Re: 338 LM how light would you go
I hunt with mine. Got the stiller tac338 action with a 22" barrel. have not chrono'd yet, but DOPE says 2650. Gonna work up a new load with 300 smks this summer and plan to load it a little hotter. Put it in an mcm A3 stock. With a HDMR 3.5-21 scope, I think it weighed in at 12 pounds. Very manageable hunting. And the break makes it kick like my 308. Get a good break.
You dont need a super long barrel hunting. Like you said, if you need a 17lb f class rig or something, buiold one for that. this is a hunting rifle, keep it light and compact. This thing lights out to 1000, but I would prob never take a kill shot at further than 7-8 hundo, and in all reality if you are a decent hunter, most shots will be closer than 300, and this thing hits like a hammer. Too many variable to trail meat for me at extended ranges. Life or death situation? sure all day any day. Or if its a big bull elk...lol
My point is, a 338lm performs just fine with a short barrel.
Regards,
DT