There's a certain allure to a lightweight rifle, isn't there? Nobody wants to lug a hefty piece of steel through the woods on a crisp autumn morning, hoping for that perfect shot. The idea of a rifle that's both light and accurate at distance sounds like a dream.
I remember my first lightweight rifle. It tipped the scales at just over 6 pounds, chambered in .308 Winchester. Now, having spent a good chunk of time as a sniper in the military, I'm intimately familiar with the 7.62x51mm round – essentially the military designation for .308. So, I was genuinely surprised by the significant difference in felt recoil when firing that lighter rifle. It wasn't unbearable, mind you, but it was a far cry from the ideal lightweight rifle I had envisioned.
This brings me to the Howa "Carbon Stalker" in 6.5 Grendel. What caught my eye was its promise of balancing extreme lightness with a well-suited cartridge. This combination makes a lot of sense, especially for hunters targeting deer-sized game. You get a rifle that's a pleasure to carry and shoot.
The "Carbon Stalker" lives up to its name, thanks to its carbon fiber stock, which is the primary reason for its svelte profile. The rifle is built around Howa's "Mini Action." It features a slender 22-inch barrel with a 1:8 twist, and the receiver and most of the barrel are nestled within that sporty carbon fiber stock. My test sample, unloaded, weighed in at a mere 4.9 pounds. It's available in .223 Remington, 6.5 Grendel, and 7.62x39mm. For those opting for the .350 Legend, it comes with a shorter 16.5-inch barrel. Sling swivels are conveniently placed on the forend and the bottom of the stock, so attaching a sling is a non-issue. It feeds from a five-round polymer magazine.
What's particularly interesting about this rifle is its "Mini Action." When you unlock the bolt and pull it back, the travel is only about 3.4 inches. Compare that to a Remington 700 short action, which has a travel of about 4.1 inches, or its long action at around 4.8 inches. Howa's Mini Action is perfectly sized for cartridges like the 6.5 Grendel. Its shorter bolt throw and overall action length make it ideal for these shorter rounds, facilitating quicker ejection and faster reloads. You really notice how clean and crisp the ejection is due to that shorter action.
While the .308 Winchester is a proven performer, especially for larger game and longer distances, its effectiveness in a truly lightweight platform can be a trade-off. The recoil, as I experienced, can be a significant factor, potentially impacting follow-up shots and overall shooting comfort. The 6.5 Grendel, on the other hand, offers a compelling alternative. It delivers excellent ballistic performance for its size, with less recoil than the .308, making it a fantastic choice for a lightweight hunting rifle where manageability is key. It’s about finding that sweet spot where the rifle’s weight, the cartridge’s performance, and your shooting experience all align perfectly.
