I have been reading a lot on these forums and have gained some good information. I have a few questions, and my brain is going 100 mph to try to make up my mind. I have a trusty but fairly cheap hunting rifle that I put together last year before season. I am pushing 40 and just started hunting in 2017. I had ar15's, and a 6.5 cm in a mdt chassis, but no "deer" rifles. I bought a mossberg patriot on sale at the local shop for $295, in 7mm-08. Put it in a boyds heritage stock, and put a vortex 3-9x50 on top. The rifle shoots pretty good. I am not expecting as much as I did from my chassis rifle. But now that I am pretty addicted to hunting, and I am use to higher end rifles I would like to upgrade. I do not want to buy something just to turn around and replace every part but the bolt/barrel like I normally do. looking at the savage 110 predator, in 6.5 creedmore, with the accustock. savage # 57004. My hunting scenarios are 95% whitetail, within 200 yards, and a semi-planned trip to Idaho for Elk next year. But this rifle weights just under 9lbs, with no optic. My walks into the woods usually are not too bad, maybe 15 minutes at the most. I was planning on a scope about 6-25x50, ffp in mil. So I guess without rambling on.
1. Will this rifle be too heavy?
2. Will a scope more suited for longer range suck at closer ranges, say 50 yds?
3. Should I just keep the mossberg my hunting rifle and spend my money on something else?
Also I am keeping my mossberg, so this rifle might see a little long range shooting at my buddies 1100 meter range. (which is why the optic)
A few side notes. I have a reloading station but I am generally too busy to do anything with it, which is why I like the ammo available for the 6.5. I am aware the the 7mm-08 is a great round but ammo for it kinda sucks around here.
1. Will this rifle be too heavy?
2. Will a scope more suited for longer range suck at closer ranges, say 50 yds?
3. Should I just keep the mossberg my hunting rifle and spend my money on something else?
Also I am keeping my mossberg, so this rifle might see a little long range shooting at my buddies 1100 meter range. (which is why the optic)
A few side notes. I have a reloading station but I am generally too busy to do anything with it, which is why I like the ammo available for the 6.5. I am aware the the 7mm-08 is a great round but ammo for it kinda sucks around here.