M14 weight, looking for light weight options

D

Drewz

CGN frequent flyer
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Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
I would like to use an M14 for bush hunting and el. My concern isnt about the guns function but rather weight. I am looking for guys rig weights and what they did to achieve it. I am not looking to put together a thousand dollar M14 plus glass but rather an economical rig for hunting only.


Any and all information is apreciated guys and thanks in advance.
 
Trick I learned from Hungry, Remove the heavy-weight stock buttplate and replace with the light M1 Garand buttplate.
Check the stickies for details. Every ounce counts!
 
The fiberglass stock would be great if a fella could find one these days. This is not a lightweight platform and there is not much a person can do about it.
 
It's a battle rifle, made to fire many rounds, it needs to be heavy. There's only so much you can do here. A hunting rifle is designed to be carried for many miles and fire a shot or two so it can weigh 7 lbs instead of 11.
If you don't need to fire many rounds (no beating off frontal attacks) then use a hunting rifle, it's a better tool for the job.
 
Hunting with a Norinco/Poly M305 is one of the sheer joys of life. There's not a Remington 700 or Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 that can even duplicate the feeling of whitetail or bear hunting with a Norc.
 
If cheap and light weight are your goals, use the iron sights. Install the lightest stock you can (fiberglass GI, I think) and that is all you can do.

That said, Barney is right. Hit the gym and get stronger. I carry a Garand regularly and none of my other hunting rifles are less than 9lb with optic and I have no issues with any of them. The Garand in particular carries very nicely due to its superb balance, even at 10+lb with a loaded clip and sling. Sure they aren't super light, but that shouldn't be a problem unless you are going after sheep or goats in big mountains. I am far from an athlete, too, just a pasty office boy for the most part.


Mark
 
20-lbs-dumbbell.jpeg
 
Thanks M14.ca for the effort! I am no little guy what I am concerned with is becoming arm weary. Elk hunting is very rough bush with steep grade changes so it is a challenging walk without a pack and gun to carry. Basically we are walking rough quad trails in a lot of areas. Not looking for a nine pound gun but my old one was 14 lbs with scope and mount loaded. If I can get to 10 ish lbs I would be happy with that.

As for sling, a sling is useful but walking bush with a gun on your back guys??? Loaded?? Sorry but I walk with a gun loaded and in my hands cause when you find that right animal you may only have a few seconds to the shot.

It sounds like a M14 may fit the bill for me. My old M14 was on the AKM chassis with a 50 mm Leopold on it. Set up for bench not hunting.
 
Maybe what you're looking for is not a lighter gun but a proper sling.

One designed as such:
CD-3PSb.jpg


It allows you to remain "battle ready" while not needlessly wearing down your arms
 
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