting your shots is counter productive to having a light rifle that sends a decent weight projectile at velocities that enable kills to max hunting range say 400 meters for a good rifleman in the field.

Learning to shoot a light rifle in a calibre x 51mm case takes practice. Seeing my fall of shot has never been consistent in .260 to .308W.

If I know I can consistently shoot my light rifle well for hunting purposes spotting my shots is less important. Selecting my shots is.


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@Tentman you probably already have a rifle in an optimum caliber.
It maybe just needs to go on a diet and have a scope swap

What do you mean by economical to feed?

22 Creedmoor, 22GT or 22BR would probably be the lowest recoiling cartridge you can get without sacrificing performance too much.

I'm sure some people would take a shot with 223 out that far buy for most people it wouldn't be recommended.

22BR would be a very efficient use of power and barrel life is reported to be ok, 22 Creedmoor should have factory ammo from Hornady soon but barrel life is going to make it expensive to shoot if used on the range at all.

Basically anything between 22BR and 6.5x55 would be where I looked. Depending on what was more important between recoil, barrel life, ammo cost would dictate which one I went for.

Muzzle device will also have a big impact on overall weight and recoil.

I've thought about rechambering my 18" 1:8 223 too 22CM for a dedicated hunting rifle, so I guess that's my answer.

I went down the super light road a while ago , but I was soon looking for the off ramp .
The shoot ability just wasn’t there , it’s amazing what a couple more pounds does to a Rifles handling and comfort when it comes time to shoot .
A heavy Rifle is a pain to carry , a super light Rifle is a pain to shoot
The middle ground is where it’s at .

If you are going truly superlight (like a Kimber or lighter) I can tell you from experience that you will really struggle to see the fall of the shot with anything larger than 243/6mm Creedmoor in that platform despite the fact kimber stocks are actually excellent at mitigating recoil. As mentioned above shooting a light rifle well under field conditions does take good technique. In my opinion super light rifles are best suited to rifles of 243/, 22/250 class especially if you have to take any rushed shots where your form/ technique might not be perfect. Suitably twisted 243/6mm creed, 22-250/ 22 creed will do 500.

6.5 creedmore

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Define super light...? It's not hard to get a T3/x under 3kg suppressed and scoped etc.

Haha. Most of ya's are falling into the trap of "jumping to the conclusion" whereas just now we are in "problem definition mode" . . . Which is the best way of solving said problem.

For me seeing the animal after the shot has gone is the biggie, and some of the comments have highlighted the relationship this has with "stock design" . . . an often overlooked aspect of a rifle build, just looking fashionable (for whatever era) doesn't necessarily get you there! Kimber stocks have been mentioned, what else works really well on reducing muzzle flip and torquing in super light stocks?

Originally Posted by akaroa1

@Tentman you probably already have a rifle in an optimum caliber.
It maybe just needs to go on a diet and have a scope swap

I need to go on a diet! Big time. But where's the fun in that haha.