I've got a caribou hunt in late October I'm gathering gear for and need some suggestions. I'm staying in a heated cabin (using those words loosely) that can get down to 40. The cabin is accessible by boat but depending on the weather I may have to pack in 8 miles. I'm also flying so I need a sleeping solution thats packable and not super heavy. My current sleeping bag is 9lbs and takes up a massive about of space so its not very practical in this situation.

Budget? The higher-end options can be pricey due to the cold ratings and of course, weight

40 degrees isn't too wild. You can get a decently rated bag and sleep in long johns, etc

REI Co-op HunkerDown 20 Sleeping Bag

I have used or know those who have used REI down sleeping bags and been very impressed for the price. I haven't used this specific one but have my eye on it for a car camping solution that would also work for trips like what you are describing.

On sleeping bags I like to subtract 10 to 15 degrees from the lowest temps I'm sleeping in to get the rating of the bag. I would expect this bag to keep me comfortable down to freezing temps.

I agree with rei for good value sleeping bags. I have a radiant 20 as my backpacking bag and love it. Make sure and get an insulated pad too, I'm a huge fan of the good ol army iso mat, serves dual purpose as i carry it in the field to lay on and glass/nap. Keep us posted on the hunt!

not the cheapest option but you won't beat a down backpacking quilt for what you're describing. Stupid light/packable, plenty warm, and you can adjust to warmer temps much more easily if it ends up being warmer in the cabin. I've got an enlightened equipment 40 degree that is comfortable at that temp or a little cooler with a warm hat and long johns. My next one will be a Katabatic though. If you are a side sleeper or fat get a wide quilt. Pair it with a wide insulated pad and you are good to go. I like the nemo ones. the higher the R value, the warmer the pad.

Thanks for the suggestions. I had been looking at rei but I'm intrigued by the quilt option. I'll have to look into that more.

Also, I highly recommend sleeping bag liners, for multiple reasons.

My favorite are the Sea To Summit Reactor liners. You can get different weights/ratings, and they are not very expensive.

They definitely work to help your sleeping bag stay comfy and additional 10-15 degrees (depending on the rating you get).
They make your bag more versatile (on top of bag with just the liner, bag open and sleep in the liner, etc).
Also, they keep your bag cleaner (a highly underrated feature). Hunting in the backcountry, a liner keeps all your filth off your bag. If you really need to, you can take the liner and rinse it in a creek and hang it to dry for the day. Then, you have a fresh clean bag to sleep in- which is a HUGE moral boost on day 6-7 of a grueling hunt.

A liner would also work with quilts. And they are super light weight.

For alaska I would definitely look at synthetic vs. down due to the moisture... Down is the best unless it gets wet an then it is worthless. wearing xtra clothes in a sleeping bag does not help it stay warmer in my opinion so I would not plan for that.

I have the Nemo Disco. Its awesome if you have big shoulders or sleep on your side.

This is a bit of old information. The newer down hydrophobic treatments are really amazing and do a great job of keeping the down from clumping when wet or damp.
Now if your bag is totally soaked then you're in a bad way but if we are talking humid environments or damp places I wouldn't worry about it.

Second enlightened equipment blanket!

I have an enlightened equipment quilt. Highly recommend for weight to warmth ratio. Not cheap but I've used it a lot and love it. Mummy bags are not for me.

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wearing xtra clothes in a sleeping bag does not help it stay warmer

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I've heard this all my life and in my experience it is completely incorrect. Putting on a puffy or hoody or whatever I have available is always significantly warmer than not having it on.

I think the theory is that if you put on too many clothes in a sleeping bag you will compress the insulation in the bag and make it less effective. But I'm just not that damn fat and my experience does not support this theory. If you go watch pretty much any mountaineering or climbing documentary you'll often see those guys wearing layers in their bags.

What does make difference in my experience is cleanish (if you have them) or at a minimum dry clothes. changing into almost anything other than the base layer you've been wearing all day is warmer than sleeping in something you wore all day my experience.

This is 100% the correct answer.
Get out of what you wore all day even if it feels dry. Having a set of sleep cloths that only get worn in your sleeping bag or around camp in the evening is the way to go.

Cold feet also can benefit from taking your puffy/insulating layer and wrapping it around your feet to help fill the void at the bottom of a sleeping bag and provide more insulation.

Western Mountaineering Kodiak Sleeping Bag. EOT

I have slept many nights in my old Kelty Cosmic 40 in a tent. Only weighs 2.5 pounds. If you buy a compression sack it gets really small. If it's close to 40 degrees or lower wear thermals, socks and stocking cap. Thermals don't weigh much and having a separate set just to sleep it is nice.