You are very correct , I do carry a pack that has everything in it to butcher a elk and quarter it which in my case is a butcher knife... but i also carry parachute cord, flashlight fire making stuff and a very small 1st aid kit, along with a couple capri sun drinks a sandwhich and a apple weight ? about 8 lbs when I was in my 30's I carried 25 lbs, the reason I love the AR platform is nothing rusts, no wood to swell in bad weather ,simple to load, and unload the stock is adjutable for when I have bulky clothes, and In a SHTF situation it is most likley the gun I would carry so I am getting experience with it ...
I would like to get it between 7 and 8 that is resonable and also in the pack I have a GPS/radio a range finder and 15 extra rounds.. and I am 63 now the older I get the steeper the terrain gets LOL and I walk 2 to 5 miles with elevation changes of 1500 ft up and down....
I think a small gas block instead of my A2 sight gas block ,lighter rings,and a slim profile barrel will get me in that range I am going to make some changes this winter and find out...