Lightweight 300 Win Mag

[John18]

I’m looking at nosler mountain carbon, proof research elevation and Christiansen arms ridgeline titanium. Anyone have any experience or recommendations which to choose?

 

[Tra3]

What is the intended purpose of the rifle? All around hunting or a mountain hunt?

I ask because I have hunted a fair amount with a Kimber mountain ascent in 7 mag. I find those three and the Kimber to be similar.

 

[gillettehunter]

I have the Ridgeline in .300 WM and .30 Nosler. Nice rifles. Seem to be reliable. I have a friend that has helped set up and dial in loads for around a dozen of the Ridgelines, mostly in the .300 WM. He really likes them. He says they all will shoot 1/2 inch groups at 100 when set up properly. Having said that if you want a lightly used one with a bedded rail on it just PM me.
Bruce

 

[BeeMaa]

The Kimber Montana is listed at 6.75# in 300WM.
It's stainless/synthetic with a 26" threaded barrel.
They are selling on GB for around $1200-1400.
Seems like a pretty awesome mountain rifle set up to me.

The Christensen Ridgeline is about the same weight and cost around $1800.
The Nosler M48 Carbon is more than double that price and weighs 6#.
You will have to determine how much you are willing to spend to shave less than a pound.

If you are looking for a "proper gentleman's" mountain rifle...
Might I suggest Krieghoff Hubertus or Blaser K95.
Quite nice, but also quite pricey.

 

[Major Khan]

How about a Winchester Model 70 chambered in .300 Winchester magnum , with a synthetic stock ? It only weighs 7 pounds 4 ounces.

 

[Tra3]

Another factor to consider: if the .300 WM is going to be used for prone shooting, make sure to consider bipod weight. I am a big fan of Harris bipods. They are very durable. When hunting in western USA I use a bipod for shots over 150 yards. A Harris bipod will weigh 14-20 Oz. So an ultralight rifle, with a good scope for longer range shooting and a bipod is still going to get into the 9 lbs range. My Kimber is 8 lbs 8 Oz with scope and no bipod. Add a Harris and I am at mid 9 lbs.
My blaser R8 is 7 lbs 5 Oz without the scope or bipod. The scope (20 Oz) scope mount (6 Oz) and blaser Carbon bipod (5 Oz)will bring it to the same weight.
If you go with a carbon bipod and one of the rifles you are looking at, you should be in the mid to low 8’s. Not a lot of difference.

so, if weight is the primary goal, make sure to go all in with light scope mounts, a simple and very light scope, and a carbon bipod.
I bet you know all of this considering the quality of rifles you are looking at.

Due to a scope failure on my Kimber this last fall year I used my son’s Kimber hunter in 6.5 CM. It weights 7 lbs with scope and no bipod, or 8 lbs 4 Oz with bipod. The weight difference was only slightly noticeable.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have a titanium 270 that weighs less than 6 lbs and with a scope and sling, right around 7 lbs. The recoil is pretty sassy for a 270. I personally wouldn't want a real lightweight rifle in 300 WM, but to each his own.

 

[BeeMaa]

I have a titanium 270 that weighs less than 6 lbs and with a scope and sling, right around 7 lbs. The recoil is pretty sassy for a 270. I personally wouldn't want a real lightweight rifle in 300 WM, but to each his own.

Not a rifle I would look forward to shooting while prone.
Wanna make sure you are back off that scope for sure.

 

[AB2506]

I have a Kimber 8400 Montana in 300WSM. 6lb3oz. Leupold vx3 2.5-8x36 11.4oz. Talley LW mounts 4oz. Total weight is 7lb2.4oz.

I load 168gr Barnes TTSX at 3100fps. Even with my Harris 9-13in bipod and my sling attached, shooting from the benchrest is a handful.

I have shot it from prone and other positions in the field and there is no issue with recoil. The exception is if it is frosty and I am not careful where I position my forward hand. In those conditions the hand can slip and the bipod mount slams back into the fingers. Quite a reminder to be more thoughtful on hand position. I use the bipod to protect the rifle when crossing fences, posing for pictures etc. The rifle is never in the dirt or the snow. It comes in handy if a prone shot is possible. After 36 years, it is what I am used to. I'm lost without it.

I don't really want a 300 lighter than this.

 

[Chago]

Fierce firearms.... Everything you want and need from a accurate, long range, light mountain gun.

 

[John18]

I did look at fierce but I ended up with a proof elevation rifle, it just just felt right in my hands.

 

[Ridgewalker]

John 18, my Tikka Lite SS is very accurate. Reasonably priced and pretty light. It’s easy to carry in the mountains of Colorado even for a 155 lb over 70 guy.

 

[YancyW]

I don't have any experience with those rifles, but I do have a couple of Cooper Model 92 rifles. They are about 5lbs without a scope and damn accurate. The one I have in 280ai is well under an inch with nearly every single round put through it.

 

[CAustin]

Six pound Ruger Compact Scout on the M77 frame! This one is in 308. Would get the job done!