I have the Rem sps varmit, yes, it is heavy, but I use a bipod and I dont lug it around that much, I get to my spot and I sit for about an Hour or so. then I walk down to jump in my Rhino and go to a differnt spot.
as far as, being hard on the barrel, it is not that bad. even target shooting, Rem . 223 is the only wat I would go in Pa. the 22 - 250 I would want to have ive I was hunting out west. and the shots where way out there 3, 400 Yrs. Well this is only my taste in the Varmit guns.