First off I'd like to say hi and I've been scouring these forums for information and I've found a lot of great threads.

I'm in the market for my first rifle purchase. Since I was 12 I've used a Winchester Model 94 30-30 and it's been fantastic. Now that Im older and completed college I can actually afford to purchase a new rifle for my first time and needless to say I'm psyched.

I've had pretty good luck narrowing down the rifle to a Savage 14 American Classic with a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40. I've had a little more challenge with deciding between a .308 or a .270WSM. I know both will be fantastic, it will be primarily used for New England whitetail hunting and maybe some bear hunting if I ever decide to tread those waters.

The other guns I seriously looked at were the Winchester 70, Browning X bolt and this weekend I'm going to go look at a Weatherby Vanguard sporter. Whats your guys thoughts? I'm basically looking for one gun that I will keep as my deer rifle for years and years as my next gun is going to be a nice O/U for duck hunting.

Basically I wanted to say hi and spout out what I can't really talk to my friends around Boston about!