Lightweight Rifles

[Formidilosus]

However, it has a stainless barrel & is tough to hold 1" groups during shooting sessions because the material walks around & moves.

What?

 

[XLR]

Care to expand on this? What does anyone else's experience have to do with the weight of your rifle?

In the event of a miss shot and poor recoil management, the last thing that you want is to not see where you missed for the follow up shot. And even worse is the buddy behind saying you were a hair high. Its so much easier to watch your shot fly in and if you hit 1 moa high or .3 mils high you can see that and make a 100% correction on the next shot.

Think of how many youtube videos you watch where guys say did I hit it. That shouldn't even be a question in my eyes.

 

[willfrye027]

To the OPs original questions, I can only think of a couple issues with a light rifle.

First possible issue is whether the shooter can properly shoot the rifle without exhibiting any bad habits (closing eyes, or flinching). This will become a tool you're too scared to properly use.

Second possible issue is expense. You typically pay more for lighter weight. If you can afford it, great.

I don't personally have what I consider a 'light' rifle. However, my brother has a Kimber .243 (I believe a mountain rifle model) that's about 6lbs with the scope. On a few occasions, I've carried this in the field & it's a dream. However, it has a stainless barrel & is tough to hold 1" groups during shooting sessions because the material walks around & moves.

Hope this helps.

Sounds like you have it down. Personally I know my skills and form are just not there for me to shoot a 7lb rifle as well as I can shoot my 10-11 pound guns. I wonder how many guys would come to the same conclusion if they really understood their limitations; clearly you do!

 

[redneckbmxer24]

What?

He probably means the lack of barrel material is more susceptible heat causing the groups to open up which is absolutely true.

 

[BarCO]

I have never owned a heavy rifle, started with kimber Montana and they shot great. Currently using a Fieldcraft for a factory rifle and they are extremely accurate. Adding a suppressor makes it even nicer. If a person has more confidence with a heavier rifle, use what makes you feel best.

 

[Formidilosus]

He probably means the lack of barrel material is more susceptible heat causing the groups to open up which is absolutely true.

That’s not what he wrote on that message or another one- he specifically stated that “stainless” barrels open up more.

However, what is the 30 shot group size difference between a barrel that is .6” at the muzzle, and one that is .8” at same length and contour?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

That’s not what he wrote on that message or another one- he specifically stated that “stainless” barrels open up more.

However, what is the 30 shot group size difference between a barrel that is .6” at the muzzle, and one that is .8” at same length and contour?

Well that’s absolutely not true and I hope it’s not what he meant because SS barrels hold pretty much every BR record out there.

No idea on group size difference but there’s a lot of factors in that like what chambering and shot frequency. Regardless though a thicker barrel is always going to be stiffer and heat up slower, both of which translates to higher accuracy.

 

[Formidilosus]

No idea on group size difference but there’s a lot of factors in that like what chambering and shot frequency. Regardless though a thicker barrel is always going to be stiffer and heat up slower, both of which translates to higher accuracy.

The internal temperature of a barrel is the same or so close as to be meaningless whether it’s 1” in diameter or .5”. And, no, unless talking true BR I have seen no difference between thin barrels and thick barrels in functional average group size. The last three barrels I had chambered were all T3 lite contour dupe and the largest 10 round group from any of the three at 100 is .92”. All three average .7 to .8” for ten.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I love low recoiling light rifles, I am not a fan of high recoiling light rifles. Like others said be smart and intentional when building a lighter rifle. 6mm, 6.5, .308, 7-08 all lend themselves to lightweight hunting rigs. Also I think an 8.5lb scoped 300 win mag is a light”ish” rifle in that caliber while a 6lb scoped 6.5cm is light in its own way. But love light little handy guns

 

[handwerk]

For me anything under 7 lbs. scoped has been too much of a good thing. All my model 70's are between 7 1/2 and 8 1/4 lbs. and for me that's the sweet spot.

 

[mtwarden]

At what point is having a light rifle a liability?

When it's inaccurate for hunting purposes, this being a hunting forum. At what weight does a rifle become inaccurate for hunting purposes? Well it's not 5 lbs, that I can assure you

 

[redneckbmxer24]

The internal temperature of a barrel is the same or so close as to be meaningless whether it’s 1” in diameter or .5”. And, no, unless talking true BR I have seen no difference between thin barrels and thick barrels in functional average group size. The last three barrels I had chambered were all T3 lite contour dupe and the largest 10 round group from any of the three at 100 is .92”. All three average .7 to .8” for ten.

And how did you come to that scientific conclusion?

The reason BR guys use heavier barrels is because they holder accuracy better, it’s not rocket science. So every step up in barrel contour is going to create a more rigid barrel. That’s how it works.

 

[Formidilosus]

And how did you come to that scientific conclusion?

The reason BR guys use heavier barrels is because they holder accuracy better, it’s not rocket science. So every step up in barrel contour is going to create a more rigid barrel. That’s how it works.

You can measure the internal bore temperature.

What BR uses isn’t even remotely practical- thousandths of an inch or hundredths of an inch difference in MOA can not even be measured in field shooting and has no bearing on hit rates.

In your experience, what is the 30 shot group size difference between a barrel that is .6” at the muzzle, and one that is .8” at same length and contour? If you don’t shoot 30 plus shot groups, how about differences in ten shot group sizes between them? If you don’t know, then say so.

 

[Liftman101]

I have greatly enjoyed my Barrett Fieldcrafts. They are light and accurate. Just for fun I purchased a Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 TI in .308. Added Talley rings and a Leupold 3-9 scope and it weighs 5 lbs. 6 oz with the scope installed. It feels like a toy rifle but it shoots great. No problem with accuracy but it is not a great range day rifle. 3 rounds and the barrel is very hot.

 

[kevin11mee]

I think it becomes a liability when you can no longer use it effectively for your purpose. Some can shoot sub 7 pound rifles accurately and some keep their shots relatively close. Personally, I think 7.5 - 9 pounds is perfect with something like a 6.5 close to 8 pounds and a magnum closer to 9 pounds.

 

[Liftman101]

I shoot off of a shooting stick in my blind so that is how I practice. I have seen people be so happy with their groups but be 3" from the center of the bullseye at 100 yards. I setup a 4" bullseye at 150 yards and try to keep my first and second shot in the circle. That is more than good enough to kill deer on my land. I doubt I would ever have a shot over 200 yards. The Weatherby just makes me smile. I have put a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 on it (It only weighs 6.5 ounces more) and easily shot targets with decent 3 shot groups at 300 yards so it would work for longer range as well. The only penalty of the light weight is recoil, but with the stock design, the radial brake it came with and the new 3D printed butt pad Weatherby created the recoil is very tolerable.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I have zero issues getting this one to hit what I’m aiming it at.

I think people who claim that light rifles don’t shoot well just aren’t as good at shooting as they think they are.

 

[mtwarden]

Agreed- If you shoot a 8 lb rifle well, you should be able to shoot a 6 lb rifle well.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Agreed- If you shoot a 8 lb rifle well, you should be able to shoot a 6 lb rifle well.

It’s always the same excuses too guys swear up and down they can shoot and they know what they are doing. It’s actually pretty entertaining.

 

[SwiftShot]

What?

I am with you on this one. WHAT.