Should I get a lighter rifle?

[Wrench]

All the chatter about gross weights and the most influential piece to this is balance. A rifle that balances at the front action screw or closer to the muzzle will be easier to shoot.

When I build a rifle I ask:
What do you want it to weigh?

How do you want it stocked?

How long of tube and how bid is the hole?

Most of the time the weight expectation can't be met with the other two and if it does, it's usually so far back on the balance that it needs a monster brake to keep the muzzle down.

 

[Choupique]

A lot of people (not so much here but elsewhere) are delusional about what their rifle weighs. Not many are under 8 pounds ready to hunt.

This will be my first year hunting out west with a sub 9 pound rifle. It never bothered me. Its certainly not worth buying a new rifle over.

 

[R@crx37372]

If you want ultralight maybe rethink 7mmBC I’d look at 6.5mm or less likely a 6mm/ .243

Yep, a 6.5 cm with the new federal +peak is a whole different animal. I have a howa superlite 20" in 6.5 CM (4lb 11oz) thats under 6lb loaded with a 4-16 ziess conquest. Add a light muzzlebrake or suppressor and you have a mild recoiling very light rifle with basically 6.5 prc ballistics. 7-08 would be a strong alternative as well.

 

[Djahnsen]

Yep, a 6.5 cm with the new federal +peak is a whole different animal. I have a howa superlite 20" in 6.5 CM (4lb 11oz) thats under 6lb loaded with a 4-16 ziess conquest. Add a light muzzlebrake or suppressor and you have a mild recoiling very light rifle with basically 6.5 prc ballistics. 7-08 would be a strong alternative as well.

I’m a huge fan of the 7-08 if they bring the peak case technology to it I would want for no other rifle. It would be my ideal cartridge.

 

[R@crx37372]

I’m a huge fan of the 7-08 if they bring the peak case technology to it I would want for no other rifle. It would be my ideal cartridge.

Yeah, that would be an awesome cartridge, basically a short action 280 AI.