I take it you didn't like the Browning A-bolt i suggested?

Stalkingbear,

Far from it! I really like the A Bolts, but I've checked with every gun shop in my area and nobody seems to be able to find a left handed A Bolt in
.30-06.
Ran into ONE shop that had ONE distributor who had 2 lefty Stainless Stalkers in 7mag and a lefty Medallion in .325 WSM......

I did a lot of research on theruger and the 700 because I need a lefty bolt. I read too many reviews on the ruger that said most 100 yard groups were at the 1 1/2 inch range. Iwent with the 700 XCR (basically a CDL with fancy coating and composite stock) and it will do 7/8 ths with core lokt 150gr ammo. I have not tried any other ammo as it is sub moa with cheaper stuff so why bother.

COULD THIS BE FATE STEPPING IN??????????

Ok..... So I've narrowed things down to these 2 guns right????? And as I just stated, I only ruled out a left handed A Bolt because I couldn't find one anywhere.

Well, after work today I stumble into Gander Mountain like I do about every other day because...... Well, it's like holy ground. Sporting goods as far as the eye can see and cute gals in camo and orange vests. ( hope my wife doesn't read this)
Well, as I stroll down the gun wall that I have memorized by now I see something that catches my attention. A Browning A Bolt....with the bolt on the wrong side.....MY SIDE!!!

An A Bolt Hunter model in .300 WSM that someone had shipped in from another Gander store and decided not to buy.

I've looked at the .300 WSM but figured I would never actually find one so I settled on the .30-06.

So..... What to do?

My only concern is that the recoil will pound me. I regularly shoot a .270, .30-06, and 7 mag. No recoil probs there.

It's such a nice lightweight, easy to carry rifle....but is it gonna hammer me much more than I'm used to?

I'm seriosly thinking about this gun. I'll throw a Pachmyer Decelerator or Sims Limbsaver on it and maybe a custom barrel and stock on it in the future.

So if I had to A Bolt hunters, one in 06' and one in .300 WSM how much difference could I expect in the recoil department?

There's not a whole lot of difference between them on recoil-especially with a good recoil pad. You need to put a good pad on it and make SURE to have enough eye relief-just as with any .300 mag. I'm betting you won't feel the need to replace the barrel & stock later on the A-bolt if it's like every other A-bolt I've seen/shot (a BUNCH). I'm sure someone will chime in about their nephew's cousin's neighbor's friend that has a crappy shooting A-bolt, just I've never seen a bad shooting A-bolt. If you're willing to work up a good load or experiment with factory ammo-just as with any rifle, it should shoot ok for you.

removed by RD

Buy it quickly. The recoil will be a non-issue.

If you like theabolt and it feels good...buy it. It'll serve your immediate and future needs nicely. Yes it will recoil more then 06' across the board with the increased & case capacity but managable by most. Your plans to add a good pad will also help when punching paper..in the field you won't notice the tap! I have worked with a number of 300wsm's they shoot the 150 to 180gr bullets well, allowing you to drop grain size to lessen the recoil some as well. I load for a recoil shy shooter who has a tikka lite in a 300wsm,in his rifle we started and ended with the150gr barnes tsx which he shoots comfortably &accuratley.So far it'sharvested deer, bear and moose with no problems.

Also JMO but I find wood transmitts recoildifferently(less) then synthetic, talking off the shelf rifle/stocks.