thanks again for the info.
yes, this is WAY more difficult than I expected. such a toss up. I think I am trying to do too many things with just one rifle. I really like the 6.5-284 but concerned of barrel wear, especially if I start to participate in some competitive tactical precision shooting.
My main love is long distance shooting.
I think with all the research/reading/thinking I am doing I am leaning more toward these 3:
model 12 Long Range Precison, 6.5 creed moor
model 10 FCP HS 300 win
model 10 FCP HS 338 Lapua (I know I know...but for some reason I keep thinking of this set up, really has my interest peeked).
heck, give me a week and I will likely change my mind again.
my current thoughts are:
6.5 creedmoor....nice low recoil, outstanding accuracy (probably the most accurate of the 3 rifles I am looking at) , not sure of reliable hunting distances for game such as deer/elk/moose (yes I hope someday to hunt moose in Maine since that is where I am from and have family there) , ammo affordable. my wife could shoot it,
300 win.....really like the FCP platform, good all around cartridge, I already have a bunch of berger and Match kings (from after selling my 300 RUM), most likely has the most felt recoil of all 3 since it does not have a muzzle brake, don't think my wife will even consider shooting it.
338 Lapua....very accurate, great for really really long range, I love the 338 ballistics, very effective on ANY game in north america including bears (even though it is "overkill" for some) , a very shootable platform in the FCP HS with muzzle break, fun, much more expensive to reload but I can afford it. my wife could shoot it.
any one else "feeling" my delema? why couldn't I just be super rich and just get all 3?!