Long Range Hunting Gun Weight

[sp6x6]

I am mainly a hiker,into tough country and not getting younger.But I want the chance at the longer shots.My rifle was built with quality and geared toward weight savings.I shot 500+ 20 years ago with good handloads and a factory 340wby.My rifle bare is 7-2 oz.8 3/4 dressed,bipod and a mark 4 6-20. I have shot it into 1 1/18 at 400 and 6 1/4 at 1000. I can spot my hits a majority on rock type targets.I have a practice rifle that is 9-2 0z. 11-4 oz scoped,bipod is +10 oz. This is a summer scout with my kid.When he was 16 he shot a speed goat with packer at 850.rifles are 338 Normas

[shootinfool]

For the ranges mentioned at the first I would be looking somewhere in the 13-15 pound range. Heavier if at all possible, but I realize that this is a gun that you may wind up hefting around all day. There are ways to eliminate the carrying weight of the gun but for the average hunter I would recommend the 13-15 pound range. That is not to say that you could not get the job done with a lighter gun, just that I feel that the heavier the gun, the better your chances are. Just my opinion though, not that it means much.

[youngtrout]

Like the look of the shoulder sling posted, that Len sells, but I'm in the same boat as some other guys that hunt with a pack all the time. From the pic, don't see you taking anything but a rifle? How many folks hunt that lean? I can't seem to get out of camp with anything less than about 10-15 pounds minus rifle,,,,but again I always have a pack with extra clothing, spotter sometimes, always have meat care items, water, bare minimums in my mind.

But, carrying a rifle has always been a painwith a pack, typically on a pack in I strap it to back or side, sure makes a trek into spike easier. So far, best thing I've done is something similar to the gun bearer, might actually look into the commercial one before this fall, to see how it balances. Add to that, it looks a little nicer with treking poles. Nothing is worse than a heavy pack and a sling over the strap of a backpack, with the rifle wanting to fall off,

[shootinfool]

If carry a pack and then a gun slung on the sholder I usually wind up having the bi-pod getting stuck on the sholder strap of the pack all the time and it then becomes a huge pain. Like I said before...if I use a pack I put the gun in the pack or strap it to it somehow. If not I hunt with someone else that will carry a pack and then I worry about the gun and ammo and laser and such that need to be ready. To each their own though.

[X-man]

Originally Posted by Broz

Well, there is a miles differenc between a 800 yard shot and a 1200 yard shot and 1600 is another level again.

So, I will think in terms of a 1200 yard shot and say this. I sure would not want a rifle under 12lbs if I wanted my success rate to be good. And for the 1600 yard shots I would want a 16 lb .338.

Jeff

Money!

For me (personally) I look at rifles in the 600, 1000 and oh my God ranges, but that is a result of my local environment.
My personal rifles fit into the 8.5, 12, 16, and 35 pound class. There is no rifle weight restriction up here so I like the 50 BMG for 1000+yd hunting.

[smithnainteasy]

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