Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: GlockGuy56 on November 09, 2017, 03:35:56 PM

Title: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: GlockGuy56 on November 09, 2017, 03:35:56 PM: Looking to get my first big game hunting rifle this winter. I've pretty much narrowed it down to a .308 but was wondering at what point would a rifle be to heavy to carry around hunting. I could build one on a lss lightweight chassis with a howa 1500 barrel and be right around 10 pounds.

I think with a lot more classic sporting rifle I could get down to 7-8 pounds. What are your thoughts?
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 03:45:05 PM: It seems like you're building a long range-ish rifle, why .308? With other cartridges that perform a lot better, just can't help but wonder.
I can tell you that hiking more than a couple miles sort of sucks with a ~13 pound rifle. My other rifle that is 9 pounds is a great hiking rifle. Just depends what you want to do with it...the right tool for the application.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: GlockGuy56 on November 09, 2017, 03:58:08 PM: Quote from: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 03:45:05 PM
It seems like you're building a long range-ish rifle, why .308? With other cartridges that perform a lot better, just can't help but wonder.
I can tell you that hiking more than a couple miles sort of sucks with a ~13 pound rifle. My other rifle that is 9 pounds is a great hiking rifle. Just depends what you want to do with it...the right tool for the application.

Yeah, I'm thinking 400 yards max for comfortably shooting at big game but would be shooting steel 500 or farther if I can find somewhere to do it. I was thinking .308 just because it seemed like it would be a good caliber to offer me a lot of factory load and has a good amount of energy out to 450 to take down an elk.

What calibers would you suggest?
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: N7XW on November 09, 2017, 04:08:59 PM: Lots of cartridges have enough energy and velocity for elk at 450 yards. Lots of good factory ammo too. Is recoil a concern? That would whittle down the choices. I would look at and compare ballistics and take a look at what factory ammo is offered in high BC bullets. The more efficient the bullet, the less powder it will comparatively need to get the job done - and if that results in a short action, that will save you rifle weight.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: dreadi on November 09, 2017, 04:16:40 PM: I had the choice between a Ruger M77 in 338 WinMag, Remington 700 SPS Stainless steel in 300 WinMag, Savage 10 Scout in 308. I took the 300 Win Mag for elk when I was in open country and the 308 into the timber and close to ready in the truck. The 338 stayed at camp because of the weight.

I took a elk with the 308 last year.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: benhuntin on November 09, 2017, 04:29:32 PM: Idaho has a 16 lb max

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: GlockGuy56 on November 09, 2017, 04:34:10 PM: Quote from: N7XW on November 09, 2017, 04:08:59 PM
Lots of cartridges have enough energy and velocity for elk at 450 yards. Lots of good factory ammo too. Is recoil a concern? That would whittle down the choices. I would look at and compare ballistics and take a look at what factory ammo is offered in high BC bullets. The more efficient the bullet, the less powder it will comparatively need to get the job done - and if that results in a short action, that will save you rifle weight.

Yeah recoil is something I am considering. 30-06 is about the threshold, recoil wise, I would go.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: N7XW on November 09, 2017, 04:43:49 PM: Quote from: GlockGuy56 on November 09, 2017, 04:34:10 PM
Quote from: N7XW on November 09, 2017, 04:08:59 PM
Lots of cartridges have enough energy and velocity for elk at 450 yards. Lots of good factory ammo too. Is recoil a concern? That would whittle down the choices. I would look at and compare ballistics and take a look at what factory ammo is offered in high BC bullets. The more efficient the bullet, the less powder it will comparatively need to get the job done - and if that results in a short action, that will save you rifle weight.

Yeah recoil is something I am considering. 30-06 is about the threshold, recoil wise, I would go.

That's a good limit in my opinion, about the same for me. Without looking over the ballistics, my quick list would be 25-06, 257 Weatherby Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08, 270 Winchester, 308 and 30-06.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 09, 2017, 04:45:46 PM: What kind of budget do you have? How much shooting experience with large caliber rifles do you have? How much hunting experience do you have?

There're a lot of rifles that'll reach out to 500 yards and can kill an elk at 300-400 yards. But the shooter (you), is the unknown here. When you get buck fever taking a 100-yard shot, you still have a really good chance of putting one in the boiler room. At 300 yards, not so much because that "shake" is going to triple your placement error. If the answers to questions B and C are "not much or none", I would suggest that you plan on hunting big game at a much closer range to begin with. Hitting steel and killing an animal are completely different.

I would also suggest you find some rifles of different calibers and makes, and see how you like shooting them. Some of the forum members might shoot with you. Sometimes ranges have different guns they rent. You might find that recoil is a factor in your shooting enjoyment. The more comfortable a firearm is for you, the more apt you are to shoot it more frequently. If you go out whole hog and get a big gun and then don't like it, you'll leave it in the safe and when it comes time to shoot an animal, you'll be that much more apt to make an error. :twocents:
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 04:49:57 PM: Quote from: N7XW on November 09, 2017, 04:43:49 PM
Quote from: GlockGuy56 on November 09, 2017, 04:34:10 PM
Quote from: N7XW on November 09, 2017, 04:08:59 PM
Lots of cartridges have enough energy and velocity for elk at 450 yards. Lots of good factory ammo too. Is recoil a concern? That would whittle down the choices. I would look at and compare ballistics and take a look at what factory ammo is offered in high BC bullets. The more efficient the bullet, the less powder it will comparatively need to get the job done - and if that results in a short action, that will save you rifle weight.

Yeah recoil is something I am considering. 30-06 is about the threshold, recoil wise, I would go.

That's a good limit in my opinion, about the same for me. Without looking over the ballistics, my quick list would be 25-06, 257 Weatherby Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08, 270 Winchester, 308 and 30-06.

I had a .257 Weatherby. Definitely kicked harder than a .30-06 I had.

Rather than spending a bunch of money on a LSS Chassis, if recoil were a concern, I'd buy a Tikka t3 Lite in .300 win mag or 7mm Rem Mag and put a muzzle brake on it. Put a good scope on it and be done.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: N7XW on November 09, 2017, 04:52:12 PM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on November 09, 2017, 04:45:46 PM
What kind of budget do you have? How much shooting experience with large caliber rifles do you have? How much hunting experience do you have?

There're a lot of rifles that'll reach out to 500 yards and can kill an elk at 300-400 yards. But the shooter (you), is the unknown here. When you get buck fever taking a 100-yard shot, you still have a really good chance of putting one in the boiler room. At 300 yards, not so much because that "shake" is going to triple your placement error. If the answers to questions B and C are "not much or none", I would suggest that you plan on hunting big game at a much closer range to begin with. Hitting steel and killing an animal are completely different.

I would also suggest you find some rifles of different calibers and makes, and see how you like shooting them. Some of the forum members might shoot with you. Sometimes ranges have different guns they rent. You might find that recoil is a factor in your shooting enjoyment. The more comfortable a firearm is for you, the more apt you are to shoot it more frequently. If you go out whole hog and get a big gun and then don't like it, you'll leave it in the safe and when it comes time to shoot an animal, you'll be that much more apt to make an error. :twocents:

That's the best advice you can get!!
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Craig on November 09, 2017, 05:03:35 PM: Took my heavy ( about 13 pounds ) to the high country in CO this year. 4 miles in and up to 12,500 feet. It Was not fun packing it, but it was nice to have when it was time to shoot. I think something around 8-9 pounds would be a good range.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Bob33 on November 09, 2017, 06:16:34 PM: With rings and mounts, scope, sling and ammunition I like to be under 9 pounds for a walking rifle.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Bofire on November 09, 2017, 07:24:01 PM: :) Between 7.5 and 9.5 lbs. any lighter I wobble, heavier I am not carrying it. :chuckle:
Carl
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: runamuk on November 09, 2017, 07:42:08 PM: My Precious is about 7.5 and Baby is closer to 10 which is why I own 2 in the same caliber and same brand, just slightly different sizes.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: bobcat on November 09, 2017, 08:27:53 PM: Quote from: Bofire on November 09, 2017, 07:24:01 PM
:) Between 7.5 and 9.5 lbs. any lighter I wobble, heavier I am not carrying it. :chuckle:
Carl

Exactly how I would answer the question.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: huntingfool7 on November 09, 2017, 08:33:14 PM: No way I'd be considering a 10 pound rifle for my one and only big game rifle. I'd be looking at 7-8 lb range. That's assuming that you have to carry it yourself.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: MADMAX on November 09, 2017, 08:40:56 PM: I really like my little .243 Ruger American
Light fast nice action and a clip
Not sure what it weighs maybe 7
My 300 ultra is heavy great smooth shooter
Take a look at the Weatherby vanguards
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Oh Mah on November 09, 2017, 09:04:15 PM: Just my opinion but great long range rifles shoot heavier grain loads,have longer heavier barrels,kick less by far for accuracy,Have great optics to clearly view game at long ranges.All of which equals more weight. :twocents:
To many variables to think about as far as weight goes.for every take you give and for every give you take.My elk rifle weighs exactly 10 pounds loaded,Leupold vx3 scope.Ive spoke to people with the lights and most have said they wish they did not go with the light.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 09:35:00 PM: I have a 9 pound rifle all up and wish it was lighter. Call me crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Oh Mah on November 09, 2017, 09:57:59 PM: Quote from: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 09:35:00 PM
I have a 9 pound rifle all up and wish it was lighter. Call me crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
not crazy for carrying lol,the kick is why most say they dont like the lites
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Romulus1297 on November 09, 2017, 10:43:10 PM: I have carried a ula for 20 years. Don't know really what kick is but I have figured out what scope eye is. 6 lbs is ok. :o
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Oh Mah on November 09, 2017, 10:52:34 PM: Quote from: Romulus1297 on November 09, 2017, 10:43:10 PM
I have carried a ula for 20 years. Don't know really what kick is but I have figured out what scope eye is. 6 lbs is ok. :o
What caliber?
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Romulus1297 on November 09, 2017, 11:10:00 PM: 30-06 I do carry a sling in my pack.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: fish vacuum on November 10, 2017, 01:33:37 AM: My hunting rifles weigh 8.1 and 8.3lbs.
8.3 is the heaviest I wanna go.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 10, 2017, 05:35:26 AM: 10.625 for me
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 10, 2017, 05:54:49 AM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on November 10, 2017, 05:35:26 AM
10.625 for me
:yeah:
8.5 # is a nice light rifle, 9.5 # is comfortable 338 style rifle, 10.5# for max 1100 yard long ranger and it would be even better at 10#.

To 400 yards no need to go heavy, 300 WSM with a 4-24 vx6 is deadly to 700 yards.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: jackelope on November 10, 2017, 07:45:32 AM: Quote from: Oh Mah on November 09, 2017, 09:57:59 PM
Quote from: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 09:35:00 PM
I have a 9 pound rifle all up and wish it was lighter. Call me crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
not crazy for carrying lol,the kick is why most say they dont like the lites

That's what muzzle brakes are for.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Fl0und3rz on November 10, 2017, 08:34:13 AM: 7.5-8.5#. .270 Win. is about right out to about 400 yards. The Remington Mountain Rifles and Ruger All Weather rifles fit the bill for production rifles.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Oh Mah on November 10, 2017, 10:01:58 AM: Quote from: jackelope on November 10, 2017, 07:45:32 AM
Quote from: Oh Mah on November 09, 2017, 09:57:59 PM
Quote from: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 09:35:00 PM
I have a 9 pound rifle all up and wish it was lighter. Call me crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
not crazy for carrying lol,the kick is why most say they dont like the lites

That's what muzzle brakes are for.
If you want lighter then get the ultra lite .300 win mag with brake,Tell us how you like it. :tup:
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: jackelope on November 10, 2017, 12:23:41 PM: Quote from: Oh Mah on November 10, 2017, 10:01:58 AM
Quote from: jackelope on November 10, 2017, 07:45:32 AM
Quote from: Oh Mah on November 09, 2017, 09:57:59 PM
Quote from: jackelope on November 09, 2017, 09:35:00 PM
I have a 9 pound rifle all up and wish it was lighter. Call me crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
not crazy for carrying lol,the kick is why most say they dont like the lites

That's what muzzle brakes are for.
If you want lighter then get the ultra lite .300 win mag with brake,Tell us how you like it. :tup:

My current rifle weighs less than 9 pounds with a 4-16x scope on it, is a .300 win mag with a brake and I love shooting it. I can watch the bullets hit the target through the scope. I could probably lighten it up a little with a smaller scope if you want? Maybe get down to 8.5 pounds? That's pretty darn light for a scoped rifle.

My buddy shoots a 6#(bare) .300 win mag and he enjoys shooting it now that it has a brake. His scoped rifle is probably 8.5# all up?
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: Oh Mah on November 10, 2017, 12:39:28 PM: Nice! :tup: yeah i think we must be talking scoped only in this conversation since were talking 400 yard shots. 8.5 9 even 10.3 pretty average weight as i stated for a big game hunting rifle. :tup:
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: kselkhunter on November 10, 2017, 12:57:02 PM: The Op mentioned 400 yards range, and 30-06 is their max recoil tolerance. Most factory rifles with a 3-9x40 scope will get into the 8-8.5lb range and perform well to 400 yards in a variety of calibers, although slightly larger scope would be preferred for 400 yards for my eyes. For example, a Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker comes in at 6.5lbs in 308, and adding scope and rings should be able to get in the 8lb range and meet the range and recoil constraints listed.

I echo most others' advice of 7.5-9.5 lbs range. My 8lb rifle gets carried the most, unless I'm in an area of long range shot opportunities then I pack the 9.5lb gun with the larger scope. I wouldn't want to pack an 11lb or 12lb rifle around for long.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: 400out on November 10, 2017, 01:22:34 PM: lol I have light rifles and always seem to carry the 18 lb custom! But everything dies that it spits at ;)
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: JDHasty on November 10, 2017, 01:40:09 PM: I have a 1990 Winchester Mod 70 Winlite in 300 Wby. It is pretty light and shoots 3/4 inch groups. Factory McMillan stocked. ~ 8 lbs. I like it real well.
Title: Re: What is the heaviest you would go with a hunting rifle?
Post by: N7XW on November 10, 2017, 10:50:55 PM: This thread made me curious as to what my old 30-06 Mauser weighed. I just put a new scope on it and it comes in at 8lb 14oz total. Not too bad I guess. Better than the trigger pull....9lb 14oz :yike:
Ya, if I can get it to shoot decent groups with the new scope, I may have to see about some trigger work.