Observations on gun weight

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Ever note how we tend to think of rifles as light weight when they end up weighing 8-9 lbs fully dressed with a scope. A ruger #1A will probably weigh over 9 lbs dressed and it's the light weight of the series. Heck my 77RSI probably goes close to 8 with a 4x leupold compact hanging on it.
While either of these would be considered as suitable for a mountain rifle ask a shotgunner about carrying a 8 LB shotgun in the field and they will scream like a school girl.
I am also surprised at the current trend of hunter/sportsmen to buy a "light weight" rifle and then hang a log of a scope like a 4x16 on it bringing the weight back up to the 8-9 lb range.
 
And how about the guys who buy a nice, light AR-15 and then proceed to hang so many fog lights, mud flaps, iPods, coffee makers and cup holders on it that it now weighs two pounds more than an M14? :lol:
 
Snake45":34mt2g5m said:
And how about the guys who buy a nice, light AR-15 and then proceed to hang so many fog lights, mud flaps, iPods, coffee makers and cup holders on it that it now weighs two pounds more than an M14? :lol:

I agree! After all that crap hanging on the clothes-line gun, they still call it "tactical". More like "crap on call" IMO. :lol:
 
Anything over 3 lbs is too much for a rifle, and 1 lbs (16 oz) for handguns.

Such handguns exist, but I am still waiting for the 3 lbs rifles.
 
Of course if ppl toughened up a bit and weren't so lazy and out of shape, a few extra ounces wouldn't matter. Many see it completely necessary to carry around packs of gear while hunting yet a super-light gun is a must. C'mon people, if 8 lbs or even 9 is THAT heavy, maybe some exercise is a route to consider. ;)
 
just this week end when I went for a walk around (for excercise), as I grabbed by trimmed down mini14 with just a 5 rnd mag, I recalled I used to go with the scoped 458 77. too much to carry now :(
 
I got so used to carring my M77r with scopes that if felt realy odd when I picked up a mini 14 at the range.
 
I don't think it's fair to directly compare the weights of a shotgun and a rifle as they are not typically carried in the same fashion. A shotgun would (should) be carried at the ready, at least when hunting upland birds. This constant at the ready carry can fatigue the hunter if the shotgun is too heavy. A rifle is typically carried with a sling to from a stand or even while stalking or is alternately carried at the ready, cross arm, over the elbow, over the shoulder and over the shoulder with the sling. This variation in carrying gives the hunter a chance to use different muscles and reduces fatigue. One possible exception would be when on a deer drive, the drivers should be carrying their rifles (or shotguns in those areas that restrict rifle use during deer season) at the ready.
 
Weight alon does not begin to tell the tale.

Design factors also make a big difference in carry characteristics. My 1Bs with 6x Leupolds are no LTWs but they are compact and extemely well balanced. I can carry them all day still hunting here in the mountainless east. Yet a day with a standard bolt gun with a 26 inch barrel is much more fatiguing even in relatively lighter packages. And the Bs swing into action smoothly and hold on target w/o wobble far better than the 1As have.

wunbe
 
Just out of couriousity do you guys who are worried about rifle weight only shoot the little deer so you dont have to drag a heavy one too.
 
martyj":3mpliwbt said:
Just out of couriousity do you guys who are worried about rifle weight only shoot the little deer so you dont have to drag a heavy one too.

Depends on how far I am away from the Car/Boat.

I have hauled a 150lb deer (wieght after gutted) through the woods for over a mile and a half. Not an easy mile and a half either. The trip back was through River bottom lands.


Charlie
 
I generally deer hunt with a 12 pound rifle or shotgun (remington sp-10), once you get used to the weight its not a big deal.
 
I imagine many good folks must like to haul the old Winchester M70 375s around. All that weight out on the jack-handle-stout barrel must surely be reassuring of one's manhood. Then again, a Winchester M94 is a true treasure to carry and wield in its naked form. Of course it's (only) a pure hunting rifle. OTOH, a #1A is still a fine-handling, if slightly heavier hunting tool if it is scoped to scale with a smaller fixed power scope. Balance and handling do matter. Weight is only part of the equation. Where means at least as much as how much.
 
Leucoandro I have hauled a 150lb deer (wieght after gutted) through the woods for over a mile and a half. Not an easy mile and a half either. The trip back was through River bottom lands. Charlie[/quote said:
Good for you and I mean that in a nice sincere way. See way to much hunting from 4 wheelers and pick ups these days and kind of takes away what it is all about.
I have to admitt dragging them isnt getting any easier but still manage.
 
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