I have a beautiful 416 Rigby Ruger RSM. I have it listed on Gunbroker because it feels REALLY heavy to me. It weighs 11.5 lbs. I also have a 404 Jeffrey and a 375 H&H that are much lighter and "quciker".

I wonder what everyone else thinks is the right weight for a big bore rifle?

The newest, third generation, Ruger RSM in .416 Rigby weighs 9.5 pounds with 23" barrel that is 0.750" at muzzle diameter.
That is perfect.

10.5 lbs for heavier kickers is perfect. Gets tedious after that.

I like a 6.75 to 7 pound .375 H&H.

All these weights are bare/empty rifle weight for comparison.

A 9,3x74R or .375 needs to be at least 9.0 lbs to be enjoyable. The Chapuis, out of the box, is too light IMHO.

My 10.5 lb .470 is not fun to plink with, nor is my 10.0 lb .458.

You might consider taking a bit off the barrel to make it both lighter (not much) and handier (a lot). I have a 21.5" barreled, 9.5 lb .375 that handles like a ferrari.

16# while you are sighting at the bench and then 8.5-9# once you start hunting.....still looking for that rifle though.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Clearly it is what you find comfortable between a weight that is okay to carry and that will tame recoil to make follow-up shots possible. Everyone has a different threshold.

To Ezra4570. I developed a 'formula' (if one can call it that) - which works for me. Your rifle, fully loaded with all accessories (bases, rings, scope, sling, muzzle brakes, mercury recoil reducers, - even the elastic butt cartridge slide, etc) must have a weight in kilograms equal to the kinetic energy it produces divided by 1,000. For pound answers it reads:
(Kinetic energy / 1000) X 2.205 = total loaded and accessorized weight. For every quality recoil reducing device (ie: muzzle brake or mercury)you use you can deduct 2 lb.

In a real hunting rifle,you will be carrying it far far more than your gonna shoot it. Two maybe three shots can be tolerated at nearly any level of recoil. My formula is to go as light as possible.In a.375, 8-8.5lbs is just fine and your body will thank you for it after a long day in the bush. -Rob

My 375 weighs 8.5 LBS and my 416 Ruger weighs the same, add a scope and they would weith another pound or so..That suits me fine...

I decided long ago that I carried a gun more than I shot it so I built a 7 pound 505 Gibbs Imp., at last I had my dream rifle and it was a beauty..I figured the iron sights out mathimatically and installed them and finished the gun and headed for the range..

The first shot with irons was dead center at 50 yards, spittle and Copenhagen covered the scope lens, my glasses were severed at the bridge of my nose and my head realed with numbness and the second shot hit the dirt half way to the target!! I bandaded my eye, took several aspirin, stuck that SOB back in its case and went home..placed an add in Gun List and traded it to a doctor in Florida for a nice 404. The doc who told me he could shoot anything...He called me later and said the rifle had injured his eye and he couldn't handle it..I asked if he wanted his 404 back and he said no he was forewarned. If any of you are interested I see that rifle for sale from time to time in the Gun digest and on the internet, it has had many owners.

I am sure some of the posters on AR could handle it just fine from what I have read, so keep a look out for it, it sells cheap..

The correct weight depends on who is carrying the rifle - and how far.
Recoil lasts a fraction of a second but gravity goes on forever

Actually Phil gravity subsides with a sudden stop! thats when you hit the ground!

My 375 with scope and a full magaine weight right at 9 pounds, not that bad to carry, and plenty comfortable to shoot.

My 375 H&H weighs 8# with a scope and my daughter's weighs 7#10oz with scope and 7#4 with out. She weighs 110# soaking wet and doesn't think it kicks enough to mention - even from the bench and not at all when hunting. My 458 Win weighs 8 1/2#, scoped.
My point is that dealing with recoil can be learned and dealt with by virtually anyone with the desire to.

quote:

The first shot with irons was dead center at 50 yards, spittle and Copenhagen covered the scope lens, my glasses were severed at the bridge of my nose and my head realed with numbness and the second shot hit the dirt half way to the target!! I bandaded my eye, took several aspirin, stuck that SOB back in its case and went home..

Ray,
That's priceless!!! I know you probably didn't mean for it to be THAT funny, but your description of the "spittle and Copenhagen covered scope lens" absolutely cracks me up

I'm not rippin' on 'ya and mean you no dissrespect, rather I can entirely relate as I once had a very simular experience with a much too light .460 Wby...Picked it up from the gun store, took it to the range, fired excatly seven rounds trying to convince myself it's not as bad as it seems, boxed it up and took it right back to the gun store.

My 458 Lott weights 10.5, my 416 10 Lbs, & my 375 H&H 10 Lbs. I'm very happy with the weights.
I have slings on all my rifles for carrying.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Actually Phil gravity subsides with a sudden stop! thats when you hit the ground!

No Ray, gravity is what keeps you on the ground and makes it hard to get back up - like aging, it never stops - and neither does the weight of a heavy rifle you have to carry.

I am headed back to camp this afternoon so will be off the forums most of the summer and fall . Will contact you after the season. Have a good one and Be Safe

Don't get et my friend, we would miss you!