Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone.
I'm leaning towards another creedmoor, if you couldn't tell from my first post. But I'm open to being convinced. My current 6.5 rifle is a run of the mill Howa 1500 - maybe I could try something different. I might have a hard time justifying a complete duplicate. Maybe something with a heavier barrel that is more fun to shoot from the bench?
The 7mm-08 or 280 idea is interesting. If I reloaded, or if factory ammo was available for heavier bullets in 7-08 (maybe it is and I just don't know where to look), that would be more appealing. The ammo availability is an even bigger issue with 280. A 30-06 has the advantage of cheap and available ammo, but if I'm going to step up in recoil I sort of think I should step up to a 7mm mag.
VarmintGuy, thanks for the advice about heavier calibers. We don't have bears of any variety here in the Black Hills, so I haven't given that much thought.
