Any one have one? Looking at getting a Model 11 in 308. 5.5 lbs. Looking to build a light rig.

Back when I last looked at them I didn't like the blued and wood. I do believe they have a stainless and synthetic version now. My guess is that they would be a good shooter if you like the ergonomics. I would also want some owners to give the actual weights. They may be 5 and a half pounds but sometimes manufacturers estimates are a good bit off.

I would think the competition would be a Tikka Superlight, the ones with the fluted barrel only sold at Sportsman's warehouse and Cabelas. Barrett is also coming out with a really nice 5 lb light weight but it is way up there at $1700. Cooper also has a new one in that price range. Then three's the Kimber,which is nice unless you get one that isn't. Howa also makes a light weight. I really don't see much in competition to the Savage except the Tikka in that price.

Yep I've been researching them a lot the last few weeks. The blued/wood combo looks good to me, and I have seen reviews which claim it weighs in around 5 lbs 10 oz, which is what they list for the synthetic/stainless version in 308. I looked at the Tikkas and Howas also. I'll have to check out Cooper and Barrett. Kimber, on the other hand, I've researched a lot. They have a version of their mountain ascent in stainless with a moss green synthetic stock that comes in at 4 lbs 13 oz, but it is around $1800 and has to be ordered, could take months. And I too saw the off review of terrible accuracy, even with their Sub-MOA guarantee.

I've always owned Savages, and most likely will buy a 11 LWH sight unseen for better or worse, just wanted to see what the forum's thoughts were.

Savage Pros:
20" Barrel
Better Looks (IMO)
Price (~$715)
Availability

Savage Cons:
Pencil Thin Barrel
Detachable Mag
Toughness in Regards to Blued/Walnut

Kimber Pros:
Removable Muzzle Brake
Stainless
Weighs Roughly 13 oz Less

Kimber Cons:
22" Barrel + 1.5" w/ the Muzzle Brake Installed
Price (~$1800)
Availability

The Savage in stainless/synthetic can be had for around $625, but if I'm getting the Savage, I actually like the look of the blued/walnut.


The problem is my main carry rifle right now is a Savage 116 Stainless/Walnut 338 Win Mag that with scope comes in over 11 lbs. Just too dang heavy for stomping around the woods. I struggle to keep it aimed when viewing deer in the woods even from stands unless I'm in a shooting house. I'd like to keep it the way it is and make it a shooting house/elk trip gun, and get something on the complete other end of the spectrum. It has a 3-18x44 VX-6 that is 20 oz. If I get the LWH or Kimber I'm going to top it with the 2-12x42 VX-6, its only 5.4 oz heavier than the 2.5-8x36 VX-3i. That Kimber with that scope on it would be nice....but I may regret not having that 3/4 lb of the Savage in regards to kick. But then again the Kimber has the muzzle brake to help with that. Decisions decisions...

Most of the 308 Kimbers owned by guys I know shoot very well. You might have to bed it,shorten a mounting screw and the mag box if it is binding but it is a real nice platform.I think if I went that route,I would look for a used gun just under $1000 so even if I rebarreled it I would still be right at the $1700 that Barrett wants.

I have a Kimber Montana in 7mm-08 and a Forbes in 270. The Forbes is a real shooter with no work.I had to bed my Kimber and shorten the mag box but it shoots good now. Recoil is not a problem with either of mine. The stock design and good recoil pad cause me to feel recoil less than same caliber guns I've had that were considerably heavier.

I think if I really wanted a light weight shooter,I would just bite the bullet and order a Barrett or Cooper,unless the non bolt locking safety is a deal breaker for you. I don't know the Cooper weight but the Barrett is exactly 5 lbs in 308.If you really want light weight,that 10 oz difference is quite a lot,but still a long way from your 11 lb rifle.

Here's some info on the Barrett.
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11197217/3

I'm saving for one in 6.5 Creedmoor.

This is a bad ass lightweight rifle! I have been toting the 7mm08 for the last couple years. I enjoy the accutrigger , fluted bolt, and nice walnut stock. It fits and points well. Carrying a heavy rifle through the woods is overrated!

You won't have to worry about recoil from a .308 kimber. I'd do like Clark said and buy a used Montana instead of a mountain ascent though. I chopped my barrel to 20" and put the exact same scope on it that you're thinking of putting on one. It weighs 5lbs 2oz naked. You could actually put an aluminum trigger guard and a skeleton bolt handle on it and get it to to just about the same weight as a mountain ascent. I don't know how a fella could have a finer all around lightweight rifle.

It shoots pretty decent too

I put the Titanium bolt and Aluminum trigger guard on my Montana. If the platform means anything to you, there isn't anything better than the Kimber Montana. Honestly,I don't worry about bad accuracy reports with the Kimber Montana. Even if they came without a barrel, the action and stock alone is worth $1000. You are getting one of the finest stocks in the industry, a CRF action with a 3 position model 70 safety and an incredible trigger very similar to old model 70 in its simplicity.

Most of those bad accuracy reports come from people without the ability to shoot a light rifle from the bench.Then look at why you are buying a Montana. I use mine in the way I assume the OP is interested in using one,as a woods gun. It's a nice light gun for me to carry when I want to do a lot of walking-exploring somewhere like the Bankhead. I honestly don't need it to shoot MOA at 400 yards. Nobody ever complained about the accuracy of a 30-30 lever action, though most I have shot were 2-3 MOA or so at 100 yards. People carry a lever 30-30 because they are light ,handy woods guns. To me the Montana is a lot more of the same,much lighter, and even handier. It is also plenty capable of 400 yard MOA in the right hands. I know someone will post sub MOA 30-30 lever targets, but the point is that the way I use mine a 70 yard shot is a long one.

Here's a couple pictures of groups with factory ammo from my Montana after I did the things I listed before.

Average size



Worst of the day, still 1"



Best of the day. First one I shot, cold.




I was adjusting a scope during those targets. I did put some in the dot at the end.

Wise words Mr Clark. For the money the Montanas are the finest mountain rifles ever made.

A Montana chopped to 20" will prob be flirting with 5 lbs? Hmmmm..

Also considering the Adirondack with 18" barrel. Kimber sells the brakes for them too.

You can do that, I wouldn't though unless I found a really good deal. it would be cheaper to chop one and change the bolt handle and trigger guard. You should still save about $400 going that route from what Kimber is asking for the Adirondack. I also see no reason to chop one shorter than 20". I wouldn't even do that until I saw how it shot. I'm not really considering the brake though because I see no reason for it. I would be willing to bet the 308 would kick less than your 338,even as light as it is.Honestly,my 7mm-08 has less felt recoil than a Sako 243 I have that is 2 lbs heavier. Personally though,I would rather have the 6.5 Creedmoor. Nothing wrong with the 308 but Creedmoor factory ammo is just as good and inexpensive right now,but that's just me.

The thing with the Adirondack is that if I didn't like the 18" barrel blast.I would have no choice but to replace it. With one 22", I could try that for a while than go to 20" and then 18" if I wanted at about $80 every chop. I might go 18" with a suppressor,but that would be the only way,I think.

Just under if you replace bolt handle and trigger guard.

How far are you from Double Springs Chris? If you ever want,you are welcome to meet me at the range there and try my Montana that is finished at 6 lbs and my Forbes that is finished at just under 7 lbs.

much wisdom in this thread ...

I just bought a 7-08 off campfire that has been chopped to 19" and has an aluminum trigger guard and a mountain ascent skeletonized bolt on it. It's at my ffl I haven't went and picked it up and weighed it yet but I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't just under 5 lbs.
I'm gonna have it chambered to a 7-08 AI to try to gain back the little bit of velocity it may have lost from being chopped to 19". Totally unnecessary I know but I just like fooling with rifles.

Yeah I'd prefer to stay at 20" or over. It will be a woods and scouting gun for sure. I'm in SE AL, about 30 mile from FL and 15 miles from GA. I appreciate the offer though! No where down here has any Kimbers that I've found yet. Or the Savage LWH for that matter.

I've got an itch to buy a 7-08 or 308, have it chopped to 20" and send it to JES to be bored into a 358 Win. I know a guy that did one with JES and the barrel is large enough if you cut it back to 20". I have zero need for it but I have an itch for some reason to fling heavy bullets from a short light gun when hunting in the thick stuff.

Mr Clark how much does it cost to have a barrel re-bored? I'm about to turn a 243 into a 338 federal but I was just gonna put a new PacNor barrel on it

Please call me Randy,if you like. If I remember accurately it's just over $300, might have been about $270, but call to make sure. I'm fairly sure that includes any chamber work too, whatever is needed to load it and shoot your new caliber.

http://www.35caliber.com/3.html

Got an inquiry out with a distributor on that moss green mountain ascent...I may be able to get one for about $300 more than a new Montana. At that I think its worth it, and I like the green stock.

Got a luggage scale (cool little thing on Amazon, $8) that you can hook to the sling and lift a rifle up to get an exact weight. My 338 weighs 10.38 lbs, and my 270, which I considered much lighter, came in at 9.64 lbs (it has a heavy boyd's stock on it and a heavy bushnell x50 scope). My Savage FXP64 22LR (semi auto) with Bushnell 2-7x32 came in at 7.08 lbs.

By my calculations, with the VX-6, alumina covers, talley lightweight low mounts, and a lightweight sling the Savage LWH will come out to (assuming 5 lbs 12 oz...4 oz heavier than Savage claims) 7 lbs 3 oz. The Kimber MA would come out to 6 lbs 4 oz. After confirming the weight of my 22, I really would like it to come under that, which leaves me at the Kimbers. The Montana, un-modified, would be around 6 lbs 9 oz.

Woah.....can get it with a 2-12x42 VX-6HD...

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/kimbers-subalpine-mountain-rifle/