Yep, I hunted with a Ruger M77 Mark II 338 WM for years until I started hitting the mountains more seriously. On my first goat hunt I hauled that 8.5 pound rifle up the hill with its 26" barrel (if you count the brake on it) and it was a royal PITA in the alders and heavy as sin on the mountain.
Realizing I am a pansy, I opted to now have a rifle that is a full 3 pounds lighter than that (5.5 with scope and rings) and only a 20" barrel. Much more enjoyable to carry and still kill stuff with it just fine. To each their own.
