Lightweight Sheep Rifle

[Kev1973]

I had posted earlier about my planned 2022 Dall Sheep hunt. I am wanting to get a new rifle to take along with my bow. I have pretty much decided on 280 AI as the caliber, just not the brand of rifle yet. I have narrowed my choices to Kimber, Christensen Arms, or going full custom. I have been talking with Lex from Rifles Inc and am leaning that way. I really want to stay at 6 pounds max on bare rifle weight. I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions yall may have. Thanks in advance

[csmith936]

Apr

[RdRdrFan]

Don’t rule out the Cooper Backcountry. After looking at all options I was going that direction for my sheep rifle until I stumbled into a deal on a different rifle. IMO it is the best production offering available.

[bphillips]

I had posted earlier about my planned 2022 Dall Sheep hunt. I am wanting to get a new rifle to take along with my bow. I have pretty much decided on 280 AI as the caliber, just not the brand of rifle yet. I have narrowed my choices to Kimber, Christensen Arms, or going full custom. I have been talking with Lex from Rifles Inc and am leaning that way. I really want to stay at 6 pounds max on bare rifle weight. I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions yall may have. Thanks in advance

West Texas Ordnance. You're welcome


The rifle I had built for mine is 6.4lbs bare and 7.9lbs scoped and loaded. It points well still and isn't too light to take long range. (my sheep was at 515yds).

The rifle weight was the least of my worries once everything was on my back.

[Stick1]

Lex knows sheep rifles for a fact. Melvin at NULA makes a fine example as well. That said, we built a full sized sub 6lb 28 Nosler for JeffPG on here that is an absolute hammer. You may be able to find some pics on here by looking up his posts.

[RR 314]

Lex knows sheep rifles for a fact. Melvin at NULA makes a fine example as well. That said, we built a full sized sub 6lb 28 Nosler for JeffPG on here that is an absolute hammer. You may be able to find some pics on here by looking up his posts.

Lex and NULA are good choices. APR as well. Mark Bansner makes a great rifle for (everything as well as) sheep. See if you can find an Ultimate Ovis used from Bansner. I still kick myself for selling my .300 WSM from Mark.

[Stick1]

Lex and NULA are good choices. APR as well. Mark Bansner makes a great rifle for (everything as well as) sheep. See if you can find an Ultimate Ovis used from Bansner. I still kick myself for selling my .300 WSM from Mark.

Totally forgot about Bansner. He may be the best of the bunch.

[XR650RRider]

I'll 2nd the Cooper Model 92 back country. 92 oz with 1/2 MOA guarantee. Trigger Tech trigger. Around $2900.

[az2tx]

Years ago when Lex was still in Utah he built me a 300 Ultra that weighed 4.75 lbs bare, it was a shooter for sure about .6 MOA. It was a pleasure to carry but not to go plinking with

[Kev1973]

Thanks for all the info from everyone. Will definitely check out all the suggestions. I had forgot about a few of them as well.

[SabreKiller]

Always wanted one of Lex's Lightweight Strata rifles in 6.5X55. I jut never did pull that trigger.

I've been sheep hunting and if I was going to do it again that's the route I would go. Bansner would be my second choice.

[meltingfeather]

Full custom and a production rifle are kind of opposite ends of the spectrum.
The Kimbers are nice if you like the Mauser action and the Mountain Ascent is 5lbs. 10oz. out of the box for about $1,700.
You'll get more rifle for the $4k-$5k the other options you're looking at will set you back. The Christensen won't get you under 6 lbs. if that's a priority.

[MadHatter]

Years ago when Lex was still in Utah he built me a 300 Ultra that weighed 4.75 lbs bare, it was a shooter for sure about .6 MOA. It was a pleasure to carry but not to go plinking with

****!! What was the spss? You know like, how many shots per shoulder surgery .

[kck]

Totally forgot about Bansner. He may be the best of the bunch.

Robert,

I know what the problem is here. You're apparently selling your rifles for half price. Bansner does build a nice rifle though.

[az2tx]

****!! What was the spss? You know like, how many shots per shoulder surgery .

I'm not recoil sensitive at all, but I think the noise with a brake was worse