Restocking is a great option on some guns, as Ive done so myself, but I almost get the feeling the OP is looking to move up in power and caliber as well. For giggles, you might also look at the 7mm Rem Mag. Its very popular, wellestablished, still a mild-moderate recoiling rifle. Its a step up from a 280, though not huge. With the great recoil pads that they put on the new rifles now, its very tame.