biscuit jake

Shooting from the stand position, I would look for 10 pounds scoped. I had a .338 in that weight. My son's Tikka in 308 kicks more than that one did, but I did have a really well designed stock.

Shooting prone or from the bench, sigh... well, you just gotta like the pain.

popeye

I guess it really depends on your hunting style and how each person handles recoil. In a 30-06 type cartridge, I wouldn't want a rifle any lighter than 6 1/2#'s w/o scope.

I have shot a expensive custom built 308 that weighed an even 6#, 4oz, scoped and fully rigged to hunt. I had a very hard time keeping on target and for a 308 the recoil from the bench was brutal .

idahoelkinstructor

As long as I have a good sling I don't mind packing around extra weight.

Virginia7

Too light? I had a Ruger 77RLS carbine, 308Win. Rifle, w/o scope, ammo, sling, weighed approx. 6lbs. Scoped, it was about 6-3/4lbs. Ok on stand, but still hunting it was just too light for me. Hard to hold that little bugger steady.
For standard cartridges I like a rifle, with scope, to come in around 7-1/2 to 8lbs. Not too heavy for hiking around in the hills, and much easier to use offhand. Add about another 1/2 to 1# for most magnums.
At a 375H&H I don't want anything less than 9lbs., before scoping it.

Roskoe

V7 - I think you hit on the biggest downside of ultra light rifles - they are not very steady under field conditions. Particularly when you are a little excited. After playing around with light rifles back in the 1980's, I have a gun cabinet full of guns that all weigh around 10 pounds. When I get too feeble to carry one that heavy, I will either quit or just hunt from the truck. Roskoe

WA7MM

Anything less than 7.5 pounds (scope, sling and loaded) will be too light in my opinion. I feel very comfortable with a 8.5 pounds rifle in 7mm Rem or a 9 pounds in 300 wsm.