Weight into consideration?

[FOTIS]

This is the way to carry guys. I have used this on my lightweight to my 11 lbs 458 Lott.


http://www.cabelas.com/gun-slings-safar ... ng-1.shtml

 

[akhunter]

Weight is a consideration for me. Whether flying or boating in, or taking off from the road, all my hunts are via backpack and my two feet between 2 to 10 days in roadless areas. I hunt with a 7.5lb model 70 and a 7lb Kimber montana. Shooting magnum cartridges, I would not want my rifles any lighter.

 

[mcseal2]

I like my 264WM for everything except steep mountain hunts. Plains and hills it seems like shots can be long or short and quick. My 264 weighs 10.5lbs now ready to hunt with the 4-16 scope, sling, and ammo. The thumbhole stock adds some weight but sure pulls up steady for me and locks down solid. The rifle balances beautifully for me and comes to my shoulder fast and smooth. I also shoot some running game and the rifle swings smooth. Took my 2nd best whitetail this year on a 215yd running shot.

My Ruger American in 270 is my current lightweight. I've had a Colt Light Rifle and a couple other fairly light guns. I loved the Colt but hated the safety so I ended up selling it. Had a Browning A bolt in 270WSM that worked really well for me also until I was dumb enough to sell it. My current lightweight is still at the gunsmith getting a barrel, Dad's old M670 blind magazine winchester. It's getting a 270 win Pac-Nor #3 fluted 24" barrel that should weigh in at 2.76lbs according to their calculator. With a Mcmillian Hunter's Edge with the 1" Limbsaver pad, 4.5-14x40 Leupold CDS, sling, ammo, and Talley rings it should be about 8.3lbs ready to hunt. It will be my new mountain rifle and probably get packed on an elk hunt next fall. I was going to buy a 300WSM, and still will down the road, but with the 150LRAB at 2900fps or so I'll feel comfortable with the 270. Now I just need to get everything done and work up a load.

 

[Oldtrader3]

My Model 70 scoped and loaded weighs about 9 pounds. So do most of my rifles. They mostly have 24 inch #3 contour barrels and heavy walnut stocks. Honestly, the weight has never bothered me. A good sling and proper carrying procedures make all of the difference.

 

[tjen]

Yes, weight and handling come into play for me. Thats why I have a 366D 35rem its very light weight say six lbs and 38" long. Next up is my rem 700 short action in 358win with its 20.5" barrel it fits into 40" gun case and still handles and carries very well. After that its a rem longaction in 270win or the 7600 in 35whelen which both have 22" barrels.

The two heaviest rifles I have are both rem 700 SA's with 24" std. contoured barrels one in 223rem and the other in 221rem. With these heavy is good since the cross hairs donot move off the target after a shot.

 

[Elkman]

I really don't give it much thought. I can carry a fully loaded Model 70, magnum with, scope, sling, a butt stock shell holder, and a bipod all day. I think that 10+ lbs would not be pleasant, but I can't really tell you what any of mine weigh.

 

[SJB358]

I really don't give it much thought. I can carry a fully loaded Model 70, magnum with, scope, sling, a butt stock shell holder, and a bipod all day. I think that 10+ lbs would not be pleasant, but I can't really tell you what any of mine weigh.

Yours is about the same as mine Bill, I would bet your in the 9lb range with the bipod, but still comfortable... I tried to get a scale this weekend to weigh some rifles, but I couldn't find one I wanted.

 

[big rifle man]

I used to enjoy carrying my .338 RUM with McMillan Stock for Elk in Colorado and use my Kimber .300WSM as a back up but at 68 years of age the mountains seem to be getting somewhat steeper (where we hunt is 90% up and down). My Kimber is spending far more time in my hands than my 700 and the best part is the .300 drops Elk quite nicely.

 

[SJB358]

I used to enjoy carrying my .338 RUM with McMillan Stock for Elk in Colorado and use my Kimber .300WSM as a back up but at 68 years of age the mountains seem to be getting somewhat steeper (where we hunt is 90% up and down). My Kimber is spending far more time in my hands than my 700 and the best part is the .300 drops Elk quite nicely.

I am almost half your age buddy, and I appreciate light today. Anything that lets me go further and higher is alright by me.. Plus, your right, not many elk will hold take too many bullets from the WSM..

 

[Oldtrader3]

The is the deal for me with weight. If I can not carry something equal to or on the far side of a .300 WSM for elk, it won't go elk hunting for branched bulls. Now here in Washington the general season is ony for spikes which weigh about 250 or so. Here, tough as elk are, a 7mm Mag or .30-06 would do just fine. BIg elk often require some big persuation and I always carried a .300 H&H, .338 or such for branched bulls.

 

[Guy Miner]

OT3 - sage observation there. You're right, most of our elk hunting here is for spikes and cows, not the 700 pound, rutted up 6x6 bulls.

Also - re lightweight rifles - I'd likely do better hiking the ridges by losing 20 pounds around my middle, rather than a pound off my rifle.

Guy

 

[IdahoCTD]

I've never seen a spike elk weigh 250lbs. My back would of liked that for the ones I've packed out. Most spikes probably weigh 4-500lbs on the hoof. They are very similar to a mature cow but maybe slightly lighter on average.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I was thinking of packed weight for a dressed, skinned and quartered spike elk. I should have stated that.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Losing weight helps get me up the hill better but the rifle is still hanging on one shoulder and the muscles that hold against that uneven load get tired and my shoulder sore. I used to think 9 pounds was plenty light but lately my 8 lb loaded 338 RUM is the heavy weight. Even the 416 is just over 7 lbs loaded with scope. I like the Tikka t3 lites and the kimber 338 Fed. that touches 6 lbs loaded and scoped. With them I can still walk the 5 or 6 mile each way up the steepest hills at 8 to 10 thousand feet but not with the 10 lbs of rifle I used to carry. I think gravity increases with age at the same rate my hunting clothes shrink. :roll:

 

[DrMike]

I think gravity increases with age at the same rate my hunting clothes shrink.

Sounds like a reasonable observation. :grin:

 

[Oldtrader3]

Losing weight helps get me up the hill better but the rifle is still hanging on one shoulder and the muscles that hold against that uneven load get tired and my shoulder sore. I used to think 9 pounds was plenty light but lately my 8 lb loaded 338 RUM is the heavy weight. Even the 416 is just over 7 lbs loaded with scope. I like the Tikka t3 lites and the kimber 338 Fed. that touches 6 lbs loaded and scoped. With them I can still walk the 5 or 6 mile each way up the steepest hills at 8 to 10 thousand feet but not with the 10 lbs of rifle I used to carry. I think gravity increases with age at the same rate my hunting clothes shrink. :roll:

Greg, you shoot a 7 pound .416 Rigby, Rem or whatever? An 8 pound RUM would do it for me. I am shrinking, not my clothes! I still shoot a .340 or 9.3 with no flinch but not at 7 pounds!

My .338 Fed, Sako is over 7-1/4 pounds scoped. My customs rifles are 8-1/2 in .270 and 7mm mag because good wood is dense and heavy. My No 1 in 9.3 is 8-1/2 pounds scoped.

 

[Elkman]

I did notice today that my 1895 GBL fully loaded with butt stock ammo holder, plus sling and scope has a simlar weight as a boat anchor. My, they are sturdy built weapons. I call it my BB gun because it looks like my long ago Daisy Air Rifle.

 

[Oldtrader3]

They do look like the Daisy's of old! They have a pretty heavy barrel despite being short, plus a magazine tube of steel and a wide forend with lots of wood in the stock too. I was surprised how much they weighed loaded and all with those heavy cartridges. They shoot good though!

 

[onesonek]

Does anyone take weight into consideration when purchasing a rifle?

For instance, I adore senderos, the only Remington I trust for accuracy.
I would love to have one in every single caliber ever made. That said it is not a practical rifle.
I have a couple of sporter sakos but they weigh the same!!!! Same weight but different handling characteristics.

Anyway what are your thoughts?

Yes,,,, and no doubt different designs certainly makes a difference in handling characteristics, I agree.

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

FOTIS, yes!
In the past, if the rifle was to be chambered for a larger case diameter (magnum) than a .308/.30-06, I generally choose a Remington 700 etc (or maybe a Win m70 or a Ruger M77 MkII etc)!
If it chambered in an off spring of the .308/.30-06, these days I'd buy a Kimber 84 M or L !!!
Especially the Kimber Montana, like the one in .25-06 that I'm currently running the barrel in on.

Doh!
Homer