I put a 98 on a diet too. Started with a Husky 9.3x62, that big hole in the barrel will give you some weight savings. On my 9.3 I went with a limbsaver and it added about the same weight (Bansner)
I have done the flip-flop pad on lighter recoiling rifles. It will give you a lot less then 5 ounces, like in the neighborhood of an ounce if I recall correctly, maybe two, and the recoil handling is fine for me with the lighter kicking guns.
I can't tell if yours has one or not, but I had the stripper clip hump milled off mine which saved a little, and a model 70 two position, which I think shaved just a touch.
