You just can't go wrong with the tried, and true, 7MM RM! Not that the new fad calibers will ever go away, but even if they do, the 7MM RM will still be going strong!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the input. It doesn't seem like there's a real consensus that one of the 3 is the best choice, although 7mm mag seems to get the most votes. However, taken in whole it seems that for the most part, people think like JD338:

[Any one would work for you. Pick the one that "feels" the best.]

Well, as it happens, I've spent probably 100 hours or more researching, looking and thinking about it.

I stopped by Scheel's today and there's the 270 WSM in a Sako Finnlight that they'd been holding for someone who never showed up, so they'd just taken it off hold, and they had just gotten 2 Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40's in, still on the palate. I shouldered that baby and just knew, "this is my gun." We spend 1/2 hour or so getting the scope just right and man, right now targetting is a snap. We bore-sighted it, too, and now I can't wait to shoot it and get it locked in -- that is what it all comes down to, right? Unfortunately, I'm busy at work for a couple of days -- maybe this weekend!

Thanks again for all the good responses (which I read through before going shopping again today)!

I think you made a good purchase. I bought a Sako Finlite in 7mm rem mag and topped it with a VARIXII 3x9x40. Without going to too much detail let me just say this rifle shoots better than most varminters I have seen. Enjoy your rifle.

TerryM,

How did the antelope hunt go?

EKM

I love my .270 and use it often on deer sized game. But if I were going to start a new battery from scratch hunting everythng from prarie dogs to moose, it would probably be something like this.

1. Varmints (up to yotes) .204 Ruger or 22-250
2. deer/black bear: either a 7-08 or .280
3. Elk/Moose/big bear: 338 WM

Rapid hunter, is that the new SM action on that Finnlight?

Yes, I think... Correct me if I'm wrong, but to my knowledge the only action Sako uses in the 75 series for 270 WSM and 300 WSM is the SM action -- at least right now. Did they used to put out a 270 WSM model with a different action? If so, I'll have to triple-check that I got what I think I got -- but I've got 30 days in case I really messed up! Thanks again.

Not sure they made a whole lot of wsm's before this SM came out. It is basically a III action with a magnum boltface. Check out www.sako.fi for specs on it and see if it matches up with what you bought

I've got a 270 Weatherby Mag & I can really reach out & touch something (400 yards) great gun I can not say enough about it.

EKM,
My antelope hunt is The week of October 11. I leave for moose on September 24th. Unfortunately that only leaves me 1 day of holiday time left for deer but I can't really complain. Not too bad a season lined up! When do you go on your elk hunt?