Western Montana Elk Rifle Weight

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Oct 1, 2025
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All my previous experience has been on 200ish acres of family farm land in North Idaho. Where you could basically just drive anywhere you knew the elk would be and then hike the last quarter mile. That being said I've never worried about my rifle's weight. I moved a couple years back to Western Montana and this will be the first year I really go after elk on public land and am expecting to hike 2-3 miles each day.

My current rifle setup is as follows if based off of specs:
Tikka T3x Hunter in 30-06 22" - 6lb 11oz
Talley Lightweight Low 30mm - 3oz
NF NXS 2.5-10x42 - 21oz
Diligent Defense STI - 9oz
Bradley Adjustable Cheek Riser - 7oz
Browning Timber Sling - 5oz
No bipod - 0oz

Total weight: 9lb 8oz

In its current configuration, I am able to shoot this rifle about .5 moa prone and not out of breath, but closer to 2 moa in real life hunting scenarios. For this reason I am limiting myself to 400y shots.

My question to you all give the above information; what changes would you make about this setup knowing you'd be hiking around?

I am not super fond of the sling so I am very open to suggestions on a change for this.

I also only currently have an old hiking (non-frame) pack that I am looking to upgrade from since it is starting to fall apart. So looking for suggestions on a hunting pack? Frame? No frame? Probably won't get this till next year, but would love to pick something out still in the meantime.
 
I have a stone glacier sky talus 6900 that I love, I am able to pack it down small enough to day hunt, and still have the capacity for a multi day hunt. I would personally ditch the sling, I have not had much luck with rifle slings and hunting packs working well together. The rifle carrier SG has for their packs works really well in securing the gun to the pack, but still being able to get to the rifle quickly.
 
That's a solid setup, nothing "wrong" at al. Especially if you're getting really consistent results in whatever shooting scenarios you're practicing in. Getting .5-2MOA in varying field-realistic positions is good, as long as you're respecting your known limitations from practice experience when in actual hunting situations.

Without a bipod (and even with one), it'd be a very good idea to practice extensively with using your pack to shoot off of, in prone and sitting positions especially.

With slings, if you want to up your field-position options a bit, you might consider a RifleCraft sling, especially if your stock isn't flimsy.
 
My question to you all give the above information; what changes would you make about this setup knowing you'd be hiking around?
Nothing at all. That's a great weight for a good shootable rifle. You try lightening up that rifle and your going to increase felt recoil and loose shootability.

I also only currently have an old hiking (non-frame) pack that I am looking to upgrade from since it is starting to fall apart. So looking for suggestions on a hunting pack? Frame? No frame? Probably won't get this till next year, but would love to pick something out still in the meantime.
Although they are considered expensive to some, I'd Waite till black Friday (only sale of the year and usually 20% off) and purchase an EXO MTN. I've had the same one going on 10 years and have packed out over 20 elk/deer and it's still going strong.
 
All contingent on the country your hunting in western Montana. If there is a lot of vertical 2k plus in a mile that 9+ lbs will feel like 20 after several days. If the country is more gradual and gentle I would not change anything. I will say packing my 7.5lb tikka around is much nicer than my old Remington at 9.5 lbs.
 
That's a solid setup, nothing "wrong" at al. Especially if you're getting really consistent results in whatever shooting scenarios you're practicing in. Getting .5-2MOA in varying field-realistic positions is good, as long as you're respecting your known limitations from practice experience when in actual hunting situations.

Without a bipod (and even with one), it'd be a very good idea to practice extensively with using your pack to shoot off of, in prone and sitting positions especially.

With slings, if you want to up your field-position options a bit, you might consider a RifleCraft sling, especially if your stock isn't flimsy.
I appreciate the insight. I definitely need to practice more off of a backpack as I didn't ditch the bipod until the spring (same time I put the suppressor on) and I really didn't like how front heavy the rifle was with both on there. Lots of practice to come!

I will look into that sling, the stock is wood so not worried about being flimsy!
I have a stone glacier sky talus 6900 that I love, I am able to pack it down small enough to day hunt, and still have the capacity for a multi day hunt. I would personally ditch the sling, I have not had much luck with rifle slings and hunting packs working well together. The rifle carrier SG has for their packs works really well in securing the gun to the pack, but still being able to get to the rifle quickly.
I have read about this one and liked it at first glance. I'll look more into it, thank you.
Nothing at all. That's a great weight for a good shootable rifle. You try lightening up that rifle and your going to increase felt recoil and loose shootability.


Although they are considered expensive to some, I'd Waite till black Friday (only sale of the year and usually 20% off) and purchase an EXO MTN. I've had the same one going on 10 years and have packed out over 20 elk/deer and it's still going strong.
Great! Best case scenario! I'll look into that pack, I've never heard of it before. Thank you so much for your input.
 
All contingent on the country your hunting in western Montana. If there is a lot of vertical 2k plus in a mile that 9+ lbs will feel like 20 after several days. If the country is more gradual and gentle I would not change anything. I will say packing my 7.5lb tikka around is much nicer than my old Remington at 9.5 lbs.
How do you have your Tikka setup if you don't mind me asking?
 
That rifle is plenty light enough. If you’re shooting 2MOA I would consider limiting range to 300. I would also recommend some way to build yourself a rest, whether it’s a bipod , tripod , trekking pole adapter ( like the Wiser ones). Here’s a really good video on shooting off a tripod and various ways to brace the butt of the rifle as well…


I like the tripod option as I’m packing one for glassing anyways. I would also highly recommend the Exo packs. They’re the best pack out there, proven by the fact that everyone else in the industry has copied their design in recent years. I still have an old K2 that’s going strong after packing out dozens of animals. The 3600 bag is plenty, even for hunts up to a week long. But if you like to take a lot of extras go up one bag size.
 
That rifle is plenty light enough. If you’re shooting 2MOA I would consider limiting range to 300. I would also recommend some way to build yourself a rest, whether it’s a bipod , tripod , trekking pole adapter ( like the Wiser ones). Here’s a really good video on shooting off a tripod and various ways to brace the butt of the rifle as well…

I'm trying to bring less with me, not more 😉 I'll give it a watch though. Thank you.
 
I wouldn't touch a thing for this season and just focus on hunting, especially one shooting that well.

9lb western hunting rifle is pretty common/universal.
 
I hear ya , I’m a minimalist myself. But if a couple extra pounds can get you 1-MOA, it’s well worth it

This is good advice - overall it's better to find other ways to drop a couple of pounds out of your overall gear load, than to cut too far and too much out of your shooting system.

Pardon if I'm mistaken here, but it seems from what you said you may not have a lot of experience in shooting off of a tripod. They're a little awkward at first, but put a few hundred reps through one, and they become a very valuable and viable option. More importantly though, do you not glass off a tripod already?

In shooting, they're particularly valuable if you're hunting in steep or very brushy country. In steep, by giving you the ability to take a shot when the ground angle and terrain won't cooperate with you getting into a prone or even seated position. And in brush by allowing you to get a supported shot from above the brush, that just can't be achieved even from kneeling. There are plenty of lightweight options out there for them, definitely worth exploring.
 
I’ve posted many times on my tikka base model 7mag. So much so many are tired of it😂. Stock and running leupold vx3i 4.5-14x40. Since a young age Army Ranger father told me KISS it. So I follow that. Sole hunting rifle bought in 2003 thoroughly abused.
 

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I wouldn't touch a thing for this season and just focus on hunting, especially one shooting that well.

9lb western hunting rifle is pretty common/universal.
Too late for not touching anything unfortunately, swapped out a VX3HD that developed a wandering zero after 4 years on the rifle.. didn't have much a choice there though.
This is good advice - overall it's better to find other ways to drop a couple of pounds out of your overall gear load, than to cut too far and too much out of your shooting system.

Pardon if I'm mistaken here, but it seems from what you said you may not have a lot of experience in shooting off of a tripod. They're a little awkward at first, but put a few hundred reps through one, and they become a very valuable and viable option. More importantly though, do you not glass off a tripod already?

In shooting, they're particularly valuable if you're hunting in steep or very brushy country. In steep, by giving you the ability to take a shot when the ground angle and terrain won't cooperate with you getting into a prone or even seated position. And in brush by allowing you to get a supported shot from above the brush, that just can't be achieved even from kneeling. There are plenty of lightweight options out there for them, definitely worth exploring.
100% correct in the statement that I don't have much experience shooting off a tripod. I have none, zero rounds, none of my rifles even have an Arca rail on them. my glassing previously has all been using binos while bracing off a tree or stump.
 
Change nothing. Keep the sling or switch it out with a rubber sling. A limbsaver Kodiak Air (narrow) or I have a Butler Creek Featherlight.

I would never hunt without a sling. I've tried the rifle carriers and strap B.S. on packs. I also see guys climbing up steep terrain with their damn rifle in their hand trying to balance. Makes no sense.
 
Change nothing. Keep the sling or switch it out with a rubber sling. A limbsaver Kodiak Air (narrow) or I have a Butler Creek Featherlight.

I would never hunt without a sling. I've tried the rifle carriers and strap B.S. on packs. I also see guys climbing up steep terrain with their damn rifle in their hand trying to balance. Makes no sense.
Yeah I've tried the no sling approach before. That lasted exactly 1 day in the woods and I vowed to never do it again. Just haven't found something I like yet. Thanks for the suggestions.
 
Too late for not touching anything unfortunately, swapped out a VX3HD that developed a wandering zero after 4 years on the rifle.. didn't have much a choice there though.

100% correct in the statement that I don't have much experience shooting off a tripod. I have none, zero rounds, none of my rifles even have an Arca rail on them. my glassing previously has all been using binos while bracing off a tree or stump.

OK, your post says you have a Nightforce on there. That is a great scope - leave it.

I would certainly work on something to glass of off. Something growing from the earth leaves a lot of room for improvement.
 
Too late for not touching anything unfortunately, swapped out a VX3HD that developed a wandering zero after 4 years on the rifle.. didn't have much a choice there though.

100% correct in the statement that I don't have much experience shooting off a tripod. I have none, zero rounds, none of my rifles even have an Arca rail on them. my glassing previously has all been using binos while bracing off a tree or stump.

My brother, your gun setup is gold and you need not worry about it.

But definitely get a tripod for glassing - even with low-power chest-binos, it's a game changer, even if you never choose to shoot off one. Take a look at a couple of these threads to get an idea of how useful so many of us find them, and our approaches to glassing in general:

 
My brother, your gun setup is gold and you need not worry about it.

But definitely get a tripod for glassing - even with low-power chest-binos, it's a game changer, even if you never choose to shoot off one. Take a look at a couple of these threads to get an idea of how useful so many of us find them, and our approaches to glassing in general:

I'll read through each of these as time allows. Thank you so much!
 
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