Looking to get a new deer hunting rifle. I currently use a Remington .270 710 model my father bought for me when I was young maybe 14 or 15. I put a Swift 4x12x50 on it. (Which btw, if you're looking for a quality scope for under $300, I highly recommend Swift, but that is a different forum) and it has gotten me by over the years...killed a lot of deer with it, plan to keep it and still use it. But, I'm older now and I want something new, something that is quality, something I can use the rest of my life, something to be proud of, and not to mention a bad, smooth operating killing machine. I've done some research, and I think that I either want a Browning X-bolt stainless Stalker 30-06 or a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 30-06. I haven't shot either one yet, but I was hoping to get some input from people that are more familiar with these guns than I am. I plan to put a Leupold V-2 3x9x50, or 4x12x50 on it. Please advise.

Greatly appreciated.

Welcome Grayboy; glad you stopped by.

I can answer you only on the Browning, having owned a SS in 338 WM for the past 22 yrs. A gunsmith that I frequently use, and who does quite a lot of 'turkey shoots' shot a 3/8" 100 yd 3-shot group with the rifle, with 250 gr Sierra's. I can't do it. It is a quality rifle, but the equipment that made it is long gone, I'm sure. Reports of the newer Brownings that I've seen have been good. I don't have any Wby vanguards, but have friends that do have them, and they are nice rifles as well.

You've narrowed your search considerably, and I suspect both are comparable in quality. The Browning may be a few more $$? If I was this close to a choice, I'd handle both and choose the one that looks and feels the best, to you alone. Please stop by and let us know which way you went!

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Another welcome Greyboy, glad you joined us!

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I have an Abolt stainless Stalker in 25-06. It is by far my favorite hunting rifle for deer and antelope on the prairie. Mine has a Leupold scope on it too!

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I've got a Vanguard in .257 Weatherby and it's a nice, accurate rifle. And I've shot deer with an A-bolt in a .30-06 (a friend's gun).

I don't think that you can go wrong.

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MikeG

So its been a while, but I finally made my decision. I purchased the X-Bolt 30-06 Stainless Stalker! Super excited, and can't wait to pick it up. Thanks everyone for the input.

I don't disagree with the choice! Thx for letting us know, and please let us know how it shoots when you get a scope mounted.

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