Hey Howie! Thing go well..... actually bout to take my dad up to skyline looking for sheep this afternoon.Hi, Loon, how's things? My Tikka T3 Hunter walnut stocked 260 weighs in at 7.8 lbs with scope and under 7 without. It's pretty darned consistent. That being said, I would like a couple of pounds less if it only has to make one or two good shots. New Mexico mountains require that you carry other things. Priority one is water, which is pretty heavy.
Ive always had issues with lighter guns, primarily i think because im inducing more movement and the gun dosent have the mass to dampen that.
I also have had problems with the way most very light rifles balance. The lighter they get, the more weight i want out front. Unfortunately most of the weight saving comes from thinning the barrels, moving the weight back.
Honestly id guess serious shooter/hunters form is better than mine....or who knows maybe it's a personal quirk, the guy i sold my 6.5 527 too has flipped a dozen sheep and pigs with it over the last 6-8 months and he dosent practice much.
Last time i had it out i clean missed a ewe at just under 200yds from prone......