You can loose some weight by doing what I did with a 25-06.
Hollow out the stock with a 1" speed bore loose 2.5 oz
Hollow out forearm 2oz
Replace 1/4 rib and Ruger rings with weaver bases and Burris Rings.
Use a light weight 3-9 Sightron scope or a Leupold.
This will reduce the weight by 1 lbs. not much but it helps.
You can loose another pound by cutting the barrel to 24" and make it octagon.
Below you can see also two two light weight Handi rifles with octagone barrels.
I just replaced a 26" 243 1B barrel with a 22" 7x57 1A barrel and will replace the forearm with an Alexander Henry. Total weight with scope about 7.5 lbs.
You really have to dig hard to loose a pound.
I don't see why on most hunting rifles you need more than a 24" barrel.
Have a look here.
http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/indexcont.html