Gentlemen....
A new "twist" has developed in my .243 project...
Remember the Browning .270 that the Leupold 4.5x14 I picked up, was mounted on? Well as fate would have it, that very same .270 ALSO found it's way to my house!!!

It turned out that I had more value in the mini bike parts than I originally thought!!!
So now I have a "dang near new" Browning .270 A-Bolt Stalker to utilized as my deer rifle. And the VLS, which is on it's way, will now be a 99% DEDICATED long range varmint rig with the ability to do the 1% "crossover" deer work if needed. If I would have known this from the "get go" I probably would chosen a different caliber for my varmint rig..... HOWEVER.... I am more than happy with the way this saga has unfolded thus far!! I feel like I just won a lottery!!!

The only downside to this whole scenario is that I would still be in the market for a scope. As you know, my original plan was to mount the Leupold 4.5x14 on the .243 for my long range work and purchase second Leupold of lower magnification (and QR rings) for my possible deer pursuits. After some thought and a bit of number crunching, here's what I came up with...
I decided to let the Leupold stay where it is on the .270. It's basically dialed in and ready to go to the range for some fine tuning. I saw no reason to upset a working combination. I've also decided to pick up a Mueller 8.5-25x50 for the .243 project. From the reviews I've read, it's a very good quality scope AND it keeps me well within my budget. Besides, I've wanted to try a "big" scope like this for a long time. And in the future, if I really don't care for the Mueller, the "entry fee" didn't break the bank and I can always fall back on my original optics plan providing I start saving my pennies now.

The budget is in good shape thus far...
$700.00 - Rifle, shipping and FFL transfer
$70.00 - QR rings and base (This figure is an estimate. Probably high. I will pick these up locally when the scope arrives. Any recommendations?)
$230.00 - Mueller scope
$1000.00 - Sub Total
This leaves me with the $250 to $350 in the "kitty" for the B&C stock or a bit of work on the stock trigger. Or maybe an aftermarket trigger. Financially speaking, there were many different paths I could have taken. But this is the path I have chosen and it seems to fit the bill quite nicely.... so far.
Everything should be here and assembled sometime next week. In the mean time, if I am forgetting any little bits and pieces, please don't hesitate to bring them to my attention... Thanks for all the help thus far!! Future updates are on the way.... Stay tuned...
