Rifle Weight and Longer Range Shooting?

[BCD]

There is definitely a lot of consideration on this site given to lighter rifles. I'm curious as to peoples thoughts around if a rifle can be too light to shoot consistently accurate past say 4-500 yards. I seem to shoot better with a rifle that is around 7.5 lbs or more (bare rifle) compared to lighter rifles. Any thoughts here or have I just not mastered shooting lighter rifles well past that 350-400 Yard range?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

My Tikka in .260 is 7 lbs 11 ounces scoped and full of ammo. This is a quick 400 yard 10 shot group with no rear rest just laying prone in the grass. No barrel cool down at all.

 

[Bubblehide]

The general consensus is that light or ultra light (depending on how you view them) rifles, are in general more difficult to shoot accurately. Personally, for me, I have no problem shooting light rifles. But then I grew up shooting and hunting. As a kid, I went out for rabbits, quail and dove almost every day, during the season, by myself. I would not shoot unless I could hit them in the head. Subsequently, I became a pretty extraordinary shot. In highschool, I was a part of a group that went shooting every weekend, competing with each other with rifle, pistol and shotguns. And the story continues. But since this is not about me, I will continue.

Shooting light rifles is about form, achieving a stable solid rest and lots and lots of practice. A heavier rifle simply stabilizes much easier; but nobody wants to pack a heavy rifle miles and miles in the backcountry, unless someone or something else is carrying it. So my advice is to first analyze your hunting style.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Here’s a 5 shot group from yesterday at 400 yards making sure I was still doped correctly for Minnesota whitetail season after the long trip from California. Same rifle as above. Same story. Just laying prone in a field with a front bipod, no rear rest, simulating a quick field hunting shot.

 

[BCD]

My Tikka in .260 is 7 lbs 11 ounces scoped and full of ammo. This is a quick 400 yard 10 shot group with no rear rest just laying prone in the grass. No barrel cool down at all.

View attachment 230529

WOW! Outstanding shooting. What state are you in? Maybe you could give me lessons

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

WOW! Outstanding shooting. What state are you in? Maybe you could give me lessons

Thanks. I used to be a long range varmint competition shooter. Just years and years of practice and being comfortable.

I’m in Northern California and own 200 acres. I have targets surveyed in from 50 yards to 1,200 yards so come on out and have some fun!