Re: Rem. LTR vs. Rem 5R
On the weight issue, while the 5R is usually advertised as weighing 9lbs, I've thrown a few onto a scale & they rang up at #8.5 And IF you cut off 4" of barrel, that's another 1/2lb gone bye bye; so now you're in 8lb territory. Not terribly different from an LTR, & you get the accuracy of the 5R, plus the stainless as a bonus.
One consideration is that if you figure to try your hand at 1000yd work, doing so with a short factory barrel & off the shelf match ammo is tougher than with a long barrel. Depends on the rifle, but some shorty's go subsonic before 1000 with non handloads.
And of course the other option is to pick up a donor action for $350, & get it rebarreled with a custom tube to your specs for say an additional $700 give or take a C'note, by one of the great smiths on here. Often you can find a local smith who does great work, quickly, for a good bit less. And surplus stocks akin to what are on 5R's or similar can be found real reasonably as well. As to whether or not to bed, up to you; & such can be farmed out, or done at home.
Realistically though, I live in mountain country, & a 5R with a sling & a 1lb scope weighs 10lbs. If you have trouble toting that around, odds are you may have trouble dragging a deer which weighs more than 50lbs any distance, like back to the vehicle should you nail one, let alone an elk, etc.
