Thanks again for the replies....

I am leaning more and more towards a .308 (probably a Savage 11G).

http://www.savagearms.com/11g.htm

I could handle a .30-06 and/or a .270, (or heck, even a .460 Weatherby! ) But I am looking to match the rifle to the conditions and terrain where I hunt.

* George Washington Nat'l Forest in Virginia *. Heavy, heavy, thick, dense forest with mountain ridges and low lying thickets and brush. The .30-30 is a perfect match. But then, you also have a few clear spots and overlooks, where a bigger rifle with a scope would be a better match.You're also hiking uphill 90% of the time along a huge mountain ridge and after about 2 miles, you can get a bit winded if you don't go slow.

Duffy, that is a great photo of you and the two wolves you got with your Savage model 99. Very nice!!! [8D] I don't own a bolt action rifle - only the old Marlin 30-30. So I want to get a nice bolt action rifle with scope that will be in the same traditional spirit as the 30-30 and reach out farther than the 30-30 but have the same weight and feel. The Savage 99 is no longer made and is a collectors item nowadays.

Soooooo.... The decision so far is a .308 bolt action rifle with a nice good quality scope. 100 - 200 yards(250 maximum yards). The 30-30 will stillbe used from 10 - 100 yards in heavy brush while slow stalking, where I can quickly bring it up on target with the open sights. .308 ammo is everywhere just like 30-30 and 30-06 ammo. Besides, I read that the .308 is a military sniper round and is a serious "tack driver".

Savage 11G
Ruger 77 MKII
Browning A-bolt Hunter
Remington 700
decisions....decisions....


Butch A.

P.S... The best part is that my lovely wife has not put her foot down and said, "NO!"