hey primetime, i've read most of your post and i think your doing the best thing possible get as much info about all types of guns, as far as the auto's go i'm with everybody else on this i was a victim of a remington 742 auto, i have not bought another high powered rifle that is an auto, of the two choices you mentioned the browning is soooooo much more of a rifle, i love my remingtons (bolt action rifles & pump shotguns) but i don't care for any of there auto's, shotgun or rifle. btw as red mentioned you might want to check out the lightweight stalker, the old bar's i looked at were around 8.5#[:@], or you could stick to a bolt gun (sorry not a big auto rifle fan) since its really about the first shot anyway
, best of luck