At the end of a long day in the mountains I've never blamed the 2 extra lbs carrying a standard weight rifle for the fatigue. Guys carrying an extra 25 lbs around their midsection who need a 7lb rifle never made much sense to me.
Carrying an 80-100 lb load on my back on the way out is the goal so a 9 lb rifle shouldn't be too much of a burden.
I understand that there are folks who shy away from recoil because they can't shoot rifles that kick as well as they can their 270's, 7mm-08 or 6.5x55 deer rifles. They are certainly capable of killing elk with those lighter deer rifles but no matter how skilled and capable a marksman is wielding them they are not as effective as the same placement from one of the fast 30's when the ranges are extended or the shot angles are fair or poor with heavy bones in the way. Being able to take longer shots from steep angles through shoulders is an advantage.
