GK, I have lightened FN .30/06 Mausers by Swiss-chessing the magazine, fining down the stock and hollowing out the butt a bit. Light barrels are the main way to save weight, of course, and free-floating them would remove some more wood. Light weight can be punishing on the range, though, unless you use some recoil mitigation. I once fired an L57 Sako .308 with more felt-recoil than my 338 Finnbear.

Some company (Zastava?) has made a mini Mauser for the .222 head size. I wonder if such an action could be made up into 6.5x54 MS, which has an intermediate diameter? It might be analogous with going up to a magnum and could be difficult if not dangerous. Small-ring Mausers for larger calibres would lack some strength, too, but would have your stripper-clip guides.

In any case, if you get something light and take it hunting, be careful not to shoot anything big - it will weigh so much more than the rifle that you'll have to revise your concerns while carrying out the beast.

- Paul