Re: How to loose weight.

14 September 2004, 10:14

Quote:

Up to you but I personally think featherweight guns are for lazy people who probably shouldn't be hunting in those kinds of places in the first place....

I know, now I've ticked someone off with my lack of tact, but it's not the first time...oh well!

Or maybe its just your lack of accuracy, Ray.

We've danced to this tune before, but since you take the time to reply every time this topic comes up I thought I might re-post my opinion as well.

My ultralight 6.5 Gibbs is just as easy and accurate to shoot offhand as any of my heavier rifles, even when I am winded from a long climb. It balances just right and to my way of thinking thats more important to offhand shooting than being heavy. The argument about weight and offhand shooting is moot anyway, as anyone that has hunted in the mountains much knows that offhand shots are by far the exception rather than the rule. Hunting elk in the dark woods or cape buffalo in thick jesse are one thing...hunting sheep in the alpine is another altogether

I may be less than half your age, Ray, but I'll put my mountain game hunting experience against yours any time.

One thing I have noticed about this particular topic when it comes up is that most of the "heavy or standard rifle weight advocates" only hunt in the mountains once in while (once a year at best) and even then they're usually on guided hunts spending most of the time with their asses firmly planted in a saddle.

Taking 10 pounds off your midline IS more important than 1 pound on your rifle. But if you've already taken care of your midline, and you enjoy hunting hard in steep country for days on end, you WILL be well served by a light flat shooting rifle.

The plain facts as I see them, plainly spoken as you seem to like.

Best regards,

Canuck

14 September 2004, 09:24

Mikelravy

It is better to take ten pounds off your ass than screw around trying to take one pound off your rifle. You will be better off without the weight and your rifle will feel better to most of us the way it came.

14 September 2004, 08:36

Atkinson

I sure do agree with elk hunter on this one..take the weight off yourself and gear, not the gun...In sheep hunting many a shot is taken when your out of breath and a 9 pound gun sure shoots better under those circumstances. A light gun is a sure nuff trade off and you can't hold it still for beans IMO...I have packed and still do some very heavy rifles on long treks in some rough country and I have never been willing to give up my good shooting for a rifle that will let me down from time to time...

Up to you but I personally think featherweight guns are for lazy people who probably shouldn't be hunting in those kinds of places in the first place....

I know, now I've ticked someone off with my lack of tact, but it's not the first time...oh well!

14 September 2004, 10:44

triggerguard1

There is some middle ground here guys, and it lies somewhere between 7-8lbs.

Like it or not, light rifles are harder to shoot from offhand positions than it's heavier counterpart.

Having a weebit of experience in rugged conditions hunting bear, elk, and blacktails, I can assure ya that after a days "walk", which is much more than the average joe does, a heavy rifle will kick your ass.

Anything under seven gets too light for me to hold steady, but sure is nice to pack. The middle ground is where I think we're all looking for in a good rifle.

I haven't been so fortunate over the years to be able to grab a rucksack, stump, shooting sticks, or other items to steady 95% of my shots I've had to take at game, so the offhand shootability of a rifle is more than a little important to me, as I'm sure it is to a lot of folks out there.

Ray is most definitely correct regarding the losing of ten pounds from the waistline instead of dropping a pound from the rifle, but 9 pounds a little more than I want to lag around myself on most days.
Hell, this weekend I was complaining about my 4lb bow....Go figure

14 September 2004, 15:20

Wstrnhuntr

Quote:

I know, now I've ticked someone off with my lack of tact, but it's not the first time...oh well!

When you figure out how to NOT do that on these boards be sure to let me know.

14 September 2004, 15:31

Wstrnhuntr

I dont think the weight of the rifle has to matter when it comes to shot placement, since we all do our best shooting either from some sort of rest or secure position.

One question one might ask himself about this debate is how far are you willing to shoot off hand.

With that said about 95% of my hunting has been with fairly weighty rifles, but lightweight rifles dont bother me in the least. My favorite rifles are ones with fairly slim stocks and a 24" bbl.