Creative ways to cut weight?

[OregonHunter2]

Full disclosure, my first idea is a product I rep, but I would like to end up exchanging ideas that could help all of us shed ounces off our shooting rig. My question is, what are some effective and possibly unorthodox ways to lighten up our hunting irons?

It always seems crazy to me that people spend $700 for a carbon stock, $1500 for a titanium action, $800 for a carbon barrel, do all kinds of metal skeletonizing, then hang a 1 pound bipod off the forend. A friend was complaining that our Javelin Lite and Pro Hunt bipods are expensive, but at only 4-6 ounces, I can't think of more cost-effective way to save weight on his rifle.

What kind of out-of-the-box ways have you guys found to lighten up a rifle?

 

[Troutslayer2]

I don't feel like those offer enough features to make me want to switch to yet another proprietary system of gizmos and portals. They are ok, a little better than shooting sticks but don't tell me they can do everything that some of the other bipods can do for 1/3 the weight. I can cut carbs out of my diet and lose 3 bipods in a week.

 

[OregonHunter2]

You're right, we don't try to make a bipod that does what heavier, more robust ones do. You've always got to give up a little something to get something. Our products are designed to give good stability for the person who wants to shoot to normal hunting ranges, or have something that can be used for occasional bench use in a pinch. I probably find myself spending more money on lightweight gear than actually doing the work to lose weight myself hahaha

 

[sp6x6]

The light rifle is already built,running it 11 years.All the above except standard action,Alum. bolt,Lonewolf carbon /glass stock,Light for size 3-24x52 scope,safari sling lite.My bipod 13 oz. on hip belt pack,ran nothing the rest of my 58 years and had no problem.Im vested in my setup,which Ive used extensively in past 11 years on multiple rifles.I shoot off rock or log,root many times and being able to have the bipod legs go either direction is very important to me,and adjustable,and stout.I can live with it,shave on pack,clothing ,knive,lazer,most items.But am very happy with my bipod. Ive also shoot game out to the 600 mark when I ran a Snipepod,very lite,not near the stability.If snows deep may shoot off my trekking poles Leki carbon.If im packing spotter I can shoot off my outdoorsman or other lighter tripod with interface to my rail. Ive seen sheep rifles in the 5 # range,how light do you need?See alot of light builds with heavy big scopes

 

[dfanonymous]

It always seems crazy to me that people spend $700 for a carbon stock, $1500 for a titanium action, $800 for a carbon barrel, do all kinds of metal skeletonizing, then hang a 1 pound bipod off the forend. A friend was complaining that our Javelin Lite and Pro Hunt bipods are expensive, but at only 4-6 ounces, I can't think of more cost-effective way to save weight on his rifle.

What kind of out-of-the-box ways have you guys found to lighten up a rifle?

Seems out of the box these days. Working out makes the rifle feel lighters believe it or not…


Everything has give or take…be it weight, durability, performance, and unfortunately aesthetics is something people in a market consider with varying consideration.

There are some universally bad ideas in different disciplines but generally, there's a matter of what give and takes you are willing to live or die with.

 

[Coldfinger]

If I were trying to shed mere ounces to save on weight I think you'd save a few by dropping the M5 trigger guard and magazine out and installing a bdl style floorplate. The magazines are handy but do add weight. I run mags on most of my rifles but truthfully even after the shot I slowly open the bolt to catch that precious brass!

 

[Troutslayer2]

You're right, we don't try to make a bipod that does what heavier, more robust ones do. You've always got to give up a little something to get something. Our products are designed to give good stability for the person who wants to shoot to normal hunting ranges, or have something that can be used for occasional bench use in a pinch. I probably find myself spending more money on lightweight gear than actually doing the work to lose weight myself hahaha

Wait when you say "we" do you work for that company? I did not particularly like their attitude on social media and that alone will keep me from buying. They're also made overseas.

 

[DJ Fergus]

Seems out of the box these days. Working out makes the rifle feel lighters believe it or not…


Everything has give or take…be it weight, durability, performance, and unfortunately aesthetics is something people in a market consider with varying consideration.

There are some universally bad ideas in different disciplines but generally, there's a matter of what give and takes you are willing to live or die with.

I agree with the working out. I've been working out for the past year. I feel alot better overall. My rifles feel lighter. I honestly think I shoot better.

 

[isaaccarlson]

Scopes are heavy, so a lighter one can cut a lb or more in some cases. Actions, bolts, and barrels are heavy by design and necessity.

Stocks don't add that much, but I have seen some forends hollowed out under the barrel and in the butt, only saving at most a few oz and reducing the strength and vibration absorbing properties.

A sling can add 4-12oz in most cases.

Bipods are heavy for the same reason the action is. It has to hold up to some abuse. Would I be interested in a lightweight bipod? Maybe, if it doesn't cost too much. I don't usually use it anyway, except when shooting prone or from a bench. I hunt for food and most of my shots are offhand or braced against a tree.

It's hard to get a good rifle under 7-8 lbs. lighter weight increases recoil.

 

[458win]

Ditch the huge scope, ditch the heavy barrel, ditch the bipod. Put a 3.5-10 or 2.5-8 leupold in Talley rings on a tikka t3 in whatever caliber strikes yours fancy. Weight saved and still good to 500.

 

[jrock]

If I try to interpret the "out-of-the-box ways" of lightening, there aren't many I can think of. Out of the box, it might be not adding weight. Don't use a bipod, sling, or brake. Use Talley mounts with small 3-9 scope, etc. One can use a rotary tool to grind excess metal from some bottom metal but you won't save much. Most plastics stocks are light and don't have any room for material removal. Using a microcell recoil pad saves a few oz but may be hard to fit to some stocks. Beyond things like this, its part replacement or gunsmithing work to reduce weight.

When I drill down into light weight hunting, it seems the buck stocks with "what can I do without."

 

[Triple BB]

Putting yer 1lb bipod in yer pocket or backpack is one way to lighten yer rifle...

 

[Pro2A]

Full disclosure, my first idea is a product I rep, but I would like to end up exchanging ideas that could help all of us shed ounces off our shooting rig. My question is, what are some effective and possibly unorthodox ways to lighten up our hunting irons?

It always seems crazy to me that people spend $700 for a carbon stock, $1500 for a titanium action, $800 for a carbon barrel, do all kinds of metal skeletonizing, then hang a 1 pound bipod off the forend. A friend was complaining that our Javelin Lite and Pro Hunt bipods are expensive, but at only 4-6 ounces, I can't think of more cost-effective way to save weight on his rifle.

What kind of out-of-the-box ways have you guys found to lighten up a rifle?


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Lighten up a rifle......don't hang crap on it.... Short barrels = lighter, stiffer. Lightweight optics.....many choices used. Barrett Fieldcraft about as light as available. No DBM, only top load. Look at all those shooting sticks in your pic background.... No bipod.....pack already along for the ride. Make it earn its keep on ground, rock, side of tree. Carry ratchet strap in outer pack pocket for many applications, including to strap pack to tree where higher rest in needed, prone not feasible. Also, can use bungee cord/rope around tree/rifle to form loop rest against tree....use a loose (no barrel pressure) slip-on neoprene sleeve to protect stock. Sometimes use trekking poles for rest......rifle through hand strap makes mono-pod rest. Merely hand on tree for quick opportunities. Many options used over time. All lighter, multi-tasking, cheaper, more flexible than bi-pod.

 

[chav0_12]

For me if the rifle is already built light, it'll come down to lighter weight scope rings and bases. Ditch the heavy steel stuff that you don't really need, get a lighter smaller scope, it's a lightweight rifle after all, don't think I'd be trying overly long shots with a lightweight rifle. Then again lightweight rifles can be something of individual interpretation. For me a lightweight rifle comes in somewhere under 6lbs bare, closer to 5lbs if I'm being picky, that should come in well under 7lbs scoped and loaded.

To me the perspective that you could lose more weight on yourself and not spend money is a cop out. I'd rather do both, be in better shape and carry less weight in gear. Sure being stronger makes things feel lighter, for a while, but the lighter weight gear will still feel even lighter. For me it's more about miles than weight. If I can lose more weight in both my gear and myself that means I can go more miles before getting worn out. Even if you're in the best shape you could possibly be in why carry heavier gear just for the sake of it?