rc,
I have exactly the same rifle you are referring to in 270. It is extremely loud just as everyone has said but I have only shot it once without ear protection and it only took once. That being said, I am not a reloader of ammo and I buy factory loads to shoot. I have dialed in the BOSS for Winchester Ballistic Silvertips in 130 gr and the gun is deadly accurate. In fact it is more accurate than both of my model 70's in 30.06 and 243. If you wear ear protection then you will enjoy this gun very much.