I have a Ruger M77 in .308 and a Ruger #1 in 7mm. The trigger on the M77 is heavy. The #1 is perfect. They both shoot very well, although I am a hunter, not a marksman. The choice of gun is very personal to your size, needs, and perceptions. I haven't read every post, and this may have already been said, but, even though you may need an aftermarket trigger, etc, Ruger's come with integral scope mounts in the price of the gun, which may offset some of the cost of the trigger job. On the scope side of things, I like Leupold, and for a specific reason beyond being a quality scope. They have variable eye relief. I hunt from a tree stand. When I mount my gun, I have about an inch or so of "play" in the distance from my eye to the rear reticle, without losing my field of view, or seeing the "black ring". That's my 2 cents.