I'm looking to buy a rifle for Christmas, need help picking one. I want a bolt gun that will produce good accuracy and sufficient power to take whitetails out to about 400yds. As flat shooting as possible, low recoil(I shoot a .300 Winchester Mag at the moment, it's making me develop a flinching problem). The Winchester Super Black Shadow in 25 or 27 WSSM has been recommended to me, and I like the accuracy of the Savage rifles with the Accutrigger, although they're ugly to me. This will be my first really nice gun, I'd like one with wood furniture, heavy barrel if possible. I'd also considered a Rem 700 Sendero in .308 or .270. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

I'd say check the CZ line as well as Tikka. The Weatherby Vanguard series also shoots well. For more cash, I'd recommned Sako. A 30-06 is hard to beat for a do-all rifle. Lighter loads will demonstrate less recoil. Good luck.

A 25.06 would fit the need you described. Different makes to choose from.

Best Wishes

One of my hunting partners bought a tikka t-3 stainless synthetic in 25-06 as a longer range deer rifle.It has turned out to be a very accurate rifle and is light in weight.

The Ruger M77 has always been a good choice for me in 30-06 and 270 when ive use them, sighted in right they would be good for shootin deer at 400 yards or so

OK guys, thanks for the input. I'm looking at one really strongly at the moment. A Savage 12 Series 12FVSS in .270 WSM. Looks good, it has a heavy, fluted, free-floated, button-rifled stainless barrel, synthetic stock(I tend to be rough on them), has the Accutrigger, etc. MSRP is 645.00 but I'm thinking I can get it cheaper around here.
The ballistics said it'll drop a bout 9.3" at 300 yds.
What do you guys think about this?

I don't think you can go wrong with a .270 WSM. They seem to be pretty popular around here, as does any Savage with an Accutrigger.

I think the 270 wsm will do the trick, but if you r looking at 400 yards the numbers on a .240 wby mag or.257 wby mag are way better. Thats a long shot and I would shoot alot with it no matter what caliber it was before i tried it on an animal.

Federal ballistic tables list a drop of 5.2"-6" at 300 yards with a 200 yard zero depending on the round choosen. The 9.3"you stated would be for a 100 yard zero. For long range hunting the 200 yard zero is generally best.

Good Luck

I have a 270 WSM, it doesn't seem to have any more kick that the standard 270 WIN. I also have the opportunity to shoot deer at 300 + yards, I use a 250 yard zero. I do not have the ballistic chart in front of me but can generall say that your point of aim/point of impact will be within 2.5" of zero from 0 to 300 yards. That will make your 400 yard adjustment somewhere in the 4 - 5" range, still not bad. I aim dead on with the 250 zero until I go over 300 yards, then I make an adjustment since I will have the time at that range, game tends not to be bothered by a couple of clicks at that distance.