Depends on how far you want to walk. I`ve found that a 9 lb rifle is more than I want to carry past 5 or 6 miles. It starts out good for the first few and then seems to gain weight the last couple. I`m thinking a 7 lb or under should be good to go all day.
What would be the heaviest to carry walking
- Thread starter inukshuk
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Depends where you are and what you're hunting. I wouldn't carry my M77 RSM 416 Rigby at it's 10.5 lb weight into the mountains, but I didn't notice it carrying it about while I was in Africa. Besides, I wouldn't want an 8lb 416 even if you had one. You have to weigh your options and what you'll use it for versus the inconvenience of carrying it.
HA!
To start off with the stock is heavy, the barrel is super heavy "maybe because it's SS making it more dense?", and the scope is heavy. And yes I did weight it several times, plus making sure that the scale was adjusted "zeroed properly. I know from the pics it may be hard to belief, but trust me you know it's there by picking it up. But hey I love it and it shoots. With the terrain here I'm in no rush and almost don't care how far off it is. If my prey don't know I'm there I can take the time to set up range and either hold-over or dial in and voila.
Honey we got some meat to prepare.
But as mentioned I just needed to have an idea of how you guys hunt in the south and this is helping a lot.
Last edited:
Okay, I believe you!
None of my walking rifles weigh more than 9 pounds all up: rifle, scope, sling and full magazine. Most are about a pound less. Two are another pound lighter, both Husqvarna 7X57 Model 4100s.
Ted
None of my walking rifles weigh more than 9 pounds all up: rifle, scope, sling and full magazine. Most are about a pound less. Two are another pound lighter, both Husqvarna 7X57 Model 4100s.
Ted
Rifle weight is a truly personal opinion for every individual. I often hunt with a Ruger no1, in 338-06 that bears an IOR scope and weighs in at 12 pounds. When I hunt coyotes, I normally use a T3 in 6,5x55 with an IOR scope, about 8 pounds.
I honestly don't feel the difference when on walkabout. I like the heavy rifle when the hunting is up close and offhand, for the stability, I like the T3 for its long range accuracy when shot from prone or a shooting stick.
The choice is yours, I'm 57 years old by the way and am recoil shy. Looks like we have a similar problem.
I think, if you're strong enough and not weighed down with a bunch of camping equipment, the extra few pounds on any rifle is more of a plus than a negative. Most people won't notice any real difference.
Now if you want a lighter rifle, go ahead and get one. Why not? I'm sure you will find a use for it. The 308win sounds like a good choice as well, they can share the same bullets and powders.
bearhunter
I honestly don't feel the difference when on walkabout. I like the heavy rifle when the hunting is up close and offhand, for the stability, I like the T3 for its long range accuracy when shot from prone or a shooting stick.
The choice is yours, I'm 57 years old by the way and am recoil shy. Looks like we have a similar problem.
I think, if you're strong enough and not weighed down with a bunch of camping equipment, the extra few pounds on any rifle is more of a plus than a negative. Most people won't notice any real difference.
Now if you want a lighter rifle, go ahead and get one. Why not? I'm sure you will find a use for it. The 308win sounds like a good choice as well, they can share the same bullets and powders.
bearhunter
Not sure of the weight, but it makes my 4 wheeler lean to one side when in the gun boot
1 inch exactly across the muzzle
beside my .280
Again standing beside my Ruger 77 in .280
Siamese Mauser in 45-70
Damn, throw it in the back for extra traction in the winter or what???
(interesting bbl shape, I like it.)
AF
I have hunt 2 years in the row with a P17 in 3006. I think the weight was around 8 and a half pounds, but on rainy day or when the weather was humid, it get heavier. But, that rifle was accurate, temps not withstanding. Now , I prefer to carry shorther and lighter rifle.
Yves
Yves
A light rifle shakes a lot more when being shot standing than a heavier one. I prefer a rifle with a standard barrel contour.
I once commented about my feather weight boots to a hunting buddy. He looked at me and said "How can you worry about 8 ounces in a boot and carry an extra 50 pounds in your gut!"
I know where to lighten my load for hunting.... and it is not the rifle.
I once commented about my feather weight boots to a hunting buddy. He looked at me and said "How can you worry about 8 ounces in a boot and carry an extra 50 pounds in your gut!"
I know where to lighten my load for hunting.... and it is not the rifle.
A friend of mine has a .375 Flanged NE. I'm not sure if it's Farquharson or not, but with the glass it's pushing 14 pounds. It is the style, but I've only looked at it once and it was a couple years ago.
He went to a safari style sling and he tells me it's actually not bad to carry around. He's 51, and packs it around the Little Smokey for Elk..
He went to a safari style sling and he tells me it's actually not bad to carry around. He's 51, and packs it around the Little Smokey for Elk..
I hunt w/ a 10.5lb 300WM (loaded w/ sling). It's a little heavier than I'd like but I shoot it well and I have a lot of confidence in that rifle so it kinda makes up for it. I'm putting together a 308 Win in a very similar setup that should go 9lbs...more of a backup than anything though.
