Adding Some Weight

SecretSquirrel38

SecretSquirrel38

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Sep 9, 2024
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Location
Franklin, Tn
I recently added 3.5 pounds to my Remington 700 ADL with synthetic stock and put a Limbsaver recoil pad on since the old one was solid rubber. What a difference at the range and my groups. It is much easier to hold it steady. I am doing the same thing to my 30-06 Browning A-Bolt but with 1.25 pounds in each end.. I am weighing out Daisy BB's in equal amounts for the stock and for-end. Then I cover the BB's in Rapid Set self leveling sealant in black enough to cover them but not come close to the barrel. For the stock I cut a piece of PVC pipe, wrapped the ends in duct tape and set it in the middle so I got better balance.

I don't do a lot of long distance walking while hunting so the extra weight doesn't bother me. Some of the guys at the range shot my 270 and loved it. One asked me to send him what I am doing. Then I watch them rattle their fillings shooting a 7 pound Ruger American 30-06. After having both shoulders operated I can't have them taking a beating.

Tight groups Lads!
 

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Doubt you will get any arguement that added weight in a properly balanced way makes any rifle more enjoyable to shoot if supported. The issue is packing said rifle to where you hunt and while you stalk etc. Add in some large elevation changes of steep grades and that weight feels as though its tripled. For a range gun or short hike to a tree stand I am all for it. I have got nothing here that comes remotely close to the grades and distances out west but pushing thru even a few miles of thick brush in the hills of WVA, Va, Tn, and Ky will wear you out. Then to back out with game in tow. Unfortunately the weight added by me in the last 10yrs has been around my waist not on my rifles.
 
SecretSquirrel38 said:
I recently added 3.5 pounds to my Remington 700 ADL with synthetic stock and put a Limbsaver recoil pad on since the old one was solid rubber. What a difference at the range and my groups. It is much easier to hold it steady. I am doing the same thing to my 30-06 Browning A-Bolt but with 1.25 pounds in each end.. I am weighing out Daisy BB's in equal amounts for the stock and for-end. Then I cover the BB's in Rapid Set self leveling sealant in black enough to cover them but not come close to the barrel. For the stock I cut a piece of PVC pipe, wrapped the ends in duct tape and set it in the middle so I got better balance.

I don't do a lot of long distance walking while hunting so the extra weight doesn't bother me. Some of the guys at the range shot my 270 and loved it. One asked me to send him what I am doing. Then I watch them rattle their fillings shooting a 7 pound Ruger American 30-06. After having both shoulders operated I can't have them taking a beating.

Tight groups Lads!
Click to expand...
I did a similar process 20+ years ago on hollow buttstocks, but I have had better luck with muzzle devices. I have been using muzzle brakes since 2003. I understand it is not for everybody, though.
 
Heavy rifles are much more enjoyable to shoot as long as you don't have to carry them a long ways.Most of my rifles weigh around 9-10lbs.I personally don't like a rifle that is too light,but I do understand where in some situations every once counts a lot too. They just don't seem to balance right to me and are harder to hold steady than heavy rifles.Putting a heavier scope on a light rifle can also help with the weight balance.Don't forget a great trigger will also help those groups.
 
I have a Win 75 .22LR position rifle that weighs about 15 lbs. It came to me with lead in the forearm and in the butt. It is more stable to shoot than my 513T, but at the same time I tire faster holding the 75 in position than I do with the 513T.
 
Both my hunting rifles are heavy by component selection, not by adding weight. The varmint sized, heavy barrels and heavy stocks just ended up that way, around 11-12lbs each.
I typically don't carry either of them much more than a few hundred yards during a hunt.
Very nice at the range, nice hunting off a rest. If I had to carry a rifle very far, it wouldn't be 12lbs!!
I also use a brake on my 280 AI, but not on my 308 20" shortie.. as it's not a range rifle, strictly deep woods hunting. The 280AI is my long range rifle, and is at the local range frequently.
I believe it all these type decisions depend on how you use one, and what you can physically manage.
 
Heavier is better off the bench and more consistent offhand too. However, I hike a lot in hard terrain while hunting, so I've settled on glassed rifles between 7 and 8 pounds. .243, 260, 7-08 and 30-06.
Of those, the 7-08 kicks the hardest
The 260 Rem is coming out with me next week, Cascade buck deer, weighing in at 7lbs 4oz.
 
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The great news is we have plenty of choices to pick from. I had a Bergara HMR in 7RM that was an awesome rifle once you got it to the bench or tripod. I just could not get over the weight penalty. One hunting trip, and I sold it. I carried heavy Browning BAR's in my younger years. It didn't seem to bother me back then. I'm now a 9lb and under rifle shooter. Nothing in the UL category.
 
Most of my rifles have laminated wood stocks - nothing is needed to increase weight. Barrels, scopes, bipods, mounts, bases, & other attached items add weight. Working with 6061 aluminum has convinced me that its strength is adequate for scope mounting/bases/rings, bipods/mounts, & other and this can make my laminated wood stock rifles lighter. .
 
undoubtably heavier rifles are much easier to shoot accurately. Years ago, I settled on 7 lbs as the minimum I could hold steady enough to make accurate field shots. Many of my hunting partners carry 9 to 10 lb rifles and are very good with them, but I have limited my field guns to 7.5 to 8.75 lbs fully outfitted and loaded and that includes a 338 win mag! Any extra weight in my pack goes to food and water! To help with recoil, I've gone to smaller calibers, lighter and better bullets.
 

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