Earlier purchased the first Remington 673 that I actually held in my hands, chambered for .350 Remington Magnum. (A Model 600 or 660 in that caliber had always escaped me until after they achieved " cult status" and prices skyrocketed.) But due to extreme events in our personal lives it had been set to the side and nothing further done.

Yesterday I finally got around to putting a scope on it. I settled on a Leupold VXIII, 1.5X5 with 20mm objective. The 673 has the rear sight screwed through the rib on the barrel that would interfere with low scope mounting any scope that had an " objective bell" on the front. So I decided to stick with a straight tube knowing that 5X will be all the magnification I will need on that particular chambering anyway. I also decided to use Leupold' s Quick Release bases and rings so I will be able to rapidly switch between glass and irons if needed. (I will make sure both are zeroed.)

This will be my last year of black bear/whitetail hunting here in Pennsylvania, (we are headed North back to Alaska next spring). So for the time being I will zero the rifle with Remington' s factory loaded 200 grain Corelokts. More than enough for any blackie or whitetail! When we reach AK, I will work up some loads around either a premium 225 or 250 known for penetrating abilities, (Nosler Partitions, A-Frames, Trophy Bonded, or some such.) But I am excited about getting it zeroed for now!

It' s funny....no matter how old I get.....looking forward to prepping and zeroing still makes me feel a little like a " kid in candy store" . I suppose when that feeling ceases to exist...I will no longer " need" any more new rifles!

Hoping to get it zeroed this weekend...Black bear season in PA is just around the corner!!!

Let y' all know how it turns out!