John Barsness has written about the importance of rifle balance, particularly for offhand shooting, and considered how far forward of the trigger the balance point is found. His position was that the overall weight of the rifle is less important than the balance point. I got curious about how this related to my own big game rifles. Here is what I found. Balance measurements were made with full magazines.
JC Higgins 45 (Marlin 336 made for Sears) .30-30 weighs 7 lbs 3oz and balances 5 1/8" ahead of the trigger.
JC Higgins 50 (FN Mauser) .30-06 with a 22" barrel, McMillan stock, and a Leupold 4x33 in Burris Zee Rings weighs 7 lb 15 oz and balances at 5 3/4".
Ruger 77RLS .30-06 with a slim 18.5" barrel and a Leupold 2.5-8x36 in Ruger rings weighs 7 lb 8 oz and balances at 4 1/8".
Cooper 52 Classic .30-06 with 24" barrel and a Leupold 3.5-10x40 in Talley Lightweights weighs 8 lb 9oz and balances at 6 1/4"
The little Ruger is a remarkably accurate rifle that defies all expectations but it is a hard rifle to shoot well offhand. The .30-30 is of similar weight and length but easier to manage offhand. The Mauser is easier yet to shoot good groups with offhand but is aided by a scope. Getting to the Cooper with its balance point 6 1/4" ahead, well, it just hangs there and I've done my best ever offhand shooting with it. However, the Ruger #1B and #1V I used to own were pretty close and the Cooper and the #1B seem very similar in balance as much as I recall from memory.
One last comparison that I thought might be interesting would be to look at the often stated "I points/points like a good shotgun". I've got an Ithaca 100 20 gauge with 25" barrels and a weight of 6 lbs flat. It isn't an extravagant gun but it is the best I've owned and the one I've done best with hunting grouse in the brush. It balances at 3 3/4". I sure wouldn't want to shoot a rifle that balances like it.
I would be interested in knowing what the rifles owned by others balance like. Hopefully others will chime in with information on rifle, scope, weight, and loaded balance point. Barsness gave several examples in and article as well as Obsessions of a Rifle Loony. I'd be interested in hearing about the Ruger 77 RSI, African, and Compact Magnum, Ruger #1S, Marlin 1895 (especially with 22" barrel) since they are all rifles that have my attention these days, as well as anything else people care to share info about.
