Hunting rifle weight reduction

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Sammael94

Sammael94

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I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .308 that I use for my deer rifle. I have a synthetic stock on it now, but I would like to eventually put a laminated wood stock from Boyds on it. The thing is this gun already weighs a bit more than I'd like. It's by no means unmanageable, just a little heavier than I would prefer. I would like to reduce the weight on it so that when I eventually install a new wood stock it doesn't weigh me down too much in the field. I refuse to simply trade it for a lighter gun because my Vanguard was a gift from my father, and I would prefer to keep as much of the gun original as possible. Nothing is going to be done to this gun for quite a while as I have various other projects that require my attention first, I'm just looking for some ideas to roll around in my head. I really appreciate any ideas you guys have for me, and thanks in advance
 
Those Howa made guns are known for being heavy. A laminated stock from Boyds may be ever heavier. A walnut syock may be a little lighter than the laminated stock. You should be able to find a stock that is built up that is lighter than the stock you have now. Plus you may want to try a lighter scope.
 
Along with the two things mentioned (scope and stock), the last of the three heaviest components of a rifle is the barrel. If you have picked out the stock you want, and if the lightest scope that has the features you require still leaves the overall weight above what you want, I would look at having the barrel fluted and/or shortened.
 
Maybe a Bell and Carlson Medalist stock and a barrel chop to 20"? The whole deal should cost quite a bit less than $400 and result in a nicer, handier package.
 
Just posted a thread on my featherweight thumbhole stock from Boyds. It's fairly light weight so keep that option in mind.
 
It seems unlikely that you'll reduce weight by going from a synthetic stock to a laminated one. Stocks can make a big difference. The lightest are usually fiberglass.....spendy though.
 
You can find custom made kevlar stocks that are lighter. You can also look into skeletonizing and fluting. Bad news is you will be throwing a lot of money at the problem.




.
 
You can remove quite a bit of material from a laminate stock without hurting its integrity, but it will still likely weigh mkre than the synthetic.....metal work will be expensive, as would a semi custom fiberglass stoxk, but they are options, as is scope and mount weight reduction....but honestly if you are thinking to remove a pound or more it would be tough.
 
If the gun is already too heavy, I wouldn't even think about replacing a synthetic stock with laminate, that will probably add a full pound. Short of putting a 16" pencil barrel on it, you're not gonna make that up.
 
A smaller Leupold scope and some aluminum rings will come in around 12-14oz. Adding a laminated stock makes zero sense if weight savings are a concern.
 
It will make it weigh more, but I like a little more weight and also the look of those Boyd's stocks. They are more rigid than the cheaper synthetics that come on most of the rifles these days, so more accuracy potential, and they don't react to environmental conditions like wood. The added weight dampens recoil some too.
 
I know that a laminate stock will add a lot of weight, but I love laminate stocks and would really love to put one on my gun. That's the main reason I made this thread, so that I could find other ways to save weight. I never even thought about scope weight, I'll have to look into that. I think I'll probably end up getting my barrel cut down to save both weight and length, probably down to around 20-18 inches.
 
Ah yes I went down this road a few years ago. I have a Howa 1500 in 30-06 with a #4 contour barrel. I was sporting a 3-9x50mm scope on top with a nice walnut stock. It tipped the scales at 11 lbs at the time. Much too heavy for rugged back country. I changed the stock to a synthetic. It was a pull off from another stock Howa 1500. I also installed a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40. I dropped 2 lbs. It still isn't that light but is much more comfortable to carry on long walks. Your scope choice can make a big difference in weight!
 
If comfort in the field is your goal, instead of putting your rifle on a diet maybe you should look at some good slings?
 
If you want weight reduction, forget the laminate stocks and the b&c stocks. Keep your synthetic stock and either paint it a color you like or have it air brushed or hydro dipped in a pattern you like. There are even some patterns made to look like wood. Install light weight bases, rings, and scope. Shorten and flute the barrel and call it done. At least, That's what i would do
 
Having the barrel fluted will result in little weight change. Fluting is primarily for decoration. Does little else. Barrel length reduction will, but it depends on the contour. A Pac-Nor Lightweight, for example,. weighs 2.6 pounds.
Laminates tend to be heavier than wood stocks. Boyd's says their average 2 to 3 pounds depending on the model. Bell and Carlson's hunting and sporting stocks run 2 to 2.25 pounds.
After all that, most Eastern deer hunting is done out of a blind so the rifle's weight doesn't matter a whole lot. Really means that where and how you hunt makes a huge difference to your 'calculations'.
 
The only cost effective way to reduce weight on a Vanguard is to trade it for a lighter rifle. Don't get me wrong, I've owned several and they are fine rifles. They are just the heaviest rifles made and there just isn't much you can do.

A note about stocks, the factory synthetic is as light as you'll get for under $600. The B&C synthetics are still heavy and at best will save you 2-3 oz over what came on it. Laminated stocks are the heaviest and will add at least a full pound over what you already have.

I've done lots of stock swaps and put a lot on some scales. Most factory wood or synthetic stocks are 32-36 oz and the wood stocks tend to be lighter than factory synthetic.

Most of the "budget" aftermarket stocks such as B&C are 32-48 oz. They offer a few versions at an advertised 28 oz, but they were all 30-32 oz on my scales.

Most laminated stocks tend to run 36-48 oz. This is about the same as Hogue or HS-Precision.

The high end synthetics made of fiberglass from McMillan, Brown Precision and others are 30-32 oz and run around $500.

The high end synthetics made of Kevlar are 16-22oz. If you aren't paying $600 for Kevlar, your ain't saving any weight.

About all you can realistically do is pay attention to scope and mount weights. A set of Talley lightweight mounts and a Leupold 3-9X40 scope will save you over a pound compared to a Nikon scope and steel mounts. Even then you're going to be around 8.5-9 lbs ready to hunt. You could spend $600+ for a stock made of Kevlar and save about 1/2 lb getting you to 8-8.5 lbs. You could spend another $1000 on other modifications and get the weight to around 7.5 lbs. Or you could sell it and buy a 5 lb Kimber or one of several 6 lb rifles. The Vanguards weigh about 7.5- 7.75 lbs as they leave the factory.

There are LOTS of other rifles that you can keep the weight to 6-7 lbs scoped with no modifications.
 
my Vanguard was a gift from my father, and I would prefer to keep as much of the gun original as possible.
Click to expand...

Maybe carry it around as it is and everytime it feels heavy it will remind you of the times your Father carried you during your life.
 
I like Kimbers for good lightweight rifles. Agree that Howas are heavy. I had a 8lb Armalite carbine that carried well though. It just hung right behind the shoulder, and I found it to be comfortable and manageable.
 
Sammeal94;

What you haven't told us is what your general age and physical condition are. In other words, the better way to go may be through the door of the gym.

I live in what I like to call "Outer Montana" & here it is perfectly possible to hunt both sides of the same acre of ground - at altitude. Saving three ounces of weight on your gun will not, repeat NOT, make up for having lived a couch potato lifestyle. Not saying that's what you are, but if you are not active & eating properly, doing so will net you more improvement than expensive and minor weight reduction of your gear.

900F
 
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