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Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. Brad #14613919 02/27/20
Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 10,653 Badger State roundoak Campfire Outfitter
roundoak Campfire Outfitter Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 10,653 Badger State	Originally Posted by Brad Originally Posted by roundoak 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 My rifle is 8.47 # all up, so I don't meet your criteria, but the trade off is I have a camera man along. You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime

GB1

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. jk16 #14614145 02/27/20
Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 202 MT A AK4570 Campfire Member
AK4570 Campfire Member A Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 202 MT	A few ounces north of 6lb for the Kimber 308 and a few ounces north of 8lb for the semi-custom 300WM loaded, scoped, slung, and ready to hunt... That’s all I’m volunteering to carry these days. V/r, John

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. roundoak #14614667 02/28/20
Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 30,257 Brad Campfire 'Bwana
Brad Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 30,257	Originally Posted by roundoak My rifle is 8.47 # all up, so I don't meet your criteria, but the trade off is I have a camera man along. You look younger and stronger than me, so I must confess my love of sub 7lb rifles is because of my advanced age and paltry strength Good job roundoak! “Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. battue #14614674 02/28/20
Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 30,257 Brad Campfire 'Bwana
Brad Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 30,257	Originally Posted by battue 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.... Thanks Battue, that gave me a chuckle. “Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. Brad #14614960 02/28/20
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 37,019 Central Louisiana D Dirtfarmer Campfire 'Bwana
Dirtfarmer Campfire 'Bwana D Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 37,019 Central Louisiana	Originally Posted by Brad Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer Originally Posted by Brad Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer Originally Posted by Mule Deer 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 Not a senior, yet. It will happen. DF

IC B2

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. jk16 #14629434 03/03/20
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 17,163 Northern California Hammerdown Campfire Ranger
Hammerdown Campfire Ranger Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 17,163 Northern California	Good thread. Thanks men. My 30-06 is at 7lb - 2oz I have a 308 that weighs less. Always great being in the woods hunting and enjoying the peace it brings. Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. Brad #14633105 03/05/20
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 19,179 Southern Arkansas J jwall Campfire Ranger
jwall Campfire Ranger J Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 19,179 Southern Arkansas	OOPS !, I didn't know I was IN the Backpack Hunting forum !!! I thot I clicked on the "Elk Hunting" forum. I've been doing DAY pack hunting ONLY since 2012..... AM I Close ? Sorry Originally Posted by Brad Originally Posted by ShortMagFan I think most of you are underestimating the weight of slings and ammo Uncle Mikes Mountain Sling weigh's 3.5 oz's. 4 rounds of .308 Win w/165 weigh's 3.5 oz's. First, All Up means and includes ALL that's ON & IN the rifle. Gun, scope, mounts/rings, ammo, sling, etc. Brad, I haven't seen a U M Mountain Sling but the ONLY slingS I've used for years are Uncle Mike's Nylon. I have 2 that I've used for longer than I can remember. They're indestructible to me. This is the oldest pic I have on imgur. 2012 OR 2013 I have a couple of nice Leather slings - in a drawer of my dresser. The nylons are light and QUICK adjustable. I have HUNTED those 2 slings ONLY since the 80s. ************* My preferred 'total' rifle weight is 7 - 8 lbs. ALL UP. My Black Shadow, 300 WM weighs 8 +, HOWEVER the weight distribution makes it feel LIGHTER. I really was surprised when I put it ON a scale. Jerry Last edited by jwall; 03/05/20. jwall- * 3100 guy*** A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. jk16 #14633204 03/05/20
Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 7,944 Eagle River Alaska K kk alaska Campfire Outfitter
kk alaska Campfire Outfitter K Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 7,944 Eagle River Alaska	Around or under 7# and balanced like a NULA or Forbes kk alaska Alaska 7 months of winter then 5 months of tourists

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. kk alaska #14633529 03/05/20
Joined: Nov 2017 Posts: 3,705 Bark River,Michigan S stevevan1 Campfire Tracker
stevevan1 Campfire Tracker S Joined: Nov 2017 Posts: 3,705 Bark River,Michigan	7.5 - 8lbs. Anything lighter is impossible to shoot well.

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. stevevan1 #14633669 03/05/20
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 45,990 Colorado S smokepole Campfire 'Bwana
smokepole Campfire 'Bwana S Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 45,990 Colorado	No it's not. A wise man is frequently humbled.

IC B3

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. jk16 #14633700 03/05/20
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,369 Virginia D Dogger Campfire Regular
Dogger Campfire Regular D Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,369 Virginia	i love these threads, because they always talk me out of buying another rifle i really don't need... the discussion about weight forward and the 24" Douglas #1 on a NULA convinces me i really don't need the 20" pencil barreled Ruger ltwt M77 tanger I have been eyeing... that 338 Federal is intriguing...

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. jk16 #14633752 03/05/20
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 8,844 Big Sky Country TheBigSky Campfire Outfitter
TheBigSky Campfire Outfitter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 8,844 Big Sky Country	I must be the only backpacker/backpack hunter who doesn't have (more correctly, doesn't use) a scale. I simply know, by holding them, which of my hunting items (guns, packs, bags, etc.) weighs more than others and choose accordingly. Last edited by TheBigSky; 03/05/20. _________________________________________________________________________ “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. jk16 #14634434 03/05/20
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,317 Anchorage, AK C cwh2 Campfire Tracker
cwh2 Campfire Tracker C Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,317 Anchorage, AK	I just don't buy heavy stuff. Rarely weigh anything, sometimes a loaded pack, but its really too late to do anything about it at that point.

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. stevevan1 #14634655 03/05/20
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 20,807 outside the burgh B battue Campfire Ranger
battue Campfire Ranger B Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 20,807 outside the burgh	Originally Posted by stevevan1 7.5 - 8lbs. Anything lighter is impossible to shoot well. You should discuss that opinion with some who shoot Nula, Kimber, Fieldcraft, Forbes, etc and see what they think.... laissez les bons temps rouler

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. jk16 #14634912 03/05/20
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,369 Virginia D Dogger Campfire Regular
Dogger Campfire Regular D Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,369 Virginia	within reason, my experience is that being in good physical shape is more important than the weight of kit, provided the weight of kit is within reason.

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. Dogger #14635189 03/05/20
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 45,990 Colorado S smokepole Campfire 'Bwana
smokepole Campfire 'Bwana S Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 45,990 Colorado	This is true, but I've never been on a backpack hunt where I didn't wish my pack was a little lighter. A wise man is frequently humbled.

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. jk16 #14635227 03/06/20
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2,058 Western WY S SnowyMountaineer Campfire Regular
SnowyMountaineer Campfire Regular S Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2,058 Western WY	More than 7.5, less than 9.

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. smokepole #14635483 03/06/20
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 19,179 Southern Arkansas J jwall Campfire Ranger
jwall Campfire Ranger J Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 19,179 Southern Arkansas	I'd like to address something already mentioned EARLIER in this thread. Some ? think having 10-20 lbs of FAT is worse than carrying a 10 lb. rifle. ??? I'm 5' 10" and 180 +/- lbs. Up until 1981 I was up to 240 # !! I hunted hills in Ark, Miss, & Al as much as I wanted, as long as I wanted. POINT ! Carrying a 9 lb. rifle in Hand & Arms is noticeably different from being 'overweight; !! Your body weight is 'carried' on your LEGS which have MUCH more muscle mass than you have in your ARMS. Somewhere about 1981 (?), simple coincidence to being overweight, -- I got onto a 'light' rifle kick. They just FEEL better to me. I don't remember which came first -- the Ruger 77 UL, 20" bll, --> OR the WW 70 FTWT....... BUT those rifles pushed me over the hill against heavy rifles. I had a gorgeous S&W 1500 (Howa) in 270 Win. it shot very well and looked fantastic. I got rid of it because it was HEAVY. I didn't have a scale to weigh it on but all I had to do was pick it up and ugggh. This pic is after 1981 That is the only pic I have of it when I had it. I sold it to a hunting pard and he STILL has it and sent me a few pix last year. I still love the stock today but I would NOT hunt it now because I CARRY my rifle on Day Pack hunts - NO stands, Still Hunt only. The longer you carry a heavy rifle the heavier it gets. TO ME > YMMV Jerry jwall- * 3100 guy* A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. scenarshooter #14635882 03/06/20
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 4,393 Helena, MT J JGray Campfire Tracker
JGray Campfire Tracker J Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 4,393 Helena, MT	Originally Posted by scenarshooter The older I get, the lighter they get. I'll be hunting this fall with a 7.5lb 6.5 PRC that's in the works right now. This - I haven't done much backpack hunting in recent years but used to a fair amount. When I did, rifles were likely +\- 9 lbs all up - today, I wouldn't consider anything but my Fieldcraft at under 7 lbs all up...

Re: Preferred total rifle weight.. JGray #14637330 03/06/20
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 45,990 Colorado S smokepole Campfire 'Bwana
smokepole Campfire 'Bwana S Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 45,990 Colorado	Well, don't let it get any lighter than 7.5 lbs. Anything lighter than that is impossible to shoot well. A wise man is frequently humbled.

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