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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,149 Likes: 11
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,149 Likes: 11 |
My favorite mountain rifle, whether for backpacking or day hunts, is a NULA .30-06, which weighs 6.5-7 pounds depending on the scope used. (7 is with a Nightforce SHV 3-10x42.) Add another half pound for ammo and Mountain Sling.
Back when I first started building and using lightweight rifles (which I define as 7 or under, scoped), experimented with how light I could go, and ended up with at least one NULA around 5.75. Killed quite a bit of game with it, but it was not as easy to shoot at longer ranges as the NULA .30-06, because the .30-06 has a 24" No. 1 contour Douglas barrel, which is pretty darn steady, especially when the SNV is used. Together they put the balance point noticeably farther forward than on many light rifles.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,098 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,098 Likes: 6 |
That's just about how my two NULAs are set up. Not the lightest barrel he offers but close to it and not the lightest scope I could put on either. I wasn't trying to get down to 5 1/2 lbs, but to use the scope I wanted and stay under 7 lbs., with a little better balance than an ultralight.
It's good to know that great minds think alike!
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 920
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 920 |
Think mine run around 8-8.5 or so. Seems like a good balance of shootability and carry-ability.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,179 |
8 lbs give or take. Lighter is harder to shoot. Heavier is harder to carry. True that.
Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1 |
No one has mentioned balance. To me, forward heft really helps with steady holding. If most of the weight is in the butt stock, as with some pencil barreled rifles, I don't like it. I like a Hunters Edge, very light stock with the weight in the barrel. Now, if you guys were young studs like Don Jr. you'd be packing this kinda "mountain rifle". Seemed to work for him. Looks like he's a NF fan. Don't ya reckon that big ole gun weighs at least 15#'s...? DF
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,516 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,516 Likes: 1 |
No one has mentioned balance. To me, forward heft really helps with steady holding. If most of the weight is in the butt stock, as with some pencil barreled rifles, I don't like it. I like a Hunters Edge, very light stock with the weight in the barrel. Now, if you guys were young studs like Don Jr. you'd be packing this kinda "mountain rifle". Seemed to work for him. Looks like he's a NF fan. Don't ya reckon that big ole gun weighs at least 15#'s...? DF I reckon he probably had a sherpa.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1 |
Probably.
I'd hate to pack that big ole gun up and down those ridges...
Bet it shot good once he got it there.
DF
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286 |
No one has mentioned balance. I did... 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: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,901 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,901 Likes: 1 |
8 lbs give or take. Lighter is harder to shoot. Heavier is harder to carry. Agree. Except I don’t have any trouble shooting lightweights. My 280 AI comes in under 7 lbs & my heaviest at 8.5 lbs. That one is a 7 Wby so a bit heavy is fine.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country." Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,354
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,354 |
8 lbs give or take. Lighter is harder to shoot. Heavier is harder to carry. Agree. Except I don’t have any trouble shooting lightweights. My 280 AI comes in under 7 lbs & my heaviest at 8.5 lbs. That one is a 7 Wby so a bit heavy is fine. It isn't a matter of having a problem shooting a lightweight. Fact is everyone shoots a heavier gun better. If they didn't you wouldn't see guys shooting heavy rifles in matches.
Last edited by MontanaCreekHunter; 02/27/20.
Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,149 Likes: 11
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,149 Likes: 11 |
DF,
"Nobody has mentioned balance."
Did you read my post?
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1 |
No one has mentioned balance. I did... 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. Whoops! Thought I’d read everything. Great minds?? Ha! DF
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1 |
DF,
"Nobody has mentioned balance."
Did you read my post? Missed yours and Brad’s. Must be slipping. Happens when one reaches senior status. Ha! DF
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
It is apparent in this thread, that if there was no pic, it didn't happen. Ruger 77 7x57 "all up" 8.47 pounds. The second part of killing an elk at 500 yards with it, not me but maybe somebody could.
Last edited by roundoak; 02/27/20.
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286 |
It is apparent that if there was no pic, it didn't happen. True dat! I solo backpack hunt, so nothing more than dead critter shots. 8lb rifles need not apply
“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: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286 |
DF,
"Nobody has mentioned balance."
Did you read my post? Missed yours and Brad’s. Must be slipping. Happens when one reaches senior status. Ha! DF When does this “senior” thing you speak of happen?
“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 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,144 Likes: 1 |
DF,
"Nobody has mentioned balance."
Did you read my post? Missed yours and Brad’s. Must be slipping. Happens when one reaches senior status. Ha! DF When does this “senior” thing you speak of happen? Gradually. Then one day...! You realize. You’re an old fart. 🙈 DF
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286 |
DF,
"Nobody has mentioned balance."
Did you read my post? Missed yours and Brad’s. Must be slipping. Happens when one reaches senior status. Ha! DF When does this “senior” thing you speak of happen? Gradually. Then one day...! You realize. You’re an old fart. 🙈 DF I’ll be 59 in June... guessing I’m not a senior yet
“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: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,286 |
“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: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,811
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,811 |
Some here are firm believers that if you have a problem carrying a heavy rifle, then losing 10 pounds off of your waist is the best answer. Haven't seen any pics of you lately, but last I remember you didn't have 10 pounds on your waist to lose. Sooooo, maybe you should think about shooting smaller Bulls, which would knock more than 10 pounds off rather quickly. Then you could carry a heavier rifle, that will allow you to shoot better, which will allow you to kill them deader than those in the pics. Us day-hikers are up on the logistics of rifle weight....
Last edited by battue; 02/27/20.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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