Thanks for all the posts. I was over to Cabelas this weekend. I checked out the Ruger. Nice rifle, I like it better then the Savage and Marlin. I like that it's a laminate but the shape really didn't impress me. I like a beefy stock. Most likely I'll have a woodworker friend build a wider stock for me. I also plan on having the trigger worked on. After that it should be a sweet gun. If only I had an extra $1,000 laying around I'd get the Cooper I have my heart set on.