Thread: New ultra lite bush build - your thoughts?

I had two of those light howas in my hands over the weekend at serious shooter.
The buttstocks resonates a bit , but otherwise they seems to be a good product. The action might need to be properly bedded in the stock.

Originally Posted by Makros

Barrelled actions are available via reloaders: https://www.reloaders.co.nz/shop/Fir...k%2016%2012x28

One of those in a larger version of wingmans elude chassis would be right up my alley. Interesting to see if it gets the aftermarket support. Great lw platform

Originally Posted by chainsaw

You might be better off going 708 or 260 or Crudmore for less recoil. All will get you to 300 no problem. Definitely need a suppressor if you going with short bbl

same weight of projectile with same powder charge the .308 will shit on other two for reduced recoil as less resistance down barrel..but there will be NOTHING in it in practical terms..... if you throwing a 125grn projectile for arguments sake there will be nothing at all between 7mm-08 and .308 but you can have option to lob a 180 if using the .308 and it wont need to be going at warp speed to do the job.

Originally Posted by Scott Cowan

Hi guys, I’m planning on embarking on an ultra lite bush build. Yes I have a limited budget so carbon barrel is out lol.
So here’s what I’m thinking:

Howa superlite in 308 1.5kg or less if I shorten the barrel..
Shorted barrel… what length?

Alloy rings - ideas? Weight?

My own custom carbon wrap stock 450g with butt pad. (Why not use the one that comes with it? Well for starters the comb is way way too low, especially due to the rail height and then rings on top. It also has flex. The bottom inletting is also poor and my friend who supplies them has broken mag/trigger plate with 2turns still to go on the action screws… also had 2 stocks he sent back that screw holes were on too much angle and wouldn’t engage the action.

Do I need a bipod? Thinking not but your thoughts?

Leupold vx1 scope 275g

Maniatis alpine suppressor 270g

So we are at an estimated 2.5 kg or there abouts

So if I was shooting that I’d want light projectiles cause I hate recoil.. but this isn’t a target rifle and will only shoot animals, am I being soft?

Are my maths any good?

Other options?

Old school guys would do open sights and no suppressor.. but I want to shoot out to 300 and I value my hearing…

Any last requests?

why not just get a sako finnlight 2 all done no worrys

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

why not just get a sako finnlight 2 all done no worrys

They are very nice but not light mine was 4kg with DPT and scope

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

They are very nice but not light mine was 4kg with DPT and scope

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

hunters these days must be getting soft - we used to lump around cut down 303,s , crappy BSA,s and or Parkerhales never thought about weight - none likely under 7-8 lb - never entered our head to go lighter and what was available anyway -harden up you lot

Just get a dpt there's hardly any difference to an maniatis (both of my alpine lights weighed 285grams and the machining was average at best) in weight but Greg's a pain at times. If you suggest any product but his after you buy it he will reach out getting mad you did. A kimbers a nicer action to do it on in the smaller rifles. My hunter is 2.5kgs scoped with full length barrel a heavier scope than you have suggested. Short barrels lose less percentage wise with heavy projectiles until taken to the extreme and personally I think 308 in a short barrels overrated and definitely over rated in an uktralight. Personally it's hard to beat a 7mm08 or even creedmoor in a short barrel. But of which can be run with a heavy for calibre projectile with good BC at reasonable speeds (not too fast up close which is usually a bad thing) which makes them far more versatile. Also it saves a fair bit of recoil. My 7mm08 now (2 5kgs) is bloody lively and prone shooting its not that fun. That's why I brought a 6.5 Creedmoor which is an identical build but with a brake.

Edit: I don't run a suppressor on extra but am about to cut down the 7mm08 and suppress it.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

hunters these days must be getting soft - we used to lump around cut down 303,s , crappy BSA,s and or Parkerhales never thought about weight - none likely under 7-8 lb - never entered our head to go lighter and what was available anyway -harden up you lot

Used to travel by horse and cart too. Better options these days though aye?

A bush rifle is carried heaps and shot little. Why not have something light and compact if you have the option.

Originally Posted by Nick-D

Used to travel by horse and cart too. Better options these days though aye?

A bush rifle is carried heaps and shot little. Why not have something light and compact if you have the option.

horse and cart - dunno about the cart before my time - but a horse best hunting transport out there bar none - deer dont take to much notice of a horse - but a quad they get used to those real quick and gone - they can get acclimatised if same time each day same route etc but then again a lot of hunters would be better off parking them somewhere handy and quietly stalking on foot - rifle weight maybe some hunters just need to do some press ups -joking

Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

They are very nice but not light mine was 4kg with DPT and scope

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

hells bells my howa .270 with full length barrel,gunworks spartan AND walnut stock is hovering close to 4kgs.... not much light weight about that.

I don’t mind a bush rifle having some weight, I’m more concerned about having it short and easy to handle.

Originally Posted by Bushline

I don’t mind a bush rifle having some weight, I’m more concerned about having it short and easy to handle.

You are on to it Bushline- handling- the best I have ever used in bush was my old 742 Woodmaster in 308 - handled like a good shot gun- so many superlight just to light and barrel floats around trying to get onto target quickly

Originally Posted by Stocky

Just get a dpt there's hardly any difference to an maniatis (both of my alpine lights weighed 285grams and the machining was average at best) in weight but Greg's a pain at times. If you suggest any product but his after you buy it he will reach out getting mad you did. A kimbers a nicer action to do it on in the smaller rifles. My hunter is 2.5kgs scoped with full length barrel a heavier scope than you have suggested. Short barrels lose less percentage wise with heavy projectiles until taken to the extreme and personally I think 308 in a short barrels overrated and definitely over rated in an uktralight. Personally it's hard to beat a 7mm08 or even creedmoor in a short barrel. But of which can be run with a heavy for calibre projectile with good BC at reasonable speeds (not too fast up close which is usually a bad thing) which makes them far more versatile. Also it saves a fair bit of recoil. My 7mm08 now (2 5kgs) is bloody lively and prone shooting its not that fun. That's why I brought a 6.5 Creedmoor which is an identical build but with a brake.

Edit: I don't run a suppressor on extra but am about to cut down the 7mm08 and suppress it.

I have a Kimber Hunter 6.5CM and have been thinking about another Hunter in .308 cut to 16 inch.
So interested in what you are describing with the 6.5CM in a short barrel - do you think cutting my Hunter to 16 inch is feasible for deer out to 400m?
Sticking with the lightweight theme if I don’t buy another rifle then I got splurge on an Oceania Defence titanium suppressor or ??

Ive owned a few creedmoors now in various lengths so speaking from experience, if you cut them short it does hurt the velocity alot more than some other cals like .308, so if your wanting to shoot to 300+ that may play a factor depending on projectile choice.

My current bush setup is a tikka t3x in .308, cut to 16" with a hardy compact on it, & a leupold "creedmoor" reticle scope on top, Talley aluminium rings. Not sure what it weighs but its not heavy by any means and really nice to carry and use. It shoots 151gr Absolute Hammers at just on 2850fps & they are awesome killers. The reason for using the "creedmoor" scope - ballistics with the 151gr hammers line up pretty close with the creedmoor reticle, so i dont have to piss round dialing on any longer shots if i need to take them. Zerod at 100, next mark down is spot on at 200 & 3rd mark down is a touch low at 300. For the places i hunt with this rifle im not shooting any further than 300 so works perfect for my intended use.

Originally Posted by Nick-D

Used to travel by horse and cart too. Better options these days though aye?

A bush rifle is carried heaps and shot little. Why not have something light and compact if you have the option.

Yep, my Finnwolf was a lardy-arse lump to carry (still is) and I’d end up with an aching inner right elbow from carrying it while bush stalking but got the job done BUT I frequently pondered on ways to lessen its weight noticeably, back then all I could do was trim off the cheek piece (I’m left handed) and cut back the fore-end plus got the barrel trimmed a little, result? I couldn’t tell the difference.
These days I’d do it differently.