Demonstw:
Welcome to the fire, I think you'll be glad you sat in.....meaning, this can be an expensive stump to sit on......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
There are some questions in your post that could spur considerable very opinionated debate. Without adressing those, I'll give you a very simple formula to achieve what you want. This will be for the custom route in the wildcat 257 WSM (or other) caliber.
Additional thought on the caliber question, you may get some opinions about "build this instead, build that instead"....yadda yadda yadda. Don't worry about that, any of the short 25's will do great for what you have in mind, just build the one you (want).
I assume that when you say 5-5.5 lb, you mean without scope. This is easily do-able. 5.5 lb. or less (with) scope is do-able too, but not easy. You are correct, you probably cannot build a 257 wby for this weight (although you might get closer than you think)
Acquire a Rem 700 ADL short action rifle in whatever caliber you can find cheapest. This can be used at a pawn shop or new from Wal-mart or whatever. This will cost you about $300 - $375 The action from this rifle will be the basis for your rifle.
Action:.....................32 oz.............~~$325
#1 barrel @ 24"......35 oz.............~~$475 (specify 1.5" shank length)
Stock:......................22oz..............~~$230 from HiTech (Bansner) unfinished, but with pad.
This gets you to 5 lb. 9 oz. without stock bedding or paint.
I suggest the following lightweight, high performance parts..........Tubb speedlock firing pin, davidsons alloy bolt shroud, aluminum ADL triggerguard, Rifle Basiks trigger. These will cost about $200-$225 and will save a total of nearly 5 oz. getting you down to about ~~ 5 lb. 4 oz.
If you go back through the custom rifles forum you will find many threads on the subject, much debate, and some additional ideas/opinions. Do some homework, all the info you need is on this forum in the last 1-5 months
One such is a DIY foam rubber recoil pad that will save at least 3 oz. (Your pet gunsmith has likely never heard of one of these)
Another is to buy a Rem Ti rifle and have it rebarreled. If you use the lightweight parts suggested in the "Lunatic Fringe" and other Ti threads, you will hit the weight you want and won't have to deal with stock work.
Misc. opinions from me...............................
Kimber rifles, quality is open to debate. I suggest you might stay away from any new offering from them for a while. Their record has not been good at first with new products.
Ti brake...........no reason on a 25 cal.
Carbon barrel..........suggest you call carbonbarrels.com and ask about your project, look for the ad banner at the top of the indexes. Mike is very professional and helpful, he also knows his stuff.
Good luck and good reading..........
JimF
