I am of the opinion that civilian rifles have gotten heavier the further you get from WW2. There are some pigs, M1895's and M1886's, but pre WW2 and 1950 hunting rifles were on the average, lighter.
Hunters back then walked in, or rode a horse in. ATV's, four wheeled vehicles, have really changed this. Hunters today ride close to their hunting location, get out of their vehicles, walk maybe 200 yards. A heavier rifle can be tolerated.
And then, the target game has created big, porky pigs. Guys don't hold their rifles anymore, they set them up on rests, bipods, sand bags, and they want them to be as heavy as possible.
Hunters back then walked in, or rode a horse in. ATV's, four wheeled vehicles, have really changed this. Hunters today ride close to their hunting location, get out of their vehicles, walk maybe 200 yards. A heavier rifle can be tolerated.
And then, the target game has created big, porky pigs. Guys don't hold their rifles anymore, they set them up on rests, bipods, sand bags, and they want them to be as heavy as possible.
