I recently found this forum, and I figured you all would be the most knowlegeable people to ask.

I have just completed my second season of hunting, and I am without a doubt hooked. I have been borrowing my father in law's Remington 7600 in 300 Sav. for my first two seasons. I have recently graduated college, and I finally have the time and resources to invest in my first rilfe.

I have decided, tentatively, on a Browning A-Bolt composite stalker in a blued finish, chambered in .270. I hunt the Edwards Plateau and the Hill Country in Central Texas, with an occasional jaunt to South Texas with a good buddy.

My question is this: Is there a better option out there for me? I would like to stay in the ~$500 range. The people I hunt with usually use Remingtons, usually ADLs or BDLs of anywhere from .243, .22-250, .270, .30-06, or 7mm. One fella uses a nice used Ruger. They aren't much help, since no one has a lot of experience with other brands/models.

The thread on the Savage rifles got me second guessing. I noticed that I can get a Savage composite w/ a stainless barrel for a little less than the A-Bolt blued. Is stainless really necessary for someone only hunting central Texas? The higher cost is daunting.

I'd love to see what you all think. Any help would be appreciated. I'm leaning towards the Browning.

Thanks, and Gig 'Em