RE: Favorite brand of ammo
Remington's Core-Lokts are the only factory ammo that will shoot MOA groups from my 30-06. I reload now, so don't buy factory ammo, but there is sure a great variety especially for the 30-06 and 270. I pick ammo by getting the right bullet for what I am hunting in several diffrent brands, and seeing which shoots better in my gun. If I had to get factory ammo, I'd go with the loadings with premium bullets, Winchester Supreme, Federal, Remington has one that I can't remember the name of off hand. If all you are doing is getting some practice, then you don't really need the premium bullet, and regular Remington or Winchester would be fine, and cheaper.