Thank you for all your insights and experiences. I chose the Ruger.

I saw pros and cons to both guns andthat made it very difficult to decide. It came down to how the gun felt in my hands. The Ruger just felt right at home in my hands and I felt confident that I could shoot it well.

Ifound a good dealon a used Leupold VXII 3-9x40,that now sitson top of my new Ruger .270.