@std7mag I have been scouring the inter webs for a lighter weight left hand rifle in .300 WSM for under $1300, preferably under $1000. My two choices of hand and cartridge and even price makes it difficult. The pickings are slim and even more slim for rifles that are in stock.
I have found a few Savage M110s, from the Storm model to the Ultralight, not many Impulse (it’s heavy at 8.8 lbs though), the Tikka T3X Lite and Lite Stainless, the Browning X Bolt Hunter which is their wood stock model and A Bolt and a Montana Rifle Company on GunBroker (also a woodstock rifle)
I don’t have issues with wood stocks but everyone talks about the all weather capability of a quality synthetic material stock, less warp and cracking.
What I want is a sub 7.5 lb rifle in left hand for those spot and stalk quicker yet ethical follow up shots if needed or ease of running a bolt to safely load the chamber when I see game instead of carrying hot. I want a 20-22 inch barrel that is threaded and capped, but suppressor ready when I am finally able to budget one into my system. Most of those rifles including the Savage Ultra Light have 23-24 inch barrels. (Not sure if one can cut off and rethread a carbon wrapped barrel) I don’t want a super long weapon for the terrain and thick foliage that we hunt in around here in the East. But I don’t want a barrel too short either where I lose too much performance from my cartridge choice.
I might have to eventually go the route that was mentioned and find a reasonable priced used short action like a .308 and order a barrel from Douglas or Shilen since ER Shaw doesn’t have the option for .300 WSM.
This is just a back up plan when I get the budget for it, but I will wait on my Long Range Hunter to return from Savage and go from there. Thanks everyone.