Recommendations to lighten my Elk Rifle

[mad_angler]

...

There has been talk about animal reaction to gunfire from non-suppressed guns. At 3,000 ft elevation (approx.) sound travels at 1,100 Ft per sec., your bullet has got there and done the job way before the sound ever gets there.

I think folks are talking about missed shots or shooting a second animal out of the same group. The general consensus is that animals hang around longer and calmer when shot at by a suppressed rifle.

You are correct that it doesn't matter if you are only shooting one animal and you hit it well with your first shot.

 

[highcountrymuley]

Ditch bipod, suppressor, scope and bullets!

 

[BuckSmasher]

Lose the bipod and suppressor. That’ll lighten it up quite a bit. Earplugs weigh a lot less than suppressors and backpacks work as rests for normal hunting ranges.

+1 for this.

I shot my elk prone last year at 411 yards, 404 yard in 2024 also prone. 2024 a stump and backpack as a rest 2025 a rock and backpack. Bipods are worthless weight.

Suppressors are still loud. It helps some but I would still want hearing protection in, in all but the biggest of hurries. PLUS they are really long. I prefer having a slick handling rifle and wearing a half oz set of earplugs. Which I ALWAYS wear around my neck while hunting.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

AG composite stock, I have a couple of the CATs on my rifles, shorten the barrel to at least 18", it's a 308 adterall...spartan javelin bipod in your pack, with gunsmith adapter in the stock, If you have to have a bipod. After that I would look into swapping scopes...I have 44mm vx-6hd on my 308...it's like 20oz., works great.

You will save 1# 1.5 just with stock...keep the can.

 

[MTBackroads]

This is your chance to buy a Kimber Montana .308

Drop the bipod no matter what you do.

 

[RMSeezer]

Another vote to lose the bipod. I would also say there are much lighter stocks that can get you down around 25-28 oz on that Bergara. Lastly, I like to keep my hunting scopes to 20 oz or less. All in that equates to about 2 lbs of lower weight vs your starting point.

 

[millerstone]

You'll save half the suppressor weight when it randomly grenades on you.

 

[Wizzum]

Nobody will pry me from my can. Ever.

 

[RMSeezer]

That makes 2 of us. I can no longer shoot unsuppressed. This is non-negotiable weight in my opinion. I shoot a Thunderbeast Ultra 5 or 7, depending on caliber.