westernslope
New member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2018
- Messages
- 14
I know that Howas are popular here. I have a mini action that I really like (even though it needs a hinged floorplate!), and I like it enough that I would like to get a Howa rifle as my first big-game rifle. I live in western Colorado, so I want something for elk, and I've kind of convinced myself that I want a 30-06. The Howa 1500 Hogue weighs more than 7.5 pounds, and with a lightweight scope (my mini has a Leupold VX-1 that weighs 11 oz) and lightweight mounts, I'd be looking at close to 8.5 lbs without ammo or a sling.
The cool hunting forums seem to be telling me that I need a lighter rifle. Other folks (like on the Chuck Hawks website) say that 8.5 lbs is just right for a 30-06 and that if I get much lighter, recoil is going to be a problem. Since I'm anticipating hunting in some pretty rough and high country, I know that weight could be an issue.
Do any of you use a standard Howa rifle (or something in this weight range) for mountain hunting? I know I could also get a lighter weight rifle in a different caliber like one of the Howa Kuiu models in 308 or 7mm-08, but there are already a ton of discussions about calibers and I don't want to start another one of those.
Thanks!
The cool hunting forums seem to be telling me that I need a lighter rifle. Other folks (like on the Chuck Hawks website) say that 8.5 lbs is just right for a 30-06 and that if I get much lighter, recoil is going to be a problem. Since I'm anticipating hunting in some pretty rough and high country, I know that weight could be an issue.
Do any of you use a standard Howa rifle (or something in this weight range) for mountain hunting? I know I could also get a lighter weight rifle in a different caliber like one of the Howa Kuiu models in 308 or 7mm-08, but there are already a ton of discussions about calibers and I don't want to start another one of those.
Thanks!