The .270 is a great cartridge for the hunting you will be doing. It's also perfectly suited for elk as well should you ever want to hunt them. If you like the .270 then don't let anyone talk ou out of it. There are bullets for it in every sporting goods store you will ever go in to, and it will be here for ever. For your first rifle there are probably no two better cartridges than the .270 and 30-06.

As far as the finish goes, there is absolutly nothing wrong with a blued gun. Every one of mine are blued and have hunted in the salty, rainy Florida air, South Texas, Colorado and a few other places and have never had to worry about rust at all. The stainless, contrary to popular belief, will get damage from the elements if not properly taken care of just like blued guns will. IMO unless you are hunting in CONSTANT foul weather, save your maney and go blue. If you can get an A-Bolt for $509 then you better not wait cause they'll be gone when you go back.