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Old 03-07-2020, 10:08 PM
Roamer Roamer is offline
 
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Default Hunting Rifle Weight

Does it matter to you? If so what’s your preference?

I saw the Savage 110 High Country, looks cool but is fairly heavy. Seems like an interesting take since they seem to want to market it as some sort of elk / mountain rifle, which are typically fairly light. Though, they do have the 110 ultralite, that’s heading in the right direction. I’m not considering purchasing either of these and am aware that there are better options in the same price range.

Anyways, it got me thinking and wondering what others use and prefer. Thanks
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Old 03-07-2020, 10:31 PM
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Have been using a Winchester model 70 laminate stock with a VX3i scope in 270wsm. That combo tips the scales around 8.5#. Not light not heavy by any means. My hunting is all in the mountains above 6500’. Just ordered a bergara b14 ridge the other day in 308. That rifle weighs around 7.5# and don’t know what I’m using for a scope but I will be adding my suppressor on the end which will add another couple ounces. Honestly if you shoot an elk away from a vehicle the rifle is probably the lightest thing you’ll be packing. If Inkeep it under 9# I’m happy.
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Old 03-07-2020, 10:55 PM
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3blade 3blade is offline
 
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First rifle: model 88 in 308, old vari x 3-9x 40 and steel rings, 11 lbs (iirc)
Second rifle: savage lightweight hunter in 243, vortex viper 3-9x40, talleys 7 lbs
Newest: Christensen Mesa in 7rm, ATRS rings, Burris bases nightforce shv 9 lbs

Stand hunting
Mountain backpack hunting
Pretty much everything

Those weights are loaded, ready to hunt.

8-9 lbs is very stable and easy to carry, kinda the sweet spot unless you are going ultra light for a sheep hunt.
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Old 03-08-2020, 01:38 AM
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NULA in 308 with a Swaro Z5 3.5x18x44 BRX. With scope, full mag, and sling 6 lbs 3 ounces. One of the nicest balanced rifles for off hand shooting I have ever used. Farthest kill just over 580 yards. Lots in the 200-400 yard zone but also quite a few in heavy bush at 30-90 yards. The 21" barrel makes it very handy in tight places.
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Old 03-08-2020, 04:21 AM
Scottmisfits Scottmisfits is offline
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I was hunting with a Remington 700 Varmint in a HS Precision police stock for a bit. 12.5lbs or so. I have a Kimber that weighs in right around 6.5lbs as well. One extreme to the other. This last season my son used the Kimber and I took out the Wife’s Remington 700 VTR. I think it’s about 8.5-9lbs. I’m happier at that weight than I am with the other two. That being said, I’d like a little longer barrel, and a smaller profile barrel just to try and help out the balance some. I do find the VTR a little back heavy, where the balance on my Kimber is almost spot on..
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Old 03-08-2020, 06:32 AM
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My "mountain rifle" is a semi custom, Model 7 in 7saum that weighs 6.4 lbs ready to hunt.. My "old reliable" is a Browning A bolt stainless wearing a Boyd's Laminate in 300 Win, weighs around 8 3/4 pounds.

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Old 03-08-2020, 06:36 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is offline
 
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I have had light and heavy rifles, but my go to rifle weighs about 9-1/2 lbs scoped.
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Old 03-08-2020, 08:52 AM
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Light rifles in heavy recoiling chamberings can be tear inducing shoulder blackening hard on the body in less than 20 rounds. They are nice to carry but load development/flinch development can be a pain. I have had both in 300wm and prefer the heavier ones now.
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Old 03-08-2020, 09:47 AM
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fordtruckin

I was reading your reply and hit the part about the suppressor, not realizing that you are in Montana, and though, “those are illegal here, or so I thought, what does this guy know that I don’t !?!?!”. I then saw your location, makes sense now, haha. I wish we could use suppressors in Canada, I like hunting without hearing protection, but muzzle blast and ringing ears gets old.

Also, excellent point about once the game being down the rifle is the lightest thing you’ll be dealing with!

Last edited by Roamer; 03-08-2020 at 10:12 AM.
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Old 03-08-2020, 09:53 AM
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I see a preponderance of rifles with muzzle brakes on them these days, from the bigger recoiling cartridges like the 338 Lapua all the way down to 243 Winchester.
Personally I have never liked heavy recoiling rifles OR muzzle brakes , my father's 280 is about 9 pounds I think, and my main hunting rifle is about 7 1/2-8 pounds scoped up.I will check however. I just had another single shot re-barreled in .260 by RKS with a sporter weight ,26" barrel, it will be interesting to see how that one turned out for weight.
I like my rifles accurate and powerful enough to kill at deer or moose at around 350 yards or so, and light enough that thy are not a pain to carry all day.
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Old 03-08-2020, 10:09 AM
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It looks like a lot are preferring rifles in the 8.5-9.5 pound range. I’ve carried rifles as heavy as 10 lbs, I find for long distance, going up and down hills, that’s about my upper limit, lots of switching which shoulder is carrying the load. I’ve hunted a lot with a savage that was right at 9 pounds with optic, full mag and a sling, worked well. My current favourite is my X bolt micro, weighs 8 pounds with optic, full mag and a sling, can carry it for days, up and over anything. Thinking about chopping the barrel from 20 to 18.5, I tend to hunt in thick stuff, very think stuff.
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Old 03-08-2020, 10:20 AM
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Cat

I couldn’t agree more about heavy recoilers or muzzle brakes. Both of my x bolts are models that came with the factory muzzle brakes, I don’t use it on either of them, don’t need the recoil reduction, don’t need the extra deafening muzzle blast, it’s deafening enough as is.

That 260 sounds like it should meet your criteria very nicely!
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Old 03-08-2020, 10:20 AM
Kurt505 Kurt505 is offline
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All my rifles fall between 7-9lbs whether I like it or not. I prefer them light.
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Old 03-08-2020, 11:13 AM
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I took my fishing scale down to the gun room, and weighed a few rifles.

The Pit Boss’ rifles(with sporter contour barrels)

-Weatherby Vanguard, 300 Wby Mag, 24” factory bbl, factory injection moulded stock, Leupold VXIIIi 3.5-10x40 scope, in Tally one piece rings/bases, with sling and 3 rounds of loaded ammo....9 pounds.

-Savage 110, 280 Rem, aftermarket pre fit bbl @ 22”, Leupold VXII 3-9x40 scope, Burris signature rings and bases, factory injection moulded stock, 4 rounds in the magazine, with a sling....9 lbs 2oz.

-Swedish 96 Mauser, 6.5x55, 23” stepped factory bbl, Sightron S1, 4-12x42, in Burris Zee rings, with Weaver bases, aftermarket Laminate stock(Prairie Hunter) 4 rounds and a sling....9 lbs 2 oz.

Now a few of mine.

-Remington 700, 25” aftermarket bbl, 280AI, factory CDL stock, Bushnell 6500, 2.5-16x42, in Leupold std rings and 2 piece bases, 4 rounds and a sling....9 lbs 11 oz.

-Remington 788, 24” mountain taper bbl, 284 Win, fluted action, and thinned bolt knob, MPI Fiberglass stock, 3-9 Leupold compact in aluminium rings and Weaver bases, 3 rounds in the magazine, and a sling.....7lbs 14oz.

-Savage 11, 308Win, 22” factory bbl, laminate stock(Prairie Hunter) with adjustable comb, Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44 in Burriss Zee Rings on a Weaver Multi Slot base, 4 rounds in the magazine and a sling....9 lbs 11 oz.

-Remington 7600, 30-06, 20” factory contour bbl, Bushnell 4200 1.5-6x32 scope in Burris Zee rings on a Weaver one piece base, with 4 rounds in the magazine, and a sling.... 8lbs 9 oz.
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Old 03-08-2020, 11:24 AM
waterhaulerhunter waterhaulerhunter is offline
 
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I just put together a 25-06 with a Rem 700 action, wildcat stock, and KS arms 22” barrel and detach bottom metal. With the z3 4-12x50 on it and 3 rounds it’s right at 7lbs 7oz. Also have a Cooper M52 Excalibur in 280 rem wearing a z3 3-10x42 that’s just under 9lbs. I prefer the lighter of the two but that Cooper just fits me so well the little extra weight doesn’t bother me. I’ve tried the ultralights and don’t like them and I also don’t like North or 10lbs either.
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Old 03-08-2020, 11:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by waterhaulerhunter View Post
I just put together a 25-06 with a Rem 700 action, wildcat stock, and KS arms 22” barrel and detach bottom metal. With the z3 4-12x50 on it and 3 rounds it’s right at 7lbs 7oz. Also have a Cooper M52 Excalibur in 280 rem wearing a z3 3-10x42 that’s just under 9lbs. I prefer the lighter of the two but that Cooper just fits me so well the little extra weight doesn’t bother me. I’ve tried the ultralights and don’t like them and I also don’t like North or 10lbs either.
What’s it weight with a full magazine and a sling attached..... sort of pointless to throw around a bunch of weights, when at the end of the day you gotta haul those items around too.
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Old 03-08-2020, 11:50 AM
waterhaulerhunter waterhaulerhunter is offline
 
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Numbers listed are with loaded rounds as stated in my post and I use a different sling depending on hunting conditions so I didn’t feel that was necessary.
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Old 03-08-2020, 11:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by waterhaulerhunter View Post
Numbers listed are with loaded rounds as stated in my post and I use a different sling depending on hunting conditions so I didn’t feel that was necessary.
Missed that piece, my bad...... but it’s interesting to track sling weight.
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Old 03-08-2020, 12:15 PM
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I just weighed a few as a matter of interest.
My custom Ruger single shot in 303 weighs 8 pounds 11 ounces

My father's P14 Enfield 280 weighs 10 pounds 8 ounces

Two that are not mine but inn the racck also.

A Ruger 77 in 7X57 weighs 9 pounds 10 ounces

A Winchester featherweight sitting in a Boyds stock in 308 weighs 8 pounds 12 ounces.
Slings, scopes and ammo ( for magazine rifles) were weighed

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Old 03-08-2020, 12:27 PM
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Love light

My.Sako A7 with a 3x9 Leupold and one round in the chamber weighs 6lbs 14 oz

If I could make it lighter, I would....
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Old 03-08-2020, 12:56 PM
Salavee Salavee is offline
 
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My mid bore hunting rifles - 9,3x62, .35 Whelen Ai and ,338-06 all weigh between 9.5 & 10.5 lbs ,all up. no muzzle brakes.
For the type of hunting I do I have never had an issue with excess weight or recoil.
When I do , I'll just have to get more exercise.
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Old 03-08-2020, 01:54 PM
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My only hunting rifle is a 1874 Pedersoli Sharps...12lbs, and of course no scope.
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Old 03-08-2020, 02:13 PM
Redrider Redrider is offline
 
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I went from a 9 1/2 pound Sako to a 8 pound Remington 700mountain in 270. It’s only 1 1/2 pounds, but after hanging on your shoulder all day it does make a difference.


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Old 03-08-2020, 03:35 PM
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The only advantage to a light rifle is carrying it. I carry my 16# evrywhere when I go hunting. I have a backpack sling for it. I did 3 multiday trips for Tahr and Chamois in New Zealand with lots of hiking up incredibly steep terrain. It makes for a super stable shooting rifle that you can spot your hits with at ranges past 300 yards. I love carrying it. having super confidence in the ability to reach out and get what you are after is worth it to me. Especially after spending money on a trip like that. Here in Alberta I carry it too. it wouldn't be very fun without the backpack sling. It's so precise and easy to shoot, that others have made shots at 250 and 360 on their first deer. I have a pre 64 model 70 that i might start carrying for bush hunting. but that's just to feel the nostalgia of carrying a fine 81 year old rifle and taking a deer with it. Especially after I refinished it and cut the checkering myself. I like to squeeze whatever I can out of hunting. Accurately shooting a deer just feels right. I do appreciate the fine craftsmanship that goes into these light rifle builds. I got to shoot a beauty of a kimber in 300WSM that was brilliantly accurate for the first 2-3 shots before the barrel heated up.
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Old 03-08-2020, 03:51 PM
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Mine are all in the 6-7lbs range with the heaviest being a 338 win at 6 lbs 15oz. I would prefer them all lighter but I’m reluctant to spend the money to get them in the 5lb range.
After hunting with a “lighter” rifle I sold all the porky ones.
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Old 03-08-2020, 05:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coiloil37 View Post
Mine are all in the 6-7lbs range with the heaviest being a 338 win at 6 lbs 15oz. I would prefer them all lighter but I’m reluctant to spend the money to get them in the 5lb range.
After hunting with a “lighter” rifle I sold all the porky ones.
Is that scale weighed?
All set up with optics, etc?
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Old 03-08-2020, 05:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick284 View Post
Is that scale weighed?
All set up with optics, etc?
Yes scaled, rings scope etc. No sling though because I use a kifaru gun bearer.

Last edited by Coiloil37; 03-08-2020 at 05:41 PM.
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Old 03-08-2020, 05:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roamer View Post
fordtruckin

I was reading your reply and hit the part about the suppressor, not realizing that you are in Montana, and though, “those are illegal here, or so I thought, what does this guy know that I don’t !?!?!”. I then saw your location, makes sense now, haha. I wish we could use suppressors in Canada, I like hunting without hearing protection, but muzzle blast and ringing ears gets old.

Also, excellent point about once the game being down the rifle is the lightest thing you’ll be dealing with!
Yep just a bit farther south. I put off getting a can for years and finally talked to enough guys hunting with them that I decided to step out and get one. Glad I did as it’s well worth it. A lot of the urban myths people tout as fact concerning hunting and suppressor use are just that, urban myths. Most have never used one or been around one and base their suppressor knowledge from what they see in John Wick or James Bond. (Especially those who think you can’t tell where the shot came from or that it is entirely silent...). Yes waiting for them sucks, yes they cost as much as some guns but they are in my opinion well worth it. I own 2 and if I ever got another one it would be for a 9mm pistol. Already have the 300 magnums down to rim fire covered with the other 2.
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Old 03-08-2020, 08:52 PM
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I like my rifles in that 8-9 # range...they just seem to settle on target easier for me.
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Old 03-08-2020, 08:59 PM
Mountainaccent Mountainaccent is offline
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After lugging 9+ pound rifles around for 19 years I quite enjoy carrying a 7 pound
Finnlight is amazing
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