What weight for a predator rifle?

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xxclaro

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Considering buying a new predator rifle, upgrade on the Stevens .223 a bit. So, I've determined a .243 is what I want, but now to find a rifle. Pretty sure I'm settled on a Savage, but still ots of options. I wanted a Mdl 10 Predator Max1, but that seems to be impossible to find up here. I can get the VLP though,whic hI also really like. But then I saw the Mdl 11 BTH, a nice light thumbhole laminate model. So, now I'm kinda torn as to what to do.
I had thought of buying the heavier varmint rifle,and then next year buying a Savage lightweight Hunter for a sheep hunting rifle. Now I'm wondering if perhaps the same rifle could fill both bills? I think the .243 would be an adequate sheep calibre with the right bullets, and also great for longer range coyotes with ligher bullets. A 4-12 scope should cover both jobs pretty well too, I think.
So, I was curious to know what you guys thought. Does anyone use a lighter rifle for predator hunting? The accurracy potential should be there to reach out to 500 yards or so on coyotes I think, and I rarely shoot more than once or twice per set anyway. Do I really need a heavy barrel? Only thing I can think of is that the heavier rifle is a bit easier to shoot than a light one, but is it worth the extra weight and bulk? Opinions and experiences welcome. Thanks.
 
I'm no expert by any means, but have you considered one of the Axis guns? I don't know what the price range you were wanting to spend was, but for the money these guns are shooters. They're relatively cheap and they are starting to finally get an aftermarket following. Boyds just came out with stocks for them, which was the biggest complaint of anyone. The triggers are easy to fix or replace for under $100. They shoot just as well as any higher end Savage as far as I can tell. Just some food for thought. As far as weight, lighter is normally better if you are walking long distances into sets or making a lot of stands in a day, but that also is a matter of personal preference.
 
If it was me looking for a calling rifle, it would be light weight. All up and scoped under 7 pounds.

Seems counter productive to buy an axis then replace everything on it. I seen some lightweight Tikka's with fluted barrels at Sportsmans tonight that I thought was interesting.
 
I looked at Tikka T3 lite's, nice rifles indeed. A bit expensive,at least out here, around $900 I think. The Axis doesn't interest me, not really an upgrade from the Stevens as far as I can tell.I'm sure they shoot good, but lookingfor something a little nicer this time. Shots can run as far as you want to shoot out here, I've had many stay out there at 500 yards and more, making me want for a bit more than my .223 has to offer. Also, have seen wolves on several occasions while bow hunting recently, would like a bit more gun when I go after them.
The ability to switch barrels on the Savage is one thing that has me kinda stuck on them. I'd like to get a .243 and then also buy a .260 barrel eventually, for hunting the bigger stuff like elk and sheep.
 
As heavy as you're willing to carry. For some guys, that's 7lbs, for other guys, that's 20lbs. I don't wear your pants, you don't wear mine.
 
I don't think I could do the switch barrel thing. After changing the barrel you have to go out and burn up more ammo to sight in. Then if it was me a week later I would want the other barrel back on for a different hunt... It would never end. I'd spend more time sighting in the rifle than hunting.

What's a 700 cost up there?
 
If your stuck on Savage look no further. I don't think I would waste time on th .243 just move on to the .260. Like Varminterror said " As heavy as your willing to carry ". I like a rifle in the 7 1/2 lb. range plus scope & bipod.

I like the 25-06 and it is a 500 yard rifle. You might consider it.
 
Quote:7-8#'s scoped,max.

Any more is distracting. Have done the AR thing a couple times and back to bolt. Like the Tikka. T3 can be had reasonable with great performance out of box.
 
7lbs with scope for me. Same weight for a shotgun with me. 8lbs is heavy for me to carry and it ends up slung on my shoulder. Because it is slung I miss targets of opportunity while hiking to or from the stand.

I started with a heavier varmint weight gun. the long barrel would flip forward when climbing up and down hills. It made my front hand get sore and tired on the stand. Much happier with my tikka t3 lite.
 
Originally Posted By: TripleDeuce6607lbs with scope for me. Same weight for a shotgun with me. 8lbs is heavy for me to carry and it ends up slung on my shoulder. Because it is slung I miss targets of opportunity while hiking to or from the stand.

I started with a heavier varmint weight gun. the long barrel would flip forward when climbing up and down hills. It made my front hand get sore and tired on the stand. Much happier with my tikka t3 lite.


I like 8-10 lbs,lighter rifles just don't seem to sit aswell on shooting sticks...imho.
 
The 25-06 Stevens 200 that i have with 4x12 scope weighs about 8 pounds. To me this is about right for a predator rifle because of the amount of walking between sets. FYI I added a rifle basix trigger , stockade extended bolt handle , and soon a Boyds classic stock. The stock will add about a half pound but I love the way wood feels.
 
Well according to the Savage site the Stevens 200 in 243 weighs 6.5 pounds bare and the Savage lite weight hunter is 5.5 pounds .Maybe the Liteweight Hunter would fit your needs.
 
I just bought a Savage VLP. It is slightly heavy but I love the way it sets in sticks and is a reall tack driver! Enough so that I will Sacrifice for the wieght!
 
For a bench rifle, as heavy as you can make +1 lb. For anything I'm packing I'll cut as much weight as I possibly can. If I could get an elk rifle down to 1 pound I would do it. It would sure suck when you pull the trigger but you only do it once a year anyway.

Any off the shelf modern rifle will do well to 500 if you do well at 500. My axis has done deer and goats to 460'ish yards, my ruger 77 had done the same at 600+ It's also done elk at 30 yards
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I don't limit the savage, that's just where my longest targets have been so far.
 
I was thinking the same thing the other day. I think my next rifle is going to be a Tikka T3 lite in 243 (possibly in a B&C stock) with a Vortex 2.5-10 mounted on top.

You could also look at the Winchester M70 featherweight as another option.
 
I had both a 10" as well as a Super 14 in 7mm TCU that I used in IHMSA competition around 30 years ago. And yes, I fireformed many a round in my guns using .556 ball ammo or just any .223 ammo. Accuracy was non existent as the .224 bullet fairly rattled its way down the .28 caliber barrel, but since the ammo was cheap and it was the easiest way to make brass that's what I did. Never had an issue either.
 
Originally Posted By: ultramagI like 8-10 lbs,lighter rifles just don't seem to sit aswell on shooting sticks...imho.

I agree, my Rem 700 SPS Varmint weighs out with the extras at about 9.5 lbs. A bit heavy for carrying around but soft, sweet and sure on my bipod.
 
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