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

[MountainSide]

I've hunted with Kimber Montanas for over a decade, preferring their light weight when slung over my back on snowmachines or four wheelers, or when on my pack hunting sheep. I've hunted more in the past two years with my 243 Win Kimber Montana than my 308, or 300 wsm. My 243 weighs 6lb10.4oz loaded and ready to go. But...there's no doubt that they are harder to shoot in the field than other rifles in the 8-9lb range. When hunting by boat, and weight doesn't matter, I carry a 10# rifle...much easier to shoot!

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

Lighter is better than heavier, but as long as it's under say 9.5 lbs or so, I'm picking which gun based on cartridge and accuracy, not weight. My main machine these days is a 7.8lbs scope and all Tikka with 7x57 Shilen barrel on it. My Howa SuperLite in 308 is 5.5lbs scope and all, and it's noticably nicer to carry, and plenty accurate, but doesn't have anywhere near the ballistic reach the 175 ELD-Xs do out of the Tikka, so it stays home most of the time.