Rickt300-I don't have a problem with carrying an extra half a lb of rifle and hunt mostly fields or mountains where a 26" barrel is no handicap.I don't find the recoil a problem and am willing to have a rifle rebarreled every 1500 rounds if necessary.My average shot is around 200 yards and have killed several animals at over 400 yards so for me the advantages of a flat shooting cartridge outweigh the disadvantages.If you aren't fit enough to carry the extra half pound and can't tolerate the recoil you should use a lighter rifle in a milder cartridge.If you are up to it is is no problem at all.