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mcclure Offline OP
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I have a Howa that I like a lot - it has served me well for whitetail hunting but I'm still fairly new to hunting and don't have a ton of experience with it. I'm hoping for the chance to do some Wyoming elk hunting in 2021 and am curious what you guys think about using a Howa for backcountry hunting. I don't have a scale but I believe it weights about 7.5 lbs on its own and over 9 lbs with my scope on it. Seems like the only way to lighten up a Howa is to replace the stock with a McMillan Edge, which I'm not sure I want to do.

When I see people investing in super lightweight rifles like Barrett Fieldcrafts and Kimber Montanas, I start to wonder if I'm in for a world of hurt if I try to haul my Howa around in the mountains. I dunno - I guess I could go for a hike just carrying the thing and see how I feel about it.

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Out of curiosity, what's it chambered in?

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Originally Posted by mcclure
I have a Howa that I like a lot - it has served me well for whitetail hunting but I'm still fairly new to hunting and don't have a ton of experience with it. I'm hoping for the chance to do some Wyoming elk hunting in 2021 and am curious what you guys think about using a Howa for backcountry hunting. I don't have a scale but I believe it weights about 7.5 lbs on its own and over 9 lbs with my scope on it. Seems like the only way to lighten up a Howa is to replace the stock with a McMillan Edge, which I'm not sure I want to do.

When I see people investing in super lightweight rifles like Barrett Fieldcrafts and Kimber Montanas, I start to wonder if I'm in for a world of hurt if I try to haul my Howa around in the mountains. I dunno - I guess I could go for a hike just carrying the thing and see how I feel about it.


I’d try it and see. I’d also ask myself how much mountain hunting I would really be doing. Years ago I set up or tried to set up almost all my rifles because I had plans of mountain hunting every year. I did it a few years and life hobbies and interest changed.



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When I hear about guys thinking a rifle is to heavy I look back to WWII and guys carrying M1's for weeks at a time over every conceivable terrain. I think you'll be fine with the Howa,

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I completely understand taking advantage of modern technology. I sure like some of the things I use today even though the things I used 20 years ago worked. I just meant maybe try the Howa before deciding it’s too heavy.



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The extra 3/4 to 1 lb "extra" weight ( compared to oft-discussed ultra feather light "mountain rifles"), just may come in handy when making the shot. Weight will settle the rifle on top of a back pack rest.

If you have a wood stock, consider getting the Weatherby S2 stock. It is a nice stock, lighter than wood, an maybe $80??? Change that and maybe light scope and you could sha e off 4-6 ounces.

Run your own evaluation an hunt with it. It will work. Get A good sling. If you are not taking A backpack, consider a two-shoulder sling, like a biathlon rifle. Distributes weight to both shoulders, and secures the rifle well.

Worried about carrying 2 extra pounds? Lose 5-10 lbs of body weight, and you are ahead of the game. :-). But not really kidding.


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mcclure Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT
Out of curiosity, what's it chambered in?


It's a 270.

Originally Posted by buttstock
The extra 3/4 to 1 lb "extra" weight ( compared to oft-discussed ultra feather light "mountain rifles"), just may come in handy when making the shot. Weight will settle the rifle on top of a back pack rest.


That is a good point and one that I haven't thought much about.

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Either hunt it as-is -or- take the money you would invest in lightening it up (stock) and buy a Tikka lite or Superlite.

A Tikka with a 3-9 Burris FFII is the easy button for mountain rifle IMO. FWIW, this is coming from a M70 nut.


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Originally Posted by Kaleb
Originally Posted by mcclure
I have a Howa that I like a lot - it has served me well for whitetail hunting but I'm still fairly new to hunting and don't have a ton of experience with it. I'm hoping for the chance to do some Wyoming elk hunting in 2021 and am curious what you guys think about using a Howa for backcountry hunting. I don't have a scale but I believe it weights about 7.5 lbs on its own and over 9 lbs with my scope on it. Seems like the only way to lighten up a Howa is to replace the stock with a McMillan Edge, which I'm not sure I want to do.

When I see people investing in super lightweight rifles like Barrett Fieldcrafts and Kimber Montanas, I start to wonder if I'm in for a world of hurt if I try to haul my Howa around in the mountains. I dunno - I guess I could go for a hike just carrying the thing and see how I feel about it.


I’d try it and see. I’d also ask myself how much mountain hunting I would really be doing. Years ago I set up or tried to set up almost all my rifles because I had plans of mountain hunting every year. I did it a few years and life hobbies and interest changed.


That’s good advice. One hunt is tolerable mostly. It when you wanna do it in multiples yearly that weight really becomes a thing.


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Originally Posted by mcclure
Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT
Out of curiosity, what's it chambered in?


It's a 270.

If you decide to explore a McMillan EDGE, touch base with PaulBarnard. He has this one I originally had on a 270.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...t-to-do-with-mcmillan-stock#Post15585798

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mcclure Offline OP
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Originally Posted by TomM1
Either hunt it as-is -or- take the money you would invest in lightening it up (stock) and buy a Tikka lite or Superlite.

A Tikka with a 3-9 Burris FFII is the easy button for mountain rifle IMO. FWIW, this is coming from a M70 nut.


The Tikkas for sure are cool rifles, and I've read plenty of posts on the internet telling me that I'm a fool for not owning one in 6.5 Creedmoor! The internet forums also convinced me that I needed my 20 ounce scope, but maybe I could start looking at some lighter options like the Burris.



Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT
If you decide to explore a McMillan EDGE, touch base with PaulBarnard. He has this one I originally had on a 270.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...t-to-do-with-mcmillan-stock#Post15585798


Thanks! I like the idea of upgrading the stock and that one looks good.

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Since you may carry your rifle in your hands, cradled in your arms, or maybe slung or in a backpack carrier, the notion that losing weight yourself is the solution for heavy-rifle syndrome is only true some of the time. You might lose a half-pound or so with a new stock, but a rifle built from the ground up as a lightweight is a better option, IMO. Doesn’t have to cost a fortune, maybe not even as much as a fancy light stock. Look at Mauser M18s and LW Tikkas for starters.


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The S2 Griptonite SA stock I have weighs 37.2oz.


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mcclure Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Pappy348
Since you may carry your rifle in your hands, cradled in your arms, or maybe slung or in a backpack carrier, the notion that losing weight yourself is the solution for heavy-rifle syndrome is only true some of the time. You might lose a half-pound or so with a new stock, but a rifle built from the ground up as a lightweight is a better option, IMO. Doesn’t have to cost a fortune, maybe not even as much as a fancy light stock. Look at Mauser M18s and LW Tikkas for starters.


Thanks for the advice. When I hunted deer in the Black Hills this fall, I didn't use a sling at all. I just carried the rifle in my hands. It wasn't bad, but it was also much easier terrain than the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming.

I would be very hesitant to throw a lot of money after making this rifle lighter weight. I do like the rifle, though, and the idea of putting it in a nicer stock (nicer than the Hogue that it's in) that also makes it lighter sounds tempting. It was my first non-rimfire rifle so I think I'd like to keep it around.

The Mauser looks good - I handled a Sauer 100 at Cabela's and it seemed impressive, so I'm assuming the Mauser is as well. The Tikka Superlites at Sportsman's Warehouse seem like an obvious no-fuss choice if I decide to go that route.

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I stuck a McMillan edge on my s2. It saved me between 10-11 ounces. With a Leica 2.5-10x42, Talley LWs and 4 rounds (300 Win) it weighs 8# 2oz iirc.

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Just get a better sling- that should be the most bang-for-your buck. I personally like the Browning Big Game Neoprene. Very comfortable. Next up would be a lighter set of rings and glass.

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Originally Posted by mcclure
I have a Howa that I like a lot - it has served me well for whitetail hunting but I'm still fairly new to hunting and don't have a ton of experience with it. I'm hoping for the chance to do some Wyoming elk hunting in 2021 and am curious what you guys think about using a Howa for backcountry hunting. I don't have a scale but I believe it weights about 7.5 lbs on its own and over 9 lbs with my scope on it. Seems like the only way to lighten up a Howa is to replace the stock with a McMillan Edge, which I'm not sure I want to do.

When I see people investing in super lightweight rifles like Barrett Fieldcrafts and Kimber Montanas, I start to wonder if I'm in for a world of hurt if I try to haul my Howa around in the mountains. I dunno - I guess I could go for a hike just carrying the thing and see how I feel about it.


If the rifle feels good in your hands now, take it to the mountains. Sure, get in as good of a shape as you can, but don't worry about whether your rifle works in the mountains. If you're confident in your firearm now, it'll work great in the mountains. After a mountain hunt or 2, you'll have enough experience to decide whether you need a new shootin' iron.

Now, if it was a 13# benchrest deal, maybe I'd counsel ya to reconsider. But outside of that, good physical conditioning, coupled with a relentlessly positive attitude and a good guide (or at least good research) will mean far more to your success than what rifle you're wielding.

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mcclure Offline OP
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Thanks for all the replies. I do not think I'm going to rush into buying another rifle. Besides, it would involve buying a new scope, etc. I will make do with what I have, which is a very nice rifle in any case (in my opinion), although it is an unfashionable rifle in an even less fashionable caliber.

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Until recently, you could have purchased a CLR in excellent condition for less than the cost of a new McM stock.

I know that a lot of people find fault with the CLR stock and opt to upgrade to a lighter/stiffer NULA stock, but the factory package is still lighter than most comparable factory specs rifles. My CLR in 270 weighs noticeably less than my V2 in 6.5 CM with a McM stock.

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