pa257

In your opinion at what weight do you see diminishing returns? It’s nice nothaving to lug a heavy rifle around all day during a hunt but at what point is light too light. I hunt with guys who have .300’s weighing around 6 lbs, they are beautiful rifles but they are fitted with muzzle breaks to lessen the effects of the round, but at a serious price to their hearing (too serious a cost for my liking). So if you were to buy a 7 mm mag and had a choice between a 7.75lb gun and a 6.5 lb version from the same manufacturer which would you choose? IYO do the side effects of a heavier gun outweigh those of the lighter rifle?

Me? I’ll take the extra weight. I have two guns that I hunt deer with, an M77 .270 win with a 18” barrel (around 6.5 lbs) and an MKII .257 roberts 22” barrel (~7.5 lbs) and although neither of these rounds generates serious recoil, shooting that .270 is like paying taxes. After a day of still hunting I may feel it a little more in my upper back, shoulder and forearms with the roberts (depending on how I’m holding the rifle, 70% of the time I cradle the gun in my left or right arm) but after a hot shower, two advil or a little scotch and I’m good to go. I think I can also hold steadier with the Roberts as well. I’m just curious because I’ve been reading some debates about choosing guns based on their weight.

nchawkeye

I'm guessing you are out West...I'm in NC...Most of my deer hunting is done either from a treestand or a tower stand...So the weight is not as important...I prefer a 7 1/2 to 8 pound gun...My deer rifle is a .243 Ruger M-77...It has a 24 inch Shilen barrel...When you pull the trigger, the rifle recoils straight back, no loss of target, no muzzle flip...My brother has a Model 7 in 7mm-08...I hate it, it has a 20 inch barrel, just feels like a toy....A heavier rifle has enough weight to hold steadier on those longer shots...Now I'm 6ft 5 and weigh about 250...I prefer a full sized bolt myself...

Rebel Hog

Well, I remenber back in the early 70's when I chose to stalk hogs in north Fl with my M1 Garand. At noon time I wanted to toss it in a pond!Never Again!

skeeter 7MM

I prefer a heavier gun to lighter. Main reason is fit and feel, but with a bad shooting shoulder less recoil on the bench is a benefit in my case as well. I don't have mountains but do hump it alot while hunting here and combat the fatique of toting the slightly heavier rig with a sling. Forthe majority of my hunting aNeoprene sling works wellI have found. When elk or moose hunting which involves calling, etc I have become fond of hands freethe Safari Sling allows. It does a good job at reducing fatigue as well.

Maine Shooter

I really don't mind a heavy rifle to hunt with. Granted there is a weight when it's too heavy but I don't see any issue with an 8 -10 pound rifle. If you can't carry an extra 10 pounds around in the woods for a few hours maybe it's time to loose 10 pounds somewheres else and start some physical activities. Especially today when most seem content sitting in a treestand or blind, an 8+ pound rifle isn't that big of a deal.

Retaks

I dont mind having the heavier gun. When im hunting i dont mind carrying a heavier gun all day. It helps me stay in better shape running up and down mountains all day wit a 7+ pound gun and all the extra gear i bring in case i get turned around. I usually carry around 25 to 30 pounds of gear for a day trip in the mountains, So an extra pound or two on a gun isnt that big of a deal.

PAhunter86

I prefer heavier guns, I'm just used to them I guess. It's really up to the individual person and the terrain your hunting. If you hunt out of a stand, having an 8 or 9 lb rifle is fine, but when your stalking your game, you'll probably thank yourself for buying a 6 lb gun.

mcawful

Looks like I'm another that doesn't mind the weight. A 10 lb rifle doesn't bother me. I'm carrying a 1969 Winchester Model 770 in 30-06. Still does the job. Original stock,.. nothings changed here since my father in law put a sling on it in 1970. Wouldn't change a thing.

DM

I'll take the lighter rifle thankyou.... That is if i have to carry it much, but these days more and more folks are hunting from blinds where the rifle weight doesn't matter so much...

6-1/2 pound rifle with a decent scope & mount, sling and loaded will be close to 8 pounds and that's plenty for me.

DM

pa257

Iswear I flip-flop more than politicians. I went to my local gun store todayand proceeded to handle a few Kimbers. The 84m Montana was just too light for my tastes, it really felt like a toy, if you're into light weight (5lbs 2oz) than that's the rifle for you. I also looked at the 84m classic and that gun felt like a ton of bricks next to that montana but it only tipped the scales at 5lbs 10 oz according to the catalogue. It certainly felt significantly heavier than the montana. I liked the 84m classic and almost walked out with one in .308 for $749 or was it $794 (either way it was under $800).

DoI need a .308? I don't have any 30 calibers...