Looks like I owe benman an apology. Im not sure of the terrain in California but in central New York the shotgun reigns supreme. That has some help in that only shotguns are allowed for deer season. But when shooting long distances with sharp eyed game, thats where the rifle comes into its own. Of coarse, with good stalking skills one could even (shorten actually <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) the playing f eild and bring into shotgun range. I wish they still made 8, 6,2 and 0 gauges. Those look fun! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />