Ideal weight for Western Hunting Rifle

[Riplip]

What is everyone's ideal weight for a Western Hunting Rifle? I personally don't want to carry a 10 or 11 lb rifle up and down the mountains here in Colorado, but also understand that lighter rifles can be less accurate. What is the magic number. How light is too light?

 

[bojangles808]

8-9 lbs imo

 

[mtwarden]

I’m in the light as possible camp; my current rifle is under 6 lbs with scope/mounts. I don’t feel like I’m giving up anything with that weight for a hunting rifle- not going to be doing any competitive shooting anytime soon.

 

[Gear-Reviewer]

What caliber? Suppressor or no? How far do you want to kill to and feel very sure you aren’t going to make a bad shot?

 

[Kyle C]

I'm a odd one, but all my mountain rifles are 10-12lbs. It could be because I haven't been introduced to a good light weight rifle I like, but currently I'd rather do more heavy squats and carry a heavy rig.

I do know some guys that run great setups in the 8-9lb range, but every time I lay behind them I can't get comfortable or shoot near as well at extended ranges.

 

[gerry35]

Around 7-7.5 lbs all ready to go is just right, not too heavy to carry or too light either to shoot well.

 

[madcalfe]

my custom is 5lbs 2oz bare.
all done up ready to hunt with a ATACR and 6 shells on the buttstock im just under 8lbs

 

[Dmoua]

Anything under 10lbs is fine with me.

 

[RWT]

Sub 9lbs

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

8-10lb

 

[TaperPin]

I hand carry a lot, so under 8 lbs is a start, and 7-1/4 lbs with scope seems to be the sweet spot for me. With a light stock that weight allows a #2 26” barrel, and it will shoot as accurately as you are. 1/2 moa isn’t difficult if your rifle is up for it.

 

[wind gypsy]

Put me in the 8-9# configured how you'll carry it box. Can shoot that well and I don't dread carrying it.

 

[Kurts86]

9# scoped is basically perfect for me.

 

[t_carlson]

7.5 lbs. 8 at the most.

I think that strikes the best balance of a gun that is light enough to keep in hand when necessary (still hunting, etc.) but heavy enough to settle down for a longer shot.

 

[JohnJohnson]

I'd say 10-11# or so, scoped/suppressed with bipod and an ARCA rail for me. But I also don't plan to hunt sheep so there's that.

 

[Matt5266]

I'd like to be under 10 lbs. However I have several that are over. Kinda is what it is. I just suck it up and pack it. I look at it as a workout lol. I packed a 14lb rifle last deer season

 

[Wrench]

8lbs and balance right at the front action screw.

 

[TagEater]

8.5-9# Magnum cartridges
6.5-7# non-magnum

 

[collbenn]

My setup for the past three years was been just under 9.5 pounds (Tikka 7 rem mag). Shooting the rifle felt fine at that weight, but I wouldn't have minded a little less weight while carrying it. I always carried it in a gun bearer. I love the gun bearer, but over the course of a week I think it makes the weight of a rifle more noticeable than if it were strapped to your pack.

I'm selling that rifle and building something new that will be in the low 8 pound range.

 

[Macintosh]

Theres a reason hunting rifles have weighed in the neighborhood of 8.5-9lb all-in for close to a century. If you have particular needs different from most hunters, adjust from there.