One of my very first hunting rifles was using my fathers Winchester Model#99 30.30. Itgetscold in Vermont and never got used to the hammer with gloves. The Vermont ML season is in December and it will be cold. I have a Nikon scope I want to mount on it and the clearance concerns me even with a hammer extension. I have lifted both theOptima and the Encore and love the feel. They actually fit me the best so far and by all accounts both are great shooters. Mostly it's what you're used to I guess.