Light rifle vs lose body weight

I had posted a rifle for sale the other day and got numerous questions as to the weight of the rifle. It got me thinking "why do people always want the lightest possible rifle? "
Opinion: If you are new to long range hunting do not get caught up in getting the lightest possible rifle. It is proven that the heavier the rifle the more accurate it is. So if you're looking for the most accurate hunting rifle don't try to get the lightest but maybe look into losing a little bit of body weight or packing a little less in your pack. Flame suit on

Losing body weight doesn't help you carry or lift more. Hence why you try to gain weight when body building (muscle gains). Lifting more with less fat doesn't make you athletic or give you endurance. Half the people on here appear to be on verge of death by old age... I don't think dudes in their 60s give a crap enough to go do burpees in the morning, CrossFit in the afternoon and split a lift session at night to shoot their rifle.

Fitness is important, but im carrying a 15 pound 308 this year and it sucks. A Larue tactical OBR with a Nightforce atacr 4-16x42f1. I climbed Mt. Rainier last year and multiple other cascade mountains in years past. So I'm no couch potato or stranger to putting in effort. If I can get similar performance from a rifle with less weight next year I'm taking it. No question. In fact it's as simple as tossing a scope back on my old standby 30-06. Just as accurate at my hunting ranges and I can hike farther with less water. More bullet weight at similar velocity. Just a more pleasant experience.

Skimbleshanks said:

carrying a 15 pound 308

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i agree, but only because 308 can't be effective at the range where 15 lbs is the appropriate rifle weight.

IMO, 9-10lbs is nice for 308 class; 13-15 for 300 WM; 15-17 for 30 Nosler....

just opinions though. I mostly carry a 9lb 6.5x55

To the OP, I agree wholeheartedly. The only people I have sympathy for are older ladies and gentleman where life has already taken the best from them and those with disabilities. Everyone else is just making excuses.

I'm not saying be a meat head and lug a heavy rifle bc you can, but also don't be a b***h about a heavy gun either. As soon as you take away your ability to carry anything remotely heavy, your rifle options narrow down significantly.

let's not forget the most important thing which is your health! Get in shape for health first and foremost.

I'll leave you with this from quarter minutes magnums.

"Why does a man who is 50 pounds overweight complain about a 10 pound rifle being too heavy?"

Dfan, I have to slightly disagree. My wife and I do xfit. She is much more serious than I am and better I had surgery a couple years ago(detached pec) and was out for almost 2 years. Since, I lost 20 lbs, I'm back to old weights (dumb) and feel great packing all day. Weight is weight in my opinion. Whether I pack my ultra light creedmoor or my 13lb edge, the body doesn't care like it did 20 lbs ago. But, to each their own.

Mram10us said:

I had posted a rifle for sale the other day and got numerous questions as to the weight of the rifle. It got me thinking "why do people always want the latest possible rifle? "
Opinion: If you are new to long range hunting do not get caught up in getting the lightest possible rifle. It is proven that the heavier the rifle the more accurate it is. So if you're looking for the most accurate hunting rifle don't try to get the lightest but maybe look into losing a little bit of body weight or packing a little less in your pack. Flame suit on

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lightweight rifles are the new fad - like the creedmoor. I also think it depends on where you hunt. After hiking around the rockies for the last week with my 11lb 6.5prc chasing elk, I have been on gunbroker looking at fieldcrafts...lol.

Lots of lightweight guns that are extremely accurate now days...both customs and factory.

[QUOTE="dfanonymous, post: Half the people on here appear to be on verge of death by old age...[/QUOTE]

Ahahahahaha - I can't believe that you actually posted that. Just a bit disparaging; don't you think?. For the record, I'm probably in the group you are referencing but I cycle 26 miles every other day just to maintain good cardio. And .... I hope that you're wrong about, "on the verge of death". LMAO

How about just lose weight and be healthy. No one likes a mouth breathing sloth on trail. And besides, you'll feel better and perhaps live longer.
As for the rifle, to each his own.

Holycity73 said:

How about just lose weight and be healthy. No one likes a mouth breathing sloth on trail. And besides, you'll feel better and perhaps live longer.
As for the rifle, to each his own.

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hahaha mouth breathers

There are different kinds of fitness. My uncle in his 80's is still active in Archery and Swimming He went to the Senior Olympics? My Son in law Dave is the strongest man in the world! He holds several power lifting records. But my old ready for death Uncle
can out hike the World Record Holder? You guys think I'm kidding? watch this kid he's scary strong! Turn your volume up!

I would rather have a bit heavy rifle that affords me an extra 200 to 300 or so yards of stability/accuracy than having to walk that distance numerous times a day up a mountain to get in position for a potential shot. So, lighter is not always the best solution in my mind. Just my opinion.

KyCarl said:

There are different kinds of fitness. My uncle in his 80's is still active in Archery and Swimming He went to the Senior Olympics? My Son in law Dave is the strongest man in the world! He holds several power lifting records. But my old ready for death Uncle
can out hike the World Record Holder? You guys think I'm kidding? watch this kid he's scary strong! Turn your volume up!

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For those of you who do t know, Dave Hoff is a member of the West side Barbell crew. As a power lifter, I gotta say I'm stoked to know that he's @KyCarl s son in law. That's just really neat.

Rick Richard said:

I would rather have a bit heavy rifle that affords me an extra 200 to 300 or so yards of stability/accuracy than having to walk that distance numerous times a day up a mountain to get in position for a potential shot. So, lighter is not always the best solution in my mind. Just my opinion.

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Great point.
That brings up the discussion of what is light? I have an x bolt with a vx6 3-18 that is stupid light. Most shots taken with that rifle have been between 150-300 yards. That's over the four years I've hunted with it. That's over 20 deer. All dead. I've carried it from the truck to a stand and into the woods with miles under foot.
That's just that one rifle... With several rifles to chose from all varying in weight, I'd say it is the total weight of your kit, not just a rifle.

no one walks in with just a rifle.