Yeah, coues hunting doesn't always require 1000 yard shooting. You couldn't give me a heavy barreled gun with an obnoxious scope on top.
I'd trade a few yards of long range potential for the ability to get the gun into action in a moment. I've seen way too many people di cking with gear when a nervous buck is well within killing range.
One of the better bucks I passed on this December spooked from a ravine, walking slowly but steadily. He was within 100 yards, he never stopped. I could've killed him if I'd chosen to, by kneeling down and firing. But not if I had to turn my scope down, or rely on a bipod, or put on ear muffs because i need a brake for my magnum, or fool around with other crap.
I killed my coues this year at 180 yards, steep downhill shot off my tripod, during a rainstorm. I've been packing a remington sporter barrel 700 in a B&C stock, 3-9SS scope, 105 hpbt or 105 amax. Best combo I've used so far. It's worked at 80 yards on running bucks to just shy of 600 yards.
Just my 2 cents, sorry for the essay
