I chopped a .308 12FV down to 18" and put it on a Boyd's "lightweight" thumbhole stock. It still ain't light and I would not want to haul it around the woods. There is no way you need that profile barrel for taking down a deer. Personally, I would pick up a cheap Axis and chop it down before I took apart the 12FV and started ordering new parts.
Update...just happened to be looking at my round of gun sales and Palmetto has a 6.5 Axis II in camo for under $300 after rebate.
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