Thanks for the repleies guys and all well taken but as said, it is a matter of personal preverance. Skeeter the Ruger 25-06 is a fine gun and has done me well back east but kinda lacks the ass out here in nw Montana as I like stalking the mountain sides for elk and white-tail. The ruger 77 is a well built firearm, but in being well built, its so damn heavey for stalking purposes, as opposed to the Remington 700. For antelope over in eastern Montana it would be great, but I gotta have a gun that can be versatile for elk and mulies and with the 700 I can do that. Like you say James if you gotta carry one, carry the 30-06. REDHAWK, I'm not too sure how old this 700 is but it has been well taken care of (better then mine really.) I bore chequed it and the action and all seems good and solid. This guy knows that if I can't hold a consisted group that I BE BACK. But I believe I am goin to make the trade. You guys helped me out a lot, thanks, Bobby