IMO the current fad of long range (500+ yards) shooting of big game animals is shooting not hunting, and done on TV mainly to sell a product.
I have lived and hunted most of my life in the west. I am a fan of bolt action rifles, and most of mine are just under 10 pounds, loaded and with a sling. I don't hunt with an attached bipod. Almost all of my hunting has been spot and stalk, and I wouldn't want to carry a rifle any heavier.
A heavier rifle is usually more accurate than a light one, however hunting rifles do not need to be as accurate as target rifles. Bull barrels are target rifles. I only shoot handloads, and I have developed sub moa loads for all of my hunting rifles.
A standard .300 Win is an excellent Western big game rifle.
Last edited by buffybr; 09-10-2017 at 04:41 AM.