Recommendations to lighten my Elk Rifle

[WildWyo]

My Elk rifle is currently 11.2 pounds unloaded and I'm looking for ways to lighten it without getting a new rifle. I'm primarily a backpack hunter and spend lots of time spiked out in wilderness areas so having a lighter rifle is important to me. I have Bergara Premier Barreled action number 4 contour in 308 (4lbs) in a Greyboe Phoenix 2 (40 OZ) topped off with a Maven RS1.2 (27 OZ). I'm rocking at Atlas BT46-LW17 Bipod (13.6 OZ) with a Sycthe TI suppressor (7.3 OZ). I don't feel like any parts of my build are egregiously heavy, but it ends up being heavier than what I want all put together. Would switching to an aftermarket Carbon fiber barrel shave of some weight? Or switching to a lighter stock? Any advice/recommendations are welcome. Ideally I'd like to shave 1lb- 1.5lbs and I'd be happy. (Before you say hit the gym, I already do)

 

[Fogalo]

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.

 

[rogerdoger]

For me it would be get rid of the bipod and get the quick stix.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Replace your bipod with a Spartan javelin lite.

 

[jimh406]

You can lose about a pound or a little more by going with a carbon barrel and about a pound by switching stocks. It's going to be pretty expensive though. There are also lighter bipods.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Send your barreled action to Kampfield and have him shorten it and flute it.
Manners says depending on configuration an eh1 is 26-60 oz

 

[BreechFace]

1. Drop the bipod, unnecessary, use your backpack if needed for the shot. -13.6oz, cost free

2. Stockys CF Ultralite stock -10-12oz, cost $500

3. Flute / cut barrel to 18” -16-18oz???, cost ???

Weight savings 39.6-43.6oz
Cost = $800-1000??

Your 11.2# rifle turns into a close to 8.5# rifle. I would keep the suppressor, for me they are worth it. Or sell your rifle and put the money towards a lighter option.

 

[Scoutfan]

Lots of good suggestions. Other than ditching the bipod and suppressor all cost money. Might consider buying another rifle that starts out quite a bit lighter. You will spend more getting a good carbon fiber barrel out on than some pretty decent rifles cost.

 

[coyoteman]

To all the guys saying drop the bipod..Why would you get rid of something that can make a world of difference in being able to pull off a shot . I've had more than a couple of scenarios where I've been able to kill, due to having a bipod and no way in hell would my pack have worked.

If weight is that big of a deal, keep the bipod and do away with the suppressor. Or else just keep hitting the gym and suck it up.

 

[BreechFace]

I’ve never needed a bipod big game hunting, worthless weight for my type of hunting.

I have a tall Harris bipod for sitting on calls for coyotes. I could see using one on an. Antelope hunt due to the type of hunting, but I’m not too worried about weight in that situation as it’s flatlands with next to no elevation gain.

As I said get a pack and set it up to shoot off of if you need to go prone on a shot.

Nearly a pound of weight for something a branch on a tree, a tight sling setup or a bag on the ground can achieve.

But to each their own.

 

[Scoutfan]

Because quick stix and a pack will cover most shooting situations.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Ditch the stock. There so many lighter options out there. And the Spartan bipod was a good suggestion too. Carry it off the rifle, in its pouch, on your chest harness, that’s what I do.

 

[mtnbound]

My Elk rifle is currently 11.2 pounds unloaded and I'm looking for ways to lighten it without getting a new rifle. I'm primarily a backpack hunter and spend lots of time spiked out in wilderness areas so having a lighter rifle is important to me. I have Bergara Premier Barreled action number 4 contour in 308 (4lbs) in a Greyboe Phoenix 2 (40 OZ) topped off with a Maven RS1.2 (27 OZ). I'm rocking at Atlas BT46-LW17 Bipod (13.6 OZ) with a Sycthe TI suppressor (7.3 OZ). I don't feel like any parts of my build are egregiously heavy, but it ends up being heavier than what I want all put together. Would switching to an aftermarket Carbon fiber barrel shave of some weight? Or switching to a lighter stock? Any advice/recommendations are welcome. Ideally I'd like to shave 1lb- 1.5lbs and I'd be happy. (Before you say hit the gym, I already do)

You don't mention the length of your barrel, but if shortening it doesn't limit your effective range by much, that can help, as could some fluting. A carbon barrel will save you some weight, but I think I would look for a lighter stock first. If you need a bipod, a lighter one like the MDT Mountain bipod or the Spartan Javlin will save weight.