Ideal Weight and Size for Backcountry Hunting Rifle?

[heathmichael]

Hey guys,
I'm sure this isn't a new question, but I'm planning on going on my first Colorado backcountry this year and I'm trying to gather all the info I can. We plan on packing in on foot, but possibly going with the base camp approach to stay mobile. I keep seeing a lot of talk about carrying a light rifle in to keep the overall weight low. I currently have a Remington 700 7mm Mag that is about 10 lbs. with the scope and has a 26" barrel. It's a great rifle that I am comfortable and familiar with. I intend to have it strapped to my framed backpack for most of the time while we are hiking. And I have been training/rucking in order to be fit enough carry a decent load. But Im seeing guys say they would carry in anything less than 8 lbs. and a barrel that is 22" max if they had the choice. Has anyone used a rifle similar to mine and made it work without much difficulty? Especially if you are using your backpack as a means of carrying it? We are trying to keep this trip as much on a budget as possible, and adding a new rifle to the expenses would be a bit of a stinger. I'm sure this is going to be a pretty subjective topic, but any info would be much appreciated! Thanks! (From a noob backcountry hunter)

 

[Geewhiz]

Use what you've got. 10 lbs isn't that heavy. I've carried around a 13 lb 338 rum with a 26" barrel+supressor for miles and miles and miles. Plus, heavier rifles are generally easier to shoot.

I'm currently putting together a new do it all rifle and my goal weight is 9.5 lbs all in. *For me* that is a good balance of packability and shootability especially when shooting a rifle with some recoil.

 

[chizelhead]

It depends on your budget. If you're tight on money, I wouldn't worry about it and use your 7mm mag as is. I would suggest going on the trip and seeing if you like backcountry hunting first. If you do, then you can begin a lifelong obsession optimizing your gear. If you aren't tight on money, have at it. It's always fun to buy a new rifle.

 

[heathmichael]

Great point!

 

[Chris in TN]

I have - twice now - hunted out west with a 25" heavy barreled rifle. In both instances the rifle performed well and I concluded both hunts with a single shot.

Never again.

Maybe it isn't so bad with a lighter profile barrel, but as a rule of thumb, sling your setup over your shoulder and go for a hike. If it tries to flip upside down, it's too muzzle-heavy and you will hate it if you use a sling at all and if you strap it to your pack it'll likely be so long that you will get it tangled in tree limbs and it'll drive you mad. And carbon-fiber stocks just make this worse, as the rifle's balance point shifts forward. Heavy barrels, bipods, heavy scopes, etc, just compound it. And, yes, this all applies even if you throw away your sling and hike with it pack-strapped.

I don't subscribe to the theory that rifles have to be 8lbs or less all-up - I am fine with 9.x or even a full 10 pounds and last fall I toted my daughter's 10+ pound rifle (including suppressor) all over the place and it wasn't terrible. The weight isn't the issue. The length is.

From here out I will be going 18" to 20" on all my barrels and buying the shortest suppressors I can get, and lighter profile barrels. Whether that means an all-in loaded weight of 7# or 9.5# doesn't really matter much to me - there's places I'll pay to save weight but I like some heft to a rifle for field shooting, regardless of recoil level - but yes, make it as short as possible.

 

[BigCountry49]

Light rifles are nice if you’re taking shorter/simpler shots. I’d recommend the kifaru gun bearer or equivalent, it makes carrying a rifle very easy while actively hunting.

 

[SteveCNJ]

I'd say you need to take into consideration your physical capabilities. If you look like Johnny Rambo you could carry in a 50 BMG. Realistically we don't look like that. When I was a younger man, being blessed with good genes it wouldn't have mattered a couple of pounds either way but I'll be 70 in a couple of weeks so weight is way more important. I switched out my Weatherby 300 Weatherby Mag that was around 11lbs with scope for a Weatherby 280 AI Backcountry weighing about 6.5 lbs with a scope.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

 

[Eric Mooney]

I'm new to backcountry hunting as well, last year being my first year of doing multiple back country hunts. Last year I carried a weatherby vanguard talon with a total weight of about 8 lbs in and a 26 inch barrel including the muzzle break. With that being said I also don't have the lightest weight stuff. Even though I don't have a ton of experience in the first year I learned that a good pack and boots is the most important thing in my opinion. It's nice to be as light weight as possible and I think that should always be the goal but pick a gun you are comfortable shooting with, even if that means you have to pack in a couple extra pounds.

 

[Skerhunter]

Go enjoy your hunt, your current rifle weight is not going to hold you back!

Short barreled suppressed rifles are very popular for a reason, but they are not a requirement for a successful hunt. The difference between what you have now and a very expensive upgrade is only 2-3lbs.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Your pack is probably as important or more important than the Weight of your rifle. A poorly designed suspension system, or an ill fitting pack will make it whatever you’re carrying feel like a bulldozer. A good pack Will carry a lot of weight without too much discomfort. Load up everything in your current pack that you plan to carry hunting, strap your rifle on and then go for an all day hike and see how it goes. IThat will tell you everything you need to know.

 

[MTBackroads]

Lots of 26" 10lb guns get carried in the mountains.

After your trip you will know what gear to upgrade, not before.

Good boots and comfy pack, pad and bag are what I would concentrate on.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Your pack is probably as important or more important than the Weight of your rifle. A poorly designed suspension system, or an ill fitting pack will make it whatever you’re carrying feel like a bulldozer. Good pack

To expand on this, you could probably find 2-4 pounds worth of gear you don't need in your pack.

 

[heathmichael]

Your pack is probably as important or more important than the Weight of your rifle. A poorly designed suspension system, or an ill fitting pack will make it whatever you’re carrying feel like a bulldozer. A good pack Will carry a lot of weight without too much discomfort. Load up everything in your current pack that you plan to carry hunting, strap your rifle on and then go for an all day hike and see how it goes. IThat will tell you everything you need to know.

Great advice! I may just try that.

 

[CMcCormick1805]

For my hunting style I carry mostly a magnum that is usually around 9.5lbs. Some weigh more and some weigh less. I know down the road I’m going to put together some crazy light .270 but I’m a long way off from that time.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Hunt with what you have and you’ll figure out what you like. I like a finished out rifle around 8.5lbs. I know other experienced guys that would think that’s heavy, prefer 6.5lbs and then others think that’s too light and want 10lbs.

 

[EastHumboldt]

I used to have a crappy pack and up graded to a mystery ranch metcalf. It feels like almost nothing with 30 lbs of gear and an 8 lb rifle. It’s heavy but still comfortable with half a boned out deer added to that.

 

[npm352]

You said you are comfortable and familiar with it. I'd stick with it.

Keep in mind it is possible to go too light. There is a reason competitive shooters do not use lightweight guns.

You give up one thing for another.

 

[Nicaburns]

Lots of 26" 10lb guns get carried in the mountains.

After your trip you will know what gear to upgrade, not before.

Good boots and comfy pack, pad and bag are what I would concentrate on.

^^this^^

 

[jkoehle1]

Light rifles are a lot harder to shoot. I think 9-11 lbs is the sweet spot and how you carry it matters (ie sling and no backpack, or backpack with gun bearer) as much or more than a few lbs.

 

[Matt5266]

I like to keep it right around 9 lbs or a hair lighter if possible. This one is just swapped to the maven. As it sits its 8lbs 12 ozs and shoots great. It is a .223 though. Putting together a 243 superlight as soon as the rokstock arrives I hope to make it around this same 9 lb mark.