It was then.
Might have been my only 'hunter' at the time. I've bought and sold a few dozen rifles since then. Few in comparable calibers have been tested. (7mm-08, 7x57, 270) Desn't help that all my shooting/reloading buds live in other states.
btw, after cataract surgery and and a fixed lens in my left eye with impressive results it'll be another week before I get my shootin' eye done as well. It's worse, and I'm kinda cross-eyed for another week with ~20/20 on the left but needing readers, and still using the rt lens in my glasses for the bi-focal bit. I really can't focus on cross-hairs because of the cataract but should be good to go by the end of the month.
If I hunt again out West I'd likely take the .270. Sold 7mm STW Sako 75 and .270 Wby Mk V because I didn't feel a need for the power or range. I have .338-06 and 9.3x62 for bigger game if I ever line up another hunt.