Caliber vs. Rifle Weight

Brother Bob · 04-26-2008, 02:23 PM

I was just looking at the Savage site. They have .338 Winmag rifles that weigh 7 pounds................... Is it me or does anyone else think that this is just too light for a good sized magnun?

SwedeSteve · 04-26-2008, 02:37 PM

Well I guess it all depends on how much recoil you can handle. Also how much weight do you want to / have to lug around?

Brother Bob · 04-26-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwedeSteve

Well I guess it all depends on how much recoil you can handle. Also how much weight do you want to / have to lug around?

My first Daisy BB gun probably weighed more than 7 pounds and I was a 9 or 10 years old!

Lng Rng · 04-26-2008, 02:58 PM

Well, by the time you add rings, mounts and a scope, your looking at at least 8lbs. It might be a touch light, but not too bad. I have a 7mm Mag that came 6.5 lbs from the factory, and wouldnt want it much lighter than that.

mitch_mckee · 04-26-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

I was just looking at the Savage site. They have .338 Winmag rifles that weigh 7 pounds................... Is it me or does anyone else think that this is just too light for a good sized magnun?

Should be OK if you J.B. Weld to stick your dentures in place first.

NOT for those with a glass eye!

lefty o · 04-26-2008, 03:20 PM

it depends on the shape of the stock, how well the stock fits you, and what kind of recoil pad is on the butt. properly stocked, and fitted to the shooter a light weight magnum will not beat up the shooter. a poorly stocked, and ill fitting .308 will beat a person pretty good.

privateer · 04-26-2008, 03:24 PM

It only hurts at the range, when you pull the trigger on a hunt you wont feel it.

Midas · 04-26-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lng Rng

Well, by the time you add rings, mounts and a scope, your looking at at least 8lbs. It might be a touch light, but not too bad. I have a 7mm Mag that came 6.5 lbs from the factory, and wouldnt want it much lighter than that.

I agree with that, and I certainly wouldn't wanna carry around a 12 lb rifle all day. If I have the need for a magnum, I can learn to deal with the recoil.

Ron AKA · 04-26-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

I was just looking at the Savage site. They have .338 Winmag rifles that weigh 7 pounds................... Is it me or does anyone else think that this is just too light for a good sized magnun?

It sure would not be much fun for target shooting. But in the excitement of the hunt, probably you would not notice it, providing you don't develop a flinch, and I wouldn't dismiss that possibility.

Ron

Brother Bob · 04-26-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

I agree with that, and I certainly wouldn't wanna carry around a 12 lb rifle all day. If I have the need for a magnum, I can learn to deal with the recoil.

I was thinking more like 9 pounds with scope and everything. A lot of folks on this forum complain about recoil of the mags and larger calibers. When rifles are weighed in ounces vs. pounds, one only has to wonder why they flinch.

Midas · 04-26-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

I was thinking more like 9 pounds with scope and everything. A lot of folks on this forum complain about recoil of the mags and larger calibers. When rifles are weighed in ounces vs. pounds, one only has to wonder why they flinch.

8.5-9.0 is about where I usually like my rifles, with scope, and all. Don't want something too heavy, and don't want something too light, either. Heavy enough to hold steady, while light weight enough to carry around the hills on a day's hunt.

FISHPOND · 04-26-2008, 07:52 PM

After you scope it and add the weight of the ammo, it should not be to bad. As for the weight issue. I have carried a 6 pound gun and a 10 pound gun and at the end of the day I was still tired. If you are concered with the weight of the gun, find a heavier one, I believe you also will be tired at the end of the day no matter the weight of the rifle, just do your-self a favor and find a good sling...

Brother Bob · 04-26-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FISHPOND

After you scope it and add the weight of the ammo, it should not be to bad. As for the weight issue. I have carried a 6 pound gun and a 10 pound gun and at the end of the day I was still tired. If you are concered with the weight of the gun, find a heavier one, I believe you also will be tired at the end of the day no matter the weight of the rifle, just do your-self a favor and find a good sling...

I'm pretty limited to my options. I'm left-handed. I also like 26 inch barrels on magnums. I know. I'm old-fashioned.

nathangdad · 04-26-2008, 08:15 PM

I feel that is incredibly light for a cartridge of that recoil. Another point to consider will be the driving of the scope into the forehead of shooters. Don't laugh if you have not seen or experienced this as I have seen it happen to people. It is serious and can result in quite an injury.

Advances in metallurgy and plastics have brought us to the point of having extremely light weight rifles that can safely handle very high
power cartridges.

Everything in physics pretty much comes with a tradeoff. As you
note with little rifle weight to impact recoil force the non-impacted force
will come to visit your shoulder and possibly your forehead.

It is good that you made this post as it is important for all shooters
to consider in choosing a hunting rifle.

Nathan123 · 04-26-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

8.5-9.0 is about where I usually like my rifles, with scope, and all. Don't want something too heavy, and don't want something too light, either. Heavy enough to hold steady, while light weight enough to carry around the hills on a day's hunt.

That is where i like mine aswell. The perfect weight. I dragged a No1 Mk3 around everywhere with me when i was a kid, so i got used to carrying a 9 pound rifle all day.

Magnumsrule · 04-26-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

I also like 26 inch barrels on magnums. I know. I'm old-fashioned.

Dosnt everyone want that?? Haha

Midas · 04-27-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnumsrule

Dosnt everyone want that?? Haha

I tend to like a 24" barrel for the standard length magnums.

Lng Rng · 04-27-2008, 03:05 AM

I go for a 24 on standard mags, like the 300 WM and 7mm RM. For WBY's, and other higher capcity cases, I go for a 26.

irish murphy · 04-27-2008, 03:24 AM

I like a heavier rifle.Recoil doesnt bother me,but i can shoot much better offhand with a heavy rifle.

SwedeSteve · 04-27-2008, 06:24 AM

Irish- I'd definitely like to "pull up a stump" and drink a few with you 303 gurus!

04-26-2008, 02:23 PM	#1
Brother Bob The Mayor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Olive Branch, MS. Posts: 3,051 Blog Entries: 3	Caliber vs. Rifle Weight I was just looking at the Savage site. They have .338 Winmag rifles that weigh 7 pounds................... Is it me or does anyone else think that this is just too light for a good sized magnun? __________________ The Most Expensive Commodity In This Country Is Ignorance!

04-26-2008, 02:37 PM	#2
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,659 Images: 1	Well I guess it all depends on how much recoil you can handle. Also how much weight do you want to / have to lug around? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-26-2008, 08:15 PM	#14
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,940	Yes I feel that is incredibly light for a cartridge of that recoil. Another point to consider will be the driving of the scope into the forehead of shooters. Don't laugh if you have not seen or experienced this as I have seen it happen to people. It is serious and can result in quite an injury. Advances in metallurgy and plastics have brought us to the point of having extremely light weight rifles that can safely handle very high power cartridges. Everything in physics pretty much comes with a tradeoff. As you note with little rifle weight to impact recoil force the non-impacted force will come to visit your shoulder and possibly your forehead. It is good that you made this post as it is important for all shooters to consider in choosing a hunting rifle.

04-27-2008, 06:24 AM	#20
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,659 Images: 1	Irish- I'd definitely like to "pull up a stump" and drink a few with you 303 gurus! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-26-2008, 02:58 PM	#4
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 962	Well, by the time you add rings, mounts and a scope, your looking at at least 8lbs. It might be a touch light, but not too bad. I have a 7mm Mag that came 6.5 lbs from the factory, and wouldnt want it much lighter than that.

04-26-2008, 03:20 PM	#6
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,116	it depends on the shape of the stock, how well the stock fits you, and what kind of recoil pad is on the butt. properly stocked, and fitted to the shooter a light weight magnum will not beat up the shooter. a poorly stocked, and ill fitting .308 will beat a person pretty good.

04-26-2008, 03:24 PM	#7
privateer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Anchorage , Alaska Posts: 515 Images: 1	It only hurts at the range, when you pull the trigger on a hunt you wont feel it.

04-26-2008, 07:52 PM	#12
FISHPOND Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 96	After you scope it and add the weight of the ammo, it should not be to bad. As for the weight issue. I have carried a 6 pound gun and a 10 pound gun and at the end of the day I was still tired. If you are concered with the weight of the gun, find a heavier one, I believe you also will be tired at the end of the day no matter the weight of the rifle, just do your-self a favor and find a good sling...

04-27-2008, 03:05 AM	#18
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 962	I go for a 24 on standard mags, like the 300 WM and 7mm RM. For WBY's, and other higher capcity cases, I go for a 26.

04-27-2008, 03:24 AM	#19
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	I like a heavier rifle.Recoil doesnt bother me,but i can shoot much better offhand with a heavy rifle.