I agree on a bench without a doubt, but I have a harder time holding heavier rifles as steady on an off hand shot. Personal preference I suppose.

These last few threads have had me rolling, trying to keep my mouth shut, between this one and the long range hunting one.

Maybe everyone is right.
A heavy rifle is hard to hold up, especially for a long time, and will tire you out carrying it. But holds steady with a rest.
But a very light one ican be difficult to hold on target. But you won't be breathing heavily from carry.
I have found about a seven pound, scope and everything, is a good compromise.
If I am in a blind or stand, have a rest, can deliver the rifle by truck, heavy doesn't matter.

Mark

A buddy had one of those Mossbergs at the ranch this weekend. Sweet little rifle. His barrel looked like 16" plus a flash hider. Said his buddy bought the Ruger at the same time so they could compare them. He said the Ruger was a better gun and he wishes he had gotten it, but the money saved getting the Mossberg was really nice.

This has been my experience as well. If the rifle is light, holding it still is much more of a chore for me. The rifle that I shoot best offhand these days is a Savage 93R17 BTVS, a 17HMR that I have owned for maybe five years or so.



Right now I'm building it's big brother from a bull-barreled Howa in .223 with a 1-12" twist. The .223 works out much better when there is a crosswind, and has more authority for small predators like coyote or bobcats.



Once the barrel is reduced from 24" to 18", it should handle much like the little 17HMR does.

For the 308 version, I'm thinking of changing the formula a bit. Maybe a sporter-style stock with the barrel channel opened up for the bull barrel might work out better. The varmint stocks are pretty heavy to drag around with you all day, still-hunting for whitetail.

That reminds me of the year that I got a chance to hunt from a stand, and the only thing I had set up was a Ruger M77 varmint model in .280 Remington, with the 24" bull barrel. Hauling that thing across the ranch at 4:30AM was a chore, and was no fun to climb up into the stand with.

Right after sun-up I heard some turkeys behind me, walking along the edge of the scrub-oak woods. By the time I hauled that Ruger around to try for a shot, they had spotted all of the movement and evaporated.

I didn't get anything at all that year - but I got plenty of exercise!

Since I gotten into still-hunting, I haven't thought of it but a short bull-barrel would be pretty good for stand hunting, too. - Easy to move around at any rate.

how about you stop trolling people and being an [censored]... You have added nothing of value to this sight

Sober up? Hmmm. I'll just leave this here.