Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Weight of a .30-06 ???

Not over 8#

I have a Tikka T3 Lite in '06 with a Redfield 3-9x40. It is noticeably lighter than my other bolt rifles, and I notice the recoil more when I shoot it. That was probably enhanced when I took it to Montana hunting and was feeding it 180 Core-lokt's. It certainly wasn't unmanageable or anything, I just noticed that it seemed to kick more than usual for '06's.

I have three 30-06's and they are all different in the weight department. My dedicated backpack rifle is a M70 Stainless Classic action with a Lilja barrel in the factory FWT contour. It has a McMillan Hunters EDGE stock with a blind mag, Talley LWT's and a Leupold 3-9 Ultralight. It weighs 6 pounds 12 ounces loaded.

My other two weigh 7.75 and 8 pounds loaded. The rifle above is nice to carry, the two heavier rifles are easier to shoot accurately.

Chet

No more than than 8 and 6 is better for carrying!

By the time you add optics, mounts, 4 rounds of ammo and a simple nylon strap you will add 1.5 lbs to a rifle. And you will have to choose your optics and mounts carefully to do that. To keep it under 8 lbs you'll have to start with a 6.5 lb rifle.

My lightest 30-06 is a Classic Featherweight in an Edge stock with a 13 oz scope set in Talley Lightweight mounts. Add a 4 oz Uncle Mikes sling and 4 rounds of ammo and I'm just barely under 8 lbs. Are all of these weights listed including ammo and the carry strap?

This rifle weighs 7.5 without the ammo and strap which is how I normally weigh them. That is about right for me, but could live with 1/2 lb in either direction and not have a problem.

I also own a Kimber 308 that weighs 6 lbs with scope and mounts. Call it 6.5 after ammo and a strap. I like it, but wouldn't want a 30-06 that light

8 lbs.

Since I like the balance point at the front action ring, not in the middle, almost all of my serious big game rifles run about 8 lbs. with shooting sling, and fully loaded.
This isn't because I don't appreciate less weight in the field, especially when hunting in the mountains. I do. But, over the years, I've found that extra weight and a shooting sling really important when I need to make a shot under "less than ideal" conditions.
So, it's a compromise. A 30'06 is about as much as I can do well with day in and day out. Anything more, and shooting it becomes more work and tolerating less than pleasant recoil than fun and enjoyment.
Call it anything you like, but when I shoot my 7-08 or my .25-284 better from field positions than I do my '06, I know I'm on the edge of getting any more from a more powerful chambering.
Like the well respected master alaskan guide who post here likes to say, "if you can't do it with an '06, you probably can't do it." And, "anybody who says an '06 isn't enough is really commenting on his lack of shooting ability." E

I like my -06 right at 7 to 7.25 pounds all up. Recoil is not pleasant with 180 grainers, but not bad with a good stock.

130-150 grainers are no problem.

Mine is 7 pounds 4 oz.

NO BIG DEAL but... is that hunt ready? ?scope,?ammo,?sling?

Those things CAN add up?

Just curious.

My pre '64 M70FW is 7.25# as pictured.

It would be lighter if it had the original aluminum butt plate on it......

6lbs 4oz

Mine new Kimber Montana weights in at exactly 7lbs with Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x40, Talley LW Lows, 1" Montana Sling and 4 rounds of ammo. Probably a little on the light side but should be great to carry.

IIRC, when I ordered my NULA back in late December, Mel mentioned it would probably come in around 6.5 to 6.75 lbs. all up with a belly full of cartridges. I'm looking forward to receiving it pretty soon.

Maybe you're gone or working or sleeping but I'm still asking??

Weight does not include 3 rounds of ammo.

THANKS and that's pretty good in my book.

Thanks Again

Hammerdown - later thots.

My Tikka T 3 lite SS 270 weighs a little over 7 (can't remember exactly) hunt ready with 3 in mag & 1 chambered.

My Win 70 Winlite 300 WM is 4 oz more. Also w/4 rounds.

I can carry and hunt both a long time.

Interesting, as I was talking to JKob about putting my 9.5 lb 30-06 on a diet this week. I'll get the parts, he'll do the smithing.

McMillan classic edge 1.44 lbs-ish

Rem 700 action, trigger, dbm, lug 2.5 lbs-this is an estimate, based off this source: http://brownprecision.com/SelectingComponents.htm

Barrel Rock Creek #3, 1-inch shank length, crowned at 24 inches, a bit less than 3 lbs, but I'll call it 3 lbs

Should come in just under 7 lbs, then likely Talley lightweights and a 6x42. Sling and 4 rounds will likely just push her over 8 lbs.

By the way, don't do the cost estimate per pound saved. Do the cost estimate per step in the mountains. Numbers turn out much better that way.