The Top 40

He's right of course.
Remington model 700 in .308 with a few tweaks is about as good as it gets all things considered. I have 3 with varying tweaks. Get a couple spare barrels for future maintenance and a spring package and consider optics. A Dillon reloader and about $200 in supplies, and with diligence, proper maintenance, and attention to detail you'll never need to buy another long range highly accurate rifle.

As a gun nut, I'm a fan of 6 mm, .25's and especially the .22 Hornet but I have to agree that the .308 is an excellent all around caliber and probably the best short action cartridge ever designed.

As I got older I gave up the idea of carrying around the weight of a heavy rifle and ammo. I have a flat shooting Tikka .243 scoped and that is good to 300 yards. At my age I have trouble finding the end of my arm so banging away at 800 yds just ain't gonna happen.

I shall always have my Ruger .22 Hornet with the 10" barrel as a sidearm but for some really nasty quiet work, a .17 does horrible things to a body. That round is moving around 4000 fps. Try it on a melon. Makes the .22 Win Mag out to be a toy and for sniping, it isn't.

All of what you're musing about is going to take place up close and personal: Building to building

You guys obviously don't live in Montana (West Glacier) or Kodiak. I don't walk into the forest without my .45-70 lever action.

*Doug, well, I do have a Winchester Model 71 (look it up) but at $9 a round I rarely shoot it. It was my dad's Pennsylvania deer gun.

I did shoot a whole box of 20 last summer (ouch!) and I'm searching for a die and new points to put the empties back together. It's got a nice *crack* to it, and smooth as silk.