I've always been a fan of the traditional "express rifle" as laid out by the British over a century ago. Either bolt action or single shot, but my preferences do run to the single shots in the form of the modern Ruger #1 Tropical Rifle or Light Sporter.
Well, now I've found what has to be the oddest example I have seen, and it's newly manufactured by Ruger. It's a full size express rifle, weighing all of 9.5 pounds sans scope. Here it is:
Doesn't look all that different than my Whitworth Express Rifle in .375 H&H:
Same general theme expressed in a single shot platform; my #1's in .375 H&H and .458 Win. Mag.:
So what is so different about this new Ruger? It's chambered in .223 Remington / 5.56 NATO. Ruger ostensibly made these as "practice rifles" for guys who own the big thumpers, but don't want to put up with the recoil or pay the cost of the ammo to practice with them.
Not sure I agree with the premise, but I do think it makes for a rather cool, and very unusual rifle. I can't wait to play with it.