Got to handle most of them.

Decided to cross out the 800+ Ones including savage 10 precision. Just too much of a bench gun/heavier. Love it, but not really on task with what I'm after.

I liked the savage axis I looked at, pretty decently, still certainly shows it's price point. The Ruger American just seemed so feather light and rickety.
I really loved the feel of the Thompson Center Venture. The weatherby vanguard 2 was a little bit less nice.

Dillema is the counter guy. (Mid 20's) He turned me onto the T/C and the Marlin XL7 initially. But he between the 2 models in stock (T/C and Weatherby) actually voted for the Ruger American as being the better rifle/better value. And the weatherby as better than the T/C. (Counter to my order of personal ranking.) Amongst his reasons was saying the Ruger was free floated and had adjustable trigger. (I had read it was so flimsy it's own weight would un free float it.)


Going to do more reading online, but any last moment comments on my new info or votes between those 3? (Solid feel and grippy stock worth the extra $150-200 over the Ruger?)

Brain says Ruger due to just being a game rifle in .30-06, heart says TC, balance of the 2 says Weatherby.