Thread: Optimum weight for long range ??

So I'm probably going to regret asking this, and no doubt you'll all make fun of an old guy (well 55 isn't young anymore but I can still stagger up hills with a pack for a deer or tahr) anyhow . . .

I have a bunch of lightweight rifles around the 6.5 lbs scoped mark, and I have a heavy rifle (Ruger PR) that is just under 12 lbs scoped and bipod(ed), and yes I've carried it to nearly 2000 metres with only a few groans (mainly from the hung-over young fella I was dragging up the hill, name suppressed to protect the guilty).

The Ruger shoots phenomenally well as a 6.5 Creedmoor, and is a good long range rifle by any definition but sometimes I feel the need for something a little more sophisticated - yes I'm a Mauser snob!

So - I have a brand new FN action, a nice walnut Slee classic style stock (his Rigby pattern) and a calibre in mind (no I'm not saying what, but I already have the chambered barrel blank so thats that).

The big question, what is the optimum all up weight, and why for a long range rifle for the NZ high country - should I be aiming for 9 lbs, 10 or more ?? Give me a barrel profile too if you like.