Hunting & Fishing Is the Rem 700 R5 going to be terrible for hunting?

[falz24]

I recently bought a remington 700 r5 milspec which weighs 8.25lbs and has a 24" barrel. I put a bushnell elite 3.5-21 scope on it which weighs an additional 32oz. I bought this primarily for shooting with a local precision rifle club. However, I also bought it for hunting deer on my mothers property/farm down in Georgia (a mix of pine trees and fields) about twice a year (I live in California).

I am wondering if this is was a mistake buying this to use as a dual purpose rifle. Is it just going to be horrible lugging this thing around?? I'm 29 years old and about 5'10 185lb and exercise regularly so I'm no slouch. But still wondering if I'm going to be kicking myself for not getting something lighter. Am I making too big of a deal here? Or is this a legitimate concern?

Thanks for the help guys

 

[Sinus211]

You'll get a good workout carrying a 5R around. Why not pick up a $400 lightweight scoped hunting rifle instead of trying to make a heavy gun into a dual purpose rig?

 

[dk17hmr]

Try it for one season. If its to much pick up a light weight. Assuming you have a picatinny rail you could always put a smaller/lighter scope on it for hunting without to much trouble.

 

[Gilly]

I was in the same boat two years ago with a 24 inch 5R in 300 win mag and a 5.5x22x50 nightforce scope and didn't think it was too bad on my plains hunt. However when I lugged that sob up the trail to elk camp 6 miles plus the 4 day hunt at 9000 ft elevation it was more than a workout it was a deal breaker for that being my hunting rig. I now have a lightweight 30-06 and a new remington cdl in 257 wby mag one is 6.5 lbs the other 7.25 and my optics choice is smaller/lighter as well. So yes if you are on flat terrain and not packing it a long ways go for it but I don't recommend taking it up a mountain. Heavy rifles can also be difficult to get a good off hand shot too without conditioning yourself first to get used to it.

 

[falz24]

Try it for one season. If its to much pick up a light weight. Assuming you have a picatinny rail you could always put a smaller/lighter scope on it for hunting without to much trouble.

Liking where your head is at! That sounds like a solution. A smaller scope...

 

[falz24]

I was in the same boat two years ago with a 24 inch 5R in 300 win mag and a 5.5x22x50 nightforce scope and didn't think it was too bad on my plains hunt. However when I lugged that sob up the trail to elk camp 6 miles plus the 4 day hunt at 9000 ft elevation it was more than a workout it was a deal breaker for that being my hunting rig. I now have a lightweight 30-06 and a new remington cdl in 257 wby mag one is 6.5 lbs the other 7.25 and my optics choice is smaller/lighter as well. So yes if you are on flat terrain and not packing it a long ways go for it but I don't recommend taking it up a mountain. Heavy rifles can also be difficult to get a good off hand shot too without conditioning yourself first to get used to it.

Great post. Thanks for your help. This makes sense too. It's only 250 acres and at sea level so it's not like I'm going to be trudging up any mountain sides. I'm totally new to hunting (and will be going out with much more experienced hunters) but it sounds like a lot of the deer hunting is done from a perch.

I think adding a very lightweight scope to the mix could help things out a lot too. I will be practicing off hand shooting in matches with the precision rifle club I am a member to also...

 

[groundhogbuster]

My 20" 5R knocks em down just fine. If I'm stand/ground hunting I always have my 5R or one of my BR rigs if shooting over 400yds, but when I'm going to be stalking, and walking miles a day, I grab my DD 6.8SPCII. It's brought down a small buck at 426yds, and a doe on doe day at 411yds, but my 5R just rolled a groundhog at 720yds a cpl weeks ago. It's all in what style hunting you do, but I love a good 6.5lb 6.8 gas gun, with a 15rd mag.

 

[Garvey]

I've carried a custom that weighs 15 pounds for three years. It was a .308, now a .260. I shoot it every month in practice and/ or matches. I've never had a hunting shot that was beyond my comfortable range. That being said, if you can hit 1 to 1.5 MOA to X distance consistently with the 5R, then take it hunting. Put a good sling on it, use the sling when you need to. I've walked "low ready" for miles with this rifle, and slung it when my arms got tired.

I built a dedicated hunting rifle in 7 Rem Mag, to take elk hunting as well as Texas whitetail. I cut weight everywhere I could, and it comes in at a welter weight 10 pounds. I'm looking forward to a 5 pound break!

If you can shoot it, run what you brung!

 

[Garvey]

Oh yeah. We're almost the same specs on body type. I'm 5'9" and 190 pounds. I workout crossfit type workouts every day I'm at the fire station, and have a steel fab business my days off. I'm no athlete, but I'm no slouch either. You'll be fine carrying the 5R.

 

[docdredd]

Just add in some rifle PT to your workouts. If our boys can hump a 240 up a mountain is Assgan then you should be fine.

 

[falz24]

Just add in some rifle PT to your workouts. If our boys can hump a 240 up a mountain is Assgan then you should be fine.

Just what I needed to hear. I officially just took out my tampon

 

[deadly_punk]

Just add in some rifle PT to your workouts. If our boys can hump a 240 up a mountain is Assgan then you should be fine.

Don't forget the extra ballsack or three of ammo, plus an IOTV or plate carrier, plus a manpack radio (with extra batteries) for some...anti RCIED device for others and water. Yeah, I don't really get it when people bring up rifle weight as an issue for general hunting. I find a heavy rifle to be easier to shoot with the exception of close, fast targets.

That being said: If you're going to be pushing deer or doing a lot of hunting in heavy cover where shots will be close, then another, lighter rifle with low power optics will be a huge asset. And a nice light rifle is certainly easier to pack in when hunting the mountains. If carrying the big gun is going to keep you from covering the ground you need to, then swallow your pride and get a light gun for those times.

Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[docdredd]

Just what I needed to hear. I officially just took out my tampon

Yeah man I wasnt trying to be an ass or anything and there are absolutely times when a short, light, and handy rifle are preferable. When you have a weapon system that does a particular thing well then you have 2 choices. Utilize it in a way that takes full advantage of its capabilities, OR use it in a manner for which it was not designed and put up with the unique limitations that doing so imposes.

With that said. There is no reason a healthy male cant pack around a sub 15 pound rifle all day. It might not be fun, but you are going out there to end the life of a living creature. Your discomfort will be nothing compared to its. Suck it up.


EDIT* Totally not an anti hunting post. I hunted for years before the war. Not so much now but I have no problem with those that do so long as they respect their quarry and do not waste what they kill.

 

[hiddenmongoose]

This is what I use for ringing steel,long range vermin shooting and deer shooting.

It weighs 18lbs,I do alot of my deer hunting /long range shooting in the hills .its heavy yes but it hits everything I point it at and I wouldnt swap it for anything else.get a good sling for walking with or a good pack and you will be fine.If you shoot well with your rifle and you like it why change,bit of weight wont do you any harm.

 

[sierracharlie338]

It will be horrible for hunting. Give it to me and I will quickly dispose of it


Sierracharlie out....

 

[45.308]

I recently bought a remington 700 r5 milspec which weighs 8.25lbs and has a 24" barrel. I put a bushnell elite 3.5-21 scope on it which weighs an additional 32oz. I bought this primarily for shooting with a local precision rifle club. However, I also bought it for hunting deer on my mothers property/farm down in Georgia (a mix of pine trees and fields) about twice a year (I live in California).

I am wondering if this is was a mistake buying this to use as a dual purpose rifle. Is it just going to be horrible lugging this thing around?? I'm 29 years old and about 5'10 185lb and exercise regularly so I'm no slouch. But still wondering if I'm going to be kicking myself for not getting something lighter. Am I making too big of a deal here? Or is this a legitimate concern?

Thanks for the help guys

It will work fine if you can place the bullet into the engine room and that bullet is a good bullet, that is really all that matter. I would guess your hunt will have a short approach and you will hunt from a stand or blind with a P cord sling hung from above to use as a support so rifle wight and size is not paramount to success. If you plan to pursue hunting or hunting in other states, open terrain or mountains, it would benefit you to have a lighter weight rifle. And of course work out that will allow the heart rate to stabilize faster for the shot. This is where light weight and conditioning will allow the hunter to burn less energy and recover quicker to place that bullet in the engine room of an animal.

Of course there are many tuff hunters out there who carry loads of weight and it can be done but why. Go do pull ups, push ups, dips, walk up 10 flights of stairs with 100 pounds on your body, check your pulse. Now do the same thing with 75, 50, 25 pounds and see how it differs. During my courses this is one of the tests I performed on my students. They were amazed how much less energy and quicker recovery was the less weight they exercised with. I have guided many tuff harden clients who sent it their past experience as a tuff guy showing up with heavy kit and after 3500 feet up a scree slope, their face is blood red, heart is pounding from their chest, their head is pounding, they get exactly my point as the other client with light weight and myself are less tired and quicker. The quicker you can move the less time you spend in view of game animals and most important in harms way. Now multiply this over several days and by day 5, they are wore out not enjoying what should be a relaxing fulfillment adventure in the most pristine spectacular God made country on earth.

Plus, you get to look forward to hunting with that new rifle, how many do you need, one more!

Like all things, opinions vary!

 

[BoilerUP]

I hunted with this rifle last year; it is 12lb unloaded with optic. Had about a 3/4mi walk from the cabin to my treestand but the terrain was hilly. Not too heavy, but not exactly svelte either. I had to hand-carry it (no sling) which made it worse, and immediately after the season I installed some flush cups which makes moving with it way mo' betta.

 

[acts238]

I'm 55 & I still hunt with a 14.5 lb rifle & a 8-10lb pack-
its what you get used to I guess
I never seen a noodle barrel that would shoot as good as a fat barrel
where I hunt I can realistically expect longer ridge to ridge shots
if I can do it -anyone can

 

[Niles Coyote]

Different strokes for different folks...

A 10.5 pound rifle is my lightest hunting rifle and my heaviest weights in around 15... You get used to it, so much so that anything lighter I find it more difficult to shoot.

 

[falz24]

Yeah man I wasnt trying to be an ass or anything and there are absolutely times when a short, light, and handy rifle are preferable. When you have a weapon system that does a particular thing well then you have 2 choices. Utilize it in a way that takes full advantage of its capabilities, OR use it in a manner for which it was not designed and put up with the unique limitations that doing so imposes.

With that said. There is no reason a healthy male cant pack around a sub 15 pound rifle all day. It might not be fun, but you are going out there to end the life of a living creature. Your discomfort will be nothing compared to its. Suck it up.


EDIT* Totally not an anti hunting post. I hunted for years before the war. Not so much now but I have no problem with those that do so long as they respect their quarry and do not waste what they kill.

Don't think you're being an ass at all. This is pretty much the response I was fishing for. Wanted to be reassured that the rifle I have will do the job just fine. Sounds like the general consensus is yes

 

[roggom]

Get a good sling system and the weight will not be such a PITA. Flush cups will work, but so will a Vtac two point sling. Allows you to carry the rifle in the small of your back, vs constantly sliding off your shoulder. Perfect if you have to navigate inclines or brush. Then if you have to hump out an animal you can swing the rifle to the front.

Viking Tactics, Inc.

 

[hahco]

I recently bought a remington 700 r5 milspec which weighs 8.25lbs and has a 24" barrel. I put a bushnell elite 3.5-21 scope on it which weighs an additional 32oz. I bought this primarily for shooting with a local precision rifle club. However, I also bought it for hunting deer on my mothers property/farm down in Georgia (a mix of pine trees and fields) about twice a year (I live in California).

I am wondering if this is was a mistake buying this to use as a dual purpose rifle. Is it just going to be horrible lugging this thing around?? I'm 29 years old and about 5'10 185lb and exercise regularly so I'm no slouch. But still wondering if I'm going to be kicking myself for not getting something lighter. Am I making too big of a deal here? Or is this a legitimate concern?

Thanks for the help guys

it's doable, but my guess is that you'll get tired of it. everything is a trade off. My 700P is the most accurate rifle I own, but it rarely gets carried to the deer woods due to length and weight. When it comes down to actual decision time, I almost always reach for a more portable rifle.

that being said, the heavier guns are typically easier to hold steady when shooting, and as far as my rifles are concerned, the heavy barrels always seem to be more consistently accurate than the lighter barrels.

as a last thought, there are ways you can make that 5r heavier or lighter. using talley LW rings and a lighter leupold scope will not add as much weight as a heavy duty steel base, rings, and tactical or varmint scope. removing the bipod will save quite a bit of weight if you aren't going to be shooting prone.

believe me, I have overthought ALL of this before. I always like a heavier rifle for shooting, and a lighter rifle for carry. always looking for the perfect compromise ...

 

[hahco]

P.S. you're gonna get different answers depending on where you post this. Guys on this forum seem to generally be more fond of heavy rifles and heavy barrels. Post elsewhere and you'll have ppl telling you that there's absolutely no reason to ever hunt with a rifle that weighs more than 6 or 7 lbs. I'm schizo, so I can't tell you which way is right. I would suggest not giving up on that 5r, though, cause it's most likely going to be an outstanding shooter, and I really don't think you're going to have any trouble carrying it around 250 acres of land, even if it isn't an ideal carry piece.

 

[hlee]

If the goal is to shoot really tight groups then a heavy barrel will smoke a sporter contour or mountain contour barrel. If the objective is to make consecutive hits on target in rapid succession, then the same applies. If you are in the military then you carry what you must, knowing that 300 rounds may not be enough for the day. I've heard that a match shooter needs a "pitcher's memory." The only shot that counts is the next shot. I suppose the same is true if you are being shot at. BUT, hunting is a different beast than bench rest shooting, tactical competitions, or military action. When hunting the only shot that really matters is the FIRST shot. There no reason why a cold bore shot from a mountain or sporter contour barrel can not be as repeatable as that from a heavy bull barrel. It is true that groups open up faster with a light barrel than a heavy barrel, and I don't know of anyone that would argue otherwise. I suppose that a really good day for a tactical match shooter is one where s/he cleans the course. A really good day for a soldier, I would assume, would be one where he didn't fire his weapon at all; but a more likely one would entail a not insubstantial amount of shooting, with (hopefully) a minimal amount of dispersion. But, a really good day hunting big game USUALLY entails a lot of sitting, walking, glassing, scouting, spotting, scoring, tracking, judging, stalking, etc. What a really good day big game hunting does not entail- USUALLY- is a lot of shooting. One well placed shot. That's all you need.

Carrying 100 lbs of needless weight does not make you a bigger man than anyone else. However, you may need to be a bigger man to carry the weight. And, carrying a featherweight rifle you have no confidence in does not make you wiser that anyone else. My take is that you should carry the lightest rifle that gives you absolute confidence in placing that FIRST shot in the vitals of your intended prey, at your own max comfortable range, under conditions appropriate to your skill level.

All of the above notwithstanding, hunting in the south you are likely to be hunting from a fixed stand within reasonable walking distance of a farm/ranch road. in that case, weight is not a concern.

 

[MrSwede]

It's already been said but basically I want to point out this:

- If you are hunting in steep terrain you will sooner or later hate that rifle
- If you are hunting from blinds etc not far from the road, it doesn't matter
- Just because the Marines or Grunts hump a shit ton of stuff up steep hills does not mean you have to or should do it. They get paid to do it.
- Unless you are hunting varmints it usually is a bad day if you have to fire more than one shot.
- When hunting, less is more.

 

[50calibercruiser]

I hunt with my 24" 5R in an ACIS 1.5, NF and YHM SS Phantom. The trick is to not get very far from the truck.

 

[Disturbed]

I have hunted in AL with the same model for a couple years now.

In the Southeast you will not be walking far to get to your stand. A half mile walk to the stand is a rarity in AL. We also do not spot and stalk. If you can see it, it is in range for the most part. Finding a place to stretch a rifle out is hard to do when you have so many small fields surrounded by tall pines.
Try it and see how it works for you. If you don't like it go buy a cheap Remington short action that can be upgraded at a later date.

 

[KATLarsen]

First, get a good sling. Or even better, have somebody with sowing skill rig a scabbard up to your pack. Second, if you honestly think it's going to be an issue, ask somebody you know with some decent sized rural property if you can do some laps around the perimeter with your rifle. 10 pounds loaded is about the weight of an M-16 and it's not like you're running with the thing while doing overhead presses with your rifle.

 

[OG10]

I think if your going to be hunting from a stand, you will be fine, if you are going to be stalk hunting you might appreciate a lite quick handling rifle.Can you stalk hunt with your rifle sure, are there other choices that might be better suited for hiking, humping, and climbing sure.. that said do you "need" a reason to buy another rifle......always.

 

[Bull Arms]

Not intending to sound like a smart ass, but have you thought of taking your rifle for a nice stroll on the hunting property for a scouting trip, or some other location. Then you will know for certain whether or not its the rifle you want to hump around for the season. Just a thought.

 

[Pat M]

I still use my PSS for deer/elk hunting , i also have a regular weight hunting rifle that stays in the truck for if i want to pound brush or hike some ridges. Shooting sticks help & also help with bino's when trying to put a 3rd point on a buck (if not a shooter you can save a lot of walking/stalking)

 

[broylz]

I got used to a heavy-ish .308 and recently got a lightweight 30-06 with no recoil pad that I cant shoot for crap. gonna add a slip on for now but a heavy barrel and stock are in its near future. I will always run a 10-12lb rifle as that's what im confortable with. now I don't regularly hunt but am trying to get more into it, mostly due to lack of available land to hunt. that said, im trying to decide between PSS weight and m24 weight... I think your 5R would be about right for general purpose target and hunting.

 

[Mark williams]

I hunt with heavy rifles for its a more stable platform for me. If I'm hunting out of a climbing tree stand I use my lightweight rifle with that setup. Shooting houses I use the heavies. Your gun will be fine for hunting!

 

[7dawg9]

As a couple have said earlier, down here in GA you won't be far from the truck and the terrain is pretty manageable. I took my R5 to cover a big AG field during the rut one year, worked fine.

 

[40xs]

To the op. Don't know what your family farm looks like, but primarily in the southeast most hunters drive to within 1/2 mile of where they are hunting, some even closer. It's a big difference than hiking and climbing in the western and midwestern regions of the country. Unless your area is more rugged than normal your present rig should not be that big a concern. But any excuse to buy a new rifle works for me!!

 

[TexasVine]

Carrying my 5R in the ranges outside of El Paso for 3 full days was very doable. Here's a few pictures of the terrain we hiked each day and all day. Yes, the extra few pounds can be felt but when its time to shoot, it's the rifle I want.

 

[Nortex]

Nice Aoudad.

 

[acts238]

I have nothing against light weight hunting rifles
they work well for their intended purpose
but the only advantage a light rifle has -is its light-
AL OTHER ADVANTAGES go to the heavy barreled rifles
I have a mt rifle that hasn't been hunting in years
I hunt in steep country
but I still prefer my 14+lb fcp for the confidence it gives me for those longer shots
or close up eye shots
it weighs 6lb more than the mt rifle
4lbs more than a regular rifle
I lost 20 lbs by watching my carbs & sugar
that makes my fcp a lot lighter
good hunting guys

 

[Sauce787]

Add some side mounted flush cups and grab a vtac padded sling. Great set up for hunting. I keep mine strapped tight across my chest while hiking or climbing a stand and wear it loose once I get to hunting ground.

 

[R.Walters]

You will be fine. I carry a 16 pound rifle just fine. Sucks after a mile or two. When I'm going to the mountains I take the pencil barreled 308 with me