You remind me of my dad my dad was a big hunter in the 50s and 60s hunted dangerous game in Honduras in 69 and killed in plane crash i have his rcbs and mec jr that he used so blessed to have found u thanks
"But I digress" - no problems with digression, seeing you kicking back with a cigar and beer we're expecting 'talk story' time. Nothing better for slightly younger old guys like myself than to hear about a time that preceded us, it puts the world into perspective and lends a greater understanding of things. Something that is worth its weight in gold in these crazy times!
I for one really enjoy every aspect of your videos regardless weather you are smoking or not unlike what someone else had said. You are a wealth of great information and great experiences. You are a true legend in my opinion.
Great video. Old school common sense wrapped in nostalgia. Those of us that grew up walking the woods all day with a light weight .22 rifle know exactly what you are talking about. Excessive weight while in the field gets old real fast. And, your laid back common sense explanation of rifle weight when hunting tells exactly why the military wanted a lighter weight rifle and lighter ammunition. Fatigue from excessive weight is real, and even an extra pound seems to compound and seem heavier than it really is. Thank you for the video.
Really enjoyed this down to earth conversation about weight issues and how caliber, barrel length and accessory choices can help or hinder the total weight of a gun.
This is where being an Army vet has its advantages; hours and days and weeks of carrying my M16/M203 grenade launcher as a fire team leader taught me the subtle ways of changing carrying positions. Shouldering the sling, sling over the other shoulder and neck, two-handed rest, port arms, cradle carry, and more I've forgotten about. Fellow MP, 1981-1988; I was the last generation to drive the M151A2 on duty, great pic of you in uniform in your utility vehicle.
I wish folks here in Africa were as honest as the teacher who returned your lighter, my daughter gave me an engraved zippo, I absent-mindedly left it on a bench at a service station, realised not more than two minutes later but it was long gone.
I can tell you that you're the main reason I own a pre-64 Model 94 in 30-30.. Thank you for that. Had it not been for you I probably would have been out in the Virginia deer woods lugging around a nine pound Remington 700 in 30-06 with a thick barrel and a 3-9x40 scope, ignoring the fact that my shots are rarely beyond 50 yards..
Every time I shoot CMP matches using my M1, I am always impressed with those that carried the M1 as their Issued Rifle. Always enjoy time spent watching your videos and looking forward to the next one! Benny looking good ! I throughly enjoy shooting and hunting with my 1903A3.
I thought a 12 gauge 870 felt fine until I picked up a 20 gauge 870. It's like ¾ the size and probably the weight too. Just such a handy feeling firearm.
Another thoroughly enjoyable video from the guru of practical firearms. Your wisdom and insight into life in general and firearms is a fantastic thing to listen too. Thank you for your time spent making another quality video
I know he gets a lot of flack for being old fashioned nowadays, but one of Jeff Cooper's ideas was that you should be able to hold your rifle in one hand, with your arm fully extended perpendicular to the ground, elbow locked for 60 seconds without difficulty. I've always thought that idea had a lot of merit personally.
As a Jeff Cooper Generation era guy I STILL find his opinions to be accurate for the most part especially when it comes to "Big, relatively slow, bullets make bigger holes down range"! The first time I read an article he mentioned the "60 Second Rule" as regarded rifles I thought he was crazy....Until I gave it a try with my favorite hunting rifle of the time, a 1960s era .30-30 Winchester '94....And discovered he had a solid point.....I do still have problems with the scope placement when it comes to his idea of what should constitute a "Scout Rifle"....That's why they make see through scope rings....But that's just me.
@@newerest1 I don't think so. I learned to do it with my right hand/trigger finger with my .30-30 way back when BUT I did practice with my "weak hand/trigger finger" too.
I was raised on a farm in Oklahoma and my first vehicle was a 1973 International Harvester pickup but we also had an older Scout as well!!! Awesome memory. We had 188 acres and both those IH vehicles would climb a tree!!!!!
I’ve always hated light weight rifles because of excessive recoil and loss of target acquisition. I’m 6’2” and worked in the oilfield most my life so, anything under 20 lbs. is fine with me. I shoot mostly from deer blinds or, at least, don’t walk much for hunting. I love listening to this guy! He reminds me of the old ranchers I grew up working for who fought in ww2 and the Korean War.
My father in law owned a Willys Jeep. The brake fluid leaked, but they'd just use the gears as much as possible instead. We'd all climb in that thing about 6 of us and ride down rocky saddles and buzz along the blacktop for a mile or so to get to the trails. What a vehicle. Great times, thanks for showing that photo..
I have "The Rifleman" on DVD. When you watch the opening sequence on a large screen TV you can see the glint of a couple of cases as they are ejected from his carbine. Chuck Connors was a former pro athlete and could fire the carbine even faster than shown, but he was told to slow it down because the camera was having trouble catching his movements. The reason for so many shots being fired is that two different camera shots are used and spliced together to form a longer screen effect. He was using the old 5-in-1 blanks, so recoil was not an issue, but the smoke emanating from the breech and muzzle was real. The gunfire sound we hear in TV shows and movies is almost always dubbed. This is done for improved dramatic effect.
I've owned a bunch of hunting rifles and a Model 70 Featherweight is about perfect. I have a few old "bull barrel" target rifles but they sit on the bench and don't get lugged around. Great video, as always. So glad to see Benny is doing well, take care and be well!
I'm a new subscriber. I love all your advice. I had a gun shop near me Jerry's miss our talks. So this is a great substitute for him. God bless you sir and thank you for your service! Welcome Home!
What a beautiful life you have - God's mercy, a New England Fall, and a good cigar. Some terrific guns, too. You're too modest to show us your collection, but inquiring minds are curious. Thanks for sharing your lifetime of knowledge. You should think about having a shooting class. I'd drive to NH to spend a couple of days with you.
As I started watching this video I had gotten one of my rifles out to wipe down and inspect as I listened to the video play. As you picked up your bolt action Model 70 in 257 Roberts, I was delighted that I was holding my own Winchester Model 70 in 257 Roberts which I love to handload for. It gives me a five round group the size of a dime at a hundred yards. I also have a 2-7 power Leupold scope on mine which I charge out to a 4-12 power for pronghorn.
As always such great and informative information. I did watch your videos on the sling and purchased one myself 4 or 5 months ago. Excellent sling, thanks for sharing.
Working on a 1894 357 . My lifter assembly came in the mail, too tired to work on it tonight. Good video, like to listen to people that have a lot of knowledge. Thanks for sharing and tell Benny hello, he's a good dog.
You're right, just checked the rifleman opening credits, I just couldn't see any brass ejecting. My cz .233 light enough, although the 2.5×15 scope with a 56 mil objective an overkill. Think I'll exchange it for something lighter. Thanks for passing on all your knowledge! John
I feel your pain as I had to sell, thankfully to one of my two dearest friends, a 1954 "JM" 336 chambered in .35 Remington back in 2012 due to unavoidable circumstances....HOWEVER I lucked up, found, and purchased, an unfired (or even loaded) 1976 "JM" 336, also in .35 Remington, in in 2014 which will be seeing it premier in the deer fields here in South Carolina very shortly....My other closest friend is after me to sell him my current 336 as he has "Thumped....And thumped right there and then" four very nice eatin' size deer with the 1954 336 mentioned above and borrowed from it's current owner!!! He wants my '76 336 A LOT and I have promised that I would leave it to him in my will....Really!
Another great video as usual. I have the Winchester Model 70 Classic Featherweight in .243 I absolutely love this rifle, it`s nice and light, although has gained a lot of weight since I added a heavy sound moderator, Bi-pod and leather sling. Still its better than adding all this to an already-heavy rifle to start with. It`s still got quite a bit of recoil even with the extra weight, but is beautiful to shoot. I use winchester 100gr Super X powerpoint, and its nice and accurate too (more accurate than I am anyway) Keep the videos coming GunBlue, you`re an inspiration!
Love your videos. Thank you for your wisdom. I would really love to see you make a presentation on the .357 magnum in context of the rifle and hunting. God bless you.
My 308 hunting rifle/scope with laminated wood Boyds stock weights right at 9 pounds. But I find it’s manageable because it’s well balanced and because I use the cotton garand sling as you recommended in another video. Thank you for the good advice! And speaking of good advice, I found your bedding videos very helpful on that Boyds stock.
I too was a Military Policeman in 1969 and 1970 but I spent the last months of my enlistment as a Desk Sergeant and Patrol Supervisor at West Point. Thankful I never got shipped out to Vietnam which happened to most of my friends there.
"I bought this Zippo at the PX in Vietnam" Good lord
4 роки тому+4
I have my grandad zippo that my dad sent him from a px in 69 in Vietnam. My grandad had his name ingraved on it. Grandad was 3rd army under general Patton WW2. Thank you sir for your service!!
My experience mirrors much of yours. When I was in my twenties I even had a Marlin 44 Magnum that would not feed (mine was a model 1894). I also acquired a 26" glass bedded Remington 700 BDL in 7 Mag and fitted it with a muzzle brake, padded sling, and Redfield 3-9 Widefield scope. I hunted with it a couple of times before deciding I wasn't going to be making any 600 yard canyon shots. I then went lighter by acquiring a 22" Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 7 Mauser and a 22" Ruger 77 Mannlicher in 243. Desirous of something even more compact, I picked up a used Remington 600 Mohawk in 308 with an 18.5" barrel and sporting a fixed power 4X Weaver. It was with this setup that I made a 300 yard kill. That experience convinced me that a short, light, medium powered rifle with minimal glass would meet 90% or more of my needs. These days I hunt with a Remington Model 7 in 7-08. It's a bit heavier than it need be, but if I get too tired to carry it in the field, I can always strip it down for the next hunt. Right now it's over-glassed with a Bushnell 3-9x40 Trophy scope. I justify it by not needing to take along a pair of binoculars. I could remove the iron sights since I doubt they ever will be necessary, and I could shed a bit more weight if I also detached the plastic shell holder that is currently slipped onto its thin nylon sling. I'll have to give that some weighty thought.
Leading is simple. It's caused by improper bullet fit in the bore or cylinder throat, inadequate or incorrect lube, excessive velocity for the bullet alloy/hardness you're shooting, or extreme prolonged temperatures and pressures on the base of the bullet. You fix the cylinder/chamber throat and forcing cone leading by using the correct bullet size for the gun you load for. Measure the cylinder chamber throat and use a lead bullet .001" bigger than that. Always go by revolver cylinder throat diameter, not barrel or forcing cone diameter. You fix leading at the muzzle end that's caused by insufficient or improper lube by using a bullet with more lube grooves or by switching lubes to a different type. You fix leading at the mid or muzzle section that caused by high velocity by increasing the hardness of the bullet either through alloy changes or quenching changes. You fix leading caused by magnum loads that have extreme pressure and temperature by using harder bullets that have a copper gas check installed on the base to protect the lead base from melting on its way down the bore. If you use properly sized, properly lubed bullets of the correct hardness for the load's velocity and with a gas check if needed, you won't have any excessive lead fouling anywhere in the chamber or bore. Whatever you find is going to be the small amount of normal fouling that comes out very easily with a bronze brush and Hoppe's #9. If you have mechanical issues like a incorrectly aligned cylinder throat to forcing cone which deforms the bullet as it jumps, or a badly pitted bore from rust, that will cause leading no matter what you do. The deformed, shaved bullet will pass gasses by and the pitting catches lead like a cheese grater. If you have a situation where you just can't get the leading to stop for whatever reason that you're unable to easily remedy (like wildly oversized cylinder throats or bore diameter), tools like the Lewis Lead Remover work well since they pull the lead out of the rifling. Lead solvent works on more minor fouling. Peracetic acid can be used on stainless barrels/cylinders or chrome lined bores but be VERY cautious with this. VERY cautious; do a lot of your own research. Dispose of leaded peracetic acid in a tightly sealed container and don't get it on your skin. It's known as "silencer dip" to a lot of people. You can also use electrolysis to dislodge heavy fouling, and this works well for pitted bores. Some say penetrating oil like Kroil will get under lead and help remove it. I'm an ex-auto tech and penetrating oils did nothing to help me so I don't waste any money on them at all. 🤷🏻♂️
@@mannys9130 Wow thank you for the very in depth answer! I would still like to see what GunBlue490 has to say on the subject. Thanks again and i will defiantly take your advice.
Captain, I like your style. I saw this video was outside and so I went outside and I lit up my favorite San Cristobal Quintessence and a neat single malt and watched this video. I know a lot of people ask you what the best cigars are. I usually reply, "the one you like the most"😁
I love that rifle. I watched one of your earlier vids and ever since i got a few of those slings. I love em. Some at flea markets. You talk truth. Thanks for your vietnam service. 🍺🌄🇺🇸
Long ago there was an awareness of rifle weight and handling. The Winchester 1994 chambered in your old deer cartridge 30-30 is an example. Here in Germany and Austria there was the Mannlicher Schönauer Mod. 1903 with an 18“ Barrel, mine is chambered 7x57 enough for red deer and wild boar with appropiate bullets. I am sixty years old and I am hunting with the firearms and open sights or riflescopes of the grandfathers build hundred years ago. Successfully.
G'day Mr Blue, Hope you and yours are well. Just wondering if you have considered publishing your UA-cam vids as a DVD or download box set etc? The time and effort you take to produce these pearls of wisdom is greatly appreciated.
Reminds me of my very first center fire rifle. I said something about getting something more powerful then a 22lr for groundhogs to my dads friend he then told me he had a Remington 700 in 6mm Remington that he would sell me, I looked at it and thought it was a very nice rifle bull barrel laminant stock not a scratch on it looked brand new. I asked how much a box of ammo was for it he said 11 bucks I ended up buying it and I really did like it BUT! When I started buying ammo for it it was around 25 to 28 a box so I didn’t use it on groundhogs much. I did take it fox hunting one snowy day with a friend he had his ar 15 I had my boat anker and can say I didint love walking through snow drifts long distances. Years later I took it deer hunting in the mountains, I sat up on a hill with a good vantage point with my 6x25 scope until I saw other hunters down the hill so I moved into the woods where it was thick and my rifle was more handicapped then anything. After 15 years of it barely getting used I did let it go, I don’t really regret buying it but it defiantly was not what I needed for my hunting style. Live and learn or listen to someone that’s already been ther and done that. I find myself watching pretty much all your videos, and some of them multiple times. Keep up the good work!
I prefer the aesthetic proportions of the old 24" muzzleloaders and lever-actions, but I sure wouldn't want to be lugging one of them around in some of the situations you described!
I've owned two Weatherby ultra lites both weighing in less than seven pounds. Those Weatherbys stock design and pachmyr decelerator recoil pads make them very pleasant to shoot. I cherished both of them and my 257 Weatherby magnum is my favorite deer rifle. My custom built Remington 700 in 300 win mag with #2 contour Kreiger match grade barrel with custom designed muzzle brake make it very peasant to shoot also and isnt as loud as some muzzle brakes. My Winchester classic model 70 also in 300 win mag with the Boss system is manageable to shoot but it is very loud. My late uncle Gene loved his lever guns, his 32 win special and his 1873 in 44. My Dad had an interesting Zippo lighter with a Sherman tank on side of it with the Cadillac emblem on top of it. During WW2 the Cadillac plant in Detroit was producing Sherman tanks. Always enjoy your videos.
Every day I find you more like the just slightly older brother I never had. My very first personal gun purchase, my first deer rifle, both my son's first deer rifle, still residing in a favored position in my lever actions only gun safe... A Model '94 in .32 Winchester Special(obviously Pre-1964). Cost me a whopping $60.00 when my job washing dishes in the Junior High cafeteria paid a quite handsome $1.27/hr. I've got ~200 rounds of 170 grains loaded/reloaded for it. Still have my engraved Zippo lighter in working order too, although I quit smoking 50 years ago. Sometime truths are stranger than fiction!
Thanks for your excellent videos and I just love Benny he is such a treasure I hope you and your family stay safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving👍🇺🇸😍🐶
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .270, 22 in. barrel, Leupold 2-7 compact scope, light weight canvas sling and four cartridges.... 8 lb. 2 oz. I've hauled that thing up and down more mountains than I care to remember. Never once thought I was under gunned. Never once thought I needed something lighter.
A very interesting episode. I recently purchased a new Browning BLR PG Tracker Light Weight in a 300wm This particular rifle has somewhat replaced my 28 year old bolt action 308 CZ601 ZZK that I bought new back in the midd 90’s. The CZ is scoped with a cheap Tasco 3x9x40 with steel mounts with a thick leather sling. It never occurred to me that this rifle was heavy until one particular time when we were out hunting I handed my cousin my rifle when he commented on its weight. Pretty much what he said to me staying in the back of my mind ever since . The weight difference between the CZ and the BLR is pretty significant. It CZ would be at least 250 to 300 grams heavier fully loaded with 5+1in the chamber. The BLR is scoped with a new Leupold VX5/HD 1-5x24 I’m yet to pick out my new sling for it but what ever it may be it will be as light and durable as it possibly can. I think to many hunters get to romanticised with equipment that’s totally unnecessary for what they really need. Rifles with long heavy barrels and big magazine capacities and scopes with big magnifications are an unnecessary weight disadvantage if you are on foot tracking and stalking game for hours on end.
the garand slings are indeed fantastic. a lightweight 257 a wonderful thing. very fortunate to get a 250-3000 when remington was doing a nostalgic caliber from year to year.
In a watch I dont mind to have my 17lbs Remington 700 308. If I have to walk my Remington 742 30-06 is not heavy for me but It's a 2 MOA rifle. Thank sir for sharing your knowledge.
@Evan Moyer 308... I already write it! Did you ever heard of long range target shooting? 17 lbs is not heavy, my brother in law and his cousins carry 20+ lbs 6.5 CM and 260 ackley in the wood with biathlon sling. They will buy dedicated hunting rifle for next year but still want to use their pmII 40 oz scopes.
That’s why I purchased a 44 magnum Henry big boy 16.5 inch barrel open sights sling six and half lbs thirty three I.5 inches long makes a good gun for my woods brush hunting got a six point buck first day ou with it
My hunting is done in the Rocky Mountains. I do like a lighter rifle. My choice is a kimber 84L or 84M. Currently I have two. A 30-06 that’s just over 7 pounds with a heavier bushnell scope and a 6.5CM with a leupold on it that’s around 6 pounds. They’re good rifles to carry long distances, stainless, CRF (that’s a personal preference), come with fantastic adjustable trigger and very sturdy composite stock. The recoil is mild and I shoot them well.
I can relate, I bought a howa 338 Win Mag with a thumbhole stock and pencil barrel. It was too light and unbalanced so the recoil was absurdly uncomfortable. Ended up removing the factory barrel, and putting 28" Remington sendero contour 33 nosler barrel that's threaded with a break on it. Now it's heavier, but much better balance, and love shooting it.
A hunting rifle is only accurate if you can shoot it after shivering on the deer stand for 3 hours, has cold barrel first round accuracy and you can carry it all day. Love this video.
I use this analogy. Recoil can be understood from kicking a bucket. If it's a light bucket it goes flying. If it's a heavy bucket it won't. If you have a big kick you want a heavier rifle.
Burns smoked El Producto Queens. Very inexpensive, soft, spongy cigar. He smoked 10 a day, and called them "my little lady." I think they stopped producing them only a few short years ago. Anyway, I'm getting into PCP & break-barrel air guns, and I am shocked at how heavy they are. Most weigh between 8 & 10 lbs. Add a scope and if I had a choice I'd hire a gun caddy. I've learned a lot from you, and I appreciate it.
One modern things that really helps with weight is the advent of carbon wrapped barrels. At first I though it was a little overkill but after seeing how they perform and hunting elk for the last few years with a carbon barreled rifle I have become a fan. They are tough, they are light, and they are very accurate. I would never shoot at an animal at extreme ranges personally. But when I am at the range I can routinely ring steel at 1000 yds with my 300 win mag. But I try to keep my hunting shots under 400 yds and 300 is even better.
still hunting i like lightweight stand hunting i tend to go heavy the old remington 600 and 660 fit in good for both roles with a lightweight low power scope
I did see brass being ejected In the beginning of the show. And he did say in one episode it was a 44-40. Maybe they dubbed the sound. It's been said they used 5 in 1 blanks.
I have had a couple of younger hunters look funny at me when in the woods of New Hampshire hunting, I only carry 3 rounds in my 30-30 Marlin. 1 in the chamber, 2 in the tube. (a couple more in my pocket)
LOL. In 1967 I was more interested in girls than guns! The method you speak of was instituted by the Army, and I remember it quite well, though I had been doing it with my Daisy since I was a squirt. The soldier was trained how to shoot a Daisy BB gun instinctively by looking over the barrel, not at the sights. Each of us were paired with another individual; one being the shooter, the other the thrower. The shooter shouldered his gun at a 45 degree angle towards the sky with his face off the stock. First, each person was shown that he could see the BB just like a tracer. The thrower tossed a 3" steel disk about 12 feet into the air. The shooter was instructed to look only at the TOP of the disk and fire, gazing parallel to the barrel. After the shooter could hit the disk consistently, a smaller one half that size was substituted. Then we shot the BB guns at a row of knock-down gallery silhouettes the same way. My Dad taught me how to shoot a swinging yo-yo this way when I was 8 years old, and I shot flies around our garbage can and frogs with my 22 doing the same thing, so this was old hat for me and quite a few other guys who knew their way around their Christmas Daisy. I remember the only difference was we were issued safety glasses so we wouldn't shoot our eyes out (didn't as a kid!). Of course, the point was to learn how to shoot instinctively in a jungle environment, so we then followed up with instinctive shooting using our M-16 on silhouettes that popped up from 5 to 50 meters. It was a huge confidence builder for the soldier. I don't know if the Marines employed the training system. For obvious reasons, it does not insure exactness in marksmanship, so it shouldn't be used deer hunting where a clean kill is desired.
My father had problems carrying his Rem Model 740 30-06 rifle after fighting cancer. He switched to a Ruger 44 mag carbine with a 1-4X scope and saved a couple pounds. He harvested 2 bucks in his last 5 years with the Ruger which weighed about 7.5 pounds. A sling is needed on the lightweight lever actions when dragging a deer. Remington in the 1980s started making heavier guns with heavier barrels to cut costs compared to those same models made in the 1960s. Ruger is also a company that does not consider rifle weight and makes too heavy rifles IMO. I agree with much you have to say about weight. Hunting in the Adirondacks for deer with drives and still hunting means you carry more than shoot. The rifle weight adds up by the end of the day and the week when you are putting on miles every day. Both methods are lost arts. A heavy gun is more noticeable in your 60s than in your 20s. The rifle industry makes few rifles geared to this method of hunting. I haven't purchased a hunting rifle in decades because nothing appeals to me. The industry has lost contact with the traditional consumer. I gave up hoping Ruger would bring back the lightweight 44 Mag carbine with a clip magazine and chambered for short lightweight cartridges like a 243. The Win Model 100 had problems but was a great gun. The Rem Model 7 carbine in 243 was another good gun. Light weight is not valued by the gun industry these days.
You remind me of my dad my dad was a big hunter in the 50s and 60s hunted dangerous game in Honduras in 69 and killed in plane crash i have his rcbs and mec jr that he used so blessed to have found u thanks
"But I digress" - no problems with digression, seeing you kicking back with a cigar and beer we're expecting 'talk story' time. Nothing better for slightly younger old guys like myself than to hear about a time that preceded us, it puts the world into perspective and lends a greater understanding of things. Something that is worth its weight in gold in these crazy times!
No thrills, just common sens. This man is a well knowledge. Each time I see one of his video, I learn something. Thanks alot sir.
I for one really enjoy every aspect of your videos regardless weather you are smoking or not unlike what someone else had said. You are a wealth of great information and great experiences. You are a true legend in my opinion.
A Ledgen
...says it all....to describe him
Legend...if I was only paying attention in school....lol
Great video. Old school common sense wrapped in nostalgia. Those of us that grew up walking the woods all day with a light weight .22 rifle know exactly what you are talking about. Excessive weight while in the field gets old real fast. And, your laid back common sense explanation of rifle weight when hunting tells exactly why the military wanted a lighter weight rifle and lighter ammunition. Fatigue from excessive weight is real, and even an extra pound seems to compound and seem heavier than it really is. Thank you for the video.
Really enjoyed this down to earth conversation about weight issues and how caliber, barrel length and accessory choices can help or hinder the total weight of a gun.
Smashed the watch button immediately! Always informative.
This is where being an Army vet has its advantages; hours and days and weeks of carrying my M16/M203 grenade launcher as a fire team leader taught me the subtle ways of changing carrying positions. Shouldering the sling, sling over the other shoulder and neck, two-handed rest, port arms, cradle carry, and more I've forgotten about.
Fellow MP, 1981-1988; I was the last generation to drive the M151A2 on duty, great pic of you in uniform in your utility vehicle.
“Laughs in m249” lol
Fantastic, smooth tones, smooth cigar and sound advice.
That's a fine pair of Winchesters you have there! Good luck this deer season, and thank you for your time and knowledge!
Bought my Zippo at Ft. Sam Houston in 1971 during medic training. Still have it :-)
I wish folks here in Africa were as honest as the teacher who returned your lighter, my daughter gave me an engraved zippo, I absent-mindedly left it on a bench at a service station, realised not more than two minutes later but it was long gone.
I can tell you that you're the main reason I own a pre-64 Model 94 in 30-30.. Thank you for that. Had it not been for you I probably would have been out in the Virginia deer woods lugging around a nine pound Remington 700 in 30-06 with a thick barrel and a 3-9x40 scope, ignoring the fact that my shots are rarely beyond 50 yards..
Thank you and have a great season.
Thank you for talking to us. Your wisdom is appreciated.
Every time I shoot CMP matches using my M1, I am always impressed with those that carried the M1 as their Issued Rifle. Always enjoy time spent watching your videos and looking forward to the next one! Benny looking good ! I throughly enjoy shooting and hunting with my 1903A3.
They came home with pretty well developed biceps, too!
I thought a 12 gauge 870 felt fine until I picked up a 20 gauge 870. It's like ¾ the size and probably the weight too. Just such a handy feeling firearm.
Thank you old buddy. I love sitting in front of a fire with a whiskey and listen to you discuss some of my favorite topics. God bless you as well.
A dog,a beer,a cigar and a man talking about guns! Perfect!👍
Thank you for your service to our country, sir! Love your videos, and the knowledge you bring.
The Rifleman is now on UA-cam. I’ve been binge watching. I love it.
Thank you, sir, for your informative videos and for your service to our country. Happy Veterans Day!
Another thoroughly enjoyable video from the guru of practical firearms.
Your wisdom and insight into life in general and firearms is a fantastic thing to listen too.
Thank you for your time spent making another quality video
I know he gets a lot of flack for being old fashioned nowadays, but one of Jeff Cooper's ideas was that you should be able to hold your rifle in one hand, with your arm fully extended perpendicular to the ground, elbow locked for 60 seconds without difficulty. I've always thought that idea had a lot of merit personally.
As a Jeff Cooper Generation era guy I STILL find his opinions to be accurate for the most part especially when it comes to "Big, relatively slow, bullets make bigger holes down range"! The first time I read an article he mentioned the "60 Second Rule" as regarded rifles I thought he was crazy....Until I gave it a try with my favorite hunting rifle of the time, a 1960s era .30-30 Winchester '94....And discovered he had a solid point.....I do still have problems with the scope placement when it comes to his idea of what should constitute a "Scout Rifle"....That's why they make see through scope rings....But that's just me.
is he talking about the support hand ?
@@newerest1 I don't think so. I learned to do it with my right hand/trigger finger with my .30-30 way back when BUT I did practice with my "weak hand/trigger finger" too.
That's crazy, I can barely do that with a large slice of pizza with 3 toppings.
Hold it out to the side or in front of you?
I was raised on a farm in Oklahoma and my first vehicle was a 1973 International Harvester pickup but we also had an older Scout as well!!! Awesome memory. We had 188 acres and both those IH vehicles would climb a tree!!!!!
Another beautiful video without the hype, but full of good knowledge and experience...simply the best gun channel on UA-cam 👍God bless
I’ve always hated light weight rifles because of excessive recoil and loss of target acquisition. I’m 6’2” and worked in the oilfield most my life so, anything under 20 lbs. is fine with me. I shoot mostly from deer blinds or, at least, don’t walk much for hunting. I love listening to this guy! He reminds me of the old ranchers I grew up working for who fought in ww2 and the Korean War.
My father in law owned a Willys Jeep. The brake fluid leaked, but they'd just use the gears as much as possible instead. We'd all climb in that thing about 6 of us and ride down rocky saddles and buzz along the blacktop for a mile or so to get to the trails. What a vehicle. Great times, thanks for showing that photo..
The Rifleman. 17 rounds with no reload and no empties flying over his shoulder. Movie magic!!
I have "The Rifleman" on DVD. When you watch the opening sequence on a large screen TV you can see the glint of a couple of cases as they are ejected from his carbine. Chuck Connors was a former pro athlete and could fire the carbine even faster than shown, but he was told to slow it down because the camera was having trouble catching his movements. The reason for so many shots being fired is that two different camera shots are used and spliced together to form a longer screen effect. He was using the old 5-in-1 blanks, so recoil was not an issue, but the smoke emanating from the breech and muzzle was real. The gunfire sound we hear in TV shows and movies is almost always dubbed. This is done for improved dramatic effect.
Take a look closely in the beginning of the show and you will I believe, see brass Fly out of the receiver 3 or 4" high.
@@Paladin1873 You're absolutely right on.
I've owned a bunch of hunting rifles and a Model 70 Featherweight is about perfect. I have a few old "bull barrel" target rifles but they sit on the bench and don't get lugged around. Great video, as always. So glad to see Benny is doing well, take care and be well!
I'm a new subscriber. I love all your advice. I had a gun shop near me Jerry's miss our talks. So this is a great substitute for him. God bless you sir and thank you for your service! Welcome Home!
What a beautiful life you have - God's mercy, a New England Fall, and a good cigar. Some terrific guns, too. You're too modest to show us your collection, but inquiring minds are curious. Thanks for sharing your lifetime of knowledge. You should think about having a shooting class. I'd drive to NH to spend a couple of days with you.
He lives in NH? Damn I want to meet him
Thank you for another informative, kind & practical video. Brought me smiles along the way.
As I started watching this video I had gotten one of my rifles out to wipe down and inspect as I listened to the video play. As you picked up your bolt action Model 70 in 257 Roberts, I was delighted that I was holding my own Winchester Model 70 in 257 Roberts which I love to handload for. It gives me a five round group the size of a dime at a hundred yards. I also have a 2-7 power Leupold scope on mine which I charge out to a 4-12 power for pronghorn.
As always such great and informative information. I did watch your videos on the sling and purchased one myself 4 or 5 months ago. Excellent sling, thanks for sharing.
Where did u find that sling I’ve been having a hard time locating them
@@cizzle1581 Amazon is where I got mine.
Benny is looking good.
I finally catch one of your videos the same day and in fact just 32 minutes after its posting and already 106 likes and 21 notes.
Working on a 1894 357 .
My lifter assembly came in the mail, too tired to work on it tonight.
Good video, like to listen to people that have a lot of knowledge. Thanks for sharing and tell Benny hello, he's a good dog.
You're right, just checked the rifleman opening credits, I just couldn't see any brass ejecting. My cz .233 light enough, although the 2.5×15 scope with a 56 mil objective an overkill. Think I'll exchange it for something lighter. Thanks for passing on all your knowledge!
John
I had to sell my 1953 336... couldn't avoid it at the time, a piece of history that slipped through my fingers.
I'm sorry for your loss
I feel your pain as I had to sell, thankfully to one of my two dearest friends, a 1954 "JM" 336 chambered in .35 Remington back in 2012 due to unavoidable circumstances....HOWEVER I lucked up, found, and purchased, an unfired (or even loaded) 1976 "JM" 336, also in .35 Remington, in in 2014 which will be seeing it premier in the deer fields here in South Carolina very shortly....My other closest friend is after me to sell him my current 336 as he has "Thumped....And thumped right there and then" four very nice eatin' size deer with the 1954 336 mentioned above and borrowed from it's current owner!!! He wants my '76 336 A LOT and I have promised that I would leave it to him in my will....Really!
Another great video as usual. I have the Winchester Model 70 Classic Featherweight in .243 I absolutely love this rifle, it`s nice and light, although has gained a lot of weight since I added a heavy sound moderator, Bi-pod and leather sling. Still its better than adding all this to an already-heavy rifle to start with. It`s still got quite a bit of recoil even with the extra weight, but is beautiful to shoot. I use winchester 100gr Super X powerpoint, and its nice and accurate too (more accurate than I am anyway) Keep the videos coming GunBlue, you`re an inspiration!
Great points I'm getting up there and it's something I do worry about but I like being out in the woods.
Love your videos. Thank you for your wisdom. I would really love to see you make a presentation on the .357 magnum in context of the rifle and hunting. God bless you.
Northern NH has good bucks and very thick woods. Love your videos
My 308 hunting rifle/scope with laminated wood Boyds stock weights right at 9 pounds. But I find it’s manageable because it’s well balanced and because I use the cotton garand sling as you recommended in another video. Thank you for the good advice!
And speaking of good advice, I found your bedding videos very helpful on that Boyds stock.
Love your analysis of the bolt holes,,, amount of the drill weight,
Terrific. Thanks.
I too was a Military Policeman in 1969 and 1970 but I spent the last months of my enlistment as a Desk Sergeant and Patrol Supervisor at West Point. Thankful I never got shipped out to Vietnam which happened to most of my friends there.
Have a happy Veteran's Day, and thank you for your service!
@@GunBlue490 I have a Marlin model 60 if left loaded 12 hrs or so round in chamber wont fire eject to next round works fine , any suggestions ?
I’m a big fan of your channel. I Really enjoy listening to all your insights and experiences with firearms.
"I bought this Zippo at the PX in Vietnam" Good lord
I have my grandad zippo that my dad sent him from a px in 69 in Vietnam. My grandad had his name ingraved on it. Grandad was 3rd army under general Patton WW2. Thank you sir for your service!!
My experience mirrors much of yours. When I was in my twenties I even had a Marlin 44 Magnum that would not feed (mine was a model 1894). I also acquired a 26" glass bedded Remington 700 BDL in 7 Mag and fitted it with a muzzle brake, padded sling, and Redfield 3-9 Widefield scope. I hunted with it a couple of times before deciding I wasn't going to be making any 600 yard canyon shots. I then went lighter by acquiring a 22" Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 7 Mauser and a 22" Ruger 77 Mannlicher in 243. Desirous of something even more compact, I picked up a used Remington 600 Mohawk in 308 with an 18.5" barrel and sporting a fixed power 4X Weaver. It was with this setup that I made a 300 yard kill. That experience convinced me that a short, light, medium powered rifle with minimal glass would meet 90% or more of my needs. These days I hunt with a Remington Model 7 in 7-08. It's a bit heavier than it need be, but if I get too tired to carry it in the field, I can always strip it down for the next hunt. Right now it's over-glassed with a Bushnell 3-9x40 Trophy scope. I justify it by not needing to take along a pair of binoculars. I could remove the iron sights since I doubt they ever will be necessary, and I could shed a bit more weight if I also detached the plastic shell holder that is currently slipped onto its thin nylon sling. I'll have to give that some weighty thought.
Thank's for sharing that bit about Cu Chi! Your videos are thoughtful and extremely pragmatic. I
Great video! Can you please do a video on leading? How it happens, how to get rid of it, and how to prevent it from happening? Thank you!
Leading is simple. It's caused by improper bullet fit in the bore or cylinder throat, inadequate or incorrect lube, excessive velocity for the bullet alloy/hardness you're shooting, or extreme prolonged temperatures and pressures on the base of the bullet. You fix the cylinder/chamber throat and forcing cone leading by using the correct bullet size for the gun you load for. Measure the cylinder chamber throat and use a lead bullet .001" bigger than that. Always go by revolver cylinder throat diameter, not barrel or forcing cone diameter. You fix leading at the muzzle end that's caused by insufficient or improper lube by using a bullet with more lube grooves or by switching lubes to a different type. You fix leading at the mid or muzzle section that caused by high velocity by increasing the hardness of the bullet either through alloy changes or quenching changes. You fix leading caused by magnum loads that have extreme pressure and temperature by using harder bullets that have a copper gas check installed on the base to protect the lead base from melting on its way down the bore. If you use properly sized, properly lubed bullets of the correct hardness for the load's velocity and with a gas check if needed, you won't have any excessive lead fouling anywhere in the chamber or bore. Whatever you find is going to be the small amount of normal fouling that comes out very easily with a bronze brush and Hoppe's #9. If you have mechanical issues like a incorrectly aligned cylinder throat to forcing cone which deforms the bullet as it jumps, or a badly pitted bore from rust, that will cause leading no matter what you do. The deformed, shaved bullet will pass gasses by and the pitting catches lead like a cheese grater. If you have a situation where you just can't get the leading to stop for whatever reason that you're unable to easily remedy (like wildly oversized cylinder throats or bore diameter), tools like the Lewis Lead Remover work well since they pull the lead out of the rifling. Lead solvent works on more minor fouling. Peracetic acid can be used on stainless barrels/cylinders or chrome lined bores but be VERY cautious with this. VERY cautious; do a lot of your own research. Dispose of leaded peracetic acid in a tightly sealed container and don't get it on your skin. It's known as "silencer dip" to a lot of people. You can also use electrolysis to dislodge heavy fouling, and this works well for pitted bores. Some say penetrating oil like Kroil will get under lead and help remove it. I'm an ex-auto tech and penetrating oils did nothing to help me so I don't waste any money on them at all. 🤷🏻♂️
@@mannys9130 Wow thank you for the very in depth answer! I would still like to see what GunBlue490 has to say on the subject. Thanks again and i will defiantly take your advice.
The Browning BLR light is made for the walking man. I have one in 7mm-08 for deer. Vary fine shooting rifle.
I have my grandfather’s 32 Special of the same vintage definitely a favorite to shoot.
Really enjoy your videos. Thank you!
Captain, I like your style. I saw this video was outside and so I went outside and I lit up my favorite San Cristobal Quintessence and a neat single malt and watched this video. I know a lot of people ask you what the best cigars are. I usually reply, "the one you like the most"😁
I like these videos before I even watch them. Never one missed or partially watched
I love that rifle. I watched one of your earlier vids and ever since i got a few of those slings. I love em. Some at flea markets. You talk truth. Thanks for your vietnam service. 🍺🌄🇺🇸
Long ago there was an awareness of rifle weight and handling. The Winchester 1994 chambered in your old deer cartridge 30-30 is an example. Here in Germany and Austria there was the Mannlicher Schönauer Mod. 1903 with an 18“ Barrel, mine is chambered 7x57 enough for red deer and wild boar with appropiate bullets. I am sixty years old and I am hunting with the firearms and open sights or riflescopes of the grandfathers build hundred years ago. Successfully.
G'day Mr Blue,
Hope you and yours are well. Just wondering if you have considered publishing your UA-cam vids as a DVD or download box set etc?
The time and effort you take to produce these pearls of wisdom is greatly appreciated.
Reminds me of my very first center fire rifle. I said something about getting something more powerful then a 22lr for groundhogs to my dads friend he then told me he had a Remington 700 in 6mm Remington that he would sell me, I looked at it and thought it was a very nice rifle bull barrel laminant stock not a scratch on it looked brand new. I asked how much a box of ammo was for it he said 11 bucks I ended up buying it and I really did like it BUT! When I started buying ammo for it it was around 25 to 28 a box so I didn’t use it on groundhogs much. I did take it fox hunting one snowy day with a friend he had his ar 15 I had my boat anker and can say I didint love walking through snow drifts long distances. Years later I took it deer hunting in the mountains, I sat up on a hill with a good vantage point with my 6x25 scope until I saw other hunters down the hill so I moved into the woods where it was thick and my rifle was more handicapped then anything. After 15 years of it barely getting used I did let it go, I don’t really regret buying it but it defiantly was not what I needed for my hunting style. Live and learn or listen to someone that’s already been ther and done that. I find myself watching pretty much all your videos, and some of them multiple times. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge🥰🤗
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Thanks for your videos and thanks for your service!
I prefer the aesthetic proportions of the old 24" muzzleloaders and lever-actions, but I sure wouldn't want to be lugging one of them around in some of the situations you described!
Great topic.
As always, speaking as a 24 year old novice hunter from the U.K. - a very informative video, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic
I gifted my Dad that same Model 70 in .257 Roberts.its really the ticket for a guy who's 83.
I use a Remington 81 in 300 Savage, not light, but a super cool and very accurate rifle. Montana slings make it a sweet package.
I've owned two Weatherby ultra lites both weighing in less than seven pounds. Those Weatherbys stock design and pachmyr decelerator recoil pads make them very pleasant to shoot. I cherished both of them and my 257 Weatherby magnum is my favorite deer rifle. My custom built Remington 700 in 300 win mag with #2 contour Kreiger match grade barrel with custom designed muzzle brake make it very peasant to shoot also and isnt as loud as some muzzle brakes. My Winchester classic model 70 also in 300 win mag with the Boss system is manageable to shoot but it is very loud. My late uncle Gene loved his lever guns, his 32 win special and his 1873 in 44. My Dad had an interesting Zippo lighter with a Sherman tank on side of it with the Cadillac emblem on top of it. During WW2 the Cadillac plant in Detroit was producing Sherman tanks. Always enjoy your videos.
Every day I find you more like the just slightly older brother I never had. My very first personal gun purchase, my first deer rifle, both my son's first deer rifle, still residing in a favored position in my lever actions only gun safe... A Model '94 in .32 Winchester Special(obviously Pre-1964). Cost me a whopping $60.00 when my job washing dishes in the Junior High cafeteria paid a quite handsome $1.27/hr. I've got ~200 rounds of 170 grains loaded/reloaded for it. Still have my engraved Zippo lighter in working order too, although I quit smoking 50 years ago. Sometime truths are stranger than fiction!
Thanks for your excellent videos and I just love Benny he is such a treasure I hope you and your family stay safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving👍🇺🇸😍🐶
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .270, 22 in. barrel, Leupold 2-7 compact scope, light weight canvas sling and four cartridges.... 8 lb. 2 oz. I've hauled that thing up and down more mountains than I care to remember. Never once thought I was under gunned. Never once thought I needed something lighter.
Thanks for that 5x zoom info! Good to see you again. Thanks from Texas.
A very interesting episode.
I recently purchased a new Browning BLR PG Tracker Light Weight in a 300wm
This particular rifle has somewhat replaced my 28 year old bolt action 308 CZ601 ZZK that I bought new back in the midd 90’s.
The CZ is scoped with a cheap Tasco 3x9x40 with steel mounts with a thick leather sling.
It never occurred to me that this rifle was heavy until one particular time when we were out hunting I handed my cousin my rifle when he commented on its weight.
Pretty much what he said to me staying in the back of my mind ever since .
The weight difference between the CZ and the BLR is pretty significant.
It CZ would be at least 250 to 300 grams heavier fully loaded with 5+1in the chamber.
The BLR is scoped with a new Leupold VX5/HD 1-5x24
I’m yet to pick out my new sling for it but what ever it may be it will be as light and durable as it possibly can.
I think to many hunters get to romanticised with equipment that’s totally unnecessary for what they really need.
Rifles with long heavy barrels and big magazine capacities and scopes with big magnifications are an unnecessary weight disadvantage if you are on foot tracking and stalking game for hours on end.
Good stuff. My favorite rifle is heavy - a Springfield M1A.
the garand slings are indeed fantastic. a lightweight 257 a wonderful thing. very fortunate to get a 250-3000 when remington was doing a nostalgic caliber from year to year.
In a watch I dont mind to have my 17lbs Remington 700 308. If I have to walk my Remington 742 30-06 is not heavy for me but It's a 2 MOA rifle. Thank sir for sharing your knowledge.
@Evan Moyer 308... I already write it! Did you ever heard of long range target shooting? 17 lbs is not heavy, my brother in law and his cousins carry 20+ lbs 6.5 CM and 260 ackley in the wood with biathlon sling. They will buy dedicated hunting rifle for next year but still want to use their pmII 40 oz scopes.
I like your Siding !
That was your best digress so far.
That’s why I purchased a 44 magnum Henry big boy 16.5 inch barrel open sights sling six and half lbs thirty three I.5 inches long makes a good gun for my woods brush hunting got a six point buck first day ou with it
My hunting is done in the Rocky Mountains. I do like a lighter rifle. My choice is a kimber 84L or 84M. Currently I have two. A 30-06 that’s just over 7 pounds with a heavier bushnell scope and a 6.5CM with a leupold on it that’s around 6 pounds. They’re good rifles to carry long distances, stainless, CRF (that’s a personal preference), come with fantastic adjustable trigger and very sturdy composite stock. The recoil is mild and I shoot them well.
I can relate, I bought a howa 338 Win Mag with a thumbhole stock and pencil barrel. It was too light and unbalanced so the recoil was absurdly uncomfortable. Ended up removing the factory barrel, and putting 28" Remington sendero contour 33 nosler barrel that's threaded with a break on it. Now it's heavier, but much better balance, and love shooting it.
I have one of those 336 cowboy rifles. I read they had feeding issues but mine is pretty solid for the last couple decades at least.
Love it - Cheers from New Zealand
A hunting rifle is only accurate if you can shoot it after shivering on the deer stand for 3 hours, has cold barrel first round accuracy and you can carry it all day. Love this video.
I use this analogy. Recoil can be understood from kicking a bucket. If it's a light bucket it goes flying. If it's a heavy bucket it won't. If you have a big kick you want a heavier rifle.
Yes, but simple analogous references don't solve the problem of carrying a gun over a hill at 7,000 feet ASL all day.
Would enjoy hearing your discussion on level action calibers or black bear cartridges.
Burns smoked El Producto Queens. Very inexpensive, soft, spongy cigar. He smoked 10 a day, and called them "my little lady." I think they stopped producing them only a few short years ago.
Anyway, I'm getting into PCP & break-barrel air guns, and I am shocked at how heavy they are. Most weigh between 8 & 10 lbs. Add a scope and if I had a choice I'd hire a gun caddy.
I've learned a lot from you, and I appreciate it.
Really enjoyed all your videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
God bless...
One modern things that really helps with weight is the advent of carbon wrapped barrels. At first I though it was a little overkill but after seeing how they perform and hunting elk for the last few years with a carbon barreled rifle I have become a fan. They are tough, they are light, and they are very accurate. I would never shoot at an animal at extreme ranges personally. But when I am at the range I can routinely ring steel at 1000 yds with my 300 win mag. But I try to keep my hunting shots under 400 yds and 300 is even better.
still hunting i like lightweight stand hunting i tend to go heavy the old remington 600 and 660 fit in good for both roles with a lightweight low power scope
I did see brass being ejected In the beginning of the show. And he did say in one episode it was a 44-40. Maybe they dubbed the sound. It's been said they used 5 in 1 blanks.
I went with the Tikka T3x lite in 7mm08. I like the weight.
I just treated myself to a Big Horn Armory's Model 89 chambered in 500 S&W with 22" barrel. It's 8lbs without ammo.
I have had a couple of younger hunters look funny at me when in the woods of New Hampshire hunting, I only carry 3 rounds in my 30-30 Marlin. 1 in the chamber, 2 in the tube. (a couple more in my pocket)
That's all you need. One to kill the deer, and two to signal your buddies!
Chuck Connors was actually a pretty good rifleman in real life , loved the show , good wholesome program
Great pro baseball and basketball player, too.
Hi.
Could you explain to us the "quick kill" method from 1967 ?
I`m learning a lot from you.
Thanks for your time.
LOL. In 1967 I was more interested in girls than guns! The method you speak of was instituted by the Army, and I remember it quite well, though I had been doing it with my Daisy since I was a squirt. The soldier was trained how to shoot a Daisy BB gun instinctively by looking over the barrel, not at the sights. Each of us were paired with another individual; one being the shooter, the other the thrower. The shooter shouldered his gun at a 45 degree angle towards the sky with his face off the stock. First, each person was shown that he could see the BB just like a tracer. The thrower tossed a 3" steel disk about 12 feet into the air. The shooter was instructed to look only at the TOP of the disk and fire, gazing parallel to the barrel. After the shooter could hit the disk consistently, a smaller one half that size was substituted. Then we shot the BB guns at a row of knock-down gallery silhouettes the same way. My Dad taught me how to shoot a swinging yo-yo this way when I was 8 years old, and I shot flies around our garbage can and frogs with my 22 doing the same thing, so this was old hat for me and quite a few other guys who knew their way around their Christmas Daisy. I remember the only difference was we were issued safety glasses so we wouldn't shoot our eyes out (didn't as a kid!). Of course, the point was to learn how to shoot instinctively in a jungle environment, so we then followed up with instinctive shooting using our M-16 on silhouettes that popped up from 5 to 50 meters. It was a huge confidence builder for the soldier. I don't know if the Marines employed the training system. For obvious reasons, it does not insure exactness in marksmanship, so it shouldn't be used deer hunting where a clean kill is desired.
I like to sit back and enjoy your videos, I looked for the sling one you mentioned but could not find it. Can you post a link?
Check out the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) store website. They have them for $10.45 right now.
Do your own internet search for 'garand cotton sling'. You'll get plenty of choices.
My home state NH I love it here
My father had problems carrying his Rem Model 740 30-06 rifle after fighting cancer. He switched to a Ruger 44 mag carbine with a 1-4X scope and saved a couple pounds. He harvested 2 bucks in his last 5 years with the Ruger which weighed about 7.5 pounds. A sling is needed on the lightweight lever actions when dragging a deer. Remington in the 1980s started making heavier guns with heavier barrels to cut costs compared to those same models made in the 1960s. Ruger is also a company that does not consider rifle weight and makes too heavy rifles IMO. I agree with much you have to say about weight. Hunting in the Adirondacks for deer with drives and still hunting means you carry more than shoot. The rifle weight adds up by the end of the day and the week when you are putting on miles every day. Both methods are lost arts. A heavy gun is more noticeable in your 60s than in your 20s. The rifle industry makes few rifles geared to this method of hunting. I haven't purchased a hunting rifle in decades because nothing appeals to me. The industry has lost contact with the traditional consumer. I gave up hoping Ruger would bring back the lightweight 44 Mag carbine with a clip magazine and chambered for short lightweight cartridges like a 243. The Win Model 100 had problems but was a great gun. The Rem Model 7 carbine in 243 was another good gun. Light weight is not valued by the gun industry these days.