I shot competitively for some years before I started hunting, so I was used to long range shooting, my first deer was taken at 383yrds with a .30-06. Her knees buckled and she didn't move. Just so happens that that was with a Ruger M77.

I'd honestly suggest a Savage in .30-06. I've had all of the 7mm's at one time or another except a 7-30 Waters and the new 7mmWSM (which I've shot a bit anyway), and I never felt that I honestly needed the extra noise and recoil to take deer. A .30-06 will kill deer at 1000yrds if you do your part, the 7mm MIGHT give you to 1050-1100yrds, but you're a long way from that type of shooting.

Personally, since this will be your first rifle, I'd like you to stop thinking about 300-400yrds for a while. Get some shooting time under your belt before you go making extraordinarily long shots. You'll hear about guys on here making shots like that regularly, but you've got to remember a few things: you're not looking them in the eye, AND, most guys here are the upper escelon of hunting and shooting, not your average hunter, nor joe blow "Igottarifle".