How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

blue_ridge

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Dec 17, 2009
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The reason I ask is because I see custom rigs running 12-18# or so once they are fully outfitted. If you are only shooting at ranges, I guess it doesn't matter. But what if you needed to really use the gun all day every day? I would think lighter would be better. But then Gunny Hathcock didn't run around rice paddy's with a 7# sporter rifle either. So, is 14# not as big a deal to lug around as it seems? What is the ideal combination of barrel length, contour, overall gun weight and still maintain a decent balance?
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

well the M40A3 is a heavy rifle...id guess somewhere in the 15 lb range. But ultimately its your rifle, and it can be as heavy or as light as as you want. Personally i dont mind a heavier rifle. But if you look at most working sniper rifles they arent light little guns( AI AW, M40A3, M110&Mk11, M24)
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

my current rig is just over 16 with a loaded 10 round mag and suppressor.
My next build I'm shooting for under 10lbs , gonna use alot smaller barrel , light Palma 16" long tight bore , all aluminum rings and bases , BDL style aluminum bottom metal , light stock , much smaller scope , custom titanium suppressor.

I don't think that a rifle has to weigh 15lbs to be shot accuratly , it will ceetainly help with recoil fatigue if younot running a brake or suppressor though.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

The question is .....what do you want?
I know there are many fine snpers on this site (I am not, nor do I claim to be). But this is the internet everyone can shoot .25 inch groups at 200 yards and needs to have the latest and greatest sniper equipment. For some here that is true. But for most.....they're just wanna-be's. My set-up is nothing more than a very accurate hunting rig. It does eveything I need and as long as I take my time.....puts the bullets in one small hole (when I do my part). It's very nice to have the biggest and baddest best of the best. Some here need that. I don't. But at my age I've come to learn that everything in life is a compromise. You have to evaluate what your needs are.

Just my 2 cents
Pop
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

The weight of the rifle is nearly irrelevant. Your goal for a "tactical" rifle should be the minimum requirement to make rapid fire strings without loosing accuracy, AKA the barrel heating up to the point of flinging shots like dad's hunting rifle. Other than that, weight is a personal preference based on how much you can carry and how you can handle the recoil.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

+1 Mike

This is like asking how deep is a hole?

Check any of the threads on "heavy rifles" here and you'll get an answer anywhere between 8 or 10lbs up to 20+lbs.

Can there be a right answer to this (unless you are looing at a competirive discipline with a regulatory weight limit)?

Surely it depends on the needs/preferences of the shooter and purpose of the rifle?

Just my £0.02



 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

It's really up to personal preference...some people dont want a heavy thing, dont need a lot of gadgets to make it work, so they have keep it small light and simple. Some need a bunch of stuff. Some dont mind the weight, or choose weight to help offset recoil. It can depend on the mission as much as the individual.

Personally I dont mind a little weight. I'm used to handling a 36" steel pipe wrench. I'd rather have a stout rig. As my shooting has improved and my rifle comes along, I'm at the point where I dont want to get any heavier though.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

While we're on the topic of weight maybe someone can answer this for me.

What would be a good weight estimate for each inch of a standard bull barrel? Just wondering how much weight can be reduced for each inch shortened.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

As someone else already asked, what do you want, and what kind of skills do you have when it comes to precision rifle shooting. All rifles have a potential level of accuracy, be it 2 MOA or 1/4 MOA, but the lighter a rifle is the harder it is for the shooter to shoot it to its potential. True that a bigger barrel is less affected by heat, but there are other reasons for the added weight.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blue_ridge</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reason I ask is because I see custom rigs running 12-18# or so once they are fully outfitted. If you are only shooting at ranges, I guess it doesn't matter. But what if you needed to really use the gun all day every day? I would think lighter would be better. But then Gunny Hathcock didn't run around rice paddy's with a 7# sporter rifle either. So, is 14# not as big a deal to lug around as it seems? What is the ideal combination of barrel length, contour, overall gun weight and still maintain a decent balance? </div></div>


blue_ridge,

My opinions,

Russ1911 here on the hide handled my two tactical rifles at match.One weighed 18lbs and the other 21lbs.He's a big guy that lifts weights.So...He liked the feel and weight of them.No biggy for him.Power to weight ratio
smile.gif
.

I had the 21lb rifle built as primarily a prone off the bipod rifle in a magnum cartridge so I don't mind the weight.I'd never consider it a rifle to carry around though.

I weigh 165lbs and am kinda old so even the 18 lb rifle was too heavy for me in positional shooting and carrying.I had bought it used and didn't really know what my true preferences were at the time.Off hand was a bitch for me.I'd actually start shaking after a few seconds.I needed a lighter rifle.

So come rebarrel time I had a Tubb contour tube at 26" put on the rifle.What a huge difference it made in the overall weight and practicality of the platform for me.The rifle weighs 15 lbs with scope now.I wouldn't mind if it were a pound or two lighter if I had to carry it around a bunch though.Much lighter than that I wouldn't want for a match rifle personally.The only time I use a light rifle is for walk a round through hill and dale hunting.

Too me the medium weight barrels are a good compromise for short strings of fire,10-20 rounds at a time between letting the barrel cool down.

You didn't mention barrel length and caliber.I prefer decent barrel length for smaller calibers,26"-27" (22-24 cal) to get the velocities up but if I end up building a 7mm later on I'll choose a shorter barrel since the BC is higher.Maybe 24"-25".Mostly to make the rifle a more handy size.

Steve






 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

Thanks for the responses. Like I said in the OP, I'm interested in the ins/outs of all day carry. I know it's been done by those who had no choice in the rifle issued them. But with todays technology, it isn't much of a problem to build a very accurate rifle with 1000 yard range that would weight 9-12#. So is barrel heat during rapid fire strings the main reason for the 15# rigs?
I'm just asking what you guys have learned in your experience carrying rifles up a mountain, through a creek bottom or lying in the snow for hours. Thanks.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: baschu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What would be a good weight estimate for each inch of a standard bull barrel? Just wondering how much weight can be reduced for each inch shortened. </div></div>

Figure out what contour you have, and then consult the table on this page for a rough approximation:

Lilja Barrel Contour Data

There's also a link on that page to an Excel file that will let you more accurately guesstimate the weight of a barrel with a given length, contour, flutes, etc.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: T44</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: baschu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What would be a good weight estimate for each inch of a standard bull barrel? Just wondering how much weight can be reduced for each inch shortened. </div></div>

Figure out what contour you have, and then consult the table on this page for a rough approximation:

Lilja Barrel Contour Data

There's also a link on that page to an Excel file that will let you more accurately guesstimate the weight of a barrel with a given length, contour, flutes, etc. </div></div>

Thanks for the link T44…That’s what I was looking for.

I figured I'd catch some flak for the "standard bull" description but wasn't sure how to simplify it. Guess I should have said little to no taper.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blue_ridge</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reason I ask is because I see custom rigs running 12-18# or so once they are fully outfitted. If you are only shooting at ranges, I guess it doesn't matter. But what if you needed to really use the gun all day every day?</div></div>

My dad was in the Guard during the 50's and jokes that the smallest guy in the outfit would have to carry the BAR. In my construction trade, some of my tools are heavy, some are light. But I pick the right tool for the job regardless of weight. Same thing with weapons. The right tool for the job regardless of weight.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DaveV</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blue_ridge</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reason I ask is because I see custom rigs running 12-18# or so once they are fully outfitted. If you are only shooting at ranges, I guess it doesn't matter. But what if you needed to really use the gun all day every day?</div></div>

My dad was in the Guard during the 50's and jokes that the smallest guy in the outfit would have to carry the BAR. In my construction trade, some of my tools are heavy, some are light. But I pick the right tool for the job regardless of weight. Same thing with weapons. The right tool for the job regardless of weight. </div></div>

So why would a McMillan A5 with 26" with heavy varmint barrel be a better tool than a McMillan Edge with light palma contour fluted at 20-22" length? I'm looking for specific pros/cons here and hopefully will learn something new.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blue_ridge</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DaveV</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blue_ridge</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reason I ask is because I see custom rigs running 12-18# or so once they are fully outfitted. If you are only shooting at ranges, I guess it doesn't matter. But what if you needed to really use the gun all day every day?</div></div>

My dad was in the Guard during the 50's and jokes that the smallest guy in the outfit would have to carry the BAR. In my construction trade, some of my tools are heavy, some are light. But I pick the right tool for the job regardless of weight. Same thing with weapons. The right tool for the job regardless of weight. </div></div>

So why would a McMillan A5 with 26" with heavy varmint barrel be a better tool than a McMillan Edge with light palma contour fluted at 20-22" length? I'm looking for specific pros/cons here and hopefully will learn something new. </div></div>

My point is that most precision set-ups are going to be heavy in comparison to an M4 for CQB, etc. The range one needs to shoot will usually dictate the relative weight of the rifle. For example, an LTR is not designed for ELR hence the lower weight. At the end of the day, humping any rifle through the mountains whether hunting or combat gets heavy. But trade-offs have to happen for performance. Your OP didn't specify what distance/caliber you are talking about.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

I'm thinking of a rifle designed for up to 1000 yard range, all day carry in various terrains (within reason, not Denali), enough ft/lbs and terminal velocity at 1000. Barrel life and recoil also within reason. (no 6mm WSM's or 338 Lapua's) So we're talking 308, 260, 6.5x47 etc.

My question boils down to what would be the disadvantage to a sub 10# rifle using a McMillan Edge stock (A1-3 maybe), say a Surgeon RSR, Light Palma fluted barrel at 20-22". What is this 9# rifle giving up to a 15# rifle that has a 26" barrel, heavier McMillan stock and slightly heavier contour barrel? About 50-100 fps? Slightly less heat dissipation in the event of rapid fire strings of three or more? What else? Ruggedness? Recoil? What else am I missing?
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

Easily done. My rifle (243) was 12lbs soaking wet. This is with a 28" barrel and a huge S&B 5-25x scope. I never had a problem with heat dissipation with my barrel (Tubb contour). You knock 6" off and there is an additional weight savings. Plus, the 243 with the 115s is a more than capable rifle at 1K.

If I was to build your spec rifle I would choose a .260 with a 22" barrel (Tubb contour), Manners stock and a scope in the 12x-15x range. And if the fancy strikes, you could add a Badger Thruster brake and it would reduce the recoil even more.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

The rifle needs to be heavy enough to get the job done and light enough for the shooter to carry it.

My personal rifle weighs in at about 13.5 lbs with a 26" varmint barrel and USO SN-3. It's not a lightweight, but it doesn't kill me to patrol with it. (that means with the rifle in my hands, not slung across my back).

I can tell you with absolute certainty that I don't notice the weight when I am moving into an FFP when there is something out there that may actually try to kill me.

The rifle is setup to take an offhand shot if I need to, but that possibility is rare since I have yet to be in a situation where there wasn't a car, tree, fence, or post I could support the rifle against.

I would like to experiment with "lightweight" rifles, but I really just don't have income to spend on stuff that might not work well right now.
 
Re: How heavy should a tactical rifle be?

a 15# rifle made me take up daily weight training for upper body strength. im not complaining. once you get used to a 15# rifle a 6# AR15 feels like a toy.

do i ever wish i had a LTR? of course, i know how it would be spec'd out and everything. but lonewolf pretty much sums up my sentiments on that with his last paragraph.