Originally Posted by smokepole
Originally Posted by elkmen1
If you can't pack a 8 1/2 or 9 lb. rifle stay home, you should not be in the woods.



I agree with you elkmen, but for me it's not that I can't pack an 8 1/2 or 9-lb, rifle, it's just that I prefer to pack a 7-lb. rifle.

That means I can bring more food or a thicker sleeping pad.


Exactly. This is the backpack hunting section and if you are on a true backpack hunt the total weight of your entire pack/rifle is absolutely a consideration. A pound or two less in your rifle allows you to pack other pieces of gear that can make a real difference on your hunt.

With that said I run mostly 2.5-10x32 Nightforce compacts on my lightweight backpack rifles because they have been indestructible for me and I have total confidence in them. I have never had an issue with a rifle wearing one feeling unbalanced and you can still run a fairly lightweight setup.

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