Browning Arms Shop

A5 Sweet Sixteen Weight for Australian Upland Hunters

The Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen combines a familiar lever-action profile with a 24-inch barrel and options in .22 LR/.22 WRF or 16 gauge. Typical factory weights sit around 7¼–7¾ pounds (3.3–3.5 kg), before a sling or ammunition.

For Australian upland hunters, that matters on a frosty walk through Victorian foothills or a wet, blustery day in the hills south of Sydney. Small weight differences become noticeable when a rifle is carried for hours alongside water, food and a spare layer.

The useful comparison is therefore more than a single number: exact configuration, stock condition, handling and the rest of your field kit all influence whether the Sweet Sixteen feels right.

Why a few ounces matter on an upland walk

Published weights can differ slightly between .22 LR/.22 WRF and 16-gauge versions. For a day pack, half a pound may matter less than balance, sling placement and how securely the rifle rides against your back.

A gun carried from camp to cover is not resting at the truck. On uneven ground, a heavy rifle can pull on the shoulder, catch on branches and become tiring after a few hours. The Sweet Sixteen is substantial by .22 rifle standards, yet much less burdensome than many older big-bore lever actions.

Reading the rifle’s weight specification

Start with the exact listing, not the family resemblance. Barrel length, gauge, stock style and production variation can affect the stated figure; cross-check A5 specifications against the seller’s description.

Browning Arms Shop’s catalogue of roughly 375 products is organised by firearm type, action, brand line and condition. For used rifles, the photographs and condition notes for the individual gun are valuable for spotting finish wear, stock compression or repairs that a catalogue weight cannot describe.

An unloaded specification also excludes the sling, ammunition and clothing you will actually carry. Treat the listed weight as the rifle’s baseline, then build a realistic carry total.

Breaking down the carried load

Start with roughly 3.3–3.5 kg for the rifle, then add the sling, a modest ammunition supply, about a litre of water, food and a weather layer. That commonly produces a 4.5–5.5 kg working load, depending on your pack and clothing.

Balance matters as much as the total. A securely slung rifle stays quieter and less likely to swing into vegetation than one carried by the muzzle. Keep the muzzle under control, inspect the sling and test the setup unloaded before adding distance.

Conditions across Australian shooting country

A trip from Melbourne toward the Victorian Alps can involve frost, cold rain and soft ground; country south of Sydney can bring sudden showers and gusty winds. A full-size walnut stock is comfortable in the hand, but weather protection and a dry firearm matter more than shaving a few ounces.

The local market is worth checking early. .22 LR is usually straightforward to buy, while .22 WRF and 16-gauge shells can be less common outside metropolitan dealers. Confirm your preferred load with a licensed Australian firearms dealer before planning remote shoots.

Licensing, registration, storage and hunting permissions vary between states. A Victorian shooter should not assume a New South Wales licence covers the same activity, and private-land hunting needs the landowner’s permission. Public-land access also requires the relevant hunting permission and compliance with local rules.

Choosing between rimfire and 16-gauge models

The .22 LR configuration generally gives lighter recoil and is well suited to smaller birds where the law allows. .22 WRF offers more energy than .22 LR, but the two are not interchangeable, and every cartridge should be matched to the chamber marked on the rifle.

A 16-gauge Sweet Sixteen carries slightly more weight and recoil, with broader usefulness for suitable upland quarry. The extra energy can be worthwhile, yet ammunition cost and availability may matter more in a remote Australian camp than the difference on the scale.

Choose from your actual shoot list, not the biggest calibre. Confirm permitted species, seasonal closures, distance rules and land access before buying, then have a competent gunsmith check an unfamiliar used rifle and its zero.

A practical checklist before you buy

Used condition deserves as much attention as weight. A stock compressed by a sling can change the fit, while wear at the forearm or action can affect handling. Check the individual photographs and description, and arrange an inspection when anything is unclear.

Use these checks before committing:

Exact specifications vary between models and production runs, so use the seller’s figure as the final guide:

Configuration Approximate unloaded weight Upland-hunting consideration
.22 LR, 24-inch barrel About 7¼–7½ lb (3.3–3.4 kg) Generally the easiest Sweet Sixteen to carry, with lighter recoil for smaller-game applications.
.22 LR/.22 WRF, 24-inch barrel About 7¼–7½ lb (3.3–3.4 kg) Similar mass, but confirm the chambering; ammunition and recoil differ.
16 gauge, 24-inch barrel About 7½–7¾ lb (3.4–3.5 kg) Expect slightly more bulk and recoil, plus less common 16-gauge ammunition.

A used example deserves an inspection even when its listed weight matches the factory figure. Condition can change the fit, balance and reliability in ways a specification cannot capture.

Prepare for the next upland hunt

Older examples may develop movement in their wooden forearm, which should be addressed before the rifle enters regular service. Browning’s forearm tightening guide explains the model-specific adjustment; use a gunsmith if you are unfamiliar with the work.

Browse the Browning Arms Shop range, choose the configuration and condition that match your quarry, carrying kit and experience, then confirm the purchase with a licensed Australian firearms dealer. The retailer’s free delivery to a US Federal Firearms License dealer supports local pickup in the United States, but does not replace Australian licensing, import or state-transfer requirements.

Make the arrangement before the trip, not at the pickup counter.