Bush Rifle with a bad back suggestions?

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Moe

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I have a job that takes a toll on my back and it's only going to get worse. I bought an SL8 early last year for the bush and I had to recently sell her as my back is going. Dressed up she was 12lbs. I'm looking for her replacement. I have a list of black rifles in my head but will wait a day to see what you guys think before passing on my thoughts so not to taint your input. One stipulation, it must be under .23 cal due to hunting regs here. Looking to 223/5.56 down to 22wmr. The most likely question you have is what am I going to use it for. It will be used for nice country strolls with the option to plink, or hunt small game, varmints, and small/medium deer on occasion(unless it's less than a 223). Just a field use NR black rifle. Will chime in with my ideas tomorrow.

Thanks guys for your input. Remember think about my back.

Moe
 
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You won't get the accuracy of the SL-8 but if you just want a light weight non restricted rifle that runs 223 and uses AR mags the best option out there in my opinion is the Armalite AR-180B-2 if you can find a nice used one that hasn't been owned by someone trying to turn it into an AR.
 
Since weight is an issue a Kel-Tec SU-16B would work at 4.5 lbs empty. An XCR would fit, and with a light barrel Rob Arms claims 7.5 lbs empty. The Tavor looks to be about the same.

Here's a non-black alternative...6.5 lbs in .223.

(www).browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=003B&cid=034&tid=006
 
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Probably not what you want to hear but how about a nice compact bolt gun with detachable mag in .223?
The CZ-527 is under 6lbs (without scope) and under 40" overall length.

I would imagine that if the 12 lb H&K isn't desirable due to your back, every ounce counts.
 
Have you considered a TAB biathlon sling, or VTAC Backpack Sling ?
biathlon_1_1-500x500.jpg
 
Benelli MR1 in .223, not sure, but I suspect these are a lightweight rifle (edit: states 7Lbs. w/o mag. or optics of course) that's NR and fairly accurate (it's what first came to mind, but I do like the AR 180B-2 choice of CR5 as that would be my choice since AR's aren't NR).

Cheers D
 
If your looking for a semi auto I would recommend the Mini 14, if not just get a bolt action of some kind.
Also a big deciding factor.. what is your budget?
 
Tavor. With the weight being in the but and it being compact, it will be easier work for your arms and back to shoulder the rifle. I have bad lower back. My tavor is my favorite to shoulder and shoot.
 
Alberta Tactical Modern Hunter in a caliber of your choice. It's a proprietary NON-RESTRICTED AR. You'll pay for it, but it's a worthy investment. Food for thought.
 
I would avoid the SU-16 and Mini-14. From my experience with them, both would be light enough but the mini-14 I had was about minute of barn accurate and the SU-16 I spent an afternoon with was about the same. Both patterned like a 12 gauge with buckshot with any factory ammo I tried. I've heard the new target version of the Mini is much more accurate but it is also much heavier than the ranch model so probably not something you're going to want either.


The suggestion for the Benelli MR-1 may be a good one, I've never fired one but they are fairly light and they use AR mags.


Warden70 said:
Alberta Tactical Modern Hunter in a caliber of your choice. It's a proprietary NON-RESTRICTED AR. You'll pay for it, but it's a worthy investment. Food for thought.
Click to expand...

Always gotta be someone that doesn't read the original post describing what the guy is looking for.
Don't call it an AR or associate it with one either, we don't want there to be any chance of it getting looked at again and them trying to find a reason to restrict it. I spent an afternoon shooting one with the carbon fiber barrel and forend and it's far from a light weight rifle for someone with back issues, it will also cost you over $5000 and comes with a 6 month wait
 
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Moe said:
I have a job that takes a toll on my back and it's only going to get worse. I bought an SL8 early last year for the bush and I had to recently sell her as my back is going. Dressed up she was 12lbs. I'm looking for her replacement. I have a list of black rifles in my head but will wait a day to see what you guys think before passing on my thoughts so not to taint your input. One stipulation, it must be under .23 cal due to hunting regs here. Looking to 223/5.56 down to 22wmr. The most likely question you have is what am I going to use it for. It will be used for nice country strolls with the option to plink, or hunt small game, varmints, and small/medium deer on occasion(unless it's less than a 223). Just a field use NR black rifle. Will chime in with my ideas tomorrow.

Thanks guys for your input. Remember think about my back.

Moe
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- What's your budget? For both the rifle and glass. What magnification do you want to put on it?
- What are your expectations of accuracy from the rifle?
- What did you / plan on using to carry the rifle? I.e. just a standard sling or have you used a proper rifle carrying backpack, such as Eberlestocks?

As for your back - the actual source of your pain - what have you done to address the issues? Do you workout regularly, with stretching and reinforcing exercises daily? What have you done at your work to improve the situation? Is it a health & safety issue that can be addressed by your employer w/ proper equipment?

At the risk of sounding like captain obvious here, you really should address the symptoms instead of adapting to them, as much as possible.
 
BenL said:
- What's your budget? For both the rifle and glass. What magnification do you want to put on it?
- What are your expectations of accuracy from the rifle?
- What did you / plan on using to carry the rifle? I.e. just a standard sling or have you used a proper rifle carrying backpack, such as Eberlestocks?

As for your back - the actual source of your pain - what have you done to address the issues? Do you workout regularly, with stretching and reinforcing exercises daily? What have you done at your work to improve the situation? Is it a health & safety issue that can be addressed by your employer w/ proper equipment?

At the risk of sounding like captain obvious here, you really should address the symptoms instead of adapting to them, as much as possible.
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He has the best job in the world. Just flying around shooting stuff ;)

Moe, you ever coming back this way for a visit?
 
Here's one from left field, but honestly it does fit what you're looking at - an M1 Carbine with an NR barrel. Light weight, short and handy (especially in an M1A1 stock) good for moderate sized game at relatively close range - designed for 160lb game at less than 100 metres, so fine for a bush gun. Mags available, ammo pretty cheap. I'd look for a GI mixmaster and send it to Vulcan and have a new barrel, refinish and refurb done to it, get some GI mags and you're golden. Loaded you'll be under 7 pounds, even if you put a rail and compact red dot on it, and there is nothing anywhere handier than an M1 Carbine.
Next choice would be an NR CS Vz58, after that a Winchester lever. All 30 cal, so no concerns about shooting things with a 22. All around the $1K mark before any optics.
 
Warden70 said:
Alberta Tactical Modern Hunter in a caliber of your choice. It's a proprietary NON-RESTRICTED AR. You'll pay for it, but it's a worthy investment. Food for thought.
Click to expand...
8lbs is the lightest they go currently but it is also the wrong caliber so he can not use it
 
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