Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting What is the heaviest weight rifle you would want to hunt with?

For some reason I want to get a long range rifle. I suppose mostly because I only own light weight hunting rifles and extremely accurate rifles excite me. I know most of your long range hunting rifles are a bit heavier than what I am accustomed to, and I know it would depend a lot on the circumstances of the hunt,but in general what would be the heaviest rifle you would consider as a hunting rifle?

I have an opportunity to purchase a phenomenally accurate rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. I'm talking .2's accuracy wise and for what I think is a great price with a custom action and high end barrel and chassis. The thing is that the rifle alone weighs 11 pounds.It would work fine for some stand situations and as a range toy,but I was wondering if such a rifle could practically be used as a general purpose long range hunting rifle. I'm asking because I don't do any long range hunting and was wondering if you that know about long range hunting, could use a rifle that heavy in any of the type hunting you do.

Day hunting from base camp - I like no more than about 8-8.5 all up....

Backpacking I like about 7 pounds all up...

Both rigs I'd have no issues crushing something at 700+ yards...

Most of the rifles I hunt with weigh around 8 pounds, plus mounts and scope. So I’m probably packing 10 lbs. I carry it on my shoulder, so it isn’t a big deal to me. I have a few Sendero rifles, they would be a bit too much.

A man has got to have more than one hunting rifle, I have what I would consider long range hunting rifles from 7 pounds to 56 pounds.
I would not let an 11pound rifle scare me off. I could find a use for it !!!!!!!!!!

I hunt 10-12lb rifles (scoped) all the time from box stands, but the walk is generally under a half mile.

My heaviest is pushing 11lbs and I've got a few more that are 10lbs or more. They only get used in box stands or ground blinds when I'm hunting over large bean fields and the trip there involves an ATV. If I'm going to be doing a lot of walking I have other rifles in the 7.5lb range.

That's sort of what I had in mind. This rifle would wind up closer to 13 lbs scoped. I've never owned anything anywhere close to that heavy but then I do have several nice rifles from 5-8 lbs.

I don't know,I may talk myself out of it but the idea of an extremely accurate rifle does appeal to me.

I build rifles every year.
I am trying to keep the rifle, scope, bipod, rear bag, sling, cheek rest, and ammo..... less than 10 pounds.

Slings that are stretchy, wide, and have a high coefficient of friction make the rifle feel lighter.
Butler Creek and Vero make these.

I like about 9.5lbs

Do it. You’ll be glad you did.

I have no clue what my heavy 7x300 or my MTU contour 308 weighs. Neither are light.

Carry them hunting a lot at times. While we drive some distance, we generally walk at least half a mile or more one way to the stands or areas to overlook.

That doesn't bother me in the least.

OTOH I wouldn't really want to carry either of them on a long hike.

Have carried the 308 about 3 miles max, and that wasn't a big deal to me. But I wouldn't really want to lug it around after elk etc... though my 54 sidelock doesn't really feel what I consider to be light either... and its been on a few elk runs.

BTW our service rifles were from 16-18 pounds all up, and we rolled with 50 pounds or so of other gear up and down ranges from parking lot to pits at 1000 yards at times... it was ok too. Even in our horrible heat.

If you're going to be very mobile, there's much to like about the Barrett Fieldcraft and it's lightweight kin.

If you're going to sit in a nest or a treestand that is stable, its hard to argue against a medium-heavy rifle that shoots well.

Not a lot of people on the PRS circuit shooting lightweight rifles, and that requires some moving around and improvised shooting positions.

I have a B&C M40 stock with a varmint channel that is pretty heavy. I'm waiting to build a 6mm Creed or 6.5 SAUM to put into it for fun and hunting.

I'm in good shape for my age, but still prefer to sit on a logging road or some elevated spot and look down on a field with enough rifle to reach the target, and enough heft to be steady when I need that.

My heaviest rifles are my one AR15 full size rifle in 6.8SPC, SR762 Ruger, my 300H&H Mauser and my Mauser 404 Jeffery. They all weight between 10-1/4 and 11 pounds. I hunt with them.

I have hunted with rifles of 12 and even 13.5 pounds in the past, but now they are all sold. I don't like anything over about 11 pounds now.

My lightest big game rifle is the one I am just finishing up right now, a Lee Metford made in the early "Speed" style. It's a 303 and weights 6.5 lbs.
Next lightest is the 1903 Mannlicher in 6.5X54. It weighs 7 pound 4 oz.
I have other rifles that go from about 8 pounds to 9-1/4 pounds and they comprise most of the lot.
30-30, 25-06, 6.8SPC Carbine, 7.62X39, 270s, 30-06s 308s 8X57, 9.3X57, 9.3X62 and 375H&H.

I absolutely hate hunting with a heavy rifle! Most of my bolt action hunting rifles weigh in at about 7.5 to 8 lbs. Heavest one I own is a heavy barrel AR-15 that’s about 10 lbs with scope.

That being said, my next long range rifle will be a Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 6.5 CM. With their carbon stock & carbon wrapped 24” barrel they weigh 6.3 lbs without a scope. With a Leupold 4.5 X 14 and rings and bases, it will still weigh just under 8 lbs.
Several of those bought by my friends in the last year shoot little tiny one hole groups at 200 yards. And at a MSR of $1995, you can’t build a “Long Range” rifle that shoots that good for less money.

I have no problem walking around a couple of miles with my 15 lbs rifles when I'm hunting country where I expect a possible long shot. I take my 6-7 lbs rifles sheep hunting, but the things that make a 15 lbs rifle weigh 15 lbs, also make it easier to shoot little bug holes and hit stuff at LR than with lighter rifles. You have the light rifle end of the spectrum covered, try a chunk- they're way more fun to shoot in practice. You'll like it.

I'm thinking real hard about it. I do like to shoot,even when it isn't hunting related. Good to know you have 15 lb rifles Jordan. It doesn't make me feel stupid for considering an 11 pound rifle.

I drug a big mule fawn for a mile in October without a rope.
The weight of my rifle is insignificant compared to the power of the deer dragging force.

Mc Millan stock, Remington action , bartlein #3 barrel, ss 3x15 is 10.8lbs (243). It shoots very well, and I pack it long and far. Its not too heavy for steep terrain.

I have hunting rifles from 6.5-14 #’s and all get used. Overall I prefer an 8-8.5# rifle as an all arounder but do like shooting my heavy guns as I can typically see impacts.

Heck I took my 15 pound rifle sheep hunting this year.



For true backpack style hunts a lightweight rifle is nice and I have more than a couple of those. But for day hunts where you don't have the entire camp on your back a heavier really isn't that big of a deal in my experience. Just another tool in the box.

Looks like O2 country

This one is 8.5lbs. Too heavy for some, just right for me. It has good balance and feel, and I have confidence in it...

Other essentials I don't leave home without...

I like a rifle that balances nicely. For me, my 8x57 in the McMillan stock is 8 lbs even empty, and just about perfect. I have a .300 Win Mag that comes in at just over 9 and certainly is not bad to carry either.

Of course 20+ years of throwing concrete forms around can probably skew your definition of heavy.

Scenarshooter: just awesome firearms you regularly display...Wife, asked me a couple nights ago if I would want a Schmidt & Bender scope....Now, what’s a guy supposed to say to that invitation...No? Got me thinking though about S&B scopes. Here’s my question...I just bought a SWFA SS 10x42 as a training wheel scope to learn how to twist turrets. Not sure if I will like the experience. I’m a Leupold CDS user who happens to have 100% satisfaction thus far...So, what S&B scope would you suggest with both a twist turret set up and a non-twist scope with side focus in the 4.5 to 6 power range. Thanks for any help. Mark

I am old and feeble but still like to move in the mountains. My Tikka T3 lite 308 weighs 7.6 lbs scoped and loaded and that is enough for me. I don't know at what distance you will shoot game or how steady you are and that is always the limiter for me. Last week shooting seated w/ a back rest off sticks I shot 10 for 10 on an 8" plate at 400 yards and 5 for 10 at 500 yards in variable winds. This tells me that w/ this set up I am a 400 yard shooter from field positions. I rarely shoot prone where I hunt.

If I didn't need it as a truck gun I would invest in a lighter rifle and better glass and see what I could do. If I could shoot as well as Pat I would be pretty happy no matter what I was carrying.


mike r

At 12 1/2 pounds, I don't make it a habit of packing this one around too much, but do on occasion.

I’ve experimented with heavier hunting rifles (for stability at longer range) and found the real limit was not carry weight, but whether I could lift the rifle with one hand up onto sticks or a rest - silently.
It’s partly about balance, but my limit is around 10lbs.

9 lbs for me. I have found that I shoot this one very well, I like it better than a 6 lb lightweight.

I might have to get one of those....;)

You might have to change your screen name to “Enabler”... grin

I would like to stay under 9.0 lbs.......scoped, loaded, and with sling. Mine comes in a few ounces over!

I have found that, as I age.....my rifle seems to be putting on a little weight! memtb

Details?

LSU, it’s a GA Precision 6.5 SAUM - the scenarshooter model...

That blueprint works pretty well on the Tempest action, 2” more barrel, 2 port side discharge brake chambered in 6.5 wsm as well. 😁

How long is the snout? 22"?

LSU Fan, I’ll be back in Zachary (home for my first 34 years), in early April. Family, friend, and baseball! memtb

Pretty sure Scenar and Kimber7 spec’d 25” barrels

Heaviest is 9 1/4 # this one is 8lb's 13 oz's and lately been carried the most.....

Fugkin spectacular picture!

Good time of year, weather should still be nice. You probably won’t recognize Zachary. Planning on an LSU Baseball game?

LSU fan, It is amazing how Zachary has changed during the last 30 years. We get down, at least once a year. My kids, grandkids, and a few great grandkids, are down there. Granddaughter was able to be on the Zachary Cheerleader Squad in the dome, for both of Zachary’s State Football Titles. I had to listen to the games via the internet.....would’ve liked to have been there to see that!
And maybe an LSU game, 3 grandsons are heavily involved in Zachary baseball! memtb

Thanks

My Rigby is quite a bit heavier than most of the others, though several are heavy too, but they also are special purpose. My elk and deer rifles maximum weight ~ 7 lb. But I don't shoot game animals over 300 yards since I grew up.

24". The Vias brake adds about 1".

Copy that. Ever run one with a 22” snout?

That looks about perfect to me!

Is the rifle 8.5 pounds alone, or does that include the scope?

What stock did you use?

I haven't, but a few guys I know have 22's. You lose a little velocity, but not much.

It's 8.5 with scope.

That's a Manners SL stock.

I really like the way that came together. Do you mind giving us the rest of the recipe for the Scenarshooter model?

It's cataloged on GA Precision's website as the "Extreme Hunter".

George Gardner and I speced it out while we were on a grizzly hunt in Alaska in 2012, huddled under a tarp on open mountainside in a downpour...he brought out a prototype to hunt with in Montana that fall, and killed an elk and a mule deer with it. We put several hundred rounds through it shooting steel and rocks...it's been a great project.

He has serial # 1, I've got # 2. I believe they've made and sold several hundred of them since then. Good clean rifle. Mine is on it's second barrel. I put 3200+ through the first tube. It still shot great, but velocity dropped down to .260 speeds, so I sent it back for a replacement. Barrel # 2 has 1200 rounds through and still shoots fast, and tight.

This one is 8.5lbs. Too heavy for some, just right for me. It has good balance and feel, and I have confidence in it...[/quote]

That looks about perfect to me!

Is the rifle 8.5 pounds alone, or does that include the scope?

What stock did you use?
[/quote]

It's 8.5 with scope.

That's a Manners SL stock.[/quote]

I really like the way that came together. Do you mind giving us the rest of the recipe for the Scenarshooter model?
[/quote]

My perfect version of the "heaviest" is also based on Pat's/GAP's EH only a bit modified for my tastes.
Chet, if I remember right, your penchant for 70's might jive here a bit w/ my 6.5 4S (SAUM)

Weight: 8lb 11oz scoped
M70 SS Classic short action
Bartlein #3 fluted @ 23"
Bansner stock
PT&G bottom metal
Bushnell LRHS

Shoots nice clusters w/ 143 ELDX and H1000... trying some 130 VLDs this week. While a tad heavier than others I've had, it might be the best balanced.

That is very nice too! Thanks to both of you for posting the photos and specifications.

Oops, misread and was thinking you said it was the first trip in 30 years. Enjoy your trip! I can still remember my grandfather traveling in from Florida just to watch me play football my senior year. Sounds like a great family.

Thanks! Looking forward to getting “back home”, for a little while! memtb

I am planning on packing my CTR 6.5 this spring and fall here in Idaho. With 5 rounds it will be about 11 pounds. This will be about 2-2.5 pounds heavier than any rifle I have ever carried, but hoping the stability and LR accuracy it provides will be worth it. I am also planning on dropping an extra 10 pounds over what I usually am just to help out - cant hurt...lol.

I don't worry about weight that much (within reason) I carry a Model 70 .300 wm with 8 cartridges in the shell holder on the stock, scope, rail, sling, and bi pod. Its a pain for the first few days then I get used to it, I am guessing about 10 lbs and change. I have never weighed it, but its not light

Wby MkV UL 280 Remington - 7#
Wby MkV UL 7 Wby - 8#
Sako 85 Finnlight 308 Winchester - 7#
Sako 85 Finnlight 300 WSM - 7#
Remington 700 308 Winchester - 8#
Borden Alpine 300 WSM - 8#
Borden Timberline 280 AI - 7# (actually 6 lb 14 oz)
Encore 308 Winchester - 8#

I’m not planning on climbing Pike’s Peak or Mt Everest so it’s a moot issue!

when you guys talk long range rifle I just built a custom 338 lapua ,brux barrel, weatherby action,put a 8-32x56 niteforce scope picatinny mnts.m and a bi-pod on this rifle its my new elk rifle for the mountains . I am kinda a bigger person 6-2 /250 lbs and I like a heavier rifle anyway, I am in decent shape climb poles as a powerlineman 35 years in all weather conditons. I look at it this way what`s a couple more pounds of butter on my rifle so a 10-12 lb. rifle with a scope is no big deal with my pack anyway,by the end of the day the food and water in my pack is usally a lot less anyway too. don`t sweat the small stuff.good luck,Pete53

"What is the heaviest weight rifle you would want to hunt with?"

7# ready.

I don't really mind carrying a 700 Sendero so probably about 9.5 - 10 pounds scoped. It's a bit heavy but manageable with sufficient mumbling and cussing. I guess I'll leave that as my answer to the question.

I have a Kimber Montana that weighs 6 pounds with Talleys and a Leupold 2.5-8X. It is great to carry but is a real challenge to shoot offhand. I shoot a .204 in a custom 700 which weighs 7 pounds even scoped. It's got better "hang" than the .257 but a little more weight yet might be good. My guess is somewhere around 7.5 to 8 pounds would be ideal.

Sub-8 is better than 10. BTDT. We hike hard here by necessity. Plus a guy gets old fast.

About 11 pounds..

Fit feel and balance for me, never have been able to shoot really lite rifles very well.

15# be ok!

Yup, I routinely pack 11 to 13 pound Sharps rifles, killed 7 deer in two states with em last year, and one buck I rattled in was with that mighty 15 pound 45-110 Sharps Bull Gun I bought off you, all that said, I wouldn't want that bull gun on an elk or sheep mountain.

Almost all the rifles I've carried over the years went 9+, but no more. Last year I carried a CZ 527 that went a bit over 7, and now I've got a Fieldcraft in the pipe that should end up at about 6 1/2 with a pretty big scope. I'm also working on getting some weight out of my pack and off my ass. I don't want what I'm carrying to determine where I go and how long I stay out.

50 wasn't bad; started to really notice it at 60. 70's not far off now, and I want to keep at it as long as I can. Since I hunt public land, that means I have to climb, anywhere from a couple hundred to maybe 1000 feet, and since it's woods, that means a rifle is going to be in my hands a lot of the time. A pound or two carried like that is a big deal now.

This one is the heaviest I've been hunting with lately. With sling and mag it's pushing 9lbs. I don't mind it at all when it's flat, short walk, or it's slung (shoulder or pack)....in thick woods or going up a mountain with it in-hand, it's only about 2.5 lbs more than another but it's a BIG difference. I'm a sissy and like my lw rifles.

Nice rifle!! What setup are you using in the mountains that goes 6 pounds all up?

Thanks! That one is about 9lbs all up and the light one is 6.5lbs, not 6 (sorry).

That's a .223AI 22" Rem sporter contour and it's counterpart .223AI is a 700 lightened bolt/handle, 22" Douglas #1, Edge stock (adl), DNZ mounts, and 6x42 Leupold which is 6.5 lbs all up. They've been my main non-big game rifles for several years now.

Kimber .223 gets used a lot of the farm and I think it's right at 6 lbs but haven't weighted it lately.

LW version:



Kimber .223 is ~1/2 lb less

Very nice!!! I have some lightweight rifles that go anywhere from 4.5 pounds scoped to 7.25 pounds scoped and they all work, but my tank rifles are so much more fun to actually shoot and for everything but true living with whats on my back backpacking hunts for dall sheep, mountain goats, caribou, and bears even then I don't find the extra 5-8 pounds a deal break. Especially on day hunts when all I got is a 20-30 pound day pack to begin with.

Yep, I agree on shooting heavier and they certainly aren't a deal breaker for hunting. Biggest factor for me is will I be carrying it in my hand most of the time or slung/eberlestock'd.

MY limit Is around 9 pounds or so loaded with scope and sling .In Alaska ten of the years I was there I hunted with a weatherby accumark 338-378 weatherby .It was around 9.6 pounds loaded .I had a wide spongy scope on it .I toated it for hundreds of miles .

How much do I like My hunting rifle to weigh?....I like a bare bolt action hunting rifle to weigh about 6.5lbs (.300 Win) 6.0lbs (non-magnum) give or take a few oz's......Hb