Hunting rifle weight

[.260 james]

I am wondering what people consider a decent weight carrying all day hunting rifle is. I havegenerally thought 8.5 lbs. was about right in a well balanced hunting rifle for general on foot purposes.
There is a lot of tricks to lighten things here and there on guns nowadays.
I bring this up because I have found an answer to the question , for myself at least. Last season I hunted with a .338 ruger that weighed 9.5 pounds ready to go. I shot my elk at the end of the season carrying a lighter rifle in 7x57 because of laziness. I thought a pound lighter gun was all I was willing to carry on this day.
The truth is I was lazy. And 240 lbs. This season the 7x57 is going elk hunting again( I sold the .338) and I weigh 199. The 40 lbs. of person lost will help me hunt harder and enjoy the long up hill treks easier.
The lesson, don't make your gun lose weight if you are the one really out of shape.

 

[MrMajestic]

You callin' me fat?
Well said, I'm 5'11" 205 lb and would like to lose 15 lb. but have another issue. Arthritis in my right shoulder and of course right handed! The weight slung is what kills me. I can go one day but pay for it for a week! I'll get it replaced when it wears down like a pencil and impales my lungs! ;D

 

[.260 james]

You callin' me fat?
Well said, I'm 5'11" 205 lb and would like to lose 15 lb. but have another issue. Arthritis in my right shoulder and of course right handed! The weight slung is what kills me. I can go one day but pay for it for a week! I'll get it replaced when it wears down like a pencil and impales my lungs! ;D

15 yrs ago I was told my right knee was gonna need replacing and had all kinds of aches and pains. Today I am still achy in the a.m. but once warmed up I can work most 20 yr olds in the dirt. Just saying its all in the mind outlook . I can appreciate shoulder problems also. I started by stretching and using rotation exercises. then moved to light (3LB) weights. Now use 25 lb weights and no shoulder problems.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

As one gets older and/or more out of shape, weight becomes a factor. It also becomes an even greater factor the higher the elevation you hunt. If you are 50YO and putting a working arsenal together, you will appreciate anything featherweight or lighter at the end of the day. You'll appreciate it more with every successive year too

 

[people]

I really like seeing what I shoot at. My current rig is a hefty 18.75ish lbs. I carry that thing all over. Sure it sucks but if the opportunity comes I like the extra range that rifle provides me with.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I would imagine the width of the sling would also make a huge difference in the ability to walk around with it all day. Not to mention having it padded.

 

[bheadboy]

Great subject and love the answers,

from 1974 i used a custom 700 in 300wm weighing out at 9 1/4 for years Yukon moose,griz caribou etc., then 9 yr ago sold it and went to to a 280AI cusotm 9 lb western rig mulie elk etc.

The 2 1/2 years ago had open heart surgery aortic valve by pass and all that stuff, weight had been 220 and is now 200, i am 6'4" and 78 this year.

soldthe 280AI and built a 7-08AI - dropped to 24"bbl fluted and with lighter stock etc 7lb 2 oz. easy carry.

all the rifles built by R W Hart, and all easily shot under .400" with the hunting loads.

i have no problem suggesting a 7lb rifle unless you go mag cal and are recoil adverse.

Bob

 

[K22]

I have a whole safe of heavy barrelled varmint rifles that will shoot tinny tiny groups and I've shot a ton of ghogs with them.

However, as I age I find it increasingly more difficult to haul these monsters around so I've gradually moved towards lighter rifles like the Rem Model 7 and Browning X bolt stalker. With tuned reloads, these rifles are quite accurate and a joy to carry.

Last year I purchased a Tikka T3 Lite stainless in 243 for white tail hunting. If you want a light weight rifle that shoots very well you may want to take a look at this one. Mine shoots expectional well with IMR 4350 and 90 Nosler BT's.

 

[fredhorace77]

I really like seeing what I shoot at. My current rig is a hefty 18.75ish lbs. I carry that thing all over. Sure it sucks but if the opportunity comes I like the extra range that rifle provides me with.

If I am going out at night I will use a AR-15 or a AR-10T fully equipped.

one trick you can try if you want to see your shots hit...or should i say "see the animal react to the shot" is try turning your scope down just a little...i found this out on my little 223...i would shoot at 16x and less and always see the shot hit...i went up from there to bout 24x and anytime i got over 16x with that 223 i would loose the sight picture after the trigger broke..of course this may not be completely do able on the really heavy recoiling rifles..but its worth a try

 

[BigHorn WBY]

Great thread James, thou they don't seem to get it. We use light rifles, got that done. It is our outta shape (much better than any flat-lander 1 week wonder we see) carcass' that are the problem.

Light rifles ain't the total answer guys, Heck' leave your rifle and your pack in the truck, say 20lbs, if you are not conditioned, you ain't gettin up the hill. But then there is plenty of pay and shoot truck hunts for Elk.

 

[people]

That is very good advice