Fisher,
Why not just get yourself one or two of each, in assorted makes and models, then test them out, oh, say over the next 25 or 30 years and give us a report on your progress ever now and then. As a matter of fact, why don't i participate myself, gun show's coming up in april, i'll just start picking some out, we can average out this test that way, might come up with some pretty impressive results(at least that's the story i'm giving to my wife). I allready have the 300 winnie, bought brand spanking new in l974. A remington 700 bdl with 4x scope for $149.00, if my memory serves me correctly, oh if they only were the same price today!!!!