So 22 rimfire rifles should weigh in excess of XX lbs to shoot well? I have experienced that rifles larger than .22 cal center fire may be more difficult to shoot in the extreme light weight versions. But we are talking .223 here.
Heavier rifles are easier to shoot in the field. Regardless of chambering. A balance of weight to portability is the key for a hunting gun.
Balance of the rifle itself is just as important. A 6.5 lb. NULA rifle is a lot easier to shoot well than a muzzle light Remington model Seven of similar weight.
What do you consider optimum weight for a 223 bolt action?
It really depends on what you're looking to do.
The perfect rifle for shooting prairie dogs for hours on end from a static position will be much different than the perfect rifle for packing from stand to stand for coyotes.
For a nice balance of portability to shootability, somewhere around 7-8 lbs. all up works nicely for me. That's for any hunting rifle (short of the real heavy kickers), not just the 223. I've had a bunch on both sides of that number, and I keep coming back to rifles of that weight range.
