IMO, still hunting timber, high quality low power binoculars is more beneficial than rifle choice. I glass then take a step and glass again slowly - mostly looking for blond hair, crouching down lookin for legs, ears, etc. I'm not jump shooting them, I try to see them prior to jumping them...
Yes, I agree sacrilegious. I have a beautiful Win 70 featherweight in 280 Remington, walnut stock with Schnabel foreend that has taken a number of elk and deer. Additionally, I have a Weatherby Ultra Light in 280 Remington, tan stock with black webs, fluted barrel. Both awesome mountain rifles...
IMO - not very much spot and stalk in midwest - unless you want to track like the Benoits in the north woods. If you still hunt / stalk in Michigan's Lower Peninsula you will just end up pushing deer to someone sitting. You could possibly track like the Benoits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula -...
Both my sons first shotgun were Weatherby SA-08, which are made in Turkey - same factory that makes a number of similar models for various brand names. Absolutely no issues.
I think it would be awesome, but I would be to chicken to try it on an Alaskan moose hunt. I have a 7600 carbine with peep sight like the Benoits used, I'll stick to using on whitetails. Sure as hell, if I took it into the dark timber after elk, I would have a shot at a 350 bull at 300 yards...