Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Heavy, medium, light, ultralight?

Most of mine are in the 7.5-8.0 lb range (+/-). One .375 at 8.75 lb.

I don't weigh rifles.

I do know that a T3lite carries nice.
And I can't shoot it well off hand.
It wiggles like a feather in a gale.

A plastic stainless M700 in 300 mag holds steady.
And it's pretty light.

8# all up.

According to the OP's scale My rifles hit in the light catagory. a rifle all up including scope and sling weighing 7 lbs is right in My sweet spot......Hb

Whatever weight rifle I shoot offhand the best is the perfect rifle to pack no matter where or what big game I'm hunting. Never sacrifice accuracy(offhand) to shave weight when it comes to big game. Plenty of other ways for a mountain hunter kill ounces.

I've decided I like mine between 6.5 and maybe a tad over 7 lbs. Light enough to carry,, just heavy enough to keep their "shootability". 6 lbs range it gets hard for me to shoot offhand accurately, plus I like to be able to stay "on target" after the shot when shooting at a critter. Weight also depends on the cartridge. I've got a 6 lb 9 oz 30-06 AI, and with fullhouse loads of 200 gr Partitions, it lets you know.........

For me it all depends upon where I am hunting. My two Savage LWH rifles probably ring in as ultralights based on the OPs criteria. My Ruger ULs probably ring in as lightweights. I have a few heavy's and mediums. I did most of my hunting in the mountains with a medium. I was much younger then, but I think that weight would still be okay with me. If I am using a climbing stand I prefer an ultra or a light. They have shorter barrels and are easier to deal with. Shooting out of a box at shorter distances, I don't care although the shorter length of my lighter rifles pays off for me. Shooting out of a box at longer distances, I'll take my medium or heavy rifles.

The three rifles I hunt the most with range from 7# 15 oz. to 8# 8 oz. without ammo or sling, so I guess that's the weight I prefer. One thing I've noticed is that heavy rifles feel heavy, light rifles feel light, but the ones in the middle like these three are all over the map in how they feel. For example my SKS weighs 8# 0 oz., but feels lighter than any of these hunting rifles, and a Savage 99R without a scope that weighs 7# 13 oz., but feels heavier than the four I mentioned.

I've yet to "suffer" a rifle that was "too light",but I of course build with balance/handling at the forefront.

Light Done Right gets schlepped daily and Oprah-esque Play Toys are Niche Tools.

Hint..............................