Advice

[danw 1,748]

lol an SA80 or should I say L85A2 with full mag and susat weighs in at a slim 11lbs

[Deker 3,478]

lol an SA80 or should I say L85A2 with full mag and susat weighs in at a slim 11lbs

 

 

Yep, 30 rounds in the mag, fully set up and away you go, that is light!

 

Lighter than pretty much any heavy barrel Varmint/tactical sporting centrefire you can name!

[danw 1,748]

 

lol an SA80 or should I say L85A2 with full mag and susat weighs in at a slim 11lbs

 

 

Yep, 30 rounds in the mag, fully set up and away you go, that is light!

 

Lighter than pretty much any heavy barrel Varmint/tactical sporting centrefire you can name!

 

well you could start with a remington 700 sps tactical it starts at 7.3lbs so an 11lb build would be pretty easy

[Alsone 789]

 

Sceptical

1. not convinced that something is true; doubtful.... Like I said, what is to be sceptical about, light guns sell, what do you think people do with them?

 

Yep I'm not convinced that an extra 3/4 pound (ie 340 grams) makes any real difference to the average person.

 

 

 

lol an SA80 or should I say L85A2 with full mag and susat weighs in at a slim 11lbs

Lighter than pretty much any heavy barrel Varmint/tactical sporting centrefire you can name!

 

Interesting you say that because there's only about 3/4 lb difference:

 

The Howa Hogue .223 in heavy barrel weighs 8.5lbs: http://howa-rifles.co.uk/hogue/4-hogue-heavy-barrel-varminter.html

 

Add a Harris Bipod, 10 oz :http://www.uttings.co.uk/p103130-harris-model-1a2-br-bipod-6-9-inches-solid-base-hb1127-ia2-br/#.Urxy6bSAo4g

 

Add a Nikon Monarch 1.5-6 zoom Scope (middle of the range and a typical sporting purchase specs): 490 grams (1lb): http://www.uttings.co.uk/p102949-nikon-monarch-e-1-5-6x42-rifle-scope/#.Urx4PrSAo4i

 

Add a couple of ounces for mounts.

 

Add in 1.5 pounds for a Reflex T8 compact moderator: http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/product/964b5ef8fcd5064821703338/REFLEX+T8+Compact+%2728SPM%2729+Moderator/

 

Total all up weight: 11 3/4 lbs.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Alsone

[charlie caller 3,654]

Yes which proves that in the real world, if you are going to lump a rifle round with scope, mounts, bipod, sling , over barrel moderator, full magazine, ect then it is going to be heavy, so if you really think a varmint heavy barrel will improve your shooting (it wont of course) then get the soddin thing, after you have lugged it all round for 4 hours, you wont care, you will be glad to put it down.

[alan81 110]

I got a sabatti rover 600 dl in .223 last week. the gun with scope, mounts and bipod weighs 10lbs exactly and is very accurate. 3 shots at 100 yards = 1 raged hole with Hornady 53 grain Superformance. why not have light when its accurate.

[danw 1,748]

I got a sabatti rover 600 dl in .223 last week. the gun with scope, mounts and bipod weighs 10lbs exactly and is very accurate. 3 shots at 100 yards = 1 raged hole with Hornady 53 grain Superformance. why not have light when its accurate.

Add a moderator as all the other posts have and it weighs approx 11.5 lbs though doesn't it, I must say the licencing in Ireland must be damned slow since you claim to have bought this rifle in July and you only got it last week

[alan81 110]

I have the licence about 2 months but I only collected the gun last week I was short of cash. with the sonic 45 mod I think its still just under 11lbs.

[danw 1,748]

I have the licence about 2 months but I only collected the gun last week I was short of cash. with the sonic 45 mod I think its still just under 11lbs.

looked on their website and I really like the look of the rover inox stainless, wood with adjustable cheek piece think I could talk myself into one of those in 30-06

[Deker 3,478]

 

 

Edited December 28, 2013 by Deker

[Deker 3,478]

Alsone

You have an interesting turn of phrase, 3/4lb is massive when you have been carrying it all day. You really do need to stop reading so much and actually do it, when did you last walk around all day with a rifle combo weighting 12lb plus and then do the same with a 10lb combo. It doesn't matter how big and fit you think you are, you WILL notice the difference!

So, just how much does any rifle you own weight fully set up?

Edited December 28, 2013 by Deker

[Alsone 789]

Deker, I don't think there's a right or wrong answer here, it just depends on your own strength, build, preference.

 

I've often slung a shotgun on the back and then emptied out at least 2 boxes ie. 50 or more cartridges into my pockets at a couple of ounces each - that's over 5.5lbs in just in cartridges which with the gun takes me way over 11.5lbs, in fact around 13lbs. The hardest thing there is not the weight but the cumbersome bulges in your pockets!

 

If you personally don't believe in heavy barrelled guns, that's fine. There are a lot of opposing opinions on the subject and if you have faith in a lighter gun and prefer to carry 3/4lb less, then that's great.

 

As you asked, I personally would have no problem walking around with an 11.5lbs rifle all day.

 

At the end of the day 5kg (11lbs or so) represents 2 small bags of plastic wrapped potatoes as found in the supermarket.

 

I think you'll find many hikers walk around all day with at least that and sometimes many times that in their back packs what with filled drinks bottles, spare clothing, 1st aid kit etc. In fact for those on expeditions or out camping 40 or 50lb isn't uncommon.

 

My belief, and this is only my personal opinion, is that unless you're of light build, you should buy what you personally want or believe in (within reason). If you don't have faith in what you're using and are always wondering if something else would be better, then you're never going to be a good shot. If you have faith in a light gun, buy a light gun because there's no point carrying more weight than you need. However, if you believe in a heavier barrel, then .....

 

I can tell you right now that with shotguns I'm a far better shot with Winchester / Browning than with Beretta. A) because I like the balance better but B.) because I have faith in the Winchester / Browning whereas with the Beretta, I'm all too aware that for me it isn't the best tool for the job and so I concentrate far too much on trying to shoot it rather than just letting everything flow naturally, and that's what I mean by faith.

Edited December 28, 2013 by Alsone

[Deker 3,478]

Deker, I don't think there's a right or wrong answer here, it just depends on your own strength, build, preference. Well, why have you been sceptical then?

 

I've often slung a shotgun on the back and then emptied out at least 2 boxes ie. 50 or more cartridges into my pockets at a couple of ounces each - that's over 5.5lbs in just in cartridges which with the gun takes me way over 11.5lbs, in fact around 13lbs. What has that got to do with carrying a heavy rifle, and in your own example you are only carrying 7.5lb of gun anyway?

 

If you personally don't believe in heavy barrelled guns, that's fine. There are a lot of opposing opinions on the subject and if you have faith in a lighter gun and prefer to carry 3/4lb less, then that's great. I am allowed now then, so whats all this sceptical malarkey then?

 

As you asked, I personally would have no problem walking around with an 11.5lbs rifle all day. When did you last try?

 

At the end of the day 5kg (11lbs or so) represents 2 small bags of plastic wrapped potatoes as found in the supermarket. Oh Please, So what, try carrying them all day!

I think you'll find many hikers walk around all day with at least that and sometimes many times that in their back packs what with filled drinks bottles, spare clothing, 1st aid kit etc. In fact for those on expeditions or out camping 40 or 50lb isn't uncommon. And I carry more in my car, so what, what has a hiker and a backpack got to do with carrying a rifle?

My belief, and this is only my personal opinion, is that unless you're of light build, what has anyones build got to do with it, why can't anyone use a sporter rifle? you should buy what you personally want or believe in (within reason). If you don't have faith in what you're using and are always wondering if something else would be better, then you're never going to be a good shot.

 

I can tell you right now that with shotguns I'm a far better shot with Winchester / Browning than with Beretta. A) because I like the balance better but B.) because I have faith in the Winchester / Browning whereas with the Beretta, I'm all too aware that for me it isn't the best tool for the job and so I concentrate far too much on trying to shoot it rather than just letting everything flow naturally. so what, you have a shotgun you don't like or doesn't fit you, that has nothing to do with a heavy/light rifle!

 

I'm beginning to feel like Jeremy Paxman, how many times do you intend to avoid the question.... Have you actually got a FAC and a rifle yet?

 

Alsone

 

You have an interesting turn of phrase, 3/4lb is massive when you have been carrying it all day. You really do need to stop reading so much and actually do it, when did you last walk around all day with a rifle combo weighting 12lb plus and then do the same with a 10lb combo. It doesn't matter how big and fit you think you are, you WILL notice the difference!

 

So, just how much does any rifle you own weight fully set up?

 

 

A rifle is not a shotgun with a couple of boxes of carts in your pocket, a back pack or a bag of potatoes.

 

I have always said it is personal choice if you like heavy, fine, and you have said, there is no difference and you don't believe it.

 

As I have also said, just what do you think people buy light rifles for, something else you have failed to respond to, but you seem to be promoting the arrogant impertinent view that only pathetic small wimps can/should use them.

 

I don't need to hear what you are sceptical about or have read about, or what your mate told you, I use an assortment of rifles on a regular basis, I have a FAC, I have experience, I don't simply read and regurgitate someone else's comments, if you ever get a FAC and a rifle many of your responses/comments on THL since your arrival will change! Being told what is good/bad, what works or doesn't, what they are sceptical about, from someone who doesn't even have a FAC is a little hard to take seriously! I like and use light rifles and they work for me, my mind is open enough to accept different people like different things, I am not sceptical about people saying they prefer heavy rifles, I know some do, and please also note #6, which is something else you have chosen to ignore!

 

Happy New Year!

 

:bye: :bye:

Edited December 29, 2013 by Deker

[Alsone 789]

Deker, whether or not I have a rifle is irrelevant to the question of whether or not I can carry 11.5lbs or 10 3/4 lbs, all day. Rifle, shotgun, back pack, all the same in weight terms (admittedly gun slips are a bit more clumsy) .

 

If my reply on light weight rifles came across as arrogant, then I apologise to all concerned. I was merely pointing out that people are not all built the same and one persons heavy isn't the same as another's. I also find it hard to believe that 3/4 lb is going to make a lot of difference unless you're already at the limits of what you can carry - it's a whole 340 grams (!). If we were talking a couple of pounds then I'd be on your side whole heartedly....

 

I personally already know I can carry 11.5lbs all day, I've walked more than 20 miles with a 50 lb pack on several occasions, albeit in my younger days!

 

As for what people buy light rifles for, I already responded. and said clearly buy what you're comfortable with. If you believe in the greater accuracy etc of heavy and can carry it, then buy it. If you don't believe you can carry it all day or don't believe in the supposed advantages, then buy light. It's personal, I don't think there is a right answer beyond buy what you believe in and what you can carry comfortably....and if in doubt, then try and borrow one and try it out.

 

Anyway, Happy new Year and happy shooting! :bye:

Edited December 28, 2013 by Alsone

[Lewdan 17]

Hi lads,

 

Just got granted a 243 for deer and fox shooting, I have been looking at the howa rifles and a a tec silencer, I am wondering what peoples thoughts are on them also what silencer and scope would you recommend and would I be better off with a heavy barrel rifle to start with?

 

Atb

 

Froudy

Ahh to be young again , any one of you young bucks should have no problem lugging a 12 Lb + rifle around for a few hours, but speaking from experience as you get older believe me lighter is better I,m no wimp @ 5:10" and 16.5 Stone but I am coming up to 60 years young so weight can be an issue after a few hours trekking--Still every man to his own.

LD