Thread: Super light thinking

If ultimate weight reduction is desired making the entire receiver and bolt out of steel will always be heavier compared to just having the pressure bearing parts (i.e. lugs) out of tool steel (maybe titanium?). and then attach them somehow to 7075 aluminium parts. (think hardy hybrid for possible inspiration)

But you really really need to know what you are doing if you want to go that way.

Originally Posted by Tentman

And that is another very important consideration that had slipped my mind, does the rifle carry nicely? Too many of the current batch bottom metals don't, AICS being noteworthy.

That's why I like the good ol' Remington ADL

For those wondering about the essential dimensions of the Howa Superlite action I found this on the Aussie forum "Enough Gun".

Howa 1500 SA & LA 26 x 1.5

Howa 1500 Super Lite 24 x 1.5

Howa 1500 Mini 22 x 1.0

These are the barrel tennon thread sizes. I was thinking the Superlite would be the same as the Mini but apparently not!

6.5 creedmoor tikka t3x, talley rings, leupold 3x9 40. Fusion 140gr if your rifle likes it. Light as. Low recoil. More than 1000 ft/lb energy within 500 meters.

Originally Posted by Tentman

For those wondering about the essential dimensions of the Howa Superlite action I found this on the Aussie forum "Enough Gun".

Howa 1500 SA & LA 26 x 1.5

Howa 1500 Super Lite 24 x 1.5

Howa 1500 Mini 22 x 1.0

These are the barrel tennon thread sizes. I was thinking the Superlite would be the same as the Mini but apparently not!

Is the action itself shorter than a standard SA 1500?

Fast twist 22-250 or .243 either can go up or down in projectiles weight,both can go stupidly fast with mono projectiles. Both common enough components and 22-250 is just good fun anyway.

Originally Posted by makka

Is the action itself shorter than a standard SA 1500?

I don't know, the action screw spacing is supposedly different. I offered up a AICS mag to my mates one and it didn't look like it would work but @Wingman commented later that they do . . . And speaking of which did the chassis he and Rob were working on (for the superlite) come to fruition.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Fast twist 22-250 or .243 either can go up or down in projectiles weight,both can go stupidly fast with mono projectiles. Both common enough components and 22-250 is just good fun anyway.

You've just described exactly what 22 and 6mm Creedmoor are . . .

Originally Posted by Tentman

You've just described exactly what 22 and 6mm Creedmoor are . . .

If I was going down the Super Light path again it would be the 6 Creedmoor or 6mm ARC ( have just started playing with the ARC and have yet to come to a conclusion) the 6mm caliber is a sweet spot now because of modern technology advances in projectiles / Chamberings / Powders / Rifles/ Optics etc etc .
We easily forget and ignore how our world of Rifles have changed in the last two decades.

Throwing in my lot for .308.

I shoot a Kimber MA in .308 22". While I can't say with certainty that it would suit most NZ scenarios, it's performed admirably in every NA scenario I've used it in-- elk in the Rockies, Aoudad hunting in West Texas canyons, to pissing rain in 1º temps in Alaska. As a cartridge, it's hard to beat in terms of availability, cost, and variety of loads. Mileage may very, but my rifle shoots any virtually any 150 gr. factory load of reasonable quality with enough accuracy and consistency for me to be reasonably confident taking a shots out to 300m. If I'm hunting larger/tougher game (as opposed to Texas whitetail), or know I'll be taking longer shots, Nosler Accubond 165gr has been my go to (but not exactly the most economical round to shoot on a regular basis). The gun was finicky with 180gr initially, but performs fine with the heavier stuff after proper break-in and glass bedding.

With scope, rings, 1.5" Arca rail, and factory brake, the entire rig runs about 3.18kg. Recoil is absolutely manageable, as is maintaining sight picture with the right technique. More so when shooting suppressed. I'm almost always shooting supported, either from a bag with lightweight fill on top of my pack, or from a Sirui tripod with an Arca plate if the scenario allows. I've found that maintaining a few pounds of pressure on top of the scope works well for me. I'm also using a bag, binos, or whatever I have available to support my elbow or the butt, which mitigates some of the pitch from recoil. An under appreciated aspect of maintaining sight picture is, IMHO, exit pupil size and field of view. I'm running a 2.5-15x42 scope (more mag than needed most of the time), and it's certainly easier to keep your eye on the target at less than full mag.

I think the 6.5 Creedmoor absolutely could fit your criteria as well, and with the right load would be adequate for most big game applications. It certainly beats out .308 in terms of recoil. That said, owning lightweight rifles chambered in both, I'm more often reaching for the .308 simply for the additional downrange energy it offers.

Originally Posted by Tentman

I don't know, the action screw spacing is supposedly different. I offered up a AICS mag to my mates one and it didn't look like it would work but @Wingman commented later that they do . . . And speaking of which did the chassis he and Rob were working on (for the superlite) come to fruition.

I've designed the chassis judt not the mag area yet. I have an AICS mag here which I'm reasonably confident will work.
Just getting orders for Eludes out the way, then need to do more bottom metal then will do the superlite one.

Originally Posted by robhughes-games

I've designed the chassis judt not the mag area yet. I have an AICS mag here which I'm reasonably confident will work.
Just getting orders for Eludes out the way, then need to do more bottom metal then will do the superlite one.

Are you doing a bottom metal for the superlite?

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Are you doing a bottom metal for the superlite?

Half designed. All a time factor.
Will do to suit factor mag first then maybe AICS

Is there any reason a suppressor (or brake) could not be ported to direct gas upwards thereby reducing muzzle flip?

Originally Posted by robhughes-games

Half designed. All a time factor.
Will do to suit factor mag first then maybe AICS

I'm your first customer, happy to make a contribution to prototyping costs . . . . (I prefer a BM and stock to a chassis!)