Going budget rifle...opinions

[44maghunter]

I have what I think would be in interesting conversation piece. As a new out west hunter with one western hunt under my belt I am looking at setting up a rifle more suited to the spot and stalk methods of western hunting. That being said I am building a custom gun set up just for this in the near future.
The idea I have in my mind though for fun is taking a rifle that I got for nearly nothing through some wheeling and dealing, and turning it into a lightweight gun that would thrive for western hunting. The rifle is a mossberg patriot chambered in 30-06, and topped with a vortex viper hs scope. The rifle has proven very reliable, and I consistently can shoot moa with this rifle. Also the more I dig into it, it is actually a decently light platform.
So if I was to sink a little money into this via a stock upgrade, cerakote, change the scope out for a smaller, lighter leupold, and put a muzzle brake on it ( I'm not afraid to admit I'm a little recoil sensitive ) I think I could get this gun right around the 7lb. mark scoped, maybe even a little lighter.
Any thoughts or opinions on this?
Again this is more for fun and to see your thoughts, but if it ends up making sense I would actually build this rifle

 

[Apollo117]

I think it's a good idea and definitely doable. Do you know if the Mossberg uses the same action screw spacing as one of the more major rifle actions? I mean, does the Mossberg use the same action screw spacing as say a Rem 700? I have no clue, but if it does then you're in luck with finding a lightweight aftermarket stock.

A lightweight Leupold will definitely help. You may want to look into shortening the barrel too. An 18" barrel on a 30'06 doesn't give up much, but it will reduce weight and make the rifle slightly easier to carry.

If you decide to proceed with this project, please give updates!

 

[44maghunter]

Yes I forgot to put shortening the barrel in my original post but I would go between 18" or 20" and I am not sure on the action screw spacing yet, I have heard they are similar to Howa but I haven't verified that yet

 

[TauPhi111]

There are several rifles out there that are Howa actions (Weatherby Vanguard, S&W 1500) but I can't remember the is Mossberg is one of them. If they are, then there are several ultralight stock options out there. The barrel chop will definitely help too. I'd go 20".

 

[44maghunter]

I am trying to research and figure out if it is howa or not. I know the action itself definitely is not howa, but I've read a few sources that state the action bolts are the same spacing. The stock is definitely going to be the limiting factor on this build. I'm hoping I can find something that works as I think this would be a cool project, something you don't see every day that's for sure

 

[rayporter]

go for it!!

 

[JWP58]

I would leave it as is, or get a lightweight scope/rings and call it good. I would then determine what you really want and go from there. Having multiple rifles isn't a bad thing, right tool/right job.

 

[44maghunter]

I would leave it as is, or get a lightweight scope/rings and call it good. I would then determine what you really want and go from there. Having multiple rifles isn't a bad thing, right tool/right job.

I already know what I really want and am building it.
This Mossberg would just be a fun side project to see what can really be done with a budget gun for dirt cheap, I got this gun for almost nothing so I don't mind putting a little money into to have some fun.
I may very well end up just leaving it, I just posted this up to see any cool ideas or thoughts on it

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

A 7 lb .30-06 with a shorter barrel that shoots well is the ideal rifle in my book. If you like the gun I wouldn’t worry about resale and spending some $ on it, but I wouldn’t dump so much into it that you could have bought something better either.

I put a removable brake on my .30-06 to make it more enjoyable sighting in and working up loads off the bench, but the single best thing I did to overcome my propensity for flinching was spending a lot of time behind my .223. I was sighting in and working up loads with my muzzleloader last week, and the recoil from a 6 lb gun pushing a 300 gr bullet is very unpleasant, especially working your way towards 20 rounds. Even though I was grunting curse words after each shot I didn’t have any issues with flinching.

 

[skaldugwas]

Shortening the barrel will make it louder, something to think about if you are battling the flinch.

 

[44maghunter]

A 7 lb .30-06 with a shorter barrel that shoots well is the ideal rifle in my book. If you like the gun I wouldn’t worry about resale and spending some $ on it, but I wouldn’t dump so much into it that you could have bought something better either.

I put a removable brake on my .30-06 to make it more enjoyable sighting in and working up loads off the bench, but the single best thing I did to overcome my propensity for flinching was spending a lot of time behind my .223. I was sighting in and working up loads with my muzzleloader last week, and the recoil from a 6 lb gun pushing a 300 gr bullet is very unpleasant, especially working your way towards 20 rounds. Even though I was grunting curse words after each shot I didn’t have any issues with flinching.

If it took a ton of money I definitely wouldn't do it, that would defy my whole purpose so no worries there. And I do practice with smaller calibers often as well. And I totally agree with you on the ideal gun

 

[44maghunter]

Shortening the barrel will make it louder, something to think about if you are battling the flinch.

I can deal with the noise, it's my shoulder that is the problem. Injury from my younger days as lol. It's not terrible, just I can feel an average weight 30-06 after about 8 rounds, then it starts getting unpleasant

 

[44maghunter]

Little update. The action is not even close to the Howa. The action itself is actually very similar to a remington 700 but it has a WAY smaller action bolt spacing. I've contacted a few companies and nobody makes anything for an aftermarket stock for this rifle. So I ordered mossbergs factory synthetic stock and it arrived yesterday. While the stock did shave off almost 1/2 pound from the walnut stock currently on the rifle, it just wasn't what I was looking for...was plenty rigid feeling, but at the same time just felt not right, so I am returning it.

 

[DangerRanger]

sorry your'e hitting road blocks. That is very easy to do when building off anything other than 700 and tikka actions. I was in a nearly identical spot with a savage.

 

[44maghunter]

sorry your'e hitting road blocks. That is very easy to do when building off anything other than 700 and tikka actions. I was in a nearly identical spot with a savage.

Yea I figured it was going to be tough, this is exactly why my "actual" rifle build is off of a tikka action. The mossberg is great as is for a wi deer gun so if I cant make this happen it's really no skin off my bones. Just thought it would be cool and different and a fun little project.
Either way this gun will be harvesting some meat so it's a win no matter what