Recommendations to lighten my Elk Rifle

[35WhelenAI]

I haven't shot suppressed, haven't had a reaction that caused an issue with respect to the animal that was the target. Not going to shoot at others which none of us would do hopefully. I'm sitting with a hunting partner then simple 3-2-1 countdown then both let off the shots. There are going to be exceptions to this situation, however this has covered 30 years of big game hunting in Colorado without issue.

 

[Formidilosus]

We ran a brake and a can, but overtime she stated that she much preferred the brake

No offense- but more likely she read what her dad preferred and stated that. I have been around and taught a lot of children and young women. Not one has ever, ever remotely preferred a brake to a suppressor unless on a stupid big cartridge.

 

[Balderdash]

No offense- but more likely she read what her dad preferred and stated that. I have been around and taught a lot of children and young women. Not one has ever, ever remotely preferred a brake to a suppressor unless on a stupid big cartridge.

Not doubting your experience, but I never mentioned to her what I prefer. Ultimately, I don't care what she wants to use; I just want her to enjoy shooting to the fullest extent possible and to have the best chance at quick and successful game killing. She mentioned that she felt less discomfort in her shoulder after shooting braked and that she preferred it. She shot both brake and can very well during multiple sessions with mostly 223, but also some 243, 6 ARC gas, and a heavyish 6.5 CM.

In any case, I only mentioned that she used a brake at all to state that after doing it for a number of days this fall and other tines through the years, I don't find using ear protection while hunting, which I was certain to do while standing near a braked rifle, to be a major hassel or detrimental to the outcome. I was not trying to advocate for one barrel adjunct over another for kids or anyone else. Certainly, people should use what they feel offers them the best experience.

 

[Macintosh]

I have Bergara Premier Barreled action number 4 contour in 308 (4lbs)

Is this 4lb for the barreled action, or is this this referring to only the barrel? I understood it was the barreled action and my earlier reply reflected that. But I noticed someone else understood it was only the barrel. Can you clarify?

4lb barreled action, you cannot reasonably shave much weight here. 4lb barrel-only, and you have 1.5-2lb to shave here with a decent sporter-weight steel barrel.

 

[cochese187]

I agree with gents in this thread id say stock is first choice to look into to lighten this up and keep the goodies..maybe different bottom metal on aluminum side but stock will shave the lbs your looking for.

 

[Soloften]

No offense- but more likely she read what her dad preferred and stated that. I have been around and taught a lot of children and young women. Not one has ever, ever remotely preferred a brake to a suppressor unless on a stupid big cartridge.

Stick with the can or just put the thread cap back on. In a pure hunting scenario, you will likely forget the recoil as you focus but you will absolutely forget to put in ear plugs. I don’t let my kids shoot center fire without a suppressor.

 

[Bannedinshortorder!]

Dont take ammo.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Brakes are dumb for hunting. Fight me.

 

[06 SB]

If it were me, my first two steps would be to replace the stock and scope. McMillan is my go-to but there are many that weigh 25ish ounces. You should be able to drop below 20 ounces and still have great scope. I would ditch the bipod for shooting sticks. They are lighter and not adding weight to the rifle. The suppressor is 100% staying.

 

[Balderdash]

Brakes are dumb for hunting. Fight me.

I'm generally not terribly fond of brakes while hunting myself; however, I am 6'2" and of a solid build, so recoil that doesn't register for me quite likely constitutes an issue for others. There's no question that brakes shed a lot of recoil, and If running one makes a person want to practice more and, by extension, land better shots on game, I'm all for it. Sure, the effects of various shooting adjuncts might be more psychsomatic for some, but in the end, if it gets a person more comfortable with shooting, it is, like, my opinion, man, that its a win.

I do my best to use ear pro while shooting unbraked, so, to me, while I don't like the increased noise of brake, a hunting partner using one doesn't change much for me.

 

[majg1234]

Like a lot of others have said start with the stock if ya want to keep the rifle.

I'd ditch the bipod since i use trekking poles anyway (i'm old) I bought a doodad that connects them into a great shooting bipod.The suppressor would stay.for my and the guides benefit if I'm using one.

 

[Marble]

I just carry my brake on my pack and have my ear plugs ready to go. If I'm sitting for a period of time, I may or may not put it on and get my ear plugs around my neck. So far there has only been a few times where I haven't been able to out them in over the last several years.

Most of the time when I'm elk hunting, the elk do not know I'm even there so I have plenty of time to get set up. Proned out, resting on pack, ear plugs in, extra ammo at the ready.

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[SouthPaw]

I just carry my brake on my pack and have my ear plugs ready to go. If I'm sitting for a period of time, I may or may not put it on and get my ear plugs around my neck. So far there has only been a few times where I haven't been able to out them in over the last several years.

Most of the time when I'm elk hunting, the elk do not know I'm even there so I have plenty of time to get set up. Proned out, resting on pack, ear plugs in, extra ammo at the ready.

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Are you saying you hunt sometimes with the brake off but carry it and put it on while in the field? How do you ensure it's consistently installed each time and have you determined how it affects your zero? I only have one rifle I use a brake on anymore (for matches) and it is a .3mil horizontal shift in zero between bare muzzle and braked.

 

[Mike D Texas]

40oz is ridiculously heavy for a rifle stock. You can pick up almost 1# easily with changing that to an AG composite’s or Manners stock. There are stocks that are lighter than those but I have no experience with them.

You can pick up some oz. with the right contour on a carbon or a smaller profile steel, fluted barrel.

There are also lighter bipods out there like the Tricer.



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