Ideal Weight and Size for Backcountry Hunting Rifle?

[heathmichael]

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.

Got it. I recently got the Alps Outdoor Z Commander pack because I was able to snag it for a good deal. I'm sure there are better packs out there, but from the reviews I read it seemed like a decent one to start with. As others have said, it seems hard to know what works and what doesn't without just putting it through its paces.

 

[Acharenios]

Plenty of guys run heavier setups and do fine, it just sucks more on steep climbs - maybe focus on trimming weight elsewhere in your pack instead of buying a new rifle.

 

[grfox92]

IMO if you are truly capable of taking 400+ yards shots, a lightweight rifle isn't something you should be focused on. 8.5-10lb for medium cartridges is ideal.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

 

[xcm]

I'm aiming for 9-10 lbs as well based on my budget

 

[43.6N]

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)

Congrats on the tag, and welcome to Rokslide.
Your rifle is fine for the hunt. I packed a similar setup for years. Would I pick it today for myself? No. But that doesn’t matter because I’m not going on that hunt. You are.

If this becomes a regular trip for you, experience will inform your future gear choices. You will probably come to see why a lot of us prefer shorter suppressed rifles. But in no way does this mean you are setting yourself up for failure by hunting with the gun you have.

Enjoy the experience. Try to focus on the moment, not the gear.

 

[mtnbound]

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)

You are fine to use the rifle you have.

If it were me, I would cut the barrel down to 20”. It will save some weight, cost is not that much and it will improve the handiness of the rifle. Yes, there will be some loss of velocity but that can be dealt with.

 

[41rem]

I'm going to roll with a Nosler Mountain carbon in 28 Nosler this fall. About 7.5 lbs all up with ammo. Mine has a 24" bbl with a muzzle break, so kinda long


41

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

Each person's mileage may vary as to exactly what is too heavy. Generally speaking, I'd say if you've got a 10lb gun you love and you're not doing this kind of hunting as a super regular thing, I'd say suck it up and carry it. It won't kill you. If you're going to do a whole ton of this kind of hunting (or just want a new rifle!), then I bet you'll want something lighter for the longer run. I also don't think twice about barrel length; have hunted with guns anywhere between 20 and 26 inches, and never once did the barrel length bother me in any way.

For me, weight classes are as follows:

Over 10lbs (but under 13 ish) is doable, but I expect you will be thinking 'damn, I need a lighter rifle' after dragging that that up/down a mountain a few dozen times. (over 13lbs, I don't know If I would even think about dragging it up a mountain).

Between 9lbs and 9.9lbs is more doable, and you'll make a few more trips up/down the mountain before you start thinking 'damn, I need a lighter rifle', but you'll eventually decide you need a lighter rifle.

Between 8lbs and 8.9lbs is getting into a weight class you start saying to yourself 'hey, this is pretty OK, a lighter rifle would be nice, but I could live like this.'

Between say 6.8lbs and 7.9lbs is the neighborhood you think to yourself 'wow, this is a sweet little mountain gun, I love this thing.'

Get much under 6.8lbs in any of your usual 'big game' cartridges, and you'll starting thinking 'Wow, this is super super nice to carry around, and this is also a pretty uncomfortable amount of recoil.'

YMMV.

 

[EastHumboldt]

LOL I feel like I’m raining on your parade, but the commander is the crappy pack I upgraded from.!! For $80, It’s somewhat durable, versatile and affordable, but comfortable is not on the list. . To be fair IMO its as comfy as the old school Kelty Tioga which I carried for 30 years, for a lot less money.

I carried my commander through 6-7 seasons, packed 3 mule deer and one elk. And suffered whenever I had more than 35 lbs on board. YMMV of course.

 

[199p]

As others have said total weight with in reason isnt normally a killer its balance, length and bulk put together that can make packing it around a pain in the ass.

i have a liteweight 338edge and for a bit it had a sighton s3 on it, great scope on the range but the balance was terrable when trying to carry it.