12 pound + backpack hunt rifle?

[Craig]

Lots of post about lightweight mountain rifles. Wondering of anyone packs in big heavy rifles into the back country? Just because you really like the rifle and you are comfortable with it?

 I have a Rbros 7mm SAUM with a Big Nightforce scope on it that I can shoot great out to 500-600 yards. It will shoot farther but 600 is my limit for now. Only issue is that its a heavy sucker. 12+ pounds. Or I have a T3 270wsm that shoots great but has a small 3x9x40 scope. I have set my limit to 400 Yards with this set up. No dials or anything. have to just hold over for anything over 300 yards. Its about 8 pounds.

I have a primo deer tag in Colorado and want the best rifle with me but don't want the rifle to be a pain in the butt during the hunt. will have to hike in 2-4 miles probably and be hunting at 11,000-12,000 feet in September.

[h20hunter]

Does this count? Easily makes 12lbs with a ten round mag. I purchased a Eberlstock pack to haul it.

[Magnum_Willys]

Get a kifaru or kuiu gun bearer so weight is on your hip not shoulder.

12,000 feet ? Yikes you are gonna be sucking wind that high - go with the .270 and aim for high shoulder. 

[jackelope]

I have the same dilemma. I'm going with the 8.5# rifle and leave the 12 pounder at home. I'll limit my shots. Really want to be able to get in closer on my hunt anyway and not have to shoot a goat a quarter mile away.

[kselkhunter]

12+ lbs is heavy to be hiking far with for me.

My heaviest is my long range setup w/Swarovski scope.  Around 9.2lbs with sling and a magazine of ammo.  My other rifles I use in backcountry are 8lb and 7lb, respectively....albeit those are for shorter range shots.  My typical backcountry hunt is setting up camp 3-6 miles deep from the trailhead and hunting a 2 mile radius. 

The good news is it's easier to be more accurate with a heavier rifle. If you're comfortable with hiking it into your desired area, and think you need that extra range go for it.

[idaho guy]

I carry a 12 plus pound rifle for what you mentioned super accurate and can shoot longer range. It is a pain in the butt but confidence In the longer ranges is worth it for me   

[Magnum_Willys]

I'm keeping my rifle to 10# max just cuz I've been packing that weight fine forever and even my son's 11.5# rifle seems a lot heavier - but heavy is good come shot time 

[Magnum_Willys]

Does this count? Easily makes 12lbs with a ten round mag. I purchased a Eberlstock pack to haul it.

But thats another 10# 

[jackelope]

Craig-
Are you hiking in 4 miles every day with your rifle or backpacking into a camp 4 miles in and then staying for a few days? That might influence my decision I guess.
If you don't have 40 pounds of other backpacking gear with you, it wouldn't be horrible carrying the rifle. Still heavy though......

[Craig]

Hiking in 2-4 miles and setting up a spike camp. Then hunting from there. Its all above timberline so lots of glassing tell you find something to go after.

[fillthefreezer]

i would take the heavy gun. chances are that will be the reason you get that 120yd chip shot. but take the gun with limited range and youll have plenty of opportunities at a great buck at 5-600yds...

[Brushcrawler]

Lose 5 pounds and take the heavy gun - you win both ways!

[Bill W]

Only people I knew that toted heavy packs or heavy guns into the high hunt areas were people that had lighter packs and lighter guns the following year.   An 8 lb rifle/scope combo will shoot deer as far as required.

[savagehunter]

I pack the lightweight gun and make my son Cary the heavy one best of both worlds.

[carpsniperg2]

Most of my LR gun's are 10-12lbs and I pack them with no problems. I go back and fourth on light weight and heavy guns. A few pounds in a rifle is not going to break me. That being said I am not doing 20 miles a day. So I can see why some extreme guys need it shaved down. Most guys will not be doing the kind of hunting that needs a ultra light rifle.