Weight: Yes, it came in just a touch over 7 3/4 lb so the claimed weight is pretty spot on.

Barrel profile was thicker than I thought it would be given the light weight but I didn't measure actual diameters. Yes it is fluted under the forearm.

Hunter comment - that was just a little tongue-in-cheek humor since it's setup very similar to a M4 carbine (16" barrel, collapsible stock, etc).

I don't mind the top rail, it gives you a place to mount a front back-up sight if you want to run them.