From the front range

[colt38]

I’m in the process of building a lightweight backcountry rig for elk season and I’d love to hear any tips on how to shave off some ounces without compromising on accuracy. Excited to learn from the seasoned pros here and hopefully see some of you at the local matches!

 

[Alan]

Awesome to have you with us! Feel free to jump in whenever you're ready.

 

[_seabreckus45]

Welcome!

 

[sigHolmes]

Greetings from Cortez!

 

[Pablo Jon]

Welcome aboard

 

[ViperACR]

Keep those ounces and leave something else out of your pack.
Get something that you can practice with and spot your own shots, that isn't usually a feather weight rifle in any elk caliber. Just my .02 but can confirm at the range, and yes I have one.
Every season we try to train students that have a magnum in a light weight rifle and they ALL struggle and see lesser results from our classes.

 

[ducky]

Keep those ounces and leave something else out of your pack.

I don't wholly disagree with this statement.

However, if you want a lightweight elk rifle stick with cartridges like .308 Win down to 6.5 Creedmoor/PRC in short action, .270 Win to .30-06 and use bullets 168 grain or lesser weight. Keep the rifle between 8-9.5 lbs all up (optics, sling, and loaded mag). I try to stay 9.5 lbs or less as a goal if I'm using a suppressor. 10 lbs or less using a .300 Win Mag or 7mm RM.

I went through a ultra light rifle phase, and wound up with the Howa Superlite in .308 Win. I've shot that rifle as light as 5.75 lbs up to 7.5 lbs, and it's just flat out brutal. Even suppressed and with nearly 2 lbs of opics and mounts on the rifle does very little to tame the recoil. The narrow butt also focuses the very snappy recoil into your shoulder. 165/168 grain bullets are the upper end of my tolerance and 130 or lighter become enjoyable to shoot. I would never try for a shot beyond 400 yds on elk or larger game. I just don't have confidence in my ability to shoot it any further.

The reason I tried ultra light rifles is I was getting fat. I was eating low carb, low calorie, and exercising 4-5 days a week, and still losing the battle with the waistline. My primary Dr just kept telling me to work harder as I was over 40.

I fired him when I hit 260 on the scales and he wouldn't even try to offer different advice. I hired a nutritionist and a new primary and got to work. I lost 70 lbs in a little over a year, but stabalized around 205 lbs for a little over a year now.

I've found I don't mind carrying a heavier rifle in the back country these days. Also using a Kifaru Gun Bearer and using both my shoulders and my hips to carry the heavier rifle makes it easier. The reason I also went to a gun bearer is I shattered my leg in 2015 and had a right ankle fusion, so I use trekking poles to help me in rough terrain.

 

[c-ne-elk]

I agree with what has been said about going too light. But a carbon barrel will shave off a bit of weight without getting ultra light.

And choose the right caliber. A 6.5 PRC will do the deed nicely on an elk (especially if suppressed) and not have brutal recoil. Quite tame actually.

But an ultra light magnum rifle is just asking for trouble.