Hello everyone!!! I am new to this forum and I love this forum. I need help to pick a hunting rifle and caliber in the $1,000 to $1,300 dollar range. I will be using this rifle for whitetail deer hunting and may take the rifle out west in the future. Here is what I was considering, any input would be appreciated:

1. Remington Custom Shop Mountain Rifle in 7MM STW
2. Kimber Montana in .300 WSM
3. Weatherby Ultra Lightweight in 270 wby mag or 7MM wby mag
4. Sako model 75

Thanks for your help!!

I would get the 270 WBY great gun.

I'm curious why you are considering such powerful cartridges for whitetail deer. Unless you're planning to take most of your shots at over 300 yards, you're running the risk of bullet failure, resulting in wounded and possibly lost deer, or a lot of meat damage.

Welcome to the forum.

I don't mean to insult you, but are you sure you need a Magnum for deer? If you mean "elk hunting" when you say "out West", then I'd consider the 300WSM for both. You do realize that any ultra-light rifle with a magnum chambering is going to kick like a mule? Have you ever shot a 7 pound 300 magnum? If not, I'd endeavor to find something similar to try out before you spend that kind of money.

If you are not going to hunt elk, you might consider a less powerful cartridge, as whitetail deer are not that hard to kill. I bought a Kimber Montana in 308 for deer/boar hunting and I am happy with it. If I someday can afford to go elk hunting, I'll buy a dedicated elk rifle. Some folks prefer to only have one gun for both. Of the guns you mentioned, my choice would be the Kimber with warnings about recoil. Second place would be the Sako. Good luck with your decision.

I like all of your choices, but believe there is one you overlooked.... .30-06

I think I'd get the Sako 75 in .30-06

I think first you have decide between the heavy rifles and the light ones. You have a 8 13/16 lb Sako and a 6.5lbs Ultralight WBY and Rem Mountain Rifle . First decide on the platform (ultralight, sporter, heavy sporter etc) then we can talk calibers.

I have the 270 WBY Ultra Lightwight and with 130gr. Partition's the recoil is not bad at all. And meat damage with the Partition is very little. And if you do go Elk hunting move up to the 150 or 160 Partition. Good luck.

My question is what barrel length are you looking at getting? If you want a short tube, then all of the caliber choices are going to bark quite loud and have a muzzle blast that will bunch your bvd's. For deer, short barrel, I'd go with .270, 30/06, 260, 280 or 7mm-08, for long barrels you could concievably go with anything. JMHO.