Ideal rifle weight maximum?

[martinbns]

Whats everybodies opinion on what weight range is ideal for a hunting rifle?

Would be used in a forest or fields, no mountainous terrain. Rifle would be a bolt gun in .270 Win with a scope mounted.

What is the best weight range for the scope and the rifle? Any thoughts on this? I realize some say as light as possible, but what do you all routinely carry?

Is an 8lb rifle and a 1.2lb scope with rings abit much?

It's too heavy for me, particularly in a cartridge like a 270, that is a more appropriate weight for a 300 weatherby. For a rifle in a standard cartridge 7.5 to 8 pounds all in with scope and a full magazine and the balance point near the front action screw.

 

[diemaco]

It's too heavy for me, particularly in a cartridge like a 270, that is a more appropriate weight for a 300 weatherby. For a rifle in a standard cartridge 7.5 to 8 pounds all in with scope and a full magazine and the balance point near the front action screw.

That sounds about right to me.

 

[mmattockx]

Overly heavy guns are a drag. Why make work out of something that's supposed to be fun?

.

Meh. My BSA 6.5x55 is around 9.5lb scoped (yes, it's a pig), my M77 .338 Mag is 9.2lb scoped and I carried my Garand for deer a couple of days this last season at around 10lb all up.

Mind you, most of my hunting is prairie hunting with lots of driving around and pushing small areas of bush. I wouldn't want it much over 9lb for all day hikes in hill country. A good sling helps a lot.

Mark

 

[Republic of Alberta]

I never use a rifle sling, I like to carry my rifle in my hands. So for me a 6.5-8lbs rifle is about right.

The weight is only one thing though, length is what really gets me, I like an absolute maximum of 24" bbl. 20 to 22 is best in the hand and 24 is nice over the shoulder African style. The bottom of the gun is important to me in the hand, a square bottom like my Tika is uncomfortable, a round bottom like Remington is much better.

 

[CV32]

Depends very much on the terrain, among other variables. Here in NL where most every step takes you up to your calves in bog, I appreciate a lightweight rifle.

 

[RUPZUK]

Rifle weight is a fairly personal thing but my take (rifle only);
- anything over 10 pounds is for shooting, not hunting.
- anything under 7 pounds in a magnum will not be shot often, or well...
- 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 is ideal (heavier caliber= heavier gun)
- where the weight is, is almost as important as how much weight there is. a heavy barrel 8 pound gun is more of a pain to carry all day than a regular barrel gun of the same weight IMO

 

[USP]

Yeah it looks like the super grade, so the extra weight is the comb swell in the stock. Now to pick a nice sling for it.

 

[Boomer]

Weight is important, but not so important as balance and what we have come to recognize as shooter friendliness. When I was stomping around in the Selous, I did so carrying a 14 pound double rifle, yet it did not distress me and I'm a flat lander living at sea level who doesn't do well in the heat. That part of Tanzania was hilly, hot, and high! One day as we were on a death march up hill, I was getting puffed out; the PH whirls around and says, " Whew, I thought there was a buff behind me, but it was only Mike.

The rifle I carry most often is my custom Brno 602. It started out at 7 pounds, but the factory stock failed and the Mcmillan gave it an additional 2 pounds. At 9 pounds it is no bother even on days when the distance becomes double digit across wet tundra.

 

[Neo]

Count in another vote for something in the 8-1/2 to 9 lb. range including optics. I've done the ultralight thing, and quickly found that what is light to carry is generally difficult to shoot well.

Years ago, I think Bob Hagel put it best when he poo-poo'ed the craze for light weight hunting rifles by pointing out that if you think you're fit enough to haul your game through the bush or down a mountain, you're fit enough to carry a 9 lb. rifle