I'm trying to decide between a T3 lite (6.25lbs) and a T3 varmint (8lbs). I'll likely do most of my shooting prone, but was wondering if the T3 Varmint with scope (~9lbs unloaded) would not be too bad shooting offhand (for silhouette). I'm thinking balance plays as much a part in this as weight. I've shot a FNC1 (10lbs) and was ok with it. At that weight, much prefer to shoot prone or sitting.
max rifle weight for offhand shooting
- Thread starter dlau
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
It's not so much the weight as it is where the weight is located. A 10 pound varmint rifle is a chore to shoot off hand because there is so much barrel weight resting on your weak arm. A 16 pound double rifle is easy to shoot off hand because the weight lies evenly between both hands.
death-junky
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Moose Jaw SK
i was shooting a 13lb rifle off hand.... wasnt the easy to do...
ttyal
Riley
ttyal
Riley
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
dlau, since this is a HUNTING rifle, how much weight would you feel comfortable carrying around in the bush? Personally, lighter the better.
As to how much weight is best for offhand shooting, it depends on what you feel comfortable with. There are no right answers as we are built differently with varying amounts of strength/endurance. Very barrel heavy rifles are not good.
The key is stock fit. If you can shoulder and see through the scope without alot of wiggling and scruching, that is more important then the stability of some extra weight you will never use. How long do you intend to be aiming at the game anyways?
I use to compete in silhouette shooting. The extra weight and balance is fine when you taking slow deliberate shots at known targets that tend not to want and run away.
When I am hunting, fatigue is the one thing I don't want when THE moment arrives. Carrying a big heavy rifle ensures my coordination and reflexes are fatigued especially at the end of a long day hiking about. Having the lightest rifle possible reduces that and increases my ability to make a better offhand shot.
If this is a static hunting rifle, then go with whatever as the rare offhand shot will just have to be accomodated at that time. If this is a comp rifle, the rules you shoot under will limit what you can do anyways.
Jerry
As to how much weight is best for offhand shooting, it depends on what you feel comfortable with. There are no right answers as we are built differently with varying amounts of strength/endurance. Very barrel heavy rifles are not good.
The key is stock fit. If you can shoulder and see through the scope without alot of wiggling and scruching, that is more important then the stability of some extra weight you will never use. How long do you intend to be aiming at the game anyways?
I use to compete in silhouette shooting. The extra weight and balance is fine when you taking slow deliberate shots at known targets that tend not to want and run away.
When I am hunting, fatigue is the one thing I don't want when THE moment arrives. Carrying a big heavy rifle ensures my coordination and reflexes are fatigued especially at the end of a long day hiking about. Having the lightest rifle possible reduces that and increases my ability to make a better offhand shot.
If this is a static hunting rifle, then go with whatever as the rare offhand shot will just have to be accomodated at that time. If this is a comp rifle, the rules you shoot under will limit what you can do anyways.
Jerry
- Location
- South Cariboo, B.C.
Light weight rifles are definitely a little less stable to shoot offhand but the important factor in any weight is balance. I find the M700 too lite in the front but a near equally weighted T3 Lite perfectly balanced because it doesn't have the pencil thin barrel.
On the other hand, my Win 70 Coyote is a medium contour Varmint barrel yet it still feels front heavy and a ##### to shoot off hand. Easier to hit a walking target than something standing still.
On the other hand, my Win 70 Coyote is a medium contour Varmint barrel yet it still feels front heavy and a ##### to shoot off hand. Easier to hit a walking target than something standing still.
I use a 9+lb swedish mauser with scope for deer and it does very well off hand, I like to have a gun around that weight unless I have to haul it around the bush. For varmints I would say get the heavier one, but I do say practise, I have a bipod and a large scope on my Rem 700 in 222 Rem and you have to get used to muzzle weight. My father taught me to shoot by settling above the target and letting the weight of the muzzle drop you down to fire, keeps you from moving from side to side and has done me well over the years.
The T-3 platform is a very shootable rifle offhand, the rifle is perfectly balanced with a scope and rings weighing 12- 20 ounces.
The trigger has as much to do with offhand accuracy as the wieght and there is not a better factory trigger made for off hand shooting than the Sako/Tikka triggers.
The trigger has as much to do with offhand accuracy as the wieght and there is not a better factory trigger made for off hand shooting than the Sako/Tikka triggers.
- Location
- South Cariboo, B.C.
Very good point about the trigger. I also agree with you about the quality of the Tikka/sako trigger.
