Same boat as you a month ago. Did two months worth of research and wound up with the T3 Laminate Stainless in .30-06 with a Leupold VXIII 2.5-8. Went with the .30-06 because of wide range of ammo and because of the overwhelming popularity with pretty much everyone I talked to. I wanted the stainless synthetic but "settled" for the laminate b/c no one in Calgary had the synth in that caliber. That price seems steep, but check the stores.
I find that the gun punches a little more than I thought it would but it's still a lot of fun to shoot. You aren't putting 100 rounds through it when you hunt anyway.
Took it out two weeks ago and pounded its first whitetail. Very happy with the decision and would recommend it.
|