ok, ive got about $400 and its buring a hole in my pocket. i need a deer rifle and i know i want to go with a 30 06. this will be my first rifle and i may use it one a year to black bear hunt. ive read and read but there is just so much info out there is hard to decide. bass pro has a savage combo for $339. ive seen some remingtons for under $400.

so my question is, if you had $400 to buy your first deer rifle what would you buy?

I am a Remington fan, so I would look for a 700 SPS or a leftover 700 ADL.

I've heard the Savage packages are excellent values for the price

thanks. i guess its all in who you ask. ive heard the remington 710's was trash but then the guy trying to sell me one tells me the savage package is trash.

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I would get a Remington700 SPS. They are the best quality gun for the money, maybe anywhere.

If you want new you will probaly have to settle for a Remington or Savage.There are TONS of used guns out there and for 400 bucks you could probaly pick up a good Rem BDL,Browning or Ruger with scope.
If I had to buy just one right now it would be the Rem M-700 SPS.
BBJ

Id go with a Remington 700 or a savage. Both are great. But if you do get the savage combo, the first thing i would do is throw away the scope!!! You can geta Nikon for a reasonable pricethat is light years better than the simmons that comes with the savage.

HANDS DOWN the savage package. Sorry, just my opinion. I bought a combo Savage package in 7mm-08 and i have been very impressed with this gun. Accurate, accutrigger and seems very durable. its become my default gun for deer hunting and not just cuz of the caliber but the accuracy. I wouldn't touch a REM710 to be honest.

I hate the way the Savage actions feel. They are raspy and remind me of Fisher-Price for some reason.

I would buy Savages if they had an action that was smooth and felt positive.