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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,968
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
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I am curious as to exactly WHAT all up rifle weight you backpack hunters prefer.
By "all up", I mean rifle plus scope ,mounts ,sling and /or bipod ,scope covers and full magazine of ammo.
And in a caliber /rifle combo you can use confidently kill uo to elk sized game from piont blank out to 500 yards .
I am after a WEIGHT- not rifle model or type ,catridge ,optics etc..but what weight you prefer to do the job in the back country.
This should be "enlightening".
Pardon the pun.
Last edited by jk16; 02/20/20.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,378
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,378 |
A few oz. either side of 8 lbs. works for me.
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9,057
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9,057 |
7.5-8 #. That's about 15# lighter than anything over 11#.
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390 |
8 lbs give or take. Lighter is harder to shoot. Heavier is harder to carry.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 689
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 689 |
For general hunting 7.5 to 8 pounds it about perfect. Serious backpack hunting my rifle is a 308 win at under 6.5. I'm talking miles, elevation, and multiple days. No concerns for me with elk to 500...done it at 450.
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,502
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,502 |
I never really think about it when pack-hunting. I just carry what ever rifle I want to hunt with. Last season it was my Mauser in 9.3X62 and that rifle weighs 10 pounds and 2 oz loaded and with the sling on it.
For summer trips not in bear country, when I am not hunting but want a rifle along inside the pack I like an AK47 with a side folding stock, or an AR15 taken apart.
In grizzly country I don't put my rifle inside the pack. I carry it as if I was hunting. The rifle I have carried a lot for such summer trips is my old M1 Garand loaded with 220 grain RN bullets and loads with 3031 powder, so the port pressure is within spec for the M1.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,098
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,098 |
A few oz. either side of 8 lbs. works for me. This
If you're not burning through batteries in your headlamp,...you're doing it wrong.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 754
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 754 |
I agree with around 8 lbs for a bolt action. That's a little heavy for those that prefer a light weight bolt action, but I hold the eight-pounders steadier.
There is only one exception for me on a light rifle that works... A model 94 with a 20 inch barrel is a delight to shoot... because of the way it is balanced, I hold it very steady, even though it is very light. Long live the model 94!
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” --- Will Rogers
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
6.0lbs. is my preferred mountain rifle.
I have another that I’ll take on occasion that is 7.5 including sling (but not ammo). I’m willing to tolerate the weight for sentimental reasons only.
But to your question, I prefer 6-6.5 including ammo.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,810
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,810 |
Whatever a Kimber 84 or Nula weighs. Have little interest in shooting to 500 yards, although I also have little doubt they are capable.
Last edited by battue; 02/21/20.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,089
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,089 |
Also prefer 7.5-8lb all up.
“Factio democratica delenda est"
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,614
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2018
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,278
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,278 |
Backpacking rifle (all-up):
6.50 - 7.25 lbs max with a weight forward bias.
6.75 lbs is around my ideal, again, with a weight-forward bias.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,034
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,034 |
Five lbs when carrying, 10 lbs when shooting. All joking aside, I end up right between 6.5-7 lbs with my "mountain rifles." No big magnums and no ultra lightweights.
You didn't ask about caliber but I settled on the 280 Ackley for elk, with good 160 grain bullets.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,278
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,278 |
Five lbs when carrying, 10 lbs when shooting. Ain't that the truth.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,476
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,476 |
I think most of you are underestimating the weight of slings and ammo
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,342
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,342 |
8 lbs give or take. Lighter is harder to shoot. Heavier is harder to carry. Hunters do a lot more carrying than shooting. FWIW, Idaho regulations limit total rifle weight, including scope and all other attachments, to 16 lb.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,278
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,278 |
I think most of you are underestimating the weight of slings and ammo Perhaps, but I don't guess when it comes to weights... but I wonder whether a couple of the posters here are not backpack hunters, but dayhike hunters? Uncle Mikes Mountain Sling weigh's 3.5 oz's. 4 rounds of .308 Win w/165 weigh's 3.5 oz's.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
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My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
My version of perfection for when the going gets steep and the air gets thin. Stainless synthetic 84M, 23” barrel just a little thicker than factory at .585” at the muzzle. 160gn bullet at 3050. But to the question of weight: I’ve hunted with this in a lighter configuration (factory barrel), and heavier when wearing an 3-10 SHV scope, or 3-9 SWFA SS. Where it is now is a nice Mtn hunting weight, and balance.
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