7lbs Or Less: Practical Rifle

[WrongHanded]

One of Jeff Cooper's "requirements" for a scout rifle was that it weight 7lbs or under. So, what general purpose/practical or jack-of-most-trades rifle do you have that meets the weight requirement?

I'm not talking about scout rifles specifically, nor about super light hunting rifles, or anything chambered in .22LR. I mean a rifle you could press into most rolls if you had to, chambered in a centerfire cartridge. The weight should include all accessories attached, and an empty magazine.

I don't think even my standard Ranch rifle (Mini 14) would make it, bare bones with a sling. I may have to check. But if you've got a rifle that makes the cut, post it up and let us know.

 

[3Crows]

My new Kimber Hunter 6.5CM is 6lbs 2oz with Nikon BDC 3X9X40 scope and Talley mounts. My scale is not certified so weight is plus or minus and ounce or so. I only have a few rounds through it but I would say that it meets the spirit of their three shot MOA guarantee. Edit to add but the rifle alone is under 5.5 pounds. Without doing carbon fiber stocks and barrels it is hard to imagine a practical hunting rifle much lighter.

 

[.38 Special]

I have one of the first generation Savage Scouts that "makes weight". I really like the concept - IER scope included - but this particular execution leaves a lot to be desired. Someday I will get myself a "proper" scout.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

My AR15 carbine with optic and light come in at around 7lbs, I think.

With a loaded 30 mag it would be outside the 7lb mark, though.

 

[WrongHanded]

My AR15 carbine with optic and light come in at around 7lbs, I think.

With a loaded 30 mag it would be outside the 7lb mark, though.

I wonder if many ARs don't make it under this particular bar. Once optics and extras are added, that is.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I wonder if many ARs don't make it under this particular bar. Once optics and extras are added, that is.

Well now I feel like i need to go weigh the thing LOL

 

[WrongHanded]

Well now I feel like i need to go weigh the thing LOL

You should. Just to see if it meets Cooper's arbitrary weight requirement.

Honestly, I don't have a problem carrying 8-9lbs of gun whilst hiking around. But the M1 Garand I had was just a little too much.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Ruger 96/44 lever gun and ruger 99/44 deerfield carbine are both under 5.5 pounds. No optics and only 4 round rotary mags. Ive got word out to a company making 10rd mags but they are out of stock at the moment.

 

[Offfhand]

When talking about lightweight hunting rifles the conversation just naturally comes around to the phenomenally light AND accurate rifles made by UltraLight Arms Co. This .280 Rem. weighs less that 6 lbs even with the chunky 3-10 Swarovski scope..

 

[.38 Special]

When talking about lightweight hunting rifles the conversation just naturally comes around to the phenomenally light AND accurate rifles made by The UltraLight Arms Co. This .280 Rem. weighs less that 6 lbs even with the chunky 3-10 Swarovski scope.. View attachment 941546 View attachment 941547

I've wanted in one of those in .25 Bob ever since Barsness started writing about them 15+ years ago. Very nice!

 

[IdaD]

I think I currently have two rifles that would fit the definition. My JM Marlin 336 in 30-30 and a recent AR build in 556/223, neither has an optic and both come in at or just under 7 lbs. The Marlin would be the better hunting rifle because it has more punch to it and I'd be comfortable taking up to elk with the right bullets, but the AR would work on smaller game maybe up to deer in a pinch and would be a more effective defensive weapon with much cheaper ammo (someday again I assume). It's pretty hard to beat the Marlin as a walking around the woods rifle - there's just something fun about it.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'm moving from a straight walled state to some wide open desert here soon and am starting to research what my new hunting rifle will be. Being so hot, I'd rather pack more water than a heavier rifle, about #7 is right where I'd like to be.

I'm thinking a Tikka Superlight in 7RM might be where I end up, but a Kimber in 280AI would be real nice if the budget allows.

 

[LoonWulf]

I wonder if many ARs don't make it under this particular bar. Once optics and extras are added, that is.

Mine is 6lbs 8oz with a 2-7x33 vxf

 

[BigBlue 94]

Ive got a lightweight Win70 in 243 that would make a nice desert rifle. Feels about 7 pounds and the barrel is pencil thin. Though 243 is a bit small for elk and bear if they are local too.

 

[LoonWulf]

There are actually a number of rifles that will go under 7lbs with a light optic, but even more that will comfortably do 7.5 which isn't enough for me to notice.

 

[George P]

Remington Model 7 in 7-08 with a compact US-made Burris 6X scope

 

[3Crows]

I thought several of my rifles were under seven pounds until I put them on a scale to find they were not:

Ruger M77 in .270 with scope = 8lbs 6oz
Remington 700 in 7mm with scope = 8lbs 5oz
Remington 700 in .243 with scope = 7lbs 12oz
Savage Scout Gen 2 in .308 with scope = 9lbs
AR15 with optic = 9lbs 2oz
Kimber 6.5CM with scope = 6lbs 4oz (minus 2oz when I went to Talley rings)

Put them on a scale, guessing it feels like XX.XX is not very accurate.

 

[horsey300]

Ar carbine, 788 carbine, and I'll check the kids' guns later.

 

[illinoisburt]

Finding a light rifle was a big challenge years ago with wood stocks. Anymore most of the plastic stocked 20/22 inch standard profile bolt rifles are fairly light (kindly referred to as flimsy and cheap feeling by a few of us). Per the manufacturer description base weights:

Savage Axis II - 6.5 pounds
Ruger American - 6.25 pounds
T/C Compass - 7.25 pounds
Remington 783 (synthetic) - 7.5 pounds
Mossberg Patriot - 6.5 pounds

Its the larger optics and reinforced stocks which add weight. Add in a compact low power fixed scope or other light weight sight is fairly easy to get an easy carrying rifle.

 

[Sav .250]

Mine qualifies . light as a feather and fits the hand like a glove. A Savage 99F. Best know as a 250/3000.
You can carry that puppy all day and never know it. Well, almost.

 

[3Crows]

I think I currently have two rifles that would fit the definition. My JM Marlin 336 in 30-30 and a recent AR build in 556/223, neither has an optic and both come in at or just under 7 lbs. The Marlin would be the better hunting rifle because it has more punch to it and I'd be comfortable taking up to elk with the right bullets, but the AR would work on smaller game maybe up to deer in a pinch and would be a more effective defensive weapon with much cheaper ammo (someday again I assume). It's pretty hard to beat the Marlin as a walking around the woods rifle - there's just something fun about it.

So I weighed my Marlin 336SS with 1.5X4X23 Leupold with Warne quick release rings, RPP aluminum base = 8lbs 4oz and with the scope removed it is 7lbs 6oz bare.

And like Col. Coopers specification it has both iron sights and an optical sight that can be removed. But even without the optic it is over 7 pounds. My 336 Texan might be just under 7 pounds without scope but I am not removing the scope (Weaver El Paso on Weaver rings).

 

[dh1633pm]

Mines doesn’t. With scope and mag, no ammo 8.45 pounds.

 

[qwert65]

When I take the scope off my BLR 308 it makes it easy might make it with the scope
Also Win 94

 

[Officers'Wife]

If you will, consider the Winchester 1892 carbine in 32 Winchester Center Fire or 32-20. Weight 6 pounds 2 ounce.

 

[WisBorn]

My Weatherby Mark V ultra lightweight (lh)
Is 6 3/4#s plus the scope,rings, bases, and ammo. That puts it to 8#s. I think the recoil of a 7mag at 7#s might be uncomfortable. At 8#s the Weatherby is not bad in the recoil department.