Reducing Rifle Weight

[Off in the Bushes]

Where is the best bang for you buck when trying to reduce the weight of rifle? My hunting rig currently weights just under 10lbs.

[Nyksta]

Remove a bipod if you have one on there

[Dick284]

How about a picture of your set up, it’s kinda hard picking culprits without a couple pictures.

[fps plus]

Barrel contour / length
Stock
Scope / mount

[double gun]

Stock is best bang for buck. Wildcat composites, most blanks are 17-19oz.

[marky_mark]

Buy a new one
You’ll spend a fortune shaving ounces

[1899b]

Make yourself stronger and fitter....

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by 1899b

Make yourself stronger and fitter....

That’s a Texas sized 10-4.
It’s probably easier and cheaper to shed 10 pounds on your person, and increase your level of fitness, compared to shedding a pound in rifle weight.(that’s coming from a guy who could shed that in triplicate or more)

All that aside:
Things like losing a bipod.
An ammo sleeve.
And going to a ultra light sling, and moving to light weight mounts, and a reduced weight scope, are pretty easy.
A stock change, is next.
Followed by altering the barrel length/contour, which leads to the might as well buy something else category.

[Pathfinder76]

Light rifles are a preference for sure. Some like them, some hate them, some shoot them well and some don’t, but a pound and a half or more in the hands is a lot and will make a difference.

Bottom metal is huge for weight loss, stocks are huge for weight loss, scopes are huge for weight loss, barrel contour can be, barrel length less so. Receiver configuration is enormous as well, but that means a brand new direction.

[brewster29]

It is usually a lot cheaper to buy a lightweight rifle than to modify an existing or build. For example, it would be impossible to build something like a Kimber Mountain Ascent for what they sell for.

[SuperCub]

Originally Posted by brewster29

It is usually a lot cheaper to buy a lightweight rifle than to modify an existing or build.

Right!! ..... Sell the 10 pounder and buy a T3 with a small scope. Easy done and cheaper.

[Pathfinder76]

Unfortunately a Tikka T3 is not really light. But it is lighter than 10 lbs.

[Deer Hunter]

Originally Posted by chuck

Unfortunately a Tikka T3 is not really light. But it is lighter than 10 lbs.

Light? Ultra light?
Is there a fine line?
Why don’t you show us what is best.

[Pathfinder76]

There is no best. Just preference and unfortunately the OP hasn’t mentioned his target goal.

[SuperCub]

I like to be about 7# scoped. Some are more, some are less depending on how I want to use them.

[Off in the Bushes]

Originally Posted by chuck

There is no best. Just preference and unfortunately the OP hasn’t mentioned his target goal.

I don't have a goal in mind. Just aiming at some reduction by picking the low hanging fruit first. If you know what I mean.

[Nyksta]

Originally Posted by Off in the Bushes

I don't have a goal in mind. Just aiming at some reduction by picking the low hanging fruit first. If you know what I mean.

Still waiting on a photo or a description of what you currently have. Kind of hard to help without any idea of what your starting with...

[lannie]

Originally Posted by Off in the Bushes

Where is the best bang for you buck when trying to reduce the weight of rifle? My hunting rig currently weights just under 10lbs.

I would remove scope, stock, sling etc. so you have disassembled rifle. Weigh scope and then find substitute scope that is lighter and you will have weight saving and cost before spending any cash. Do this with the stock, then sling, bottom metal etc. You will then have very accurate costs for the weight reduction before spending a dime. No guessing and you can decide if you should just buy a new rifle or continue with your reduction plan.

[Mateo]

the only advantage to a lightweight rifle is when carrying it...... I have a backpack style sling for my rifle and it makes a huge difference. just came back from hunting New Zealand and the other hunter had a lightweight kimber that gave him tired neck and shoulder after hiking up and down the alpine slopes with a shoulder sling. My rifle is a heavy rifle but i'm in good shape and the extra weight of my rifle lets me get a bit more stable in those awkward shooting positions that mountain hunting can out you in.

[Don_Parsons]

I waited for a sale on rifles to drop the weight,,, I ended up buying 3 rifles because of the discount.

I kept 1,,, and gave the others out as gifts. Ha.

Light weight hunting sports runs in the family now,,, that's not saying that my beast won't be joining in on the rucks.

Heavy unit stays well planted for those critical shots. LOL