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What is the ideal weight of a hunting rifle?
- Thread starter Boniels
- Start date
This was a very thoughtful reply. I just jumped on the scale and I’m 11.1 with 8 rounds. I’ve been researching how to get out to 800-1000 yards in the mountains and it’s going to require knowing my rifle, knowing my dope and having a good solid foundation, like a tripod. I’m going to still need to quarter and pack out what I shoot. I’ve decided on a BOG DeathGrip Infinite Carbon. Ditching the DeathGrip and just using the Swiss Arca attachment. It’s going to weigh in about 5 pounds with just the Arca attachment. I will let you know how it works out.
I’m a Mule Deer, elk and moose hunter. I’ve taken two deer and a moose the last three years with a savage model 16 (110) short action 300 WSM. I’ve not been in range of the elk. Therefore I need to get more range and confidence out to 1000 yards for the elk. Moose was 50 yards, deer 98 yards and 305 yards. Almost every elk has been 600 yards plus and I have not taken shots. I’ve dropped the Savage into an MDT Oryx chassis and I just invested in the BOG infinite carbon tripod. Now to get range time in and know my dope.
Just a note: One small thing I think gets overlooked when it comes to a light rifle is the firing pin fall. There are several actions that come with a heavy firing pin, it's not an issue with heavy comp guns. In fact some shooters in certain disciplines say the harder the firing pin hits the better which gives them the best ignition. The problem it creates with lighter rifles is that a heavy firing pin fall can push the rifle off target before the bullet gets out of the barrel. The only way you can really see and feel it is with dry firing from a solid prone or bench position. You can feel the rifle lunge forward and see the shift in the scope. That can be mitigated and nearly eliminated with perfect position and rear bag manipulation but it makes the rifle less forgiving especially in the positions we have to use in the field. So if this is the case with your chosen action, it is worth it to get a fluted or aluminum body firing pin and upgrade the spring. Maybe it's even worth it to try different spring weights to tune the rifle, if you want to really get into it.
Very thoughtful post. I just picked up a Tubbs spring. Had my gun smith evaluate the factory spring and how it functions and he doesn’t think I should replace it yet. But, I also didn’t consider the light weight of a rifle affecting things. My build is not very light, but I have other ones I’ll keep this in mind for.
I have multiple rifles between 6 lbs 9 oz and ?(off the postal scale). It depends on what I’m hunting, where, and how. The big boomers are heavier, but my go to is a 7mm 08 at just under 8 lbs.
Few of my rifles are fun at the bench, but are meant to be carried a lot and shot a little. Not saying that I don’t do positional practice, but the bench sux. I am willing to trade weight for optic quality, but I want to be proficient with the platform.
I have noticed that with my change in hunting style and the terrain, my choices (and weights) have changed. Hunting with my father who has had multiple back and knee surgeries, I’ve gone to a heavier setup with the lack of movement from the rig versus long days still hunting through ground that is more vertical than flat.
Few of my rifles are fun at the bench, but are meant to be carried a lot and shot a little. Not saying that I don’t do positional practice, but the bench sux. I am willing to trade weight for optic quality, but I want to be proficient with the platform.
I have noticed that with my change in hunting style and the terrain, my choices (and weights) have changed. Hunting with my father who has had multiple back and knee surgeries, I’ve gone to a heavier setup with the lack of movement from the rig versus long days still hunting through ground that is more vertical than flat.
Hard lock tripod attachment has its place for sure, but oddly enough i have found myself going away from it in recent years in favor of a carbon fiber table and a bag. Pint sized gamechanger with gitlite fill used as a rear bag on bipod, support bag off a rock, front bag off the table or a pillow for afternoon naps. Pretty solid combo. I do lock in still on other occasions like predator hunts but the insulation and increased width of the fulcrum a bag brings is hard to argue
What brand of carbon fiber table/platform do you use? A quick search yielded nothing for me…google gave me table-top tripods lol.
I love these threads. My fave is the one where the guy spends a whole shitload of money on a "lightweight titianium" hunting rifle, then posts his picture (usually next to an Aoudad) of whatever he killed. You then realize that he could have lost at least one of his chins (for free) and saved the exact same amount of weight.
And I'm not talking about going full retard on fitness, I am talking just taking the occasional walk.
I digress. I think my lightest hunting gun is somewhere between 8 and 10lbs, depending on what bipod I plop on that thing. It's a 6.5 PRC and it's fun to shoot about 5 times in a row. I like to shoot 20lb .22's and 6's. Probably why my .300 hasn't seen the light of day for about 3 years.
And I'm not talking about going full retard on fitness, I am talking just taking the occasional walk.
I digress. I think my lightest hunting gun is somewhere between 8 and 10lbs, depending on what bipod I plop on that thing. It's a 6.5 PRC and it's fun to shoot about 5 times in a row. I like to shoot 20lb .22's and 6's. Probably why my .300 hasn't seen the light of day for about 3 years.
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I've said the same thing in the past, but the body doesn't really work that way. That really dawned on me one day when I picked up and moved a bag with two 16lb bowling balls in it. The exact amount of weight I had just lost I'm prior months. "Wow, you'd think I'd notice that more", but you don't.
Someone said other than carrying it, a heavy rifles does everything better than a light rifle. That's true. The problem is 99% of what you do with it is carry it.
Huh. That’s an interesting observation, and upon reflecting on my own experiences, I think you’re right.
The lowering of one’s body weight almost has to improve measurable performance, but not necessarily feel like it does.
In a ruck, on your back, at elevation, ounces equal pounds. I think 8-10 lbs loaded rifle is ideal. If I am in a deer stand or varmint hunting from some sort of hide then the weight is irrelevant.
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^ Similarly, the day pack I've worn hunting the last couple years, in the hand is noticeably heavier than the one I used for the 20-25 years prior. But due to better design, straps and fit, it FEELS a lot lighter on your back.
Other thread chuckles are people mentioning their rifle weight, but not the 8lb tripod they're toting along to shoot it off of.
Other thread chuckles are people mentioning their rifle weight, but not the 8lb tripod they're toting along to shoot it off of.
Times are a changing. I really don't see any compromise on trustworthy components on this one I just finished. Perhaps you have seen issues with CF stocks? You don't see many reports of that though on bolts guns or AR's...they seem to hold up fine.
I hunt in Utah and surrounding states. I usually hike 5 to 10 miles a day hunting in steep county. All my hunting rifles are 12-14lbs fully loaded. There is always compromises. My rifles are not enjoyable to carry around, but I like having a reliable rifle that I can spot my impacts, and make quick follow up shots if needed. If you intend on being a “long range shooter” you have to be able to see your impacts. I shoot a 6.5 PRC, 6.5x55 AI, and 25 creedmoor, low recoiling calibers. I’ve killed a lot of elk and deer at 400-800 yrds with these rifles.
