Should I get a lighter rifle?

[Djahnsen]

Hey guys wanted to get your alls opinions on my rifle and wether or not I need to be looking into a different one for a mountain hunt I plan on going on. I currently have a 7mm BC in a Weatherby 307 with grayboe eagle stock. With a full mag, suppressor, and optic I’m sitting at 9lbs 3.7oz. I’ll probably leave the suppressor cover at home so it might drop me to right at 9lbs.

I know this isn’t the worlds heaviest rifle or anything like that but I see others on here talking about their 6-7 pound rifles and taking them in the backcountry and still complaining. Am I going to hate lugging this thing around on multi mile hikes? I’m in shape and have been hiking a ton in preparation of this. Any and all input is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[wind gypsy]

Personally i like a 8.5-9# all up rifle as a good compromise for weight and shootability.

A lot depends on how you hunt. For an actual self supported back pack hunt where you're packing camp/food/water it makes sense to me to try to get lighter on everything. For day hunts, especially if you're using a carrier or sling for the gun, 9# aint bad IMO.

 

[Djahnsen]

It’s a great shooter and recoil is very mild with the suppressor and the weight of the rifle. It’ll be day trips! I appreciate your input!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I personally like keeping at least one super light rifle around. Bot every rifle needs to be a 5.5lb mountain specific rifle but they are nice to have. Most of my rifles are in the 8lb +\- range but I have a few kimbers that are under 6lb if I’m going to hike or climb a lot.

Honestly though, and I don’t mean this to talk trash but I never really understand how guys get their guns in that 9lb + range. I have tikkas with silencers and heavy scopes that weight like 8lb 2oz and I havnt taken any measures at all to make them lighter, in fact on those guns I recently moved to heavier scope rings. Both also have aftermarket bottom metal which weighs more than the factory plastic bottom metal.

 

[Sully_44]

I think you’re hitting a good balance of lightweight and shoot able. You’re far from ultra light, but still under 10 lbs. A 7 lb rifle will do you no good because they are harder to shoot well.

 

[Pulleye16]

How much lighter can you go? Lol

Rifle, scope, full mag, suppressor…that’s pretty good IMO.

My tikka t3x lite, is just under 7lbs bare. Add all that and probably over that.

 

[BuckshotB]

Depending on seasons I switch between rifle and muzzleloader, rifle is heavier. The short hunts walking around with them in hand I notice quite a bit, especially when the weapon season changes one day to the next. Longer hunts when they’re mostly in the Kifaru Gun Bearer I hardly notice the difference. I plan to add the extra weight of a can to the rifle this season if that helps??

 

[Djahnsen]

Haha that’s what I was thinking but I see guys on here with unbelievably lightweight rigs and I just can’t help but wonder if that’s the way I should maybe stride towards

 

[Pulleye16]

I personally like keeping at least one super light rifle around. Bot every rifle needs to be a 5.5lb mountain specific rifle but they are nice to have. Most of my rifles are in the 8lb +\- range but I have a few kimbers that are under 6lb if I’m going to hike or climb a lot.

Honestly though, and I don’t mean this to talk trash but I never really understand how guys get their guns in that 9lb + range. I have tikkas with silencers and heavy scopes that weight like 8lb 2oz and I havnt taken any measures at all to make them lighter, in fact on those guns I recently moved to heavier scope rings. Both also have aftermarket bottom metal which weighs more than the factory plastic bottom metal.

I’d kinda like to see your tikka’s all dressed up on a scale.

 

[180ls1]

A 9lb 7mm has pretty much been the king of the west for a long time. I'd use it with confidence.

 

[RockAndSage]

Haha that’s what I was thinking but I see guys on here with unbelievably lightweight rigs and I just can’t help but wonder if that’s the way I should maybe stride towards

There's a sweet-spot between weight and cartridge where recoil is manageable and the gun has better shootability. Too light, or too powerful a cartridge, and you take it out of that sweet spot - requiring more concentration and better positioning to execute shots you'd otherwise be able to more easily make. Your gun with that cartridge...I wouldn't want it any lighter. But a 6-ish pound 6 ARC or 22GT? Different story.

Definitely don't get too caught up in the hunt to save ounces with your rifle - IMO, there are better places to drop a pound or two for a hard hunt. Especially when the entire hunt comes down to your shooting.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’d kinda like to see your tikka’s all dressed up on a scale.

Sorry for the low quality photos, lighting was bad, there’s 2 tikkas and one of the kimbers. The “heaviest” tikka is still under 8.5lbs, the Kimber is under 6.5lbs and the other tikka is less than 2oz over 8lbs.

All with silencers, scopes, UM rings. Scopes on the rolls are SWFA 3-9 and NF SHV 3-10.

The Kimber is the only one where weight was a consideration.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Haha that’s what I was thinking but I see guys on here with unbelievably lightweight rigs and I just can’t help but wonder if that’s the way I should maybe stride towards

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

 

[jimh406]

I can't say what your tolerance is on weight, but assuming a backpack with gear, you can probably remove 1-2 lbs from it by watching what you carry. You can also help mitigate some weight by how you are carrying the rifle ie sling, etc.

I'd hesitate to change rifles if that one is doing well and already setup.

 

[handwerk]

Mine are all between 7.5-8 1/4 lbs ready to hunt, which for me is just right.

 

[Hnthrdr]

My lightest is a CA ridgeline with can and scope like 7.7 lbs my fave in a shortened tikka t3 6.5 with scope and can like 8.5lbs and I have a few chunky monkeys coming in right around 9lbs. For me 7-8.5lbs 6.5cm/ .308 recoil and below seem like the sweet spot. Would like to do a super light 5-6lb 6arc or .243 maybe would be fun!

 

[Djahnsen]

My lightest is a CA ridgeline with can and scope like 7.7 lbs my fave in a shortened tikka t3 6.5 with scope and can like 8.5lbs and I have a few chunky monkeys coming in right around 9lbs. For me 7-8.5lbs 6.5cm/ .308 recoil and below seem like the sweet spot. Would like to do a super light 5-6lb 6arc or .243 maybe would be fun!

The .243 super light build would be fun!