HOW LIGHT IS YOUR RIFLE

[livetohunt]

I don't run any guns under 8.5 lbs. Around 7.5lbs I really think the shootability drops off. After shooting a bunch of competitions I gravitate towards heavier everything, optics, barrels, etc.

Ken

 

[GarBy]

All I can say is wow!!! I couldn't even think of doing that. I guess (assuming) that the rifle is packed which would help. Good job!!!

So have you thought about ever going to something more lightweight?

I'll ask it this way... guys talk about carbon fiber tent rods, etc etc etc to lighten what they are hauling in. All to save ounces here and there. Is there a particular reason to carry so heavy of a gun? What ranges are you shooting then?

I'm as light as I feel good about with the rifle....and the OMR 7 PRC is the new go-to rifle. Tents, packs, etc are as light as possible and the guides are much younger...lol. But I tip well!

 

[Pacecount]

I'm not sure who you are talking too but I practice at 1000 yards with the 7mm (shooting 180s) and out to 700 yards with the 308 (shooting 178s).

 

[73driver]

I was into the light rifle trend for awhile, but found that shoot-ability is more important than lightweight. My lightest is 7.2 pounds scoped and that's for a 6.5 PRC…a lighter recoiling rifle for me. My .375 HH is 8.5 pounds scoped and that one shoots real good for me. I'm having a .300 PRC built now that I would have to think will weigh 9-ish pounds scoped.

Mac

Same for me, my rifles in 6.5C and 270 WIN run 9 plus pounds with scope.

 

[Playtimefun]

So what hunting ranges are you shooting then? Not practicing... shooting game at?

 

[Joefrazell]

I've got a 6lb 11oz 6.5 cm I'm confident out to 600 yards with.

 

[Calvin45]

10-12 scoped.
But I'm a flatlander

Same for me on both fronts. My number one "do everything" rifle is a savage 111 Long Range Hunter model in .300 win mag. It's no target or bench gun but it is decidedly not a "sporter". With the scope I think it's around that 11-12 pound mark. Doesn't bother me at all to lug around but I've never climbed a mountain with it haha.

I appreciate these lighter and lighter hunting rifles but am afraid I might not shoot worth a **** with them, I don't naturally have the steadiest hands, often a low-key tremble or jitter to my fingers and a heavy rifle does wonders to atone for that.

 

[ickes123]

It would seem to me it would be better to drop 10 to 15 pounds of fat off the old body and keep the extra couple pounds on the rifle. Just saying.

good luck with that, it's easier to buy a lighter gun.

 

[tahoe1305]

7wsm scoped, bipod, can, loaded at 9lbs. I'm pushing shoot ability but with some practice the light load is nice.

 

[Seahawk1]

Falling block?

No, it is a long titanium bolt action with a carbon wrapped barrel I made from a 30" 1:8 Bartlein blank that I long throated for 180 grain Bergers. I made my own carbon fiber stock to keep the weight low along with a titanium muzzle brake that I machined for it. The long barrel stabalizes it to make up for the light weight and keeps the balance point at the front of the action. I also have a 7 SAUM I built in a similar design with a 26 inch barrel that weighs about 6 3/4 pounds. Both shoot great.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

good luck with that, it's easier to buy a lighter gun.

I agree.
My DL says 5-10 height, 2Many weight.

 

[ZG47]

No, it is a long titanium bolt action with a carbon wrapped barrel I made from a 30" 1:8 Bartlein blank that I long throated for 180 grain Bergers. I made my own carbon fiber stock to keep the weight low along with a titanium muzzle brake that I machined for it. The long barrel stabalizes it to make up for the light weight and keeps the balance point at the front of the action. I also have a 7 SAUM I built in a similar design with a 26 inch barrel that weighs about 6 3/4 pounds. Both shoot great.

I suspected something like that. True dedication and obviously … additional satisfaction when you take a trophy or meat animal. I respect your craftsmanship. Thank you for your courteous reply.

 

[cabelasken]

My gunsmith and his father are and were champion benchrest shooters and when I went to them with a request to build a lightweight 284 win for mountain hunting almost 30 years ago they asked if I had shot a 6 to 6.5 lb rifle in the field and I had to admit that I had not. To that they both told me of the difficulties of making a field shot with a 6.5 lb rifle and at their suggestion i went with a 7.5 lb 284 win. Best decision I ever made. It shot wonderful and i took a lot of game animals with it and it was fun to show off at the range with many 1/2" 5 shot groups. Now after 5000+ rounds thru the shillen match frozen barrel it probably needs another tube. i put 6000 thru the factory barrel. Although I have 3 or 4 rifles that are under the 7 lb mark which includes scope, my minimum limit is about 7.5 lbs. I find there is enough weight in the forearm to keep the rifle steady on the sticks.

 

[Playtimefun]

I can fully respect that. My Wby Mk5 ultralight in 280 AI is horrible in a set of sticks but with a bipod it's decently manageable. My Browning mtn ti in 7 WSM sits and points beautifully. Enough so that I am trying to negotiate buying a third in 300 wsm as I already have 7mm and 325 versions. Stock configuration is a huge thing in shooting any gun.

I looked last night in the gun cabinet as I am putting back my Rem 700 bdl in 300 WM back to the exact configuration that I had it when I first bought it. Weaver tip-off rings and a bushnell 3-9x40. I didn't weigh it... but it's probably 8.75 lbs maybe more. Will need to check. But the confidence I have in how that gun feels and shoots is everything. For years it was my only high power rifle. It's taken at least 11 moose and there is one 1/2" scratch on the entire gun. I never thought anything about the weight of that gun all that time!!!!