- Banned
- #1
JWP58
WKR
SLBMR = Super low budget mountain rifle.
So after lugging around my awesomely effective but heavy TC Venture 308win around on my aoudad hunt, I started looking for a lightweight rifle. I started looking and discovered that super lightweight rifles are super expensive (just like packs, bags, tents, whatever). I then put the idea away, until I looked at a Howa Alpine rifle in 6.5creedmoor. I really liked it, but not the price tag. Then I remembered Howa came out with a mini action in 6.5 Grendel (with a #1 contour barrel). I've been interested in the Grendel ever since Mark Larue reported his experience using the cartridge on a 5x5 bull elk at 405yds (one shot kill, through and through with a 120 barnes tsx..or ttsx I cant remember). It should do what I need at ranges I shoot for the critters I hunt.
I bought a barreled action from brownells for $407. It came in at 3.10lbs. I then figured out that I put the cart before the horse. The only stock options I had for stocks was an MDT LSS chassis (not going to happen) and a Boyds laminate stock (super pig at 3lbs...but cheap). I contacted a few custom stock makers, Pendleton, MPI, Mcmillan, and Manners. I quickly discovered this would be uncharted territory and expensive as no high end company makes a stock for the mini. I would be fine being a guinea pig, but not for 600+ bucks (especially if the weight comes in way over). I found a take off Hogue knockoff that Howa sells with the mini action on ebay and won it for 28 bucks. I decided to just try and mod it and turn it into what I want.
^^ Barreled action with magwell/mag
^^Ebay stock, which I have already chopped over two inches (2oz) off the forend (I epoxyed the end cap back on so it wouldn't have an open end)
Cut off chunk of forend
I plan to rasp and sand (already started rasping before cutting down the forend) the stock to reshape it to my liking. The stock as it comes does the petite mini action a disservice because it feels like a 2x4...or 2x6 even.
I had considered having the barreled action cerakoted, but unfortunately at this point in my life Ive discovered usually if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. I don't have a paint gun, booth, or oven. I'm still trying to decide what I want to do for a finish. The stock will be OD green with black webbing. The barreled action might be titanium grey, or I might just say F' it and use FDE Krylon.
Right now weight is at 4.94lbs. The stock is 29.45oz and I hope to get it to 26oz before paint. The scope mounts will be Talley lightweights and the scope will be a Leupold VX1 2-7x33 (lr duplex).
Sorry for the long post. Follow ups to come.
So after lugging around my awesomely effective but heavy TC Venture 308win around on my aoudad hunt, I started looking for a lightweight rifle. I started looking and discovered that super lightweight rifles are super expensive (just like packs, bags, tents, whatever). I then put the idea away, until I looked at a Howa Alpine rifle in 6.5creedmoor. I really liked it, but not the price tag. Then I remembered Howa came out with a mini action in 6.5 Grendel (with a #1 contour barrel). I've been interested in the Grendel ever since Mark Larue reported his experience using the cartridge on a 5x5 bull elk at 405yds (one shot kill, through and through with a 120 barnes tsx..or ttsx I cant remember). It should do what I need at ranges I shoot for the critters I hunt.
I bought a barreled action from brownells for $407. It came in at 3.10lbs. I then figured out that I put the cart before the horse. The only stock options I had for stocks was an MDT LSS chassis (not going to happen) and a Boyds laminate stock (super pig at 3lbs...but cheap). I contacted a few custom stock makers, Pendleton, MPI, Mcmillan, and Manners. I quickly discovered this would be uncharted territory and expensive as no high end company makes a stock for the mini. I would be fine being a guinea pig, but not for 600+ bucks (especially if the weight comes in way over). I found a take off Hogue knockoff that Howa sells with the mini action on ebay and won it for 28 bucks. I decided to just try and mod it and turn it into what I want.
^^ Barreled action with magwell/mag
^^Ebay stock, which I have already chopped over two inches (2oz) off the forend (I epoxyed the end cap back on so it wouldn't have an open end)
Cut off chunk of forend
I plan to rasp and sand (already started rasping before cutting down the forend) the stock to reshape it to my liking. The stock as it comes does the petite mini action a disservice because it feels like a 2x4...or 2x6 even.
I had considered having the barreled action cerakoted, but unfortunately at this point in my life Ive discovered usually if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. I don't have a paint gun, booth, or oven. I'm still trying to decide what I want to do for a finish. The stock will be OD green with black webbing. The barreled action might be titanium grey, or I might just say F' it and use FDE Krylon.
Right now weight is at 4.94lbs. The stock is 29.45oz and I hope to get it to 26oz before paint. The scope mounts will be Talley lightweights and the scope will be a Leupold VX1 2-7x33 (lr duplex).
Sorry for the long post. Follow ups to come.
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