Mmm...

I never even thought about a jungle gun, and for 10 months of the year it just might suffice! but I hage never even seen one in the flesh! But that is an option that just might plague me till I get it, too!

But the drilling or combination gun is probably better for the 200 yard shots I may get on deer nd elk. Last year's elk was at 225 paces.

OK, so a combo or drilling with a good scope might be most practical. An elk is a big deal around here, and I want to be able to make a good shot at ranges out to about 200 yards.

Yes, Hoppdoc, it is kind of a fun problem!

And yes, I agree. The 7x57R would be a good one. And I have about 200 empty 7x57R cases. Can anybody make a good argument for some other caliber? I've killed elk with the 6.5x55 and 7x57, and either the 6.5x57R or 7x57R would be good.

But what gun? Merkel, CZ? What scope mount? Where to get such a thing? I am in the middle of nowhere and no local gunshop would have a clue...

NE450, you are right, a 20 ga would be no handicap. Actually, any gauge from 20-12 would be fine.

Xausa's 8x57R/12x12 ga drilling seems like a winner, but can I justify the cost of a drilling over a combo?

I should add, the gun will get used. I go in rain, snow or shine and so will the gun. The gun will be wiped down and have a patch pushed thru the bore from time to time, but in a year it will have the blue worn off the edges and there will be unavoidable scratches and dings in the stock. I'm not a total clod, but spills and falls are the nature of things and the gun will show use after a time, so no "art pieces" or "investment" guns. I just refinished my Husky Model 146 9.3x57 stock AGAIN. It needed it, and it wasn't even carried the whole past year...