Rifle weight

Idahogobbler

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 30, 2016
Messages
195
I’m looking for a semi long range backpacking rifle (500-1000) hunting and fun steel gun. I keep going back and forth on what weight of gun. Three options I’m looking at is a ultra light Tikka (6 ish pounds) a Remington 700 long range (9 pounds) and a semi custom build off a 700 ADL. I know a heavy gun is going to be easier to shoot at long range but packing a 9 pound gun plus 3-4 pound optic and bipod thru hells canyon is going to suck lol. What do you seasoned back pack hunters recommend? I’m normally an archery hunter and I look for a finished bow weight to be in the 7-9 pound range...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
989
Location
SW Idaho
My do-all rifle is a bit over 9lbs with scope, sling, bipod, and loaded mag. I could (and should) save some weight by ditching the bipod since I'm only hunting in steep country and using my pack would probably work just as well or better. Mine is a Tikka T3X Lite with SWFA 3-9. I dont feel it's too heavy to carry all day. At some point I just said 'these are the components I want to use, so if it's 7lbs or 10lbs I'm ok with it'

ETA: Just re-read your post... My set up is not specifically tailored to long range. But, that should give you an idea of where a Tikka could end up weight wise.
 
Last edited:

elkguide

WKR
Joined
Jan 26, 2016
Messages
4,606
Location
Vermont
I'm carrying a Cooper Model 56 in .300 Win Mag. It's topped with a 4X16X50 Burris Black Diamond scope in Talley lightweight rings. With it all set up it weighs just under 9 pounds and I find it to be a good all around weight and balance to carry. Worked great in Idaho unit 50 for elk this fall.
 
Joined
Sep 26, 2018
Messages
348
Location
TX
I just built a new rifle that I will be using for my pack hunts. I had an in between rifle that I would swap out to a carbon barrel for hunting but finally decided a dedicated lighter hunting rifle is what I wanted and I have been happy so far.

With no bipod(I shoot off a tripod) or muzzle attachment(I use a can so add 1lb roughly) my rifle came in at right under 10lbs. I could have shaved a little weight going with a BDC type scope but I prefer adjustable turrets and FFP. Also could have dropped a little on the bottom metal but I am just partial to the beefiness of badger. Mine is off a custom action but if you use a 700 it would be pretty much the same weight.

It is a 22" winmag and I am currently getting 3000fps with a 180gr berger elite hunter. The stock and scope I picked are where a big portion of the weight savings came in.

Specs on mine are:
Bighorn SR3 Long Action
22" Proof Research CF Sendero Barrel
Manners EH5A
March 3-24x44 scope(I think I got the objective size right, 44 or 42 maybe?)
Triggertech Special
Badger Hinged Bottom Metal
 
Joined
Dec 1, 2018
Messages
5
Location
New Zealand
I run a Sako 85 finnlight 270wsm in a Carbon fibre stock (Ken Henderson stock, made here in New Zealand) proof carbon barrel and Terminator T2 brake, running optilock ring mounts and Leupold VX5 3-15 rifle is right at 3.2kg (7lbs) ready to go. It is VERY lively to shoot without the brake but is a pussycat with the brake on.
 
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
1,365
Location
North Carolina
My latest build weighs 10lb 4.3 ounces with an empty mag

zeiss v4 21.4 ounces
seekins rings 4.0 ounces
bare rifle 8lb 10.9 ounces

It was built to be a long range and general hunting rig
 

Sodbuster

WKR
Joined
Jan 9, 2016
Messages
713
Location
Missouri
Kimber Montana 300 WSM.
Lightweight platform that will shoot accurately.
Heavy scope.
12 rounds of ammo
Sling
Spartan bipod for now not on the rifle as I just carry it.https://uploads.tapatalk-
Titanium Bases and Rings.


cdn.com/20181204/561d258f164717299b164b5a79ef3565.jpg
bfbc08debad2f7a4adee9c637e9dd031.jpg
0ed26efb8cad4501bd700ed5c5014ac6.jpg
617e7288940186c26642590ba433b0ae.jpg
59ca522929f909e501f607e6a689fe72.jpg




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

chindits

WKR
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
662
Location
Westslope, CO
Good on you for dog hunting. I wish they would up the quotas on cats around here but it’s less political to lower mule deer tags for humans.
 
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Messages
689
Location
MT and TX
You are definitely on the right track with your thought process.

I had a Kimber Mountain Ascent for two Seasons before I eventually sold it. The weight, or lack of it, was awesome while packing. But as you noted - shooting it accurately under stress was extremely difficult, for me at least.

I now have a rifle with scope, sling, and rounds loaded that weighs in at 8lbs 9oz. Definitely not a lightweight, but I shoot it very well so I’m happy. Good luck!
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
7,390
Location
Chugiak, Alaska
I have some fairly heavy bolt actions, my heaviest being a .375 H&H magnum that weighs 9.5 lbs. unloaded, but I don’t think I’ll ever take that rifle on a backpacking/mountain hunt. I have three rifles that I consider backpacking rifles, a 7mm 08 and a .300wsm that both weigh 7.1 lbs., and a .270 win. that weighs 6.1 lbs. These are all unloaded wts. All of these rifles are very capable for long range shooting but I’m not really interested in long range hunting. That said, my son got lucky and killed a sheep this year at 633 yards with the 270. After packing around that 6.1 lb. 270 for the last couple seasons, I have a really hard time carrying anything heavier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Primal215

FNG
Joined
Apr 20, 2019
Messages
22
I just built a pack gun its a tikka t3 superlite in 7mm rem mag it weighs 5.9 lbs its fitted with tulley rings and a vortex viper 4-16x44 scope which weighs 18.4oz so I'm at 7 lbs 2 oz add a sling and fill the mag probably right at 8 lbs of tac driving elk slaying fun.
 
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
11
Last year I picked up a Seekins Havak in 6.5 creed and topped it with an NXS. I believe it’s just over 9lbs and seems about the perfect weight. My other rigs are 11 & 13lbs and just too much to lug around. If your shy away from the magnums a 9lb gun is pretty pleasant to shoot especially with some sort of brake on it.
 
Joined
Sep 13, 2016
Messages
2,046
Location
Idaho
I hunt unit 18 in HC pretty regularly. I use an 280 Rem mountain rifle. This not a 500 yard plus rifle, but long range rifles don't always go hand in hand with being easy to pack. The Remington LR is a heavy rifle to pack on friendly ground. Tikka rifles are accurate and lightweight, maybe a 300wsm or 300 WM on a Super-lite would fit your need .
 

tm7554

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 20, 2012
Messages
200
Kimber Montana 300 WSM.
Lightweight platform that will shoot accurately.
Heavy scope.
12 rounds of ammo
Sling
Spartan bipod for now not on the rifle as I just carry it.https://uploads.tapatalk-
Titanium Bases and Rings.


cdn.com/20181204/561d258f164717299b164b5a79ef3565.j

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Can I ask the brand of bases and rings?
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
10,341
Location
Alaska
I have some fairly heavy bolt actions, my heaviest being a .375 H&H magnum that weighs 9.5 lbs. unloaded, but I don’t think I’ll ever take that rifle on a backpacking/mountain hunt. I have three rifles that I consider backpacking rifles, a 7mm 08 and a .300wsm that both weigh 7.1 lbs., and a .270 win. that weighs 6.1 lbs. These are all unloaded wts. All of these rifles are very capable for long range shooting but I’m not really interested in long range hunting. That said, my son got lucky and killed a sheep this year at 633 yards with the 270. After packing around that 6.1 lb. 270 for the last couple seasons, I have a really hard time carrying anything heavier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m with you, I have a Montana 308 that comes in at 5lb 12oz. If I’m really packing in or climbing I don’t even think of taking anything else. If I’m float hunting or hunting from the road I don’t mind my 7.5-8lb rifles though.
 
Top