Another chunk of advice ... late though it be. If toting weight is a big deal, don't overlook the Ruger Compact. One of my hunting buds brought one to camp. We all, to a man, were questioning what in the heck had he wasted his hard earned $$$ on !!!

But ... this short barrel honey of a rifle shot lights out at the range and he has taken deer cleanly out to well over 250 yards. His is in 308 Win. He has a compact Leupold Vari-X III on it ... I think 1.75-6x32 mm or something like that.