Jeff: Regarding the Whelen, the one I have my eye on right now, other than it being an AI, is very close to what I'm looking for. + it's built on a 1909 Argentine, which IMO are incredible actions. The ones I've handled are very precise and smooth. When the time comes, I am confident I'll find a great rifle.
Graduation is whenever I finish my Thesis. I've got a few things going in the lab and I've got about 30 pages written, so I'll finish up this semester, which starts in late August.
I hear ya' on the 700.
Which Whelen AI is it? You will notice their are several common varieties of Improved Whelens.
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
