Another vote for LighterPack.com
I use a digital kitchen scale and weigh everything.
I am re-weighing everything this week and updating the weights and adding some missing items.
I think it is reasonable to refer to your pack weight as:
No weapon, water or food - as mentioned above this is your baseline and where you have wiggle room to adjust.
With food and weapon
With food, water and weapon
Lastly, I think where lighterpack.com opened my eyes a bit is that everything you wear you are carrying. Insanely obvious, but I do wonder how many guys or girls think that part through as much as what is in their pack. Maybe far more than I am giving credit to.
I think it is an easy way to fool yourself intentionally or unintentionally into a pack weight you want to have.
What I like about it is it shows the straight goods.
Breaks it down into what you are wearing, food, water and then each category you create.
I use a "Master List" and then copy it and remove items for each trip based on needs.
Bit of a mess as I try to tidy things up.
https://lighterpack.com/r/evkzqe
Going to look and see if the categories I am using make sense or if I should add or remove some.
As it is now I can see not only how much weight but which grouping of gear is weighing me down and decide if there is room to lose some weight there.