Dalton Caribou rifle. What’s too heavy?

[Alaska27]

I have a Savage Tactical heavy barrel .300 WM, that weighs approx. 8.5 lbs without scope. I am planning a trip to Alaska to hunt Caribou outside the Dalton utility corridor. Im guessing with scope I’m looking at ~10lbs. Is it really worth the money to drop maybe 2lbs on a different rifle? Do I do that with lighter gear? I’m not very experienced and would certainly value feedback from those who have done the hunt.

 

[RWT]

I’ve never done that hunt. Based on old knees and a bad back I value every reasonable loss of weight. I believe on the second day of the hunt you will wish you spent the money on a 8lb all in rifle.

 

[elsb0048]

Thread 'Ideal Weight and Size for Backcountry Hunting Rifle?' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/ideal-weight-and-size-for-backcountry-hunting-rifle.445609/

 

[Ratamahatta]

Start doing farmers carry with a 10lb kettlebell around the house or up and down your driveway.

 

[Millerish]

Dependent upon your age and conditioning as well as experience. Once you experience packing a 6-pound rifle you'll never want to go back to packing a 8-10 pound rifle for miles/days/rugged terrain on end along with the rest of your gear, this you have to experience. They call them mountain rifles for a reason.

 

[Millerish]

Unless something has changed, you cannot shoot a caribou within 5 miles from the road system which means you have to hump through the tundra at least that far to get to legsl hunting area. Swampy tundra compounds that misery considerably! Once you get one down, now you have to pack all salvageable meat and rack out as well as your gear, 2 pounds matter!

 

[skipper907]

I would just hunt with what you have and worry about getting other gear you may actual need for the trip. Dropping 2lbs on a rifle is not going to have any meaningful effect on the out come of your just.
focus on getting in very fit and getting any extra gear you dont have.
If you are really concerned about the 2lbs, How are you going to haul out a caribou if you are able to shoot one ?

 

[Meanderthal]

I did it with a heavy rifle and packed camp + one quartered bou with my girlfriend. If you're otherwise happy with your rifle and shoot it well then bring it. If you're on the fence about getting something lighter this might be the push you need.

 

[JJ1179]

I have a Savage Tactical heavy barrel .300 WM, that weighs approx. 8.5 lbs without scope. I am planning a trip to Alaska to hunt Caribou outside the Dalton utility corridor. Im guessing with scope I’m looking at ~10lbs. Is it really worth the money to drop maybe 2lbs on a different rifle? Do I do that with lighter gear? I’m not very experienced and would certainly value feedback from those who have done the hunt.

I did this hunt 2 years ago. PM me if you want to chat about it.

 

[Larry Bartlett]

I wouldn't spend the money. 2-lbs extra of rifle weight isn't gonna make a huge difference in how spent you are at the end of the day. Shave a little food weight or bulky extras and go with your known harvester.

 

[FranklinBluth]

I have a Savage Tactical heavy barrel .300 WM, that weighs approx. 8.5 lbs without scope. I am planning a trip to Alaska to hunt Caribou outside the Dalton utility corridor. Im guessing with scope I’m looking at ~10lbs. Is it really worth the money to drop maybe 2lbs on a different rifle? Do I do that with lighter gear? I’m not very experienced and would certainly value feedback from those who have done the hunt.

If your wife is reading this then YES, you absolutely need a new rifle.

In all seriousness I am sure you can find some weight savings elsewhere - when your hunt gets closer post your pack list with itemized weights and this forum will find you places to cut weight.

 

[Pilsner]

Sounds like a great opportunity to pick up a UL rifle in a more suitable caliber. Nothing about a caribou requires a 300 Win Mag.
Even in big bear territory I'd be happy with something like a 6.5 or 7 PRC having taken water buffalo with both chamberings. Even the biggest inland griz is 1/3 the size of an adult water buffalo, and both of the above PRC's have bang-flopped em for me.

 

[z987k]

You'd be better off buying a bow than another rifle of any type.

 

[wildwilderness]

this ^^^

Any rifle there is too heavy! Getting a bow will not only save you weight but also 10 miles (round trip) (20 if successful) of brutal tundra hiking with your camp and another with meat!

Other option is to save the money for the rifle and pay for a transporter or boat rental to get the 5 miles.

 

[z987k]

Other option is to save the money for the rifle and pay for a transporter or boat rental to get the 5 miles.

This is also a better option than another rifle.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

If Im going to be hiking a lot, I have a Kimber 308 that weighs 5.75lbs with a scope and silencer.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Said it before, you can drop 2# on the rifle or 2# on your gut, the later will do you more good.

 

[Milestown]

Read “A HeavyHaul”. Posted just below your post.

Travel as light as possible.

Hal

 

[j3h8]

Evaluate your gear and determine where you could benefit the most from taking the presumed $1,000 for a new rifle and drop more than 2lbs by dialing in your gear list for the hunt. Make a spreadsheet of each of your gear items and what they weight. Then make a column showing price for a lighter option. Compare the ounce to cost ratio and proceed from there. Unless you are already dialed in (based on your post I assume you aren't yet) you'll potentially find much more than 2lbs weight savings.

Unless you just want a new rifle and are tryi g to justify it... Then you need only convince yourself.

As others have said body weight will make the biggest difference and it is generally free to address.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Said it before, you can drop 2# on the rifle or 2# on your gut, the later will do you more good.

2lbs on your gut is not the same as 2lbs in your hand or pack.