Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Rifle Weight.Are you really in shape?

We have had numerous threads on being in shape and everyone claims they are, yet I here people whining about 16 or maybe 32 ounces in rifle weight....

A new Winchester Mod 70 Super Grade weighs in naked at 8 lbs 4 ounces..Is that to heavy to hunt with for you?

What gives?

Jayco

Being in shape, AND carrying a light rifle.

Just try to keep up...

Apparently folks consider someone a 'wuss' for taking 2 pounds of their rifle or say silly [bleep] like loose 5 pounds from your waist. Tell you what, add 5 pounds to your boots and let me know how that plays out.

Exactly.....Go hunt sheep for 10 days with a 10 or 11 pound rifle. After a couple days up and down the mountain you'll feel like your packing a ball and chain.

I ran around the hills for 40 years with corked boots,not to mention the saw/axe and wedges attached to my belt....Don't talk to me about 2 fricken pounds and being in shape.

Your either are or your not,in shape...Rifle weight should not even be in the scenario.

Jayco

Yep, it's not one hike that takes its toll, but day after day.

And I don't just eliminate as much weight as possible on the rifle and myself, but on everything else as well. Hunted grizzly for almost two weeks in Alaska a couple of years ago and by the even though most of the day is spent glassing, hiking tundra and "hills" and crossing rivers with swamp on each side every day made me very glad for the 7-1/2 pound rifle I carried.

Then your not in shape,where you need to be.It isn't all about cardio and if you think it is,your wrong.It's all about being in enough shape that 16 ounces of rifle weight is not a hunt breaker!!!!!!!!

Jayco

At the end of the day, all rifles feel heavy.

Being patient with a decent pair of binoculars can take miles off the wear and tear to your body too.

Id like to think im in shape. Doc says im fine. I weigh a buck sixty yet im alot stronger than most guys around me twice my size. My hunting style is tree stands. Most of my stands are back in 1.5-2.5 miles. Most ridges only run 2200ft. I still have to take breaks goin in.

Ive never been out west, but get me out of my element and you'd be an idiot to think I should be able to keep up with the locals out west.

Doesnt matter how strong, how much stamina one has. Everyone can benefit from lighter weight equipment.

I guess I don't understand the concept of carrying heavier gear around in the mountains than you have to.

In shape or not, that's just stupid.

This, is it exactly.

Logcutter, sir, your argument is not logical. If you are in good shape and have two lbs less in rifle weight, it's known as win-win.

+1. Look at any endurance sport and you will see a constant trend toward lighter equipment. Is it because those athletes are "out of shape?" Of course not. It's because physical fitness is only one part of the equation and if technology can provide an edge by reducing equipment weight, then true competitors will take that edge.

bingo. if you can get the lighter gear why not. if you cant than thats fine too. when i hike 10 miles in the mountains i like to be as light as possible, why wouldnt you if you can?

What is this macho attitude about carrying a gun? My gun is heavier than yours, therefore I am tougher than you are. The measure of a hunter is not how much gun weight you can carry, it is what you can do with the gun.

I guess then,most of you are not in shape as you brag!!!!!If 16 ounces of rifle weight is a problem,your just not in shape where you need be.

Then some bitch about recoil of the real Elk calibers..Go figure...

There is know way in hell your in shape if 16 ounces of rifle weight is a hunt breaker,period.com....


Jayco

A friend made a statement about my 11 lb. double rifle, he said I wouldnt carry that damn thing for it, I stated You have added at least 50 lbs. to Your gut and about 75 to your ass since school and you seem to carry that just fine
He didnt laugh

Gunner

Is this where you challenge everyone to a fistfight?....Wait, you have to ask how old we are first....or how many elk we've killed.

I will bet atleast 75% of the whiners about rifle weight,have never been in the military where they make men out of boys.Benning sure changed my way of life at 17.

I mean were not talking tons of weight,just 16 ounces and it breaks a hunt to some!!!!Sad....

Yet your in shape?

Do you think weight or boot choice matters to these guys that are in shape?




Jayco

my bow weighs less then all your rifles. but ya gotta get real close, and for that you need to be in a even better shape out here. no sittin across a canyon popin off shots, you gotta cross that canyon. figured i stir the pot a little more

I think the only people who don't think lighter is a little better have never hunted the mountains at higher elevations. ...or they hunt next to the road or from a truck. I just ran a half marathon, still run 5-7 miles most work days and I want the lightest rifle I can shoot well. It's just not comfortable to haul a heavy rifle around. Your fitness WILL limit your hunting after a few days if you're still looking for the elk in the vastness of the Rockies.