BBJ,

Thanks for the info! I hope to hunt everywhere but I'd really like to get good at long distance shots 200 - 300 yards with this rifle. I of course would never pass up a closer shot on the right animal but while some like the idea of sneaking up on an animal I like the idea of being a "rifleman". I've been trained to kill out to 500 yards using an M16. I know an M16 and a Ruger 7mm are totally different rifles and I mention this only because it's where I first learned that I liked the challenge of long range shooting and second because I've trained not to take shots I'll miss... so long range shooting for me does not mean "chance" shots when I'm sure my skill will not allow a more than resonable chance at a kill. Additionally, I can carry much of the skill set to any rifle...breathing and such...

I'd love to hunt a moose or elk but by the looks of licensing and land it'll be almost impossible to go on public land or private land without dropping at least the down payment on a nice car...crappy thing is I now live in Florida, good for hogs and turkey, and great for fishing but that about rounds it out!