I have been looking at the Savage rifle for the last couple days. I can't believe how many different models and options they have these days. I sort of have it narrowed down to the either the Police Model, 26 inch barrel Synthetic stock in 308, Or the Varmit model, Stainless 26 inch barrel, Synthetic stock in 270 WSM. I mainly wanted to try the Accu-Trigger. I kinda wanted a 7MM-08 but nothing in that caliber has the longer barrel that I want. I like the long Heavy barrel because this will be a Ground Blind type rifle and not a walk around rifle. The Police model here goes for 529.00 and the Varmit for 575.00 so there is not a big price difference. I could get a little better buy at Sportsmans Warehouse but they don't do trades. They had one of the Stainless Varmit models in 300 WSM for 530.00. That was a sweet gun but I didn't really want the 300 WSM. However the more I look, the more confused I get. Mule deer will be the main game hunted so the 270 WSM or 308 would both be good calibers. The 300 WSM in that heavy barreled Varmit model may not have to much recoil. I think it weighed nearly 10 lbs without a scope. NO it says 8.75 lbs for the short action. With the 3.8X12 Aetec, that would be a heavy weight for sure as the lighted Recticle Aetec is a load on its own.