I have the opportunity to buy an older Remington Model 7 in .308. it has a 20 inch tapered barrel in excellent condition -- does not appear to have many rounds through it. i can' t see any apparent signs of wear just forward of the action. the stock is in very good condition and has a very sweet trigger -- far better than the current crop of ' lawyerized' Rems.

the price is $395.

here' s my question. with a 20 inch barrel on a 6 1/2 pound gun, will i be able to shoot accurately out past 200 yards -- CONSISTENTLY --.??

I am afraid that if i buy it and decide it needs a new barrel, maybe a couple of inches longer and thicker -- yet still trying to maintain somewhat of a ' walking' rifle, that i will be quickly approaching the cost of a new rifle.

what am i going to use it for? coyotes. whoa, i' m sure a lot of you are saying: too much gun, too much gun. well, maybe. but my intent is to be able to take ' em on the run, maybe out to 500 yards. while i know that calling coyotes is the regular method of taking these critters, i would prefer to track them, and take them once they have winded me. crazy? maybe so, but i want to add a touch of fairness to the game. i would prefer to learn how to shoot at moving targets anyway.

so i chose the 308 for its ability to reach out, sometimes way out. will this gun do that? or do i have to get a 10 pound heavy barrel -- whcih i am trying very much to avoid.