Frame fit, first and foremost importance for me.
Followed by meat hauling friendliness, meaning gotta have a meat shel
Lastly, organization.
That said, there is more refinement in fit and function when you get to the "Alpha" bags.
Will what your are carrying notice any difference, nope...
Great question!
DT1 or DT2 for me if no rain/snow involved.
Or Crater/Cavern if rain/snow involved.
Either on a 24" Tactical and small belt for my sissy-ass body!
Tag, I sorta did something along the same lines.
I opted for 20" 300WSM with 175 Badlands BD2.
Haven't shot any heavy or big bodied animals but on hogs, WOW!
Agreed, though, with high BC 7mm and high MV it closes the gap to the venerable 300+215 combo.
But to get more, you gotta jump up to...
I am lucky enough be be 20 minutes from WM.
Great facility and great people.
My cherished WM bag is over 10 years old and still stoopid warm.
Though lately, I've been cheating on that bag and sleeping with my EE quilt.
There's a bunch of great actions out there, really can't go wrong anywhere with M700 clones.
In the current stable; Defiance/Kelbly/Stiller.
Look at the features you want then see what's available and go from there.
Getting the pieces together is 1/2 the fun (and AGONY)!