backpack rifle

mtnsterno

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Feb 5, 2022
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Just checking in to see what you guys think about the weight an caliber of a rifle for backpack hunting for elk?
 
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What is the weight and caliber of your current elk rifle?


 
OP
M

mtnsterno

FNG
Joined
Feb 5, 2022
Messages
12
What is the weight and caliber of your current elk rifle?


I am hunting a 1936 Winchester model 54 30-06. With scope & no ammo 7.9# I like to keep it under 300 yds but can reach out if necessary
 

Anschutz

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 19, 2017
Messages
227
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Not much more you need. My M70 EW SS .270 is about 80 years newer and comes in at 8.2lbs scoped.

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ZAK13

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 23, 2022
Messages
147
I think a scoped rifle weighing around 8lbs., is just fine,( give or take a few ounces ). Your current setup is fine, unless of course your itching to add to your collection.
 

DWhite213

FNG
Joined
Feb 7, 2022
Messages
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I was thinking about something similar. Purchased a lighter profile and shorter barreled rifle and after optics it came out to over 8 anyways. Which isn’t bad. But I sacrificed some performance to get there. Looking at going with a lighter setup with a 26” barrel to increase my speeds some.
 
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Sep 20, 2018
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In someone's favorite spot
My answer is a Savage LWS with a featherweight .284 Win barrel. Why? Because in a 6 lb. rifle (sub-7 scoped) that's about as much recoil as I want. Same would be true for a .308 shooting 165 grainers. I like to shoot quite a bit (400-500 rounds/year at the range) and I've learned that 20-22 ft. lbs. of recoil is my upper comfort limit. If I was willing to carry heavier rifles, I could shoot '06 or 7 mag or even 300 win mag, but with sub-7 lb. rifles, the .284 Win/.308 is about it. Both of those are more than capable inside 300 yards (400 or more probably). So those are my choices. I have a sub-7 lb. Savage in 7mm-08 for hunting deer.
 

S-3 ranch

WKR
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Jan 18, 2022
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Sisterdale Texas / Hillcounrty
I switched from a m70 .300wm @10lbs , to a rem 788 .308 win @ 7lbs
enjoy the weight loss, but feel under gunned , but don’t want a break
on a rifle the noise is terrible on my ear
we will see when my new 35 whelen arrives if a brake stays on
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2020
Messages
32
What is your weight including food for your anticipated trip? Are you having issues carrying that load? There are a TON of place to shave weight (safely) outside your rifle setup.

As others stated nothing wrong with your current setup. Personally the sweet spot is between 7.5 to 8lbs with an Elk appropriate caliber. I laugh when I see guys building 6lbs 338 win mags...they're gunna hate the gun unless it's suppressed/braked.
 

hunting1

WKR
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Feb 24, 2012
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Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
IDk ? 30 years of toting a .300wn makes a .308 feel mild
and aoudad and nilgi take some punishment a 308 don’t have
I have many magnums but my 6-lb .308 drops deer, bear, and elk just as effective. Hit them where you are supposed to and the results will be the same. I stopped carrying heavy guns a few years back and don't miss them.
 

S-3 ranch

WKR
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Jan 18, 2022
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990
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Sisterdale Texas / Hillcounrty
I have many magnums but my 6-lb .308 drops deer, bear, and elk just as effective. Hit them where you are supposed to and the results will be the same. I stopped carrying heavy guns a few years back and don't miss them.
I don’t discount the.308 under 300meters on deer and pronghorn, elk
my uneasy feeling is nilgai & aoudad maybe elk too

hopfully the whelen with 200gn ttsx eases the flaccid feeling on tough stuff
 
Joined
Jul 21, 2021
Messages
30
Just curious - where do most of you guys shed the most weight? I constantly see >2lb riflescopes recommended on here. To keep it around 8lbs that means you need a 6 pound rifle - lighter than a Tikka T3x or Ruger American.

Does that mean most of you are running way lighter scopes than the Bushnell LRHS/Vortex PST II that seem to show up on here a lot, or other forums?
 

S-3 ranch

WKR
Joined
Jan 18, 2022
Messages
990
Location
Sisterdale Texas / Hillcounrty
Just curious - where do most of you guys shed the most weight? I constantly see >2lb riflescopes recommended on here. To keep it around 8lbs that means you need a 6 pound rifle - lighter than a Tikka T3x or Ruger American.

Does that mean most of you are running way lighter scopes than the Bushnell LRHS/Vortex PST II that seem to show up on here a lot, or other forums?
Unknown scope is my weight loss , my other rifle 10-11 lbs was topped by a Burris signature ( max heavy)
if I swapped to a tactical mumbo jumbo my 788 would top 8 over instead of 6.75 -7
 

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Anschutz

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 19, 2017
Messages
227
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Just curious - where do most of you guys shed the most weight? I constantly see >2lb riflescopes recommended on here. To keep it around 8lbs that means you need a 6 pound rifle - lighter than a Tikka T3x or Ruger American.

Does that mean most of you are running way lighter scopes than the Bushnell LRHS/Vortex PST II that seem to show up on here a lot, or other forums?
I like the VX-3 series. The 3.5-10x40 is 13oz. Mine rides on a M70 Extreme Weather .270 and with my 140gr AB the 14.5 MOA of elevation gets me to 625yards which is beyond expansion range.

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