So, I made it to the range. To say I am pleased would be an understatment. The caliber is a delight to shoot...definetly less recoil than a 30-30, (I was alternating with a Marlin 30-30 lever action which I was trying the new "Leverlution" bullets by Hornady). The gun and rounds proved to be very accurate. My first box of 20 rounds with bore break in and scope sighting in still yielded 1 inch groups, (at he end of my 20 round box).
If this thing drops game like history has proven, I believe I have found the gun and caliber of my dreams.