Marraki,

30 days of walking, many over 100*, many steep hills and some mountains and I'll take the half pound, or better yet the whole pound. Geez, I'll take the half or whole pound for just a day too. I think weight should be a matter of recoil control, for the most part. For a 450 class rifle, 10 to 11 pounds; for a 450/400 no need for the weight.

A heavy but well balanced rifle will hide the weight in the hands, as you say, but it can't hide the weight on the shoulder.

JPK