The .30-06 designation means .30 caliber, year of 1906. It is an ex-military cartridge adopted in that year. It is the successor to a similar cartridge, the .30-03, from - - guess which year?- - 1903! You will NOT go far wrong with the .30-06. Good choice in caliber. Cartridge designations are confusing. Don't wory, you're young, you've got plenty of time to learn.

Don't be too hard on yourself for the 710. True, it would not be the choice of many, but it will more than likely be a very accurate rifle. When you decide to go out and get yourself another rifle that your peers will envy you for, you may find that you still want the 710 for a field gun.

My first centerfire rifle was an ex-molitary M1903-A3 Springfield rifle, also a .30-06. My dad carried one similar to this in WWII. I bought it when I was a senior in high school at the local shopping mall, for $55. This was in 1976, when a young man could walk through a mall and out the door carrying a rifle in a plastic bag without drawing fire from the police. I still have this rifle and it is dear to my heart.

Welcome to the shootiong sports, young man! Shoot safe, vote freedom first, and set a good example for thos who will follow you.