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

[danhuntingmi]

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

Whenever I read this I wonder whether the person has actually done it. Because apparently everyone completes a stalk with their main pack.

I remember watching my brother crawl on his belly accross the sagebrush attempting to drag a pack behind him and at that point I realized how light my 5 oz sitting height snipod was.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I am far from an ounce counter. These are the two that get used the most. I wouldnt want em much heavier..

Tikka 243, tally's(yea, I know) 6x, 3 in the belly



Ruger 77 223, leupold rings, 3-9

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

6lbs 14ox suppressed. Scoped. Loaded. And with sling. I don’t use a bipod.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Athlon Helos 4-20, SRS Pic-Arca Rail, Gunwerks Elevate TI Bipod, and a sportsmans branded sling of some sort.

I'd take all that off..

 

[Pilsner]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Wyoming chasing bears. My Springfield Waypoint CF in 300 PRC is 10.5# all in - can, arca rail, mag, ammo, optic. It was too much weight for my handicapped self at 8-10k feet of elevation, and too awkward to have strapped to my pack while going over, under, and through dead falls and beetle kill blow downs.
Just sold it in the last 15 mins and looking at something both shorter and lighter. I think that something around 8 to 9# that is substantially shorter would be the ticket. Currently looking at a 20"-ish barreled Tikka in 6 creed with an OTB can and a RokStock.
I keep my Tricer double pull bipod on the exterior of my pack and mostly shoot off of my tripod.
@hereinaz What current deals do you have that might fit my build list? I've got cash in hand... er, cash in Venmo...? That doesn't have the same sound to it phrase wise but you get my point.

 

[Savage99]

6lbs 14ox suppressed. Scoped. Loaded. And with sling. I don’t use a bipod.

Build details?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tuckertav]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Wyoming chasing bears. My Springfield Waypoint CF in 300 PRC is 10.5# all in - can, arca rail, mag, ammo, optic. It was too much weight for my handicapped self at 8-10k feet of elevation, and too awkward to have strapped to my pack while going over, under, and through dead falls and beetle kill blow downs.
Just sold it in the last 15 mins and looking at something both shorter and lighter. I think that something around 8 to 9# that is substantially shorter would be the ticket. Currently looking at a 20"-ish barreled Tikka in 6 creed with an OTB can and a RokStock.
I keep my Tricer double pull bipod on the exterior of my pack and mostly shoot off of my tripod.
@hereinaz What current deals do you have that might fit my build list? I've got cash in hand... er, cash in Venmo...? That doesn't have the same sound to it phrase wise but you get my point.

Check out the Seekins element hunter!
That’s what’ I’m debating over

 

[RWT]

8.5 lbs is just right. -@“‘in. RS, tikka 6.5cm at 16” with TBAC 7 , Maven RS 1.2. NF rail and rings.

Shot my Kimber today to see if it likes the Hornady 143 ELDX. Had a great 5 shot group in one hole. Then I dorked it up. Still 9 shots in 3/4” with one muligan at 1.25. This stock is very difficult to shot well. No vertical grip and flimsy forend. Kimber hunter at 16” factory stock, Warne rail and rings S&B 3x12. 7.5 oz with the TBAC 7.

 

[wpeach1912]

My hunting rifles are right around 10.5-11lbs ready to hunt. I like that weight since it makes it more shootable
I’m also retarded and carry around 50lbs worth of stuff on day hunts

 

[Steve300xcw]

Curious to see how weight/preferred shooting positions mix?

No doubt a heavy gun off bags/bipod/tripod is just dandy. Not really a in hand/off hand sorta thing though IMO

 

[Oregonmuley]

 

[Big_wals]

Whenever I read this I wonder whether the person has actually done it. Because apparently everyone completes a stalk with their main pack.

I do all the time. IME, bipods suck for shooting in steep, varied terrain. Shoot prone off my pack, sitting off trekking poles. I basically never leave my pack behind. If the animal is close enough that I feel leaving my pack on is going to hinder the stalk, it’s close enough to shoot.

 

[nm.otter]

I think that something around 8 to 9# that is substantially shorter would be the ticket. Currently looking at a 20"-ish barreled Tikka in 6 creed with an OTB can and a RokStock.

That should work well.

My 20" 6.5 CM is 8 pounds all in (suppressor, scope, loaded mag). Spotting sub-400-yard shots is challenging, even with solid support and mindful performance on my part.

 

[MTBackroads]

The first time you carry a Kimber Montana you understand it.

 

[bojangles808]

I think 8-9 lbs is a good target weight

 

[Matt5266]

I prefer 8-9 lbs. Mine always fall toward right at 9 lbs. That complete setup including a can on the end. I ditched the bipod years ago. Between wiser precision quick sticks and my pack I don't need it. Killed a cow last year at 410 yards just off my pack on a steep uphill
I used to pack around my 300wsm which I love , but until it sheds weight I won't anymore. Its around 12 lbs at the moment. In Idaho packing it around will shave atleast a day off my hunt because my legs arnt happy. Doesn't seem like much but it is over miles of varied terrain.

 

[cole96]

I like 10-10.5# unloaded, but I am shooting 28 nosler and 300 rum and prefer the slight extra weight

 

[danhuntingmi]

I do all the time. IME, bipods suck for shooting in steep, varied terrain. Shoot prone off my pack, sitting off trekking poles. I basically never leave my pack behind. If the animal is close enough that I feel leaving my pack on is going to hinder the stalk, it’s close enough to shoot.

Well I'm glad someone does it. Military snipers will complete stalks with a pack by attaching a cord to their belt and running it to the pack between their legs. Of course, they also pee and poop in their pants to avoid detection and they can't just get up after the shot and run back to their pack like we can.

Regardless, on that sagebrush stalk day, I saw someone get converted from 'don't need no bipod' to carries two bipods.

Bipods or shooting sticks, I've never seen why someone would be so keen to avoid carrying a <10 oz item that they'll carry a >20 lb pack.

A pack that loses consistency every time you repack it. A pack that isn't designed optimally for shooting off of. A pack that works even worse out of the prone.

As for me, I'll ditch the pack long before shooting and mark with gps. (That gps part is very important.). To each his own.

 

[Big_wals]

Well I'm glad someone does it. Military snipers will complete stalks with a pack by attaching a cord to their belt and running it to the pack between their legs. Of course, they also pee and poop in their pants to avoid detection and they can't just get up after the shot and run back to their pack like we can.

Regardless, on that sagebrush stalk day, I saw someone get converted from 'don't need no bipod' to carries two bipods.

Bipods or shooting sticks, I've never seen why someone would be so keen to avoid carrying a <10 oz item that they'll carry a >20 lb pack.

A pack that loses consistency every time you repack it. A pack that isn't designed optimally for shooting off of. A pack that works even worse out of the prone.

As for me, I'll ditch the pack long before shooting and mark with gps. (That gps part is very important.). To each his own.

You do you man, I’m not trying to start an argument. You made a post wondering if anyone actually shoots off their pack, and I replied that yes, I greatly prefer a pack over a bipod for 99% of my hunting scenarios. No need to bring up snipers pooping in their pants, as if that has anything to do with it.

 

[Oregonmuley]

I do all the time. IME, bipods suck for shooting in steep, varied terrain. Shoot prone off my pack, sitting off trekking poles. I basically never leave my pack behind. If the animal is close enough that I feel leaving my pack on is going to hinder the stalk, it’s close enough to shoot.

Yup, for me its mostly been off of my day pack since thats how I hunt much of the time. It works great and its never not been better than a bipod for the places I hunt