Hunting rifle finished weight (northwest backpackers and back country hunts)

[Corey75]

What are you guys trying to keep your rifle weight down to when considering that you'll be hiking miles of steep country? I'm just a hair over 11lbs but i've been obsessing over shedding a couple of lbs off of my backcountry set up.

 

[cmahoney]

What do you have? Just under 8 lb for me.


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[Corey75]

What do you have? Just under 8 lb for me.


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Bergara B14 Sierra Wilderness 7prc, Athlon Helos 4-20, SRS Pic-Arca Rail, Gunwerks Elevate TI Bipod, and a sportsmans branded sling of some sort. What are you running? That's light!

 

[sodaksooner]

Just a hair over 9 lbs for me. I shoot it well, not looking to go super light, especially with a 300wm.

 

[Corey75]

Just a hair over 9 lbs for me. I shoot it well, not looking to go super light, especially with a 300wm.

Absolutely. I should be looking to save weight elsewhere I’d imagine. I grew up day hunting or truck hunting northern California b zones so weight hasn’t been a thought up until these last couple years that I’ve been diving in to the back country hunting world.

 

[Blake C]

About 9 unloaded. I tried the 7lb and found its not worth losing shootability. The confidence is worth the 2lbs to me

 

[hand skills]

Having been down the ultralight path, there is definitely a tradeoff.

Light rifles are harder to hold steady, and harder to shoot well.

I still have a .308 under 7lbs, it's a great camp gun but I consider it a 300yd rifle in my hands.

When trying to fill a tag, as above, 8-9lb all up, depending on the gun.

 

[sodaksooner]

Absolutely. I should be looking to save weight elsewhere I’d imagine. I grew up day hunting or truck hunting northern California b zones so weight hasn’t been a thought up until these last couple years that I’ve been diving in to the back country hunting world.

I purchased it to be relatively light and put a lighter scope on it, but wasn't the driving factor. I don't mind a bit of extra weight. I can always take it off elsewhere (especially off of me...lol). Same with my bow. My brother is the opposite. He wants a light weapon of choice, but will rock a heavy pack, with a bunch of crap in it, although he is getting better

That said for a 26" barrel 300WM, it is on the lighter side.

 

[handwerk]

7.5-8 1/4 lbs. is where all mine are at, for me the sweet spot.

 

[cmahoney]

Bergara B14 Sierra Wilderness 7prc, Athlon Helos 4-20, SRS Pic-Arca Rail, Gunwerks Elevate TI Bipod, and a sportsmans branded sling of some sort. What are you running? That's light!

A 6XC in an XLR chassis with a NXS 2.5-10. Shoots great but it’s a small cartridge. I wouldn’t want a lighter weight 7PRC. I Ike shooting with a bipod but I won’t bring it backpacking.


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[Big Sky Guy]

When carrying a rifle all day in the mountains I notice around or a bit over 8lbs they begin to feel heavy. I think ~7.5lbs all up is a great rifle weight to carry. Currently using a Weatherby mark V Backcountry 1.0 in .280AI, it weighs 7lbs 10 ounces with 5 rounds, scope and sling.

I’d like to try a 6lb. all in rifle in a “Rokslide” caliber like .223 Rem or 6CM at some point.

 

[Corey75]

A 6XC in an XLR chassis with a NXS 2.5-10. Shoots great but it’s a small cartridge. I wouldn’t want a lighter weight 7PRC. I Ike shooting with a bipod but I won’t bring it backpacking.


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Last year I didn’t fill either of my tags with the bipod deployed. But I religiously use it in the off season. It’s just something that I fear I will want or need when I leave it behind lol.

 

[Meanderthal]

Just put together the lightest rig I've ever run. Savage light weight Storm in 6.5 CM on carbon sporter stock with SWFA Ultralight scope. It's a little over 6 pounds. From the bench I get 2 inch groups at 330 yards. Gonna start practicing field shooting positions and see how it goes.

 

[WoodlandCritter]

My rifle with scope and suppressor is right about 11#. If you want to shed weight, ditch the bipod. You've got a backpack.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

All my hunting rifles are between 9-11 pounds all-inclusive. My ideal weight is closer to 9 than 11, but I would rather carry an 11# rifle I shoot exceptionally than a 7# rifle I won’t shoot as well.

 

[Corey75]

My rifle with scope and suppressor is right about 11#. If you want to shed weight, ditch the bipod. You've got a backpack.

Very true! Have not once shot off my bag haha


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[ReddingArcher]

I’ve got some that are under 8 lbs but I like them between 8-9 lbs I feel like that’s about perfect for me. They are just easier to shoot. I did just get a 375 that’s about 11 lbs and I damn sure wouldn’t pack a rifle weighing that much on a backpack hunt! In that rifle and what I intend to do with it, 11 lbs is just right.

 

[sodaksooner]

I run a Spartan Javelin bipod. Really light and has a holster I mount on my bino harness. I actually used it on the buck I shot a couple of years ago.