Thread: So when is a rifle too heavy?

Originally Posted by Gibo

Whos he?

Doesn't matter Gibo. What the hell would you want to do that for anyway?

A rifle is too heavy when you would rather leave it at home and go tramping instead...

I was always under the impression that it doesn't matter what weight the rifle is, you'll always be wanting something lighter. Bit like ya miss's, there's always something better around the corner

Originally Posted by Rusky

I was always under the impression that it doesn't matter what weight the rifle is, you'll always be wanting something lighter. Bit like ya miss's, there's always something better around the corner

so your rifle and your Mrs will be a lot more "user friendly" when you get your head into the correct space...they ARE the ideal weight/perfect for you/beautiful/you dont want anything else as what you have is perfect for you.

old saying ,,,,beware the man who owns but one gun,he probably knows how to use it.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Yes and no... A lot of synthetic stocked rifles can feel quite unbalanced and nose heavy (especially suppressed) because the main weight saving was in the butt. Sometimes the better balance and handling/feel of a wooden stock is enough to justify a bit of extra carry weight.

I have a couple of 22lr rifles, one ~5lb synthetic and one ~7lb laminate thumbhole. The extra weight doesn't worry me for that sort of carry but the heavier one (obviously shape etc plays a part too) is so much steadier for off-hand shooting.

Yeah absolutely, but it comes down to specificity, ie a 22 not typically carried anywhere near as far, and shot often, and frequently off hand at small targets. Hence a bit of weight added for increased shootability makes sense, whereas a bush rifle is carried all day and might only get shot once. All that said I don't feel like my tikka is off balance or difficult to shoot offhand.

Ha it's to heavy when you fall off a bluff get hit by the hind that you where carrying out and then get snotted by the old 303 that got hung up half way down some of those trips into the kaimias I don't miss

When I was younger weight never worried me as I only had a basic unsuppressed 200m max distance rifle and would carry it to the ends of the earth without a complaint. Now with carbon fibre and titanium it would make my heavy long range Sako 75 Finnlite a lot lighter to carry during the 4-7 weeks off for the roar or Alpine top trips when I'm already carrying crampons, ice axe, rope, heavy duty tent etc. It doesn't help having a heavy 56mm objective Nightforce scope on top but I'll take the bomb proof reliability over a lighter scope. I only really notice the weigh after day 5.

I'm just in the throws of getting a new 'ultra light' Custom built rifle, to tote around the tops (long range hunting!) With carbon fibre stock, carbon wrapped barrel, complete with scope, rings and bipod, she tips the scales at 11lb (5kg)!

Damn, what's the action and scope

well...just made up a rough n ready superduper lightweight stock for my wee .223 just for grins n giggles...took stock weight from 1.2kgs down to close to 500grms...havent reweighed it since changed buttplate and added two coats of stain/poly to wood to waterproof it.
only time will tell if it stays on or hardwood one goes back on...balance,yeah it definately feels better without suppressor.....will see.
one thing is for sure....when I find rifle getting too heavy,taking bull barreled ,laminate stocked 22-250 for next trip puts things back into perspective.

Originally Posted by Gibo

Meh you lost me on the second word

There was a second word

Wouldnt have a clue what any of my rifles weight. When it comes the time when my arms are going fall off carrying a rifle a few hours might be the time
i deem them to be too heavy. Until that time doesnt worry me.

When you cannot feel the recoil!

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

well...just made up a rough n ready superduper lightweight stock for my wee .223 just for grins n giggles...took stock weight from 1.2kgs down to close to 500grms...havent reweighed it since changed buttplate and added two coats of stain/poly to wood to waterproof it.
only time will tell if it stays on or hardwood one goes back on...balance,yeah it definately feels better without suppressor.....will see.
one thing is for sure....when I find rifle getting too heavy,taking bull barreled ,laminate stocked 22-250 for next trip puts things back into perspective.

What did you use Balsa or Cedar?

Too heavy to carry, as sajd before, depends how far.

Never too heavy to shoot, but possibly too light sometimes. An unbalanced gun is always a pain.