Do I really want a light rifle?

[Tracker0721]

So I’m looking at a new rifle, really thinking about a 300 win mag and from anyone with experience on it, is a light rifle really a good idea in 300 win mag? I was looking at the tikka superlite but I like to shoot a lot and I found a Remington long range that seems more of what I’d need. Weight difference is 2lbs. For hiking up and over the mountains I feel the tikka would be nice but at the same time does the 2lbs make recoil a PITA while practicing at the range? And I have a good 20lbs I’m trying to lose but yeah. I’d like for by fall or next spring to be at my goal weight and have a great rifle for chasing bears or whatever else. Goal is to go for a hunt in Alaska for moose next year and I don’t think a guide would appreciate me showing up with my 30-30 haha


And I know the tikka has a mag that only allows factory rounds to be loaded but seeing that it produced .5 moa for guys with factory Hornady I’m fine with that. I don’t play with seating depth anyways when I reload.

[fishngamereaper]

Limbsaver will absorb some of the felt recoil. But with that I'm not a huge fan of light weight rifle's in big calibers. If its uncomfortable to shot eventually you'll start flinching, which is going to kill your accuracy. A couple lbs makes a difference in felt recoil. And if it doesn't make a big difference in pack weight then go heavier.

[mburrows]

i personally enjoy shooting and I am more accurate with heavier rifles. Im probably wrong but I dont think there are any benefits to light weight rifles when it comes to actually shooting them. Just lighter to pack around the mountains.

If you can shoot a light weight rifle just as well as a heavy one more power to ya and I'd probably go with the lighter option.

 

[Henrydog]

My adult kid has a 300win that is a cheap Mossberg Patriot. The gun is super light, and actually has a great trigger (similar to the savages) on it.  You know your shooting it, but it really is not terrible.  I won't want to do it off a bench all day, but again not terrible. 

[jrebel]

If you get a light rifle, put a muzzle brake on it.   It will be lound but the felt recoil will be managed.  At the end of the day they are loud with or without a brake so might as well have on...IMO. 

Also...how light is light?  I have a 15lb gun that sucks to carry.  My 300 win mag runs around 9 lbs. pretty significant difference.  I'm not sure I would want a 6 lbs 300 win mag.

[Magnum_Willys]

If you are shooting a moose you won't feel the recoil !   For long range you need a brake.  With a brake you need to be wearing hearing protection. 

The heavier the rifle, the bigger the brake the easier to shoot and easier to spot your own hits.   You don't need any of that hunting moose in alaska.  Get the light rifle imo. 

[Wood2Sawdust]

My tikka shot a little better for me when I put a sleeve full of ammo on the stock adding weight there

[Bango skank]

If you get a light rifle, put a muzzle brake on it.   It will be lound but the felt recoil will be managed.  At the end of the day they are loud with or without a brake so might as well have on...IMO. 

Or put a suppressor on it

[jackelope]

I had a Remington 700 Long Range. That thing was an awesome rifle but it was sooooo heavy. Mine was over 12 pounds scoped with a reasonable sized scope of mediocre quality.


Tikka's advertised weight is 5.9-6 pounds for a superlite. Remington says 9 pounds on the 700LR.

 

 

[Wood2Sawdust]

It needed the weight in the rear for me

[Bob33]

I have a Browning X Bolt in 300 WSM. I suspect the weight isn't much more than a Tikka. I can shoot it without flinching but it takes some concentration. A good trigger makes a big difference. Shooting lighter weight bullets (150 and 165 grain in .30 caliber) helps some. Muzzle breaks do reduce recoil but increase the decibels. I won't ever shoot a gun with a break without hearing projection. I did once and my ears rang for weeks.

[kselkhunter]

What scope are you putting on it?


Recoil is a function of total rifle weight.  There is a pound of difference between a heavy NightForce scope and a lightweight Swarovski or one of the lighter Leupold models.   And a range of other brands in between.   Also whether you will use a buttstock ammo holder, bipod, etc.


That 6-6.5lb Tikka or a similar weight Browning X-Bolt can quickly get to 8lbs-9lbs depending on what all you're adding to it.   


I'm not a fan of muzzle brakes for personal preference, so none of my rifles have one.  My long range X-bolt setup is 9.3lbs with scope in 7mmRM and it's a *censored*cat for recoil...I'd personally be fine with a 300WM in 9lb total weight w/o brake.  My 35 Whelen is 8.2lbs with scope, and it is my upper tolerance limit for recoil when shooting 250gr rounds....


Beartooth bullets has a handy recoil calculator that provide recoil energy and velocity, and Chuck Hawks has a comparison table for recoil amongst cartridges to give you a quick comparison for what you're used to with recoil.

[MADMAX]

I really like my Kimber mountain ascent
Shoots great and super light
Highly recommended

[KP-Skagit]

I shoot off hand quite a bit and find I cannot steady a light rifle as well as a heavier one. Of course none of these are long range platforms that you want to shoot from a rest anyway. I might be the only person who has put an aftermarket stock on a Ruger American to make it heavier.

[bobcat]

I personally wouldn't want a Tikka in 300 Win. Mag. Just too light and it will not be fun to shoot. If you want the Tikka get it in 270 Win. or something similar. That's still plenty for moose especially if you use a good bullet like a Barnes 140 grain.