Thanks for the input guys. I've considered the .22-250, it is a popular seal rifle down my way. I haven't ruled it out yet. I think I'm leaning toward either the 700 or Model 7. The latter is a neat little package. The 220 Swift was also in contention, but I hope to shoot this rifle a lot, so have kind of put that chambering on the back burner. The Swift is a great cartridge, but it is a barrel burner.
As for optics, I'll be going with the Bushnell Elite 4200 with Rainguard. If you're familiar with Newfoundland weather, you know that it isn't kind to wood stocks or glass. Our Falls are generally wet and damp...as is most of the year :grin: so an all weather type hunting package is a must. Synthetic or laminate stocks are the only way to go and in terms of glass, there is nothing better for Newfoundland weather than the top end Bushnell Elite 3200/4200 series.
I have more expensive scopes, including several Leupold Vari X-III, the Elite 4200s do not give anything up to them in terms of clarity or brightness, and I've found that the latter can take much more punishment than the Leupolds. One Leupold I have is about 15 years old, the others were all made within the last 3-4 years. There is a difference in quality. I actually had one of the newer scopes fail on me during a Moose hunt two years ago. Leupold replaced the scope. However, the next year I used the Bushnell exclusively. Zero problems, and that included a dunk in the Southwest Gander River! It seems like were paying more for the name these days than the old school craftsmanship Leupold used to be famous for.
I'm sure I'll have more questions in the days and weeks to come. Still working on my predator calling! Take care guys!
