Validate my hunting/target rifle choice

I dont know if I would call a 7 pound 30-06 a "heavy gun to soak up recoil".

Im a big Remington fan and the 700 does have the best aftermarket by far. If there is something you dont like about the rifle you can have it changed very easily.

I have no experience with the Sako.

I have a Ruger Left Handed Bolt Rifle similar to the linked rifles but mine is an older Model 77. I have also had several older Remington 700 BDL left handed bolt rifles. My Ruger is chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum and suits me just fine.

Ron

By trying to get a rifle to fill both roles, you're going to end up with a rifle that does neither well. From what you said, it sounds like target shooting is what you'll be doing the most of, so I'd get a rifle geared toward that.

My chosen caliber for target shooting is .308, and I know that I won't be going to the range and putting 100 rounds through a 7lb rifle, because the recoil is going to be too much. If you are talking about a range day consisting of maybe 20 rounds, you might be able to live with it, but it certainly won't be ideal.

As I said, I shoot a .308 and my rifles weighs in at 17lbs. Even at that weight, I do feel it after a day of shooting. When I get through a day of shooting 66 rounds at a match, I know it. Not that I'm hurting, but I can feel it. I couldn't imagine doing that with a 7lb rifle.

For a day at the range shooting over 100rds I prefer to choose one or more of the following features:

1) Heavy rifle
2) Muzzle brake
3) Small bore (.223, .243, etc.)

A heavy .243 or a heavy .308 with a brake are "all-day" pleasant. The .243 hunting rifle is pretty much that way as well. The 8lb .308 Marlin Express starts getting a little unpleasant around 15rds. The 7-ish lb 7mmWSM really took some getting used to before I could fire 20rds in a range trip and it has an excellent recoil pad (Browning X-bolt, I'm also left handed).

Something that I figured out as a lefty: don't feel that you need to limit yourself to left-handed rifles, especially if the rifle will be fired from the bench or bipod primarily. I actually prefer a right handed gun under those circumstances. I can easily visually check the chamber. I can easily work the bolt with my off hand and maintain positive control of the rifle with my primary hand. I can see what I'm doing loading the rifle without ever coming off of it. It also opened up the world as far as options go. I own many rifles and only 3 are left handed, all of those are hunting rifles. Just something to consider.