Okay, I'm new to this forum and have read quite a bit and am about to purchase my first rifle.

I grew up in Montana and hunted from age 12 to age 18 religiously but ended up moving to Texas and have just never gotten back into it.

I'm looking for a good general all purpose rifle. Primarily I will be hunting mule deer in eastern Montana but there is a possibility that I could end up hunting antelope or elk with it. I originally was set on a 7mm Mag but talking with some people I am now leaning toward a 30-06. (I shot a .270 Mossberg growing up and liked the gun, but if I ever do want to hunt elk I don't think that will cut it and don't want to have to buy another gun).

My brother recommended the Browning A-Bolt but I'm having a little bit of a hard time with the $850 price tag for a stainless with synthetic stock. I've also considered a Remington 700 Stainless that I've seen in the $550 price range andthe original gun I was looking at was a Ruger M77 Mark II also in stainless in the $500 range. I got tempted by the amazing price on the Remington 710 but after reading some more I decided that I wanted to buy a gun that would last a lifetime.

So, what are everyone's opinions of the 3 model choices above and the 2 caliber choices? My brother said I would be willing to practice withthe 30-06 more because bullets are cheaper and it won't kick as hard and so I would be a better shot with it than the 7mm Mag.

Growing up a 200 yard shot wasn't uncommon in Eastern Montana and you had even farther shots available if you were willing to take them. That's why I was originally leaning toward the 7mm Mag for the flat trajectory.

I will then need a decent scope so any specific recommendations there would be appreciated as well. I'm familiar with Nikon optics (cameras) and like those but am not locked in on a brand.

Not trying to start a brand war or anything, just trying to research out and purchase a good overall gun to use that would be something that will last a good long time.

Thanks in advance. Nathan