I suggest a Remington M-700 SPS in 7mm-08. It is easy to maintain, rugged, synthetic stock and non-glare finish, lightweight, low recoil, very accurate, and has plenty of power for any whitetail, mule deer, hog, or black bear. Top it with a good quality scope such as a Bushnell Elite 4200, Leupold VX-3, Zeiss Conquest, or a good quality Vortex or Nikon scope and you will be good to go. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good deer rifle and scope, but do not waste your money on a cheap quality scope. Rifles with fine wood and fancy finishes do look good, no doubt, but I want a hunting rifle to be something that if it rains on it or if I scrape the stock against a rock, it is not ruined. I want something reliable, tough, adequate power, and accurate. Others may have different desires. A .30-06 or .308 caliber would also be a good choice, but more recoil. Don't know if this is an issue for you or not. Note that a 7mm-08 is just barely below the power rating of a .270 and has much less recoil.

I am that buddy. The VTR was probably the coolest looking gun I've ever owned, but it was the gun that I felt the least confident in out of any I've owned.

But I digress. If you have shorter arms I'd Really take a look at the Remington model 7 youth, great gun!

10lbs in an understatement when you are used to carrying the synthetics around. From a blind and at the range, it's a sweet shootin' dude.

This rifle fits my wife like a glove. Hers is a 308 cal.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog...hunter-firearms

Seeing how you are in Houston, i would like to at least mention that there are several Academys around town that are having killer deals on Savages model 111 FCNS (right at $300) and Remington 700 ADLs (around $350) in 270. Neither guns will wow or impress people, but both will shoot great and reliably for you at what are very good prices IMO.

I always tell poeple to try their best to find someone with a particular gun and ask if you can fire it before purchasing. On that note, I have a plain jane 30-06 700 ADL. If you want to fire it, which shoots nearly identical to a 270, then I would be glad to meet you up in ASC and let fire a few rounds.

While I will admit there is something to the "wow factor", I recommend someone looking to get a new rifle not to be overly concerned about that. The reason I recommended the Remington 700 is the vast amount of add-ons and accessories available for it. They can be "customized" to no end. Every gun smith out there can work on them, for future mod's, if needed". And they are a tried and true platform.

The caliber is a personal preference thing. Ask 100 different hunters, and you'll get about 80 different answers.

The reason I said 708 is because it's just a good all around caliber. There are many that fit this bill though, and anything falling between a 243 and a 30-06 is perfect for deer and hog sized game.

I do have a 708, and it does happen to be a rem 700. But I also have a ruger77, and Win 70, a Sako, an Encore, and a couple of other rifles. So by no means am I recommending a certain rifle or caliber simply because "it's what I use".

No doubt you'll love whatever you choose. But to most hunters, the wow factor is in shot placement, not the tool. So finding a rifle that fits you well and shoots well, to me, is much more important than having something different or prettier than anyone else.

7mm-08, 6.6x55...30/06 in full loads or Managed Recoil loads

Tikka or Sako

Howa/Weatherby Vanguard are both fine bolt actions also...(same manufacture Howa)

Good Luck on your quest.

I hope you didn't think I was directing my comment at you b/c I def wasn't. I see your posts in the rifle and ammo sections and there is no doubt you know what your talking about. There are alot of weekend warriors on here though that always recommend whatever they have when sometimes it is far from the best for the OPs needs.

Thanks Y'all. I think the Browning is the one I am going to go with. Not going to lie, it is a sexy [censored] gun!

Steyr Mannlicher Pro Hunter sexy and extremely accurate

in 7-08 or 25-06

The 7-08 may fit the bill for you because it doesn't require atleast a 24in barrel like the 25-06

I think you are making an exellent choice. I've never shot the X-bolt, but I have shot my first buck ever with an A-bolt and think it is definitely one of the better triggers on the market. And I've been told the X-bolt trigger is even better.

Since you do have the funds to spare, you may want to look into the Medallion series. The wood and finish of the stock is that much better than the standard walnut, especially if you are going for that wow factor.

If you get a chance, look at the CZ 550 fullstock before you buy. I will addmit though, that the Browning seems to work well for women. Something about it seems to attract them.

It's all good Driller. I find most of the time you and I are on the same page, as we are now.

6.5x55 is a good choice for a first hunting rifle that will have many uses. Accurate with plenty of knockdown power but still very mild recoil. Good choice for even the seasoned hunters.

people say that same thing about me...

LOL!
Touche, good sir, touche!

First: Pick a quality brand. Everything after you start with a basically solid build is just picking fly poop from the pepper or brand loyalty clouding your vision.

Second: should them and see which one comes to firing position most comfortably. You aren't getting a custom rifle. There will be significant differences in stock design and you may not like them all.

Third: if none are perfect, decide what you want to fix to make one perfect. Stocks are harder to make right than any other well made component on a rifle. If you don't like the trigger, you are only about $100 from the trigger you want. If you don't like the stock, well, that's more complicated (and more expensive). A trigger you do not like on a CZ is easier, cheaper, and more reliably addressed than the sticking bolt on the Remington or the wrong sized stock on the Weatherby.

Fourth: If there's a tie, pick the prettiest one.

There have been many posts in here about good white tail rounds. The topic has been beat to death and I encourage you >not< to go look them all up and read them. Both you mentioned are very good. So would several others. I favor .308.

I agree with this rec, but your off-the-shelf ammo choices are going to be limited. If you roll your own, then a 6.5 Swede is a great choice for a light kicking rifle. The CZ550 American is a great looking rifle.

Well The Browning is just a sexy rifle. Its just a matter of the feel of the rifle. Plus... we like to have little animals on our guns. It makes us feel all cute...Thats why women like them. Just like we wear tight fitting camo and put ribbon in our hair to go hunting. I spend more time getting ready to go hunting than I do on a normal day... just for pictures.

Anyways, I went last night and looked at the X Bolt and loved how it feels. Not to heavy for truckin' through the woods or climbing a tree stand. Great length. Also looked at the Nikon scope but might swing for the Leupold. Who knows. Either will be fantastic

Oh and ammo is not an issue since we reload our ammo. I prefer the accuracy of something that is handmade.

Glad I'm not the only one that feels like that..

Sounds like you have found your rifle. We need pictures of gun and owner when you get it!

The Browning is a great choice and very under rated. Gave my nephew one in 270 and I thought he was going to kiss me. Look at the Zeiss Conquest scope best thing going for $400. The Leupold eye piece needs to be re-adjusted when you go from low to high magnifaction. Most people don't know that but if you don't believe me ask around to folks that know scopes.

Never had that problem with Leupy but I have with Nikon.

I have used both the Nikon and Leupold and haven't have any problems either. I am very partial to Nikon only because they are amazing but the Leupold I looked at the other day was equally amazing, and its high quality