ANDREW RICKETTS
Well-Known Member
What's your all's ideal weight for a hunting rifle? Whether it's a 100 yard walk to sit in a stand or to walk all over for hours at a time? Thanks guys let me know!!
Good Weight for a Hunting Rifle
- Thread starter ANDREW RICKETTS
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I've been lugging a 12 lb rifle all over the mtns. Finally building a full custom carbon fiber gun, will be under 8 lbs scoped.
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Deleted member 103481
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7.5 before optics
PredatorSlayer
Well-Known Member
9lbs scoped is a good balance for a long range thumper imo. Still not horrible to tackle the rockies with, but has enough weight to feel comfortable shooting out there a long ways.
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David Emerson
Well-Known Member
Depends on the rifle and caliber. I like a rifle about 9 1/2 scoped of a magnum. Some lighter if a smaller gun. But if you get into the bigger guns. A 10 pound lapua or 338 rum will get your attention. I also have a 458 safari grade that is 7 1/2 that will beat you. And that is just the way it came from the factory. But the average 7 or 30 mag about 8 1/2 pounds is good for me but everyone,s recoil tolerance is different.
David Emerson
Well-Known Member
I want to add. A featherweight is hard to steady and shoot with. A rifle that is just a touch muzzle heavy I like a lot better. Balance is very important too. A rifle that is too muzzle heavy is a club to me. Unless all you are going to do is prop it on a rock and shoot as far as you can.
Country Bumpkin
Well-Known Member
8.25 lbs scoped (not loaded, no sling, etc).
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My favorite carry/stand "long range" hunting rifle is 10.5#. While a bit heavier then I prefer for carry, its very well balanced, with sufficient weight for long range shooting stability.
It really comes down to personal preference and what you use it for. Weight is no big deal if all you carry it is to a stand. Different if you are trying to go up and down the Rockies with it. This deer season I my main hunting rifle was a 10+ lb 26 inch rifle. Didn't bother me a bit even when I had to stalk for half a mile. Only problem I had was the 26 inch barrel was hard to move around. Found myself reaching for one with a 22 inch barrel.on the other hand I have a rifle on the way that I was trying to keep at 7 1/2 or under for the rockies. It looks like it will be about 8 lbs loaded with sling and decent scope. I guess this will have to do until I find a good deal on a nula or Barrett does what they said and starts making a left hand model. To me 7&1/2 to 8lbs is a good do everything weight. Mountain fund-raising the lighter the better. True long range- as much as your willing to carry!
aushunter1
Well-Known Member
The question is somewhat a personal thing & the answers cannot be an answered other than anyone else but you!!
I find these sort of questions pointless imo for this reason!!!!
What you can carry, bring up to your eye freehand & shoot is different to me.
What you can carry for miles & still be effective with it is different from me.
What 1 person can do has little relevance to what you can do.
Hence a pointless question imo.
Sorry just reality!!
Country Bumpkin
Well-Known Member
True, but isn't half of this forum (or more) devoted to opinion-based discussion? What caliber, what scope, what bullet, which components? The only discussion here that isn't opinion-centric is that which can be proven/backed up by math.
I engage in these discussions, and read them, because there are some folks that frequent this site that I value their opinion on various topics. Some people offer great advice on reloading, others on shooting form, others on gunsmithing, and some provide input on hunting gear applications that mirror my chosen style of hunting and quarry. I find threads like this to be pretty valuable points of reference for my future decisions.
aushunter1
Well-Known Member
I totally agree that we can all learn from one another in many aspects to do with shooting/hunting/reloading/gunsmithing etc but when it comes to physicality what you can do, carry, drag, put up to your shoulder & hold zero is different from me.
Mute point imo!
Some people just love to 'tire kick' I know but man what is the point of having a 5lb rifle if your carrying a 20lb pack??
I think maybe I have been around forums for to long, I shouldn't comment on pointless things & leave it alone but seriously do people even make an effort to answer their own questions sometimes before posting
Yes we do really need good positive help at times but do people really need to ask what they themselves can carry
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Weatherby Fan
Well-Known Member
If Im backpack hunting for days on end 6.5lbs or less scoped, everyday hunting rifle 8lbs or less scoped, my 300 PRC is 8lbs 12oz scoped which Ill use for Elk hunting mainly.
I have a 280AI built on a Defiance Rebel action and a 24" #2 fluted Benchmark barrel set in an Ultralight Wildcat stock and it weighs 7lbs 12 oz scoped with Talleys and Leupold 4.5-14x40 30mm CDS scope, to me this is an ideal weight for an everyday hunting rifle.
I have a 280AI built on a Defiance Rebel action and a 24" #2 fluted Benchmark barrel set in an Ultralight Wildcat stock and it weighs 7lbs 12 oz scoped with Talleys and Leupold 4.5-14x40 30mm CDS scope, to me this is an ideal weight for an everyday hunting rifle.
