Bit by the Hunting Bug...

[BlK Lantern]

This is my first year hunting since I was a boy over 30 years ago. Since that time I've served over 11 years in the military & had multiple surgeries including 3 rotator cuff repairs in both shoulders & now overdue one.

This weekend was my 3rd hunting trip this year. I have an M1A & after hours of lugging that beast around combind with the strap sawing into my shoulder I felt a pain like never before.
I'm shopping for a nice lightweight bolt action. I've narrowed it down between SAKO & Browning X Bolt. In addition I'm unsure in what caliber (30-06, 300 win mag, 25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor & 270 win mag). I like to hunt wild pig but plan for Deer, Elk, Bighorn Sheep & etc... I'm not hunting anything beyond 300 yards but may look into long range target shooting one day.
Any suggestions?

[MJB]

Sako in 30-06

[NapalmCheese]

3 rotator cuff repairs in both shoulders & now overdue one.

...

I'm shopping for a nice lightweight bolt action.
...

I've narrowed it down between SAKO & Browning X Bolt. In addition I'm unsure in what caliber (30-06, 300 win mag, 25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor & 270 win mag).

The bolded things do not go well together.

I've had surgery in both shoulders. I'm not recoil shy but definitely prefer milder recoiling rifles.

Get a 7mm-08, put a limbsaver on it, shoot 120 grain copper bullets and if you don't plan on using your sling as a shooting sling (that is, just using it as a carry strap) get a claw sling.

.25-06 might be alright.

[shooter1975]

Don't overlook the Tikka t3! It's a very nice rifle.

[Barbarosa]

With shoulder trouble I would go with .308 over 30-06.

[MJB]

Your only going to shoot a few rounds a year while hunting

[Bull Elk]

The bolded things do not go well together.

I've had surgery in both shoulders. I'm not recoil shy but definitely prefer milder recoiling rifles.

Get a 7mm-08, put a limbsaver on it, shoot 120 grain copper bullets and if you don't plan on using your sling as a shooting sling (that is, just using it as a carry strap) get a claw sling.

.25-06 might be alright.

Agree on the 7mm-08. However, no need for a limbsaver. The recoil is slghtly more than a .243. Like the OP, I too have had 3 shoulder surgeries and anything more than a 30.06 puts a thumping on my right shoulder with extended range time. I have an XBolt in 7mm-08 and its a sweet shooting rifle.

[Bongos]

270 Win is the way to go, much flatter trajectory.. I'd stay Rem 700 though any reputable name will do.. Winchester, Tikka, Sako, Browning, even Savage...

[ElvenSoul]

6.5x55
6.5c
25-06

Was just looking at some 99 savage 300's on gunbroker.com

[ElvenSoul]

One thing with the 25-06 it needs at least a 24 inch barrel

[njineermike]

.270 is a nice light recoil cartridge that can take down large game.

[njineermike]

270 Win is the way to go, much flatter trajectory.. I'd stay Rem 700 though any reputable name will do.. Winchester, Tikka, Sako, Browning, even Savage...

Agreed. My 13 year old.shoots a .270 at my dad's just fine. That and a .223, but I don't think a .223 is legal for big game in CA. I could be wrong about that, though. Might also try sending the barrel off for a MagnaPort. I've shot a 300 WinMag with a MagnaPort and it felt like a significantly lighter load.

[BlK Lantern]

Thank you Gentlemen, I've been leaning towards a .270. My daughter earned her Hunter Safety Certificate at age 14 & I may want to share the rifle with her.

[Newshooter]

A muzzle brake may help reduce felt recoil. While it will increase the report of the gun, it may be an option to help with recoil.

BTW...the .270 in a Browning BAR is an awesome rifle.

[Brd_Hntr]

Take a look at the Kimber Montana in 7-08. Light weight rifle with a low recoil cartridge.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/montana