Awesome story, what does it have to do with humping an M14 with its loadout?N
I have never used a bipod, no optics. Even my guitar weighs that much. I shot across the course with my Palma rifle many times over the years. It was 13.1 pounds. My M1a Supermatch with a composite stocks was not light either. I always liked a cotton web sling best for service or match rifle. I would run it backwards like a single point smallbore sling.
My A2 service rifle weights 13.8 and my 24 inch iron sight space gun weighs 13.7.
I walked 1300 miles last year on record after losing a month for a broken ankle. 1500 the year before. Right at 90 miles so far this month. How about you? <grin>