Whats a pound?

[bratch]

I'm wanting to satabilize on one woods/camping/walking rifle.

I'm thinking a semi .308.

I currently have a good Cetme and a PTR91 both of these come in around 9.25 pounds.

I've been looking at the DSA carbine at 8.25 pounds.

I've never carried a rifle for extended periods. What are the real world differences in 9 pounds and 8 pounds at the end of the day? I won't be loaded down heavy with other stuff just a 1911 and whatever I need for the day (fishing pole, water, etc).

 

[SnakeEater]

In my experience as an Infantryman, a pound or two won't really be noticeable. It really helps to either use a sling or sorta lodge the magazine onto your web belt while walking. I'd forget about the rifle weight and start concentrating on footwear and rucksack.

 

[PCGS65]

BY SnakeEater In my experience as an Infantryman, a pound or two won't really be noticeable. It really helps to either use a sling or sorta lodge the magazine onto your web belt while walking. I'd forget about the rifle weight and start concentrating on footwear and rucksack.

Ya just beat me to it.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

time for one of those tired old sayings.....

Ounces in boots weigh more than pounds in rifles.

 

[Cosmoline]

I've never found the CETME/DSA style of semi to be easy to tote anywhere. They're ill-balanced blocks of steel. I'd hate to have to haul one around on hikes. You may not feel the pound of difference between the carbine version and the full size, but you'd ABSOLUTELY feel the difference between a short action .308 bolt gun or a lever action and either one of the semis you're looking at. There are many rifles designed to be quick and easy to tote in the woods. The battle rifles are not among those. If you're 20 years old and in prime shape you may be able to cope just fine, but why put yourself through that now?

 

[MechAg94]

Yeah, I would think the way the rifle is carried would mean more than 1 pound difference (all other things equal).

 

[bratch]

I'm 22 but wouldn't say I'm in prime shape.

I've got a little Savage Scout that would be a great carry rifle. I just kind of like the MBR. Guess the easiest way to find out would to be just carry them for a few days.

I've got ARs and AKs but out in the open I'd like to have the added omph of a .308.

 

[Cosmoline]

"Omph" is exactly the word that comes to mind when I imagine having to haul a .308 battle rifle around in the sticks Followed by "ouch"

 

[Brian Williams]

If I am just woods walking I would only need a handgun and maybe a 22 Levergun, If I am hunting I do not want a 9+ lb rifle. Most Mil-surps tend to be heavy and akward for woods walking, I would take a Win94/Marlin336 or a Marlin 1894 before any of the above and they tip the scales a whole lot lighter.

 

[bratch]

Just as a clarification:

I'm not looking at this as a hunting rifle I've got plenty of hunting rifles to use for their intended purposes..

Most of my outdoor time is spent at my parents farm. They've recently had some of their cows killed and rural OK is awash in meth among other things. Seems prudent to have more than a 45 on my side if I can.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

You guys, 9.25 pounds isn't that much. My 7mm Rem Mag with leather shooting sling and Leupold comes in at just under 10 pounds. I can haul it around the NW Montana rockies all day long hunting and not be any the worse for wear. Likewise I've been known to run around all afternoon with a Yugo SKS, which comes in close to 9 pounds. I don't even sling these rifles.

For the last five summers I have done Trail Crew for the Forest Service. Here, esp as a crew boss, you have 30 to 40 pounds of gear plus either a domar (container with liter and a half of bar oil and gallon of gasoline) which weighs about 12 pounds full, or a chainsaw, which weighs about 17 or 18 pounds. Either of this sucks much worse than pretty much any rifle just because it not only weighs significantly more, but there is no way to carry it close to your body--it just pretty much hangs off of you like a deadweight. If it means you don't have to clear trail with an axe and a crosscut saw, you suck it up and deal with it. By the end of the summer, your arms are stronger.

I say get the rifle that you think will best match your needs. I think I personally prefer the FAL to the G3 clones, but that could just be me. I would consider all the things like reliability, durability, simplicity of use and maintence, ergonomics and placement of controls, sights, triggers, and accuracy, availability of spare parts, magazines, and ammo, ease of mounting optics, and everything like that before I got caught up on weight.

 

[riverdog]

What Cosmoline said. Bolt guns (Rem 700 BDL, CZ-550) with iron sights and Marlin 336 lever guns would be much better for woods carry IMO. Now if you really expect to get into a firefight then by all means go with a battle rifle in .308. Then again, if you just want to buy one, I'm sure the DSA carbine is a blast to shoot.

 

[bratch]

I'm not expecting any problems but with the killing of the cows and the neighbors hosue getting peppered with rounds one never knows.

I already own the JLD so the only thing needed to buy would be the FAL. Looks like the only way I'll be doing that is if I just fall in love as my JLD is more than capable.