I think it depends on what a person likes in their rifles, and doesn't necessarily take a special purpose built gun. Take for instance a standard walmart special rem 700 in 7mm rem mag. The barreled action and all hardware associated of a 26" sporter weight is right about 5.75 lbs, throw on a light carbon stockies for around $500 on sale, probably close to what your HS stock would cost new, or a ag composites for $75-$100 more, and you are at 7.25 lb bare rifle, about .25 lbs heavier than the Tupperware factory stock but much better for consistency. Throw on some 4 oz talleys and even a heavy as all get out 5X25X56 ATACR, and your still just under or right at 10 lbs, or if you put on a super light scope, say 12 oz, your at 8.25 lbs.
But, you put on your 3 lb or more HS stock, B&C stock, boyds laminate (their light weight thumb hole is still 2.7 lbs) and things can change quickly. In this case, your going to have to try to make up weight by going lighter on the scope if you want to stay under say, 10 lbs. Like, a 10 oz scope, which really limits you.
I personally prefer anywhere from 8-10 lbs of well balanced rifle for it to be comfortable off hand. Much over 10 lbs seem to get too much for off hand or packing in, but is more forgiving while shooting from prone or on a bench, and anything under 8 feels too light and whippy in my hands, and is also harder to shoot long range with. With only a light but solid stock on a factory sporter type rifle, you can stay in that weight range with the heaviest of scopes, it just takes a little critical thinking when choosing a stock if you want a heavier scope.
