Will:
I don't think its terribly responsible to recommend 8lb as the ideal weight for Rigby's .416, or 7 1/2 lb as a 'pussycat' weight for the Taylor cartridge. Sure, you can have them built light, and good luck to you. However your contention that 10lbs for the Rigby is a "misconception" perpetuated by fools will not wash here. We own and shoot these things, remember! There is a good reason why "Most every 416 Rigby off the rack is about 10 pounds.." Hopefully, other posters here can toss up the weight of a few original Rigby rifles, which should help tell the story.

Plenty of heavy hitters have been lightened unreasonably by replacing their stocks with synthetics, and it makes them memorable to discharge, to say the least! A 10lb .416 is easy enough to carry all day as others have noted, so what's the problem?

I do agree with your closing statement of course: