I have a Bergara B14 HMR in 22-250 with a Burris Rt-6 scope that weights 12.3 pounds without ammo or strap or bipod.... I need to take some of the weight away for hunting. I do coyote stands in NM and usually trek about half to three quarters of a mile from my vehicle to call. It gets heavy for a 77 year old man. I thought about starting to work out to gain strength to carry it, but said "F" that. Do you guys have any ideas that won't break the bank? Thanks,

What does the stock weigh by itself?

There are options that at 26 ounces. But they are more than $600

Some barrels can lose a full pound by fluting them. That's $150-ish.

Aluminum base and aluminum rings.

I've researched ultralite bipods. They are in excess of $350.

A trick I learned from an Army Sniper that had to carry a Barrett .50. Put the rifle over your shoulder like a shovel handle. Butt facing your direction of travel. Get the rifle balanced, and walk with one hand on the top of the comb of the stock.

I would start over with a lighter rifle. That thing isn’t meant to be a walk-around varmint gun.

This.

The Bergara HMR is a great rifle....but it is not a hiking rifle by any means! You could chop the barrel shorter, flute it, and buy a lighter weight stock...or...you could probably buy a new, lighter weight rifle for the same $ that you would spend on lightning that one.

Tikka T-3 Lite

Free float the barrel, turn the trigger down to 1.5 pounds, and run it!

Thank you for the info. Looks like I'm going shopping.

If you think 8 lbs-14 oz. will work, get a Tikka T-3 lite and put it in a B &C Medalist stock with bottom metal from High Desert Rifle Works. This is the weight of mine set up this way, including a Burris Signature HD 3-15 x 44, 1" tube, five round magazine, ammo and sling.

I have three Tikkas, two in factory stocks and this one. They all shoot great, but the T3 mentioned above was one I wanted to upgrade to make it into something special to keep forever so I dropped some coin on it. The stock, after I spent just a little bit of time on the barrel channel for float, fit great with the bottom metal I ordered from High Desert Rifle Works. I ordered the stock in Desert Tan with Black webbing. With the bottom METAL and aluminum bedding block stock, I was able to torque the action tighter. You'll want to lighten the trigger anyway so do that while you're changing the stock. The five round magazine is a factory upgrade I ordered from Tikka. Do this and you have an extra mag with three rounds of ammo you can carry in your pocket.

There are lighter scopes, so you could get below the weight of mine on scope selection. I also have Warne rings, not light weight. If you go this route, get back with me if you have questions. There is a very easy way to open up the barrel channel in a custom way without scratching your barrel as you sand. All in on the rifle, stock, bottom metal and original replacement magazine I'm right $1,000.00. You can sell the original stock for $50.00 pretty easily.

Since I'm 73, you're old enough to be my big brother.

I few years ago I realized that life is too short to chase down modifications trying to make a rifle something it is not. Go shopping and find a nice lightweight rifle. It is up to you to decide to sell your current rifle or not.

Tang safety Ruger Ultralight. Leupold scope.

Easy button.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Tikka-T3x-Lite-Stainless-22-250-Rem-224-1-8-Rifle-JRTXB314R8.aspx

Buying a rifle that weighs less produces better results and is more cost-effective than trying to take weight off of your existing rifle. I ran into this problem about 30 years ago with a motorcycle. I spent more on the motorcycle taking weight off of it then I did buying the bike in the first place.

This is a deal considering the barrel is worth almost $1k by itself.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-110-ultralite-bolt-action-centerfire-rifle

And it still won't cycle properly.

this

Not only is Buzz now in the camp, he’s making others koolaid

I see a Kool Aid Stand in the future, where "Kool Aid" is sold.

Did we tell him for 10 years before he accepted it?

Well, I took the advice and have a Tikka T3x lite, the Burris XTR II 3-15 x 50, 20 moa base, and a Sandman L suppressor has arrived. Who is a good gunsmith near Commerce to cut the barrel and thread the TiKKa for the suppressor? As usual, thanks.