Rifle System: What is "too light"

[UnckleBob]

In another thread, there was a debate about how light a hunting rifle could before it becomes "too light" to shoot accurately.

In this poll, I want to find out what people think is the minimum weight a "hunting rifle system" can be:

Assumptions:
System Definition: Rifle + empty magazine + mounted scope.
NOT in the system definition: bipods, slings, and any other attached item.
Cartridge: pick the one you would pick if you had to use one cartridge to do all your hunting.

 

[JBradley500]

My ULUL is 3.5 lbs fully ready to rock. I wish it was lighter.

But to be fair I use is as a woods gun.

 

[S-3 ranch]

I have a rifle inc , 7.5 lbs .280rem and imo it’s borderline too light without a brake, and I hate brakes and will never get a canned rifle.
My 375 was 8.5 and it was a beast to hunt with till I added 2 lbs of weight to the stock

 

[Q_Sertorius]

For a non-magnum cartridge, about 9 pounds is my minimum (all in - optic, suppressor, sling, empty magazine).

For example, here is my Sauer 100 in 6.5 CM. 9 pounds, 2.1 ounces with Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40, ZG 6.5, and sling.

And this is my lightest hunting rifle, a CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel. 7 pounds, 12.6 ounces with SWFA Ultralight, Scythe Ti, and sling.

I am more accurate with a heavier rifle in every shooting position. I’m not the biggest or strongest guy, but I still hunt all the time and carry my rifle in hand all day.

 

[Macintosh]

Too light for what? Too light for shooting prone at X00 yards, or too light to carry at port arms all day through brush to try to shoot a deer at 20 yards in the instant before it bolts? I’ll say sub 8lb is too light for the first case, but I dont think the poll has an option too light for the second.

 

[letrbuck]

Correct answer is: it depends.

I had/have a 5lb 14oz 7mm-08 that I killed several animals with. Didn't love the configuration so now it's a chunky 308

My primary hunting rifle is a 6lb 2 oz 280ai

Both are quite accurate rifles. But aren't as easy to shoot accurately on demand in every situation

 

[83cj-7]

I love carrying a 6lbs rifle, but they are never as easy to shoot as a heavier rifle. I have a 300 Win Mag that’s 9lbs and it’s about perfect as a hunting rifle (suppressed) that’s easy to shoot and decent to carry around. Somewhere around 8-9 lbs is a great weight.

 

[ReddingArcher]

My lightest rifle I’ve weighed is 7.75 pounds. Light enough to carry easily and I shoot it good out to 300, as far as I’ve shot that gun so far. It’s in 6.5 prc with a brake so the recoil is very manageable. I watched the impact on my sheep at 130 yards through the scope. On my other guns I hunt with I feel better with them finishing at about 8.5 lbs or a bit more.

 

[4090Sharps]

The weight in this poll doesn’t go low enough for me.

 

[nm.otter]

Depends significantly on the cartridge. My just-under 8 pound 6.5 CM with scope and suppressor is a tad jumpy, but I suspect it will be a pussycat in 6mm GT.

For a .223 or a .22 ARC, maybe 6-7 pounds all in?

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

Yeah I also say it depends. A 6 Creedmoor? 6 lbs would be just fine. 300 RUM? Probably not so light

 

[mt100gr.]

While I love the idea of a really light rifle, since we all carry them more than we shoot them, as mentioned above, a little heft is necessary for a versatile killing rifle. If i knew there was NO way I'd have an opportunity beyond 200 yards, I'd carry a stubby sub-6lb kimber (that never sees much action). If i knew there was zero chance of an opportunity inside of 600 yards, I'd carry an 11lb 300WM (that doesn't seem much action anymore). As it is lately, I almost always grab a 6.5mm of some flavor in the 8-9lb range (loaded and suppressed) and have every distance that my skill set allows covered. My last half dozen or so critters have been between 200 and 600 yards and 1 to 7 miles from the truck. I've never questioned whether the rifle was too heavy or too light.

 

[Speaks]

Regardless of how small the caliber I feel like somewhere between 7 and 7.5 shootability starts to degrade to a point I dont like.

Take 1 pound off that for shotguns.

 

[pbroski]

6 pounds with scope is just about right.

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

6 pounds is perfect, lighter is better.

 

[Dave_S]

My lightest is a 7 lb .308 and I can shoot it...ok. Not as well as rifles I own that are in the 8.5-9.5 lb range. So for me 7 is the bottom end. I've seriously considered re-barreling that gun to a 6 creed. Maybe that will change my mind.

 

[BBob]

9ish min for a western open country rifle. Over 10.5 I start to bitch about carrying it. Just one cartridge? Mby I’d pick the 6.5 CM for availability and versatility? A huge variety of ammunition to choose from and it’s everywhere. It’s kind of the modern .308.

 

[Taudisio]

Under 4 pounds feels “uncomfortably light”.
Sub 5 pounds loaded with 10 rounds is alright.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

View attachment 1001641Under 4 pounds feels “uncomfortably light”.
Sub 5 pounds loaded with 10 rounds is alright.

That’s a fair bit of lop for someone who struggles to carry 5 lbs

 

[UnckleBob]

Too light for what? Too light for shooting prone at X00 yards, or too light to carry at port arms all day through brush to try to shoot a deer at 20 yards in the instant before it bolts? I’ll say sub 8lb is too light for the first case, but I dont think the poll has an option too light for the second.

It's a good point, but I wanted to leave it open to each person's choice.