Light Weight Rifle

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wheelchairman

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Hello, This is my first time in the forum and have a question. I am in a wheelchair and would like to take up hunting. I am looking for a rifle that will bring down white tail and maybe even elk, but needs to be light on weight. I read about a few savages like the model 11 light weight hunter in .308 and the ruger M77 Hawkeye in .308 savage weighs in at 5.5lbs and the ruger is 6lbs. Any thoughts? I also like the Ambush firarms 6.8 in 6.8Rem SPC.

Thanks for your thoughts
 
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Depending on the range of your intended shots, the Remington Model 7 may work for you. I picked up a model a few years ago in .308 Winchester, with iron sights and a 20" barrel. It was very light, accurate, and pointed well. Even with a scope and ammo, it was still a very light rifle.

I have never taken elk, but most of the advice I have heard is that with a good bullet choice the 308 is suitable.
 
thanks

The rem mod 7 weighs around 7lbs, the savage mod 11 hunter weighs 5.5lbs the ruger is 6 flat, if I could fine one around 5 flat it would be great with the scope adding weight.
 
You will get more responses here in Hunting and might get more in the general rifles sub-forum.
Start another thread in general rifles, you might include what state you will be hunting and some laws might dictate what you get.
For example in Pennsylvania you cannot hunt with a autoloading gun, except some waterfowl.
 
+1 on the Tikka. Even in long action cartridges you can get them below 7 pounds.
 
savage list the 111 lightweight hunter in 30-06 or .270 either one should fit your purposes I suspect that is about as light as you will find, looks like they did alot of work to get it that light bolt has cutouts and the stock also im sure theres others that are not much heavier but probably closer to 7 lbs.
 
The Kimber 84L is 5 lbs. 10 oz. An 84M, 5 lbs. 2 oz. Probably the lightest rifles out there. A NULA will be an ounce or 2 less, but sell for close to $3,000. At just over $1,000 Kimbers aren't cheap. At just over 6 lbs. and at around $600 the Tikka is probably the way I'd go for the money.

The 6 lb Ruger is probably the 16" barreled compact version. All things equal Rugers are usually quite heavy. Their rifles with standard barrel lengths will be between 7-7.75 lbs.
 
Be aware that as weight goes down, recoil goes up, and sometimes WAY up!

The used gun rack at Cabala's usually has a 5 pound New Ultra-Light Arms, barely used, in 7mm or .300 Mag!

I used the term Pound, but no pun intended!

rc
 
Can you handle the recoil of a .308 in a light weight rifle?
I had a Remington Model 7 in 308 couple years ago and sold it off after just one season... I hated the excessive recoil.
 
All Good Ideas

These are all good ideas thanks for getting me set out in the right direction. Anyone have thoughts on the TC Contender G2 either pistol or rifle?

Thnaks
 
Have you thought about hunting with a handgun? Not that you couldn't find a setup somewhere to be able to hunt with a rifle, but I would be nervous about falling.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I have taken shots while on my stool dove hunting that, because i was off balance while twisting after the bird, I fell over. I know your chair is probably more stable than my dove hunting stool, but still. A handgun recoils less, so it might be something to think about.
 
It's a bit pricey, but my Rem 700 Ti weighs 6.5 pounds with 3x9 scope, four rounds of 7mm08 and the sling. It fits well, and the recoil pad works very well. It doesn't bother my arthritic shoulder when at the benchrest.

I figure that in .308 it would work well on elk as well as deer.

I like the 22" barrel. Many of the lightweights get there by sacrificing velocity via shorter barrels.
 
Can you handle the recoil of a .308 in a light weight rifle?
I had a Remington Model 7 in 308 couple years ago and sold it off after just one season... I hated the excessive recoil.
Click to expand...

I guess it's a personal thing, but my M7 isn't bad IMHO, in .308, and it could be had in 7-08 or .260 for lighter recoil for the recoil sensative. I like the .308, though. My much heavier Savage 110 in 7mm Rem Mag kicks harder and isn't THAT bad. My 10 gauge H&R is a stomper and I have put 23 rounds through it in a good goose hunting morning a couple years ago.

Nah, the M7 is a powder puff. :D
 
wheelchairman said:
These are all good ideas thanks for getting me set out in the right direction. Anyone have thoughts on the TC Contender G2 either pistol or rifle?

Thnaks
Click to expand...
The TC Contender is a great idea for a confined wheelchair.. my brother has one
in 7-30 Waters...very handy for shots out to 100 yards on whitetails. with a
TC scope it goes about 6 lbs-6 1/2 lbs with strap.. ammo is a bit hard to find..it is very manageable when you put a ground blind over a stool/and or a wheelchair..using a PRIMOS ADJUSTABLE BI-POD you would be good to go for
most thin skinned game.
 
+1 For the Tikka, Accurate, affordable, reliable and very light. Mine is a 6.5x55 and weighs in at 6lbs 3oz I think. 308 is a great choice for alot of killing power without a ton of recoil, I would leave the 6.8SPC on the shelf if elk are on the menue, it lacks the ability to use heavier bullets. I would also say that the Browning has a rock solid reputation as well, they are just a bit more expensive then the Tikka. I always advise people to steer clear of the of the remingtons, I have had lots of bad luck with them.
 
Another vote for the Tikka, I wish I would have gone the .260 or 6.5x55 swede vs the 30-06 though.
 
Not a hunter, but I have a .454 lever gun and .45 long Colts kick like a .22 out of it.
It is pretty much a <100 yard round, but should harvest even elk.
Good luck.
 
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