Ideal Stalking Rifle Weight

[Brave Echo Niner]

Hi all,

Just intrigued as to others' opinions on ideal rifle weights for an all-round stalking rifle?
I personally find my 308 which weighs 15 pounds (inc bipod, scope and mod) is a perfect weight.
I don't feel it when I'm walking up a hill, but when I shoot its weight makes it very easy to shoot very tiny groups, which in turn gives me confidence while stalking.
I have used my 20 pound (mainly competition) rifle for stalking, and would use it more if it were a bigger calibre, however as a 6.5x47 I limit it to Roe only.
I start to find the weight of that more cumbersome to shoot offhand, however with using quad sticks and it being easy to carry with my fitness it has never been an issue.
What are your thoughts?

Hope others find this interesting,

Ben

 

[Utectok]

I’d say 9-10lbs all included not sure mine would make that

 

[takbok]

8.5 lb all up loaded and including moderator is more than enough for me if I'm carrying it in my hand/s while stalking.

I'd really like to come up with something under 6 lb one day.

 

[hedge hunter]

I like a heavy rifle.not silly heavy.something with a bit of heft to it so you can feel it in your shoulder.

 

[Boristhedog]

8.5 lb all up loaded and including moderator is more than enough for me if I'm carrying it in my hand/s while stalking.

I'd really like to come up with something under 6 lb one day.

I've used a Kimber M84 Montana for a few years and am more than happy with it. It's accurate and light, very easy to carry while out stalking.

www.sporting-rifle.com/reviews/kimber-montana-review/

 

[JH83]

I suspect my main stalking rig is 15lbs all in. I’m out most weeks in the sunny Lake District, up valley, down dale. Flush cups and a tab gear biathlon sling makes it feel like it isn’t there.

 

[takbok]

I've used a Kimber M84 Montana for a few years and am more than happy with it. It's accurate and light, very easy to carry while out stalking.

www.sporting-rifle.com/reviews/kimber-montana-review/

Sounds great, thanks for that! That's a really light rifle.

 

[alberta boy]

Most of my general use hunting rifles weigh between 7 and 8 pounds . I have a couple that are about 6.5 . I'm not a fan of ultra light rifles , I find them a bit awkward to use , but that's just me . As for 15 to 20 pounds , I have 375's and 458's that don't weigh that much , to each their own I suppose .

AB

 

[Alistair]

I reckon my old walnut stocked M695 weighed about 8lb 'naked', so call it 10.5lbs with an 8x56 scope and bipod attached.

Heavy enough to be ok to shoot, not so heavy that I noticed it whilst wandering around the Highlands.

 

[tusker]

I have a Kimber 84M Classic it weighs less than 6 lbs without scope and mod . I would estimate well under 7 lbs all told. i have had it about 7 months now and wish I had bought one years ago.
Tusker

 

[Roestalker39]

As light as possible

 

[Dunwaters]

Hi all,

Just intrigued as to others' opinions on ideal rifle weights for an all-round stalking rifle?
I personally find my 308 which weighs 15 pounds (inc bipod, scope and mod) is a perfect weight.
I don't feel it when I'm walking up a hill, but when I shoot its weight makes it very easy to shoot very tiny groups, which in turn gives me confidence while stalking.
I have used my 20 pound (mainly competition) rifle for stalking, and would use it more if it were a bigger calibre, however as a 6.5x47 I limit it to Roe only.
I start to find the weight of that more cumbersome to shoot offhand, however with using quad sticks and it being easy to carry with my fitness it has never been an issue.
What are your thoughts?

Hope others find this interesting,

Ben

I like mine around half of your weights.
Are you an Olympic weightlifting champion by any chance?

 

[splash]

As others have said as light as sensible, but heavy enough to absorb some recoil

 

[HappyHunter]

My rig after some fettling (extending lop) weighs 8lb6oz, including scope, mod and bipod. Not much additional weight was added but what has gone on has been very beneficial.

No proper range time yet but after a quick zero it certainly seems a tamer beast which will only give me greater confidence and therefore performance.

In summary, my personal opinion is you can go too light. Something to be said for some reassuring heftiness.

Also, the rifle now actually fits which may account for some improvement. Original lop was ridiculous and I was never a fan of the slip on pad used to extend it.

HH

 

[Tim.243]

8.5 lb all up loaded and including moderator is more than enough for me if I'm carrying it in my hand/s while stalking.

I'd really like to come up with something under 6 lb one day.

Take a cross bow fitted in your carbon stock Rory..

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Heavy is good, heavy is reliable...


(Although I wouldn’t like to hit a deer with it if it doesn’t work!)

 

[karamoja]

I have a Kimber 84m in .308. As said very light, very accurate, and a great trigger. A mini mauser action with wing 3 pos. Safety also. What's not to like.
For me anything over 8 1/2 lb is too heavy. Just my personal opinion.
K

 

[Smellydog]

I had a vanguard once with a pencil weight barrel. I don't know how heavy it was but it was a joy up the hill.
Stuff a 15lb rig! That's nuts!

 

[ejg]

The lightest rifle i have that ticks all i ask of weighs 11lbs. Includes moderator and bipod, PM2. I have lighter rifles but they come with a handicap.
edi

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

8.5 lb all up loaded and including moderator is more than enough for me if I'm carrying it in my hand/s while stalking.

I'd really like to come up with something under 6 lb one day.

Agree. Heavy enough to be steady, light enough to carry.