Chowder,
Maybe you misunderstood my post. I am looking at a purchasing a new rifle and was asking opinions on cal size. I have been shooting for over 35 years and also an avid bow hunter, I would consider myself a competent and ethical shooter ,I hope you can place 100yd shots off hand if you are a hunter.
Your post is implieing that I am a new shooter and need range time, "Consistently being able to make 100+ yd shots comes w/ range time not an expensive rifle" At the risk of sounding like a s-head I would encourage you to consider getting an economically priced 270 like a Savage/Stevens bolt action with a decent 3x 9x scope ($150 range) and then put the rest of your hard earned $ into several boxes of reasonably priced 130 grain bullets and spend some some range time before and during the season.
I did not even mention price of gun, but now that you ask I am seeking a high quality wood stock that I can someday hand down to my son as my father did to me.
I will take you statement about the 270 in to consideration.
Thanks