My serious hunts where I live out of a back pack for days are probably behind me due to age and knees, darn it. I never got into ultra light rifles and it was not until the last ten years or so I gave it much thought. Hauling a 9 to 10 pound rifle/scope combo around was just what every one here in Alaska did.
My main gun is a custom Win. .338 and with scope is right at 8 lbs. and Pre-64 Featherweight 30-06 is about 7.5 lbs. If I was younger I would probably make up a Tikka in 7mm Win. Short Mag. with a 25" fluted barrel, could keep it under 7.5 lbs. and have plenty of the "right stuff" for big critters near or far. My other choice would be a light weight 30-06, as both calibers offer 500 yard punch.
Any thing with rifle/scope weight under 7 lbs. is light to me, but I know times have changed.
