Share your lightweight gun, large caliber experiences.

H

hawk45

New member
I've been tossing around doing a sub 10lb magnum rifle with a removable brake (on for range, off for hunt). I know the physics of light weight guns and big bullets and lots of powder, but don't want to set myself up for something that is just not enjoyable to shoot. I'm looking for something that will take about anything in North America, yet I can load up some high ballistic heavies for going ELR on the range.

So if you could share your lightweight/magnum experiences and even your build specs so I can get an idea of what works and hasn't for you guys.

Thanks,
Hawk
 
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I have a older Browning abolt ss in 300wm without a brake.Guessing I'd say nekkid rifle is about 7lbs.I've killed alot of [beeep] with it from feral cats to wt deer over the last 20yrs or so.Recoil while hunting is nadda,,,a day at the range volume shooting leaves me with a headache.The last 6-7 years it gets a zero check before hunting season and gathers dust the rest of the time.
 
Mine was a 358 Norma Mag, 250gr at 2800fps custom 1903 springfield 8.5# . Most of the time I shot it with 148gr wadcutters a 900fps and it was deadly on rabbits, grouse and squirrels. Range sessions were with an extra recoil pad (PAST strap on), never noticed the recoil hunting.

It didn't take long to figure out that my 375 Winchester was lighter and worked just as well for what I was hunting. I did love the 35 cal though and built a 35 Whelen a few years ago, don't use it much but it is handy.
 
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I have a sauer in .300 WM that tips scale around 8.5 with scope and sling. It is well mannered, mostly I believe that the design of the stock reduces felt recoil.
 
I have a Browning B78 Falling Block. 8.5 lbs. Was 45-70, had it re-chambered to 45-120. Kicks like a freaking mule but kills deer really good!
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I have a Remington 700 Alaskan Ti in 300wsm that weighs an even 6lbs without a scope. It's a thumper but a pleasure to have on my back when elk hunting.
 
Kimber Montana 325WSM shooting Nosler 200gr Partitions. No muzzle brake, and I'm comfortable shooting it to 400yds very accurately.

I think my gun, with scope, weighs sub-7lbs loaded.

I shoot hand loads/reloads loaded to 2800-2950fps. It's been a while since I reloaded rounds for it, but its in that ball park.

I could take anything in N. America with it.

It's a gun you have to learn to shoot, but its not what I would call a monster. I'm also not afraid of big guns though either.

BTW it's the kind of gun you can piss pound to death and it'll do its job when it's time.
 
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I have a stock Weatherby Vanguard in .300 WBY MAG. I love the gun. It's probably around 9 lbs with scope and loaded (4 rounds).

I handloads several different rounds for it from 200 gr partitions down to 110 gr V-Max's. on the range with a lead sled I can shoot it a lot and have fun doing it. With out a lead sled, not fun (except for the 110 gr V-Max's).

When hunting, I've never felt any recoil. I have to walk over a quarter mile (which doesn't compare to and Elk hunters journey) and you know it's on your shoulder the whole time. I wish it weighed 7.5 lbs.

Truth of the matter is, if you have a Magnum rifle in the .300's or higher, the weight of the gun won't matter that much between 8-11 lbs. so I would suggest something in the 7mm Mag (weatherby if you reload). I would think you could kill anything in North America with it and in a nice 7.5 lb package it will be a pleasure to carry and possibly shoot. Just my opinion.
 
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Originally Posted By: GerbsI have a Remington 700 Alaskan Ti in 300wsm that weighs an even 6lbs without a scope. It's a thumper but a pleasure to have on my back when elk hunting.

Got the same gun that had some modificatons done to it. Smaller shillen barrel, brake added, kevlar stock. With talley 1 piece mounts and swaro z5 I'm in under 7#. First two shots will go in the same hole, after that the barrel is so thin it starts to open up... allot!
 
An acquaintance of mine has a sweet little Remington model Seven in .350 Remington Magnum. They're discontinued now, but pop up occasionally on the used market.
 
I have a Mauser 96 American in .300WM that weighs 6lbs. Kicked like a mule until I installed a brake. Now it feels like a .243. Love it.
 
I went from a Remington 700 BDL 7MM Mag with a wood stock to a Rem 700 SPS 300 WSM and I couldn't believe how much lighter the 300 WSM was.
 
Had a savage hog hunter in 338 win mag. Was shooting 225gr SST. Had a 20" barrel on it and the cheapo savage stock. It wasn't bad to shoot at all. Just no real reason for it
 
Have a couple browning a bolt stalker in 300 rem ultra mag and a 700 in 338 ultra mag both are a little brutal off the bench but I do not have a brake on either. In hunting situations I can say I do not notice the recoil.
 
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