I need a lighter rifle

[Stoner creek]

Or a more comfortable blind? This one is fully insulated, has a propane heater and a camo drop cloth to cover the entrance.
While sitting there, I had a black bear stand up in front and look down the muzzle of my .69. It's 104 yards to the bush line
out in front. 125yds to the left hand corner.
Did I mention it is planted in oats?

 That’s really good!! Might be a little too close for a fellow my size. I might get a little claustrophobic. Not to mention all of the engineering it would take me to go do a number one!!
 I love hunting blinds!

[Bob Gerard]

"Bunker Hunting" 

[Steeltrap]

Do you rent that out by the day when you don’t use it??b🤣🤣🤣👍

[Daryl]

I first saw the bear after I walked out the back door to have a leak. After returning to the blind, he walked out in front. I was told not to shoot him, as Quinn's M-I-Law wanted him for
her Christmas cooking. A week after I was there, Quinn's F-I-Law shot it - 5 gallon pail full of fat for rendering. He was a fat one and jiggled when he walked.

[Daryl]

Who were you thinking of, Daniel? Just curious?

[Tommy Bruce]

I built my son's first rifle using a 38" B wieght .50 cal barrel.  It made for a nice light piece and there will be a noticeable difference between it and the .40 caliber barrel.  I'd have to check it on the scale but I think it weighs around 7 pounds.

[Ridgerun]

I am currently working on a Chambers Little Feller rifle in .50 caliber….34 inch swamped barrel….i am hoping it comes in at about 6 1/2 pounds….an option…i am 73…

[TDM]

Already mentioned, but a .54 Woodsrunner or a nice .62/20 Trade Gun. Just depends on how far you want to shoot.

[Jerry]

Wow! Daryl. Now that’s a set up. Jerry

[Daryl]

Quinn called it "the old man blind".

[Craig Wilcox]

Poor Daryl has to rough it - no bartender, or blond singer sitting in the corner.  And no flush toilet!

As for the OP, I was thinking of some Helium balloons tied to muzzle and butt on that lovely southpaw shootin' iron!  It is a very good-looking rifle; it'd be a shame to cut anything off.  A weather balloon can lift 5 lb. easily!

Like the OP, I've got some spinal problems as a result of some silly war back in '66.  About 12 "procedures", and lots of scars.  And now that danged Agent Orange is pestering my neck bones.  Got some kind of surgery on for Jan. 6th.  Then they are going to talk about new hips...

Surprised me that the Doc actually goes in through the front of the neck; I'd figured, well, those soup bones are just under the skin in the back, it'd be easier!  Nope!  If the go in the back, you're looking at 4-5 days in the hospital, whilst if they go in from the front, it's only one night!  Plus either way, you are in a neck brace for 6 weeks or more, can't lift anything more than 10 lb!  (Checked my .54 Woodsrunner - 7 lb 6.7 oz - but that was unloaded, so figure another half oz or so.  At least it's under that 10-lb limit!)

[Steeltrap]

Craig, thanks for your bravery and all the best with your surgeries!

[G_T]

This may not suit what you want, but perhaps something like a Kibler southern mountain rifle in the largest caliber you can get it (45), and then cut some length off the front? That would be about as light as you could get, and you shouldn't have to do any heavy wood work. It would end up pointing a little floaty due to lightening the front, but that's the tradeoff. And with shoulder problems - it won't have any recoil to speak of. I know Jim's running a sale on some blems now.

Gerald

[Daryl]

Poor Daryl has to rough it - no bartender, or blond singer sitting in the corner.  And no flush toilet!

As for the OP, I was thinking of some Helium balloons tied to muzzle and butt on that lovely southpaw shootin' iron!  It is a very good-looking rifle; it'd be a shame to cut anything off.  A weather balloon can lift 5 lb. easily!

Like the OP, I've got some spinal problems as a result of some silly war back in '66.  About 12 "procedures", and lots of scars.  And now that danged Agent Orange is pestering my neck bones.  Got some kind of surgery on for Jan. 6th.  Then they are going to talk about new hips...

Surprised me that the Doc actually goes in through the front of the neck; I'd figured, well, those soup bones are just under the skin in the back, it'd be easier!  Nope!  If the go in the back, you're looking at 4-5 days in the hospital, whilst if they go in from the front, it's only one night!  Plus either way, you are in a neck brace for 6 weeks or more, can't lift anything more than 10 lb!  (Checked my .54 Woodsrunner - 7 lb 6.7 oz - but that was unloaded, so figure another half oz or so.  At least it's under that 10-lb limit!)

Got a propane heater though and just enough room for a cooler! So - roughing it isn't too bad, in the Old Man Blind.

[Darkhorse]

This may not suit what you want, but perhaps something like a Kibler southern mountain rifle in the largest caliber you can get it (45), and then cut some length off the front? That would be about as light as you could get, and you shouldn't have to do any heavy wood work. It would end up pointing a little floaty due to lightening the front, but that's the tradeoff. And with shoulder problems - it won't have any recoil to speak of. I know Jim's running a sale on some blems now.

Gerald

When Jim runs a sale on Lefthanded rifle kits I will consider one. Until then I will look elsewhere.

[G_T]

Sorry, missed the LH part. My bad.

Gerald