Ideal Stalking Rifle Weight

[Uncle Buck]

I you'st to tell the wife that many years ago
"I'm not a wee chap"

 

[JH83]

I you'st to tell the wife that many years ago
"I'm not a wee chap"

no point trying to kid her though

 

[alberta boy]

Just found a used Leupold 4x32 it is beautiful and light. I paid a fraction of the price that these new scopes cost and the glass is very good.
Tusker

I just put an M8 4x on my new/old Savage 99F in 308 , perfect . Empty , without a scope , it weighs about 6.5 pounds , loaded for Bear , it weighs just over 7.5 . A bit of a derail , my oldest daughter made off with my previous 99F in 300 Savage , the 308 fell into my lap a few weeks ago , I'll post some pics in the 99 thread that was running a while back . There's also a push feed Winchester M 70 Feather Weight in 7X57 for sale locally , damn ! , I really like those rifles ......... back to your regular programming .

AB

 

[HandB]

My BSA Hunter in 7x57 is 8.5lbs with a S&B PMII 10x42 and Sportsmatch rings. It's "lively" under recoil with full power factory loads but still accurate.

 

[JabaliHunter]

I suspect my main stalking rig is 15lbs all in. I’m out most weeks in the sunny Lake District, up valley, down dale.

Too heavy to take up on the fells then?
Just kidding

 

[SAUER20222250]

I wouldn't know or want to know you soft Southerners.

 

[karamoja]

I just put an M8 4x on my new/old Savage 99F in 308 , perfect . Empty , without a scope , it weighs about 6.5 pounds , loaded for Bear , it weighs just over 7.5 . A bit of a derail , my oldest daughter made off with my previous 99F in 300 Savage , the 308 fell into my lap a few weeks ago , I'll post some pics in the 99 thread that was running a while back . There's also a push feed Winchester M 70 Feather Weight in 7X57 for sale locally , damn ! , I really like those rifles ......... back to your regular programming .

AB

Now that sounds nice!!
K

 

[JockStalk]

Weight of rifle only matters if there is no chap to carry it for you. If complaints are given voice I find a good heavy picnic basket balances things up nicely.

 

[Freeforester]

I'll be waiting up to the left of the leftmost snow patch, take yer time...

 

[gixer1]

I wouldn't know or want to know you soft Southerners.

You ARE a southerner to some of us...

 

[Heym SR20]

Take the weight of the rifle plus stalker. Take for a good long days stalking up in the mountains.

reweigh the combined total.

probably lost five or Six pounds. The Heavier rifle the more weight lost, but too heavy there is the added embuggerance of helicopters etc after heart attack incurred.

 

[lochty]

Just weighed my Tikka LSA 55, McMillan stock and Lawrence mod. 10 lbs all in, including ammo. Heavy enough for me as the hills seem to be getting steeper these days.....

 

[markha]

View attachment 171049

I'll be waiting up to the left of the leftmost snow patch, take yer time...

see you in about 50 minutes from the point you took the pic

 

[25 Sharps]

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

They are nice rifles, if it’s the model I’m thinking of very similar action to the CZ527 in controller feed

 

[25 Sharps]

15 lbs is an ideal weight for a dangerous game double rifle in .577 Nitro. Also for a long range sniper rifle with Ghillie suit etc. Most hunting rifles should have an all up weight of under 10lbs, and two of mine are under 8 lbs scopes included. A lot is to do with balance. Personally I don't like modern 30mm tubed scopes. Yes the Optics are magnificent, but they make most rifles somewhat top heavy to handle. I want the weight between my hands, not stuck two inches above.

But will fully admit, personal preference and shooting style is hugely important. I don't like using Bipods and cross arm hold - I shoot in the old fashioned way and much prefer to shoot over a pack, rolled up sleeve or off sticks. And I like to keep ranges short - 200 is more than enough.

30 mm tubes don’t buy anything optically they just give you more adjustment

 

[Grannysmith]

If i could find an outfit under 8lbs i would be in heaven

 

[alberta boy]

You ARE a southerner to some of us...

From where I am , you're all southerners .

AB

 

[dropmdead]

My last lightweight I built was a custom 6br repeater, coming in under 8lbs with scope and bipod, ready to go.
Maybe try again with a 6.5x47L...

 

[Limpet]

I think the duration and terrain are critical to answer the OP question well. All day in the hills is a different situation to lowland wander for a few hours and then sit up on a high seat.

 

[6pt-sika]

Well I’ve got some boat anchor weight rifles some really light rifles and others in between . I don’t normally walk great distances when I deer hunt anymore , but the most comfortable to carry I have are the eight Mannlicher Schoenauer carbines especially the two chambered first 6.5x54MS . The first is of the model 1903 and the second is of the model MC . The second and third of the MC 6.5x54 and finally the fourth of the 7x57 . I apologize for the two of the MC 6.5 they’re from the auction site I purchased it , I don’t think I’ve taken any since it got to me .