My Best Advice Regarding Rifle and Pack Weight

[Hunter270Win]

Alright this is gonna tick some of y’all off but it needs to be said.

People here fret over .2oz vs .5oz on the smallest things and it’s cool to see people perfect (or come close to it) their rifles and make them fit the mold they want…

But the reality is a lot of people on this forum (including myself) could drop quite a few lbs. 10lbs in weight is a whole other rifle plus accessories for many people here.

I’ve put on some weight recently and this came to my attention when I was holding dumbbells and thinking “oh I weigh more than 2 of this than I did a couple of years ago”

I guarantee you a 13lbs rifle for a more fit, healthy man is much easier to carry than a 5lbs one for a man who isn’t in too great of shape.

Not trying to upset anyone just pointing something out that I’ve seen.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

No way man, do you know how many beers that'd take from me?

 

[JCMCUBIC]

...

I guarantee you a 13lbs rifle for a more fit, healthy man is much easier to carry than a 5lbs one for a man who isn’t in too great of shape.

...

No argument against being in shape and at a fit body weight. I stay in shape year round, it's just part of my lifestyle. Not mad, nor any argument against anything you stated. However, it should be noted that regardless of fit/unfit, it's an absolute that a 5 lb rifle is always easier to carry than a 13 lb rifle for that individual.

 

[Hunter270Win]

No argument against being in shape and at a fit body weight. I stay in shape year round, it's just part of my lifestyle. Not mad, nor any argument against anything you stated. However, it should be noted that regardless of fit/unfit, it's an absolute that a 5 lb rifle is always easier to carry than a 13 lb rifle for that individual.

Agreed. I just think that we should focus on both, really.

 

[Thegman]

Alright this is gonna tick some of y’all off but it needs to be said.

People here fret over .2oz vs .5oz on the smallest things and it’s cool to see people perfect (or come close to it) their rifles and make them fit the mold they want…

But the reality is a lot of people on this forum (including myself) could drop quite a few lbs. 10lbs in weight is a whole other rifle plus accessories for many people here.

I’ve put on some weight recently and this came to my attention when I was holding dumbbells and thinking “oh I weigh more than 2 of this than I did a couple of years ago”

I guarantee you a 13lbs rifle for a more fit, healthy man is much easier to carry than a 5lbs one for a man who isn’t in too great of shape.

Not trying to upset anyone just pointing something out that I’ve seen.

And... a 5 pound rifle is easier for either of them to carry. I guess I see it as a both, not an either or. The "just lose some weight and carry heavy gear" is a false dichotomy. I think most guys pursuing lightweight stuff for running around in the mountains often as not pay attention to both.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

And... a 5 pound rifle is easier for either of them to carry. I guess I see it as a both, not an either or. The "just lose some weight and carry heavy gear" is a false dichotomy. I think most guys pursuing lightweight stuff for running around in the mountains often as not pay attention to both.

 

[Speaks]

When buddies of mine were fretting about ounces I used to joke that I would just take a shit pre-hike and accomplish the same thing. Really though I do look at gear weight and dont fret over every little thing but lots of little things can add up a bunch on the total. I cut 10 lbs off my canoe pack weight this summer with pretty simple changes that cost maybe a couple hundred bucks and didnt compromise my comfort at camp. I didnt care about going lower because I would have had to start cutting stuff like my camp chair.

Im fatter than usual right now at about 15% BF, I usually come out of summer right between 10-12%, not much more I can do there.

 

[Unckebob]

Fat guys like me are out of shape. Adding more weight to the "system" doesn't help!!

 

[khuber84]

A diet change and training regimen for 8 weeks pre-season would likely land most non-fit individuals a 10# weight loss. Once your in hunt mode and have high level activity in the field, you can basically eat whatever you want, as it's gonna get burnt off. Another thing, if possible or in your financial ability, get blood work done. See where your sex hormones, thyroid function and bloodsugar levels are. Most Americans are near pre-diabetic, low test, high TSH. This is all treatable and will make your training 2x as affective.

 

[Hunter270Win]

A diet change and training regimen for 8 weeks pre-season would likely land most non-fit individuals a 10# weight loss. Once your in hunt mode and have high level activity in the field, you can basically eat whatever you want, as it's gonna get burnt off. Another thing, if possible or in your financial ability, get blood work done. See where your sex hormones, thyroid function and bloodsugar levels are. Most Americans are near pre-diabetic, low test, high TSH. This is all treatable and will make your training 2x as affective.

Great advice and this is more important than dang near anything you’d read on this board

 

[Marshfly]

I never understood this mindset. Everyone, yes, everyone, performs better with zero pack weight and nothing in their hands. The closer you get to that, the better you perform in the field. Of course you also perform better if your body weighs less but those two things are not interchangeable. They are additive.

 

[Cactus kid]

And... a 5 pound rifle is easier for either of them to carry. I guess I see it as a both, not an either or.

and the 13lb rifle is easier for either of them to shoot. Are we on a hiking trip or a hunting trip? If i am planning on shooting an animal id like the best tool for the shooting part.

 

[Marshfly]

and the 13lb rifle is easier for either of them to shoot. Are we on a hiking trip or a hunting trip? If i am planning on shooting an animal id like the best tool for the shooting part.

Are people really carrying 13# rifles on all day hunts with hiking up and down mountains?
Anyone other than Brady Miller? LOL

Why?

No fricking thanks. I don't even own a hunting rifle over 9# including the suppressor.

 

[Cactus kid]

Are people really carrying 13# rifles on all day hunts with hiking up and down mountains?
Anyone other than Brady Miller? LOL

Why?

No fricking thanks. I don't even own a hunting rifle over 9# including the suppressor.

My rifle is 12lbs. I've taken it everywhere without issue. Steep, high altitude, multi day trips.

The difference between my set up and yours is less than 4 lbs. My weight fluctuates more than that on a training hike or run. I just don't have time to worry about a 3% difference in total weight.

I do like how much better i shoot my heavy rifle, therefore I shoot more. The more I shoot, the less bad shots I seem to make in the field.

But this is one of the fun parts about what we do: we get to choose what we like and debate which is better. The reality is we both choose what is better for us.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Ran around during bow season from base camp with a nut ruck / water bottle on a few days. I felt like I was flying. Yes lose a few lbs for sure, but also carrying less gear/ lighter gear always helps

 

[hereinaz]

I’d never thought of that before!

Actually, it is easier to cut a few pounds annd ounces out of the pack than lose it off the gut. Maybe getting fit is more important, but while I am fat, I won’t be taking even half my toothbrush to save weight, lol.

 

[Marshfly]

My rifle is 12lbs. I've taken it everywhere without issue. Steep, high altitude, multi day trips.

The difference between my set up and yours is less than 4 lbs. My weight fluctuates more than that on a training hike or run. I just don't have time to worry about a 3% difference in total weight.

I do like how much better i shoot my heavy rifle, therefore I shoot more. The more I shoot, the less bad shots I seem to make in the field.

But this is one of the fun parts about what we do: we get to choose what we like and debate which is better. The reality is we both choose what is better for us.

My current main hunting rifle is actually 7# all up with suppressor. The difference in that and anything heavier in the hand all day is insane. You really can't understand it until you carry something that light for a day. Not on a pack. In your hand.

And there's no issue shooting a 6ARCor 6 creed a ton for practice. But, you are right. You use what works. I have missed shot opportunities due to not having a rifle in my hand. I carry what I need to keep it there all day long so that doesn't happen anymore. I don't have issues shooting any of these rifles to 600 yards.

 

[hereinaz]

My current main hunting rifle is actually 7# all up with suppressor. The difference in that and anything heavier in the hand all day is insane. You really can't understand it until you carry something that light for a day. Not on a pack. In your hand.

And there's no issue shooting a 6ARCor 6 creed a ton for practice. But, you are right. You use what works. I have missed shot opportunities due to not having a rifle in my hand. I carry what I need to keep it there all day long so that doesn't happen anymore. I don't have issues shooting any of these rifles to 600 yards.

Rifle weight in the hand is no joke.

These newer cartridges coming out shooting the little high BC bullets are much easier to shoot out of a light rifle, and they will absolutely kill further than most people list as their max range.

 

[Marshfly]

Rifle weight in the hand is no joke.

These newer cartridges coming out shooting the little high BC bullets are much easier to shoot out of a light rifle, and they will absolutely kill further than most people list as their max range.

In a single week long hunt a couple years ago I had it happen twice. We were looking for a friends first buck before I took any opportunity so I kept my rifle on my pack. I watched him fumble on two good muleys that I could have and would have easily taken if my rifle was in my hand. Both would have been quick under 100 yard off hand shots that he just wasn't experienced enough for without finding a quick rest. Swore never again. And I've carried it ever since.

 

[Hnthrdr]

In a single week long hunt a couple years ago I had it happen twice. We were looking for a friends first buck before I took any opportunity so I kept my rifle on my pack. I watched him fumble on two good muleys that I could have and would have easily taken if my rifle was in my hand. Both would have been quick under 100 yard off hand shots that he just wasn't experienced enough for without finding a quick rest. Swore never again. And I've carried it ever since.

Not sure if you have tried it but kifaru gun bearer is my solution to this. About as close to having it ready to deploy while keeping your hands free as you can get, but when moving through thicker stuff or an area that looks like bedding, I’ll often keep it in hand