According to the interbutts,
Lots of military rifles are above 10 pounds. Even some of the ARs/M4s that have all those lasers and grenade launchers and whatnot end up weighing 15+ pounds.
Question...Can a hunting rifle double as a precision rifle?
- Thread starter GunGuy34
- Start date
According to the interbutts,
Lots of military rifles are above 10 pounds. Even some of the ARs/M4s that have all those lasers and grenade launchers and whatnot end up weighing 15+ pounds.
If you have the money the DTA srs covert. Light compared to others in its class but, its the distribution of the weight due to its design and short OAL that make it easy to hold on target from off hand or other non prone positions. Hunting is a broad term as is precision. Trying to use the same rifle for a tree stand white tail hunt and a 1,000 M competition is one thing. Using the same rifle for 300m at your range and hunting coyotes in a prairie province is another thing. One is very common the other......mmm your kit your choice
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Likely, the solution to your wants is not on the shelf. Put your goals on paper. Then it is a 2 minute job to figure out what the best route is.
A 1/2 min rig can be put together for less then $1000 with the right parts and compromises. That rig can also look a dozen different ways....
As for the ruger you already have, it will do what it does. The problem is what do you want it to do?
Jerry
I was able to repeatedly shoot sub-MOA with my Remy 700 SPS Tac AAC-SD with the cheapie Hogue stock (bedded of course!) and even churned out a few sub 1/2" MOA groups with it when testing out loads. Only upgrade to the rifle itself (other than scope and base) was upgrading to a Timney trigger.
I have the 700 AAC-SD 16.5" with the crappy stock, and it is still way more accurate than I am. I use it for both precision shooting and hunting. That being said, I am no shooting expert. I have attained some sub MOA groups at 230 yds with it though. The stock is flimsy, I can push it to touch the barrel and there is a decent gap there. Oh well it works for now.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
If you are just looking for fun and don't need a serious "precision rig" then the Remington SPS Tactical is a good starter. Little heavy for my liking if he wants to do any hunting with it.
The Savage 10 Precision Carbine might interest you if you want something with Sub MOA accuracy, a tactical look, and still a light(er) gun. It has a Medium Contour barrel, comes with a decent stock, and trigger, and comes in .308 Win.
I bought mine in .223 for a plinker, target, cottage, all around fun gun that is easy to carry out and get a coyote now and then. I'd say the whole package is under 10 pounds. At the same time however I have a Browning Xbolt in .270 for a deer gun and it is nice and light, feeling like a toy in comparison to the Savage 10pc.
My Savage PC w/Sightron SII Big Sky:
The Savage 10 Precision Carbine might interest you if you want something with Sub MOA accuracy, a tactical look, and still a light(er) gun. It has a Medium Contour barrel, comes with a decent stock, and trigger, and comes in .308 Win.
I bought mine in .223 for a plinker, target, cottage, all around fun gun that is easy to carry out and get a coyote now and then. I'd say the whole package is under 10 pounds. At the same time however I have a Browning Xbolt in .270 for a deer gun and it is nice and light, feeling like a toy in comparison to the Savage 10pc.
My Savage PC w/Sightron SII Big Sky:
Winchester 1886
CGN Regular
I hunt with a T/C Icon Weathershield .308 and this gun shoot 2 first shots in the same hole and the third about 3/4" higher...I will try next time to let cool the barrel before the third shot to see...It's the best hunting gun I have tried,accuracy Wise...
X2. I would rather carry a few extra pounds and use a precision rifle for hunting. IMO it is better than going the other way about it.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Sure can! My precision rifle is coming out for coyotes in the coming weeks! I practice with this thing all summer out to 1500 yards, memorize holds, hash marks, handling etc. Why not extend its function past ringing steel. Heavy... you bet ya! I really couldn't care less. Packing an elk quarter from the bush is heavier....
My girl tips the scale at 16lbs
My girl tips the scale at 16lbs
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Really?
I beg to differ.
You don't need a 1/2 MOA gun to kill any animal other than possible a field mouse!
For a deer gun MOA is more than enough, hell 2 MOA is acceptable in most cases.
I would rather carry a 8 lb, 2 MOA rig all day, over a 12-15 lb, 1/2 MOA rig!
My Savage posted above is between about 10 lbs and I wouldn't want to carry it all day. From the quad to a nearby treestand possibly but not if I'm doing any real amount of hiking.
My Xbolt Synthetic stalker w/Bushnell elite 3-9 comes in around 8lbs, and even at that I feel it after a day of carrying at the ready.
Last edited:
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Sure can! My precision rifle is coming out for coyotes in the coming weeks! I practice with this thing all summer out to 1500 yards, memorize holds, hash marks, handling etc. Why not extend its function past ringing steel. Heavy... you bet ya! I really couldn't care less. Packing an elk quarter from the bush is heavier....
My girl tips the scale at 16lbs
How far are you carrying the thing though?
From the road to a couple hundred meters to the field or stand is one thing, but trekking any kind of real distance is another.
Guess the OP really hasn't given us any idea what he plans on doing as "hunting" can mean different things to different people.
My current rifle is set up at 12.4 lbs on the bathroom scale. I take it where I need to go. It is my coyote and range gun. I don't have one for each task but it works just fine for both of them, at least for me.
Im not much of a hunter but was considering getting into it, the gun would probably get more range time then anything else. So forget the hunting, ill get another for that, and ill get something precision for the range. Just have to figure out how much money to spend.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
3km or less in a day. Not a lot, but then again, I'm young and in shape. It folds up and fits in a backpack. 16lbs in a pack is peanuts. We all have different thoughts on heavy, which begs the question: DO YOU EVEN LIFT BRO!?
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
The difference for me is 80% of the time I am carrying a gun it is not slung, or in a pack.
I'm not in the greatest shape but slugging it through dense bush most of the day makes a light rifle a necessity for anyone.
Like I said hunting can mean different things.
I saw that youtube video, that guy is nuts.
As been stated previously "define a precision hunting rig for you".
Every hunter has different needs based on both game & terrain. Weight becomes relevant only based on what each individual deems acceptable to their needs. Accuracy at the MOA or sub-MOA level is a matter of personal preference IMO & something that can be achieved through both practice & hand loading/fine tuning of the firearm.
The guy (or gal) thats on a multi-day Sheep/Goat/Elk hunt requires a light 6-7-1/2lb rig that can solidly & constantly anchor their quarry at range, but light enough that they can carry other essentials while on a backpack hunt. They really don't want the 9-11lb Varmint rig while they're hiking up and down slopes after spotting that trophy they just finished glassing for 2 days.
At the opposite end, most Varmint/Predator hunters are used to the typical 10-12lb rigs of their trade. Their stands are usually 30-60mins in length and then they move on to the next set. Precision here is based on small targets areas at up to long ranges using small calibers. Shot placement is a little more critical given the size of quarry & the small calibers getting knocked around in the wind.
Are the two above scenarios any different? Only by weight of the rig used basically, which again is based on game & terrain. However, each hunter is required to do their part regardless of the size of quarry involved.
Can a hunting rig become a precision rig? Yup, Jerry from Mystic Precision has proved that with his Axis Precision build/article.
Can a precision rig become a hunting rig? Absolutely, if you don't mind the weight it brings as a package, it's typical single feed factor or the big $$ involved behind these setups.
Anything is achievable depending on budget involved. At the end of the day, whether your using a 6-1/2lb Mountain rig, an 11lb Varmint rig or a 5-10k plus Precision rig all that matters is the person behind it is proficient enough to take game responsibly & humanely.
Just my .02 cents worth (probably 1/2 a cent worth after taxes )
Every hunter has different needs based on both game & terrain. Weight becomes relevant only based on what each individual deems acceptable to their needs. Accuracy at the MOA or sub-MOA level is a matter of personal preference IMO & something that can be achieved through both practice & hand loading/fine tuning of the firearm.
The guy (or gal) thats on a multi-day Sheep/Goat/Elk hunt requires a light 6-7-1/2lb rig that can solidly & constantly anchor their quarry at range, but light enough that they can carry other essentials while on a backpack hunt. They really don't want the 9-11lb Varmint rig while they're hiking up and down slopes after spotting that trophy they just finished glassing for 2 days.
At the opposite end, most Varmint/Predator hunters are used to the typical 10-12lb rigs of their trade. Their stands are usually 30-60mins in length and then they move on to the next set. Precision here is based on small targets areas at up to long ranges using small calibers. Shot placement is a little more critical given the size of quarry & the small calibers getting knocked around in the wind.
Are the two above scenarios any different? Only by weight of the rig used basically, which again is based on game & terrain. However, each hunter is required to do their part regardless of the size of quarry involved.
Can a hunting rig become a precision rig? Yup, Jerry from Mystic Precision has proved that with his Axis Precision build/article.
Can a precision rig become a hunting rig? Absolutely, if you don't mind the weight it brings as a package, it's typical single feed factor or the big $$ involved behind these setups.
Anything is achievable depending on budget involved. At the end of the day, whether your using a 6-1/2lb Mountain rig, an 11lb Varmint rig or a 5-10k plus Precision rig all that matters is the person behind it is proficient enough to take game responsibly & humanely.
Just my .02 cents worth (probably 1/2 a cent worth after taxes
)I have an AI/AE MK II with a 20" barrel and a NF 5.5-22 x 56 on top. It weighs over 16 lbs and I have no problem hunting with it. Again like others said people are different and hunting means different things to different people. Also people have different levels of fitness as well so what works for one person does not necessarily work for others. I have humped much heavier and further in the military than I ever will hunting so I don't consider it an issue. So to answer your question, yes in my opinion.
