I have the Sako S20 in 300 Win mag. I’m from Colorado and hunt mule deer and elk. After throwing my Sig Sierra 6 scope, rings, arca rail and bipodI’m sitting around 12 1/2 lbs with my Banish Backcountry suppressor on in it. Super accurate, but on the heavier side for hiking all around the mountains. I also have a Browning in 300 win mag that comes in at 9 lbs. Really it just comes down to how much hiking you are going to do, and what you are willing to carry. I also reload so I have everything from a 125gr bullet for antelope up to 195gr bullet for elk, and am not limited to what is available on the shelf for my ammo selection.
That being said, I’m waiting a year or so to see what happens with the 7mm Backcountry. I love the potential to get into a shorter barrel with a suppressor that produces the higher velocities that you get with a longer barrel.
Hi Jim, I did the Canadian to USD conversion wrong, it’s actually closer to $2100. I’m currently talking to a friend within a gun shop here and looking at a fierce rifle.
I wish I had a donor action so I could build on a hnt26 platform, that’s the dream; but, it’s out of my price range for now.
With the price update of a few hundred bucks does that change anything?
Hi Martin, that’s a good point about just going down in grains when running a 300 win mag. I took my first deer last season with my 6.5 creedmoor at 250yrds (double lung) and the damage was pretty extensive; so, sometimes when I think about using a those types of calibres on a deer there must be some pretty serious internal damage? Oh, also I did the Canadian to USD conversion wrong, it’s actually closer to $2100 my budget.
Well, 7 may be a challenge and 9 is probably doable, but will depend on the size of the optic. You may really need to think on exactly what you intend to do with the weapon.
Rifle design is gonna drive starting weight: 6-7.5 lb range generally means thinner steel barrel or locks you into a carbon fiber (which drives up cost)
Scope size = more weight: 40mm vs 44 vs 50mm objectives // and magnification you want to hunt // smaller objectives save weight // a crystal clear optic like a Night Force 10x is plenty to hunt with through 600 yards.
You need a buddy in the US to buy the gun for you. I’m seeing the Fierce Rogue 300 Win Mag for 1999.00 US and it weighs in at 6lbs.
For the price you probably can get into a nice Tikka and scope for that budget. My hunting buddy loves his Tikka/Vortex rig. The issue with Tikka is a lot of last year’s models don’t have a threaded barrel. The new 2025’s come with threaded barrels but I haven’t seen the new retail prices on them yet.
For me bullet construction is key when hunting big game. I primarily use Nosler Accubonds and Long Range Accubonds on elk and deer for the penetration factor. If you don’t reload you are kinda pigeon holed into what bullets and loads you can get, so you might want to use a certain bullet, but the manufacturer’s load doesn’t shoot well in your gun. Just something to think about down the road as reloading opens up a whole new world of rabbit holes to go down.
My Browning comes in a 9lbs 6oz, with optics. When I add the suppressor that I have it comes out just shy of 10 lbs. I use both of these when I know that I’m probably only going to be hiking 6-10 miles in a day. If I know that I’m going to be hiking for sure more than 10 miles in a day, I grab my Styer 308 with a shorter barrel, but even it comes in at 8lbs 10oz without a suppressor.
Will, take a look at the Benelli Lupo, has a synthetic stock, comes in 300 Wiin Mag, threaded barrel, and weighs 7.5. The writeups I have seen and youtube are pretty favorable. Euro Optic has them for 1400.00.
I live in SE Alaska and I’m looking for something very similar. I have a Bergara Crest Carbon on the way, but Sportsman’s Warehouse has the steel barrel model for $1,750. 7.2 pounds without an optic, 22” barrel,
Seekins PH2 lists for $1600 and just sub 7 lbs. Now that they’re releasing the ph3, have to wonder if some companies will start to offer discounts on the PH2
My suggestions would be not in any specific order :
Seekins PH line - Great customer service and never had a Seekins that didn’t shoot
Savage 110 Ultralite - Well under budget. It’s a $500 stock with a $1k barrel.
Waypoint 2020 - I’ve seen nothing but good things from these. The one i shot did very well with boxed ammo
Sig - I found a used Cross and did a Proof Research carbon re-barrel in 308win. WOW. Gun cost me $900 and the barrel was $1k. Gun is at 7lbs without optic. I know you’re looking for 7PRC or similar… their new Sawtooth line is sick. If you can find a used one in that caliber i’d jump on it. Sig is 10min from my house so i try to pop over there when they have new offerings.
Something to note - all these rifles ive shot and thought were worth the money. But none were in the calibers you’re looking for. Just wanted to make that transparent.
Very soon, the Sako 90 Finnlight will be available in North America, which is a bit cheaper than existing Sako 90s; I think it is supposed to MSRP 1999, where pre-existing models (Hunter, Varmint, Quest, etc.) are more like 2500+
This rifle should be a hit, and the price is super attractive for such a fantastic gun. I’d take this over the S20 personally.
good points! Even if a buddy did buy it for me down south the cost to bring into the country + the “principal” I think would exceed the cost to just buy here. If I was a citizen though that would be awesome since you guys have such a good second hand market
thanks for the suggestion! I’m really wanting to get away from the tradition grip and something more verticle. I’m finding it interesting that no one is mentioning Fierce