tped

I am not too concerned about the CRF either which is why I couldn't pass the Remington - I probably would have bought the Browning it it didn't have the boss on it. Was a really good deal also but I agree the boss is butt ugly and if I can't get it to shoot as good as I want from the loading bench it is outta-here.

I didn't weigh it - spec says is 7 5/8 so I figure probably in same range as your stalker - 8.5 or so. Just seems light in my hands for some reason. I wasn't sure - is the Browning a controlled round feed - this one had the boss system on which I have never liked the looks of which is probably why I didn't give it more consideration.

I think it is subjective based upon the experience. I usually think about 10% of the hunt cost and go up or down from there depending on the experience I had. Have to remember you also have a cook that should deserve a tip also - I usually figure about $10/day for the cook unless they are horrible.

Strut- Usually it goes the other way - so I don't feel guilty at all - been at least 2 years looking for a 375 to round out the line up with the 416 and 458 Lott. Will be a couple weeks until I get to shoot it. Sure is a pretty light rifle for a big bore. Saw a decent deal on a Browning Stainless Stalker in 375 on Sat. also for $750 with a scope but can't remember the scope - looked good but just didn't know about the Browning in that caliber. Here are a couple pictures if it works.

Santa came early - I have been looking for a 375 H&H for a couple years but have not found anything in the price range I was willing to pay. I recently decided that I would eventually order a new Ruger Alaskan in the 375 Ruger but the first shop I was in the distributer said he could not get them for awhile so I held off for now. 3 stops later and there was a deal I could not pass - Remington 700XCR in 375 with mounts and a cheap Nikon Prostaff 2x7 scope for the less than princely sum of $650. Gun is as new and they do not think the original owner ever fired it. Santa was looking out for me on Saturday. I still think the Ruger is in the future though - I actually saw a blued one on Sunday and it just looks and feels right for a big bore.

I have to agree with Strut. I like the 308 better for the reasons he states above. I have never been a big fan of the 270 and for basically no solid reason mine are not the choice when I go hunting (2-270's - 1 270WSM). I used to have a Ruger #1 in 270 that I did kill deer with but eventually traded off. I have a couple 308's and when not using a magnum will take one of those or my 7-08.

I tend to agree with Strut - find a bolt action 308 in Remington/Winchester/Browning/Savage that you like and can afford and it will last you a lifetime for what you might want to do. Can load haevier bullets and hunt up to elk size game if needed and recoil is light and easy to take for someone not into allot of rifle hunting.

3200's are good scopes but I don't know about that fixed 10 power. Fixed 6 would be better. Why not look at the Nikon Buckmaster line or even the Burris fullfields in a variable for around $200 - both are really good scopes for the money.

Great looking rifle you have there. Love the patterns in the wood.

I have em all and it just depends on what I am hunting and where and then what my mood is. I generally narrow it to 2 guns and then it becomes a matter of which one I am shooting best at the time. Have to say for whitetails or larger my hands seem to grab something with "magnum" in the name and probably for no other reason than I have shot them more and those particular guns are more comfortable in my hands. Right now I'm hearing a Ruger Alaskan 375 Ruger calling my name real lound as the next addition.

I have an Encore and Omega - buy either the Omega or the new Triumph - leave the Remingtons for centerfire.

Half the fun of muzzleloaders is finding what works best in your gun. I spent allot of money with different bullets and powders in mine until I found something I liked. Powerbelts were horrible in mine - I couldn't get a 1 foot group at 50 yards no matter what. My final load is 120 grains of loose 777 behind the 250 grain Barnes expander. 2216fps and solid 1" groups at 100 yards in all conditions. Amazing thing was how consistent the velocity was as each shot was 2215-2217. 130 grains grouped equally well but velocity increase was marginal at best. With any bullet you try start out at around 90 grains of powder and work up in 5 grain increments. My groups got tighter with more powder and nothing came close to 777 in velocity over the chrono.

Not what you are looking for but my load in my Encore is Barnes 250 grain expander in front of 120 grains of loose 777 - Very consistent at 2216 fps. I was very surprised as my low was only 2215 and high was 2217. I can't reload metallic rifle cartridges and get that consistency of velocity. I also use standard Windhester 209 primers.

I have an Encore and an Omega. I usually hunt with the Omega. Mine is the laminated thumbhole stainless. Both flat out shoot. I took some time to wokr up loads but shoot1" groups at 100 yards all day-everyday. I have looked at the Triumph and looks like a great choice also. I'd go with the one that feels best for you. The speed breech and break open action make cleaning and setting the primer very easy also in the Triumph.

I have both an Encore and Omega - My Encore has a Nikon Monarch 2x7 and the Omega a Leupold 2x7. Both shoot the same load equally well into tight little 1" groups at 100 yards. Load is 120grains of loose 777 behind the Barnes 250 grain expander sabots. I have not chronographed the Omega but did so with the Encore and I could not believe the consistency - I had a low of 2215 fps and high of 2217fps - I can't get that tight of deviation from my metallic handloads.

I have an Encore and love the gun - accurate and a pleasure to hunt with. They have really gotten pricey though since the Prohunter came out. I also bought the Omega with thumbhole stock and absolutely love this one. Love the feel and thing flat out shoots 1" or less @ 100 all conditions. I have also looked at the new Triumph and that looks like a winner also. For my money if you are only looking for a muzzleloader - leave the Prohunter there - buy an Omega or Triumph for almost half the money and invest in finding the right load for the gun. Mine loves 120 grains triple 7 behind the Barnes 250 grain expander - about 2250fps with the Omega.

Not sure what you consider "pricey" but there are several good guns that can be had in the $400-$650 range. Already owning a 243 - I would go for something larger than a 25-06 for the second rifle. Agree with the others on maybe a 30-06 but then again I would just go for a 300WSM and be done with it.

Personally I have never had a bad shooting Remington and have many. I never understood why Brownings are more expensive so have never had one. I agree that the Weatherby Vanguards are good guns but only Howa's. Group guarantee means nothing and they will always send you a target that they shot in controlled conditions with a machine to prove it. Tikkas have been getting great reps and they are basically a Sako and worth a look also - appear to be one of the better values out today. I'd wait on the Icon - not sure it is worth the money - let someone else buy them and find out - too many proven rifles out there.

If not going to buy the extra barrels - buy the Omega or the Triumph. I have an Encore and teh thumbhole Omega and use the Omega exclusively for muzzleloader hunting - mine is probably more accurate than the Encore and I love the feel of it. I have checked out the Triumph and it looks real good also. I love the new speed breach plug system and I'm sure it will shoot well also. Both the Omega and Triumph will be allot cheaper than the Encore so more dollars for a better scope.

If not going to buy the extra barrels - buy the Omega or the Triumph. I have an Encore and teh thumbhole Omega and use the Omega exclusively for muzzleloader hunting - mine is probably more accurate than the Encore and I love the feel of it. I have checked out the Triumph and it looks real good also. I love the new speed breach plug system and I'm sure it will shoot well also. Both the Omega and Triumph will be allot cheaper than the Encore so more dollars for a better scope.

I too love the 777. I have the encore and the omega and both are super guns. I have twice looked at the triumph and like the weight and feel and is a nice looking gun for my taste. Price was not bad in the $450 range for the stainless model. I love that new breech plug - really easy to get in and out or should that be out then in - my omega shoots fantastic and is my go to muzzleloader at the moment. If I were to buy another the Triumph would be at the top of the list.

I agree with most above -buy the Remington if you can find it. I love Encores and have a couple and even have the 280 barrel but if I was not trying to skimp on funds I would go with the Remington - I also have several and they all shoot great and function great and the 280 in that guy would be a super deer cartridge and even do a good job on elk if needed. Bottom line is that the Remington should shoot circles around the Encore right out of the box.

You might be nuts but so what - if you want it and can afford it why not? I try to hold myself to 2 per year but that is just me - I won't pass a good deal for the quota though. Now to the Remington 700 in 7 mag - great choice. My first ended up being my biggest mistake ever - I had a 700 action that a local guy cusotm bedded in a Bell & Carlson stock and I had a 3X9 leupold on it. That guy would shoot 1" @ 200 yards constantly -in an insane moment - I sold it. Biggest gun regret I have had. I currently have my 700 7 mag in the KS mountain rifle and it is probably the best shooting gun I have - I love 7mm bullets and probably own a gun in almost every 7mm chambering. Always great accuracy and results. If buying factory ammo try the Federal Fusion 150 grain in the 7 mag. Mine loves them

I would say that it would be about right. Not a great deal if used but ok. The new ones are now in the $6's in most areas.

I would agree with Strut, Look around your local gun shops and you should be able to find something of higher quality for similar money. As for new - I don't know much about the 770 but the 700's are tried and true and the 700 SPS series are super quality guns at an affordable price - under $500 for blue and low $500's for stainless. By a low end Nikon< leupold or even the deals available to the Burris Fullfield and you will have a quality gun for a lifetime. The package scopes are crap and barely functional at best.